davidmac

Hi, it’s not just motorhome insurance that rises by large amounts. November 2022 I paid £191 to insure my Yamaha Tracer, the 2023 renewal quote was £758. Looked around and finished up paying £198. Sometimes I think some companies don’t want your custom. Regards David

Hi, last year I paid £490 to Comfort this years quote was £734. Looked around and finished up paying Scenic £527. European breakdown cover included in all of these prices. Comfort put the price increase down to Aviva. Regards David

Hi, you can tap into mains water and have unlimited cold water but the amount of hot water you have sets the amount of time you can spend in the shower, yes? Regards David

Hi, looks like you have done a good job! It looks like you are an expert so if I have a similar problem I’ll give you a visit 😄 Regards David

Hi, it would be interesting to find out the exact cause of the engine failure, wrong oil, incorrect oil level or whatever but the owner has drawn a line and moved on . Time for us to do the same. Regards David

Hi, with so little detail it is guesswork as to the cause of the failure. If the motorhome had a service and cambelt renewal then set off on its journey through France it had probably clocked up less than 1000 miles with the new oil. For the oil to be the cause of the failure after such a short mileage it would have had to be way way way off spec. Metal in the sump would indicate main or big end bearing failure. Incorrect oil levels could cause this, too little oil would cause a low pressure but would trigger a warning light, too much oil in the sump puts excessive load on crankshaft and conrods and can cause bearing damage. My Mercedes has a high oil level warning, don’t know about Fiat’s. Another possibility is if the motorhome had gone through a number of regens on the dpf the oil could become contaminated with unburnt fuel oil. That’s my best thoughts. Regards David

Hi, you say you need to repair some rot in your m/h , I assume there’s a leak somewhere. Do you know where the leak is, roof or walls? Might need to keep an eye out on my m/h Regards David

Hi, I didn’t have to take the bed apart, just take out the two bolts to get enough length to fit the strut. It was a year ago so memory fades but I think if the two bolts and the strut on each side are removed the bed could be removed . It is heavy and awkward so I think it’s at least a two man job. You could always pm me your phone number and we could talk about it Regards David

Hi, I think I have the same bed in my 966. Last year I had to replace one of the gas struts and to get the new one in had to drop the bed down. If I remember correctly the pivot bolt was removed and also one other bolt then the strut was detached. EXTREME care is needed around the strut, if it is under any pressure when released it can be lethal. I had to disassemble the bed to get the new strut on as it needed to be slightly compressed to get on without taking the bed apart Regards David TAKE GREAT CARE !!!!!

Hi, seems to be the practice nowadays, a short video when my car was serviced by an independent garage and half a dozen photos of work carried out when my motorbike was serviced Regards David

Hi I think engine access is more difficult on an A class especially with the north south layout of a Mercedes. If you could train up an octopus it could probably replace the 642 turbo without removing the gearbox but it would need to be exceptionally strong as it needed a three foot breaker bar to undo the three bolts holding the turbo on. The 642 has a 12lt sump capacity and to fill the engine you need either a three foot hose and a funnel or use a one liter bottle twelve times, impossible to get a five liter container anywhere near the filler. Access to the cooling system top up is also quite limited Regards David

Hi needed a replacement turbocharger on my A class Rapido v6 merc . Because of where the turbo is,at the rear of the v , the gearbox had to come out so quite a hefty labour bill. The 642 was fitted in saloon cars, apparently take the bonnet off , same jobs an easy one. Regards David

Hi, unlike Brian I didn’t find keeping my C1 much of a faff. I got the Boots optician to sign my D4 when I had my free eyesight test, had a medical done by D4Doctors at a cost of £55 and 90 minutes of my time including driving to Milton Keynes and back. Having a phg is a saving of approximately £250 over three years as opposed to a plg so why downplate. In my view one is either fit to drive or not, be the vehicle under or over 3.5t the result of having an accident is the same whatever the plated weight is if it is the same vehicle. Regards David

Hi, I drove through Rouen twice at the beginning of July on route from Dieppe to LeMans and back. Just before midnight on the way down and about eight in the evening on the way back. I was concentrating on my satnav and the traffic but can’t remember seeing any critair signage. regards David

Hi , my motorhome is based on a Mercedes Benz and the dashboard readout is lt per 100km. Google will give me a conversion if I’m bothered. If it’s not too hilly or windy not too much of a hurry I can just about get 400miles out of the 70lt fuel tank. Regards David

Hi 3.0lt v6 auto 4t Aclass. Sunday Forfar to Berwick on Tweed at a leisurely 45 mph 10.7 lt per 100km. Today Berwick to Bedford at 62 mph where possible 13.3lt per 100km. The speed that you drive at determine your mpg. Regards David

Hi there is a caviat regarding Serbia and Cyprus on the green card that only parts of the country controlled by the government are covered. I would think that insurers can put their own limits on policies regardless of government policies. Regards David

Hi it was the green card that I got my information. Regards David

Hi looking at my bike insurance, I’m covered in Serbia and Slovenia but not in Bosnia. Regards David

Hi if the op drives what his name is then yes, six berth tag axle, a lot of motorhome to move. Won’t be agile or quick. Regards David

Hi, as well as fuel costs tolls can be expensive on motorways. If you are looking at doing a full tour of Europe you will probably need to use toll motorways to fit everything in. France expensive, Italy Spain less Germany Belgium free. Not sure about Austria and Switzerland. As already suggested do one country at a time, take your time and enjoy, Regards David Just drove from Rouen to LeMans 200km €57 toll charge

Hi, do not want to get involved too much in this discussion but if you could enlighten us into the exact nature of the damage caused ,we could decide wether or not to use out of date ad blu. I brought second hand BMW diesel car April 21, it was serviced by main dealer a year later, no mention of ad blu on the invoice and I haven't put any in it but still runs ok. Regards David

Hi, drove from Dieppe to Le Mans and back last weekend going on the 338 to A28 through the city, late night Wednesday going, late Sunday evening return, did not see any signs indicating start /finish of any crit air zones. Didn't get pulled by the gendarmes so no problem. Regards David

Hi, thanks for that, I’ll see if I can get some and give it a go. Regards David

Hi, the 7series Domitec fridge in my motorhome fails to run on gas from time to time. Easy enough to fix, take off the outside grill, pull out the small multipin plug, spray with contact cleaner, push back on, fire up all good. The question is what can I do to the plug/pins to keep a good connection? Regards David