I'm going to view a LWB 2003 plate Transit that has been converted to a motor-home. Is there anything in particular I should look out for mechanically? It's got a new MOT and service history apparently, and it looks nice and clean from the photo's.

Rust! also check inside with a moisture meter for leaks from the coachwork and also for rodent damage.

The conversion has only just been done and not quite finished, so the inside is immaculate, it's more the mechanical things I'm worried about. And as you can see it's looks like it's been looked after:


Transit

Can't imagine the guy would waste time on converting it if there was loads of rust.

Has it been vosa inspected & changed on the log book, you'll be looking at commercial insurance if not! My mates going through all that now! Will be added expense.

Ahh, good point, any idea of the hassle and cost of this?

Front discs are a nightmare to change, requires removal of hubs and most likely new bearings at the same time so prob worth having a butchers. Also worth paying some attention to the clutch as these have a dual mass flywheel, most people convert to normal flywheel when the dual mass becomes knackered. Other than that they're normally pretty good. I had a 53 plate from new and it looked after me for 100k worth of miles.

vac pump leaking oil

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Originally posted by Jasper
Ahh, good point, any idea of the hassle and cost of this?

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Get right underneath with a torch and check everything for rust. A friend has a 2003 Transit and it's quite shocking just how badly it has rusted, it's going to need quite a bit of welding for the next MOT.

Useful stuff, thanks.

Apparently the DVLA will change on the log book with photographic evidence, not had that confirmed though. Yes, just checked online, can be done with photo's and no charge.

[Edited on 1/7/13 by Jasper]

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Originally posted by Jasper
Useful stuff, thanks.

Apparently the DVLA will change on the log book with photographic evidence, not had that confirmed though.

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Right He put me on to this for you! http://www.caravanwise.co.uk/motor/diycamper.html

HTH

Aaron

Check the front chassis legs and inner wings under the bonnet, along with the rear inner wing to floor area for rust in particular. Vac pump for oil leaks and that the oil cooler hasn't been by-passed (they leak oil into the coolant and a quick fix is the connect the inlet and outlet pipes together).

Rust, rust and more rust.

Propshaft UJ's are sealed for death, it's a long shaft.... gets expensive.
Oil cooler is just by the LHS engine mount, it's an oil/water unit, it leaks externally and internally due to corrosion and the gasket failing.

My 2.4 Di (11 years young) developed a recent water leak from the oil cooler thermostat. It's at the back of the engine, above the starter motor and very difficult to see, let alone get at. Lots of bad language, wet arms and grief. It's brittle black plastic, sealed with weak O-ring and contained a broken spring and a seized wax needle.... real quality part (£23 genuine).

Injector pumps are well known items of grief, some self destruct after ca. 70,000 some carry on for galactic mileage. Has to registered with the ECU... costly items, pumps.

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Originally posted by motorcycle_mayhem
Propshaft UJ's are sealed for death, it's a long shaft.... gets expensive.

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