Coachman Posted May 24, 2012 Share Posted May 24, 2012 Hello all, been away for some time now but back with a MOBILVETTA Driver 52. T he grey water tank has a bad leak from the neck to the pullout empty lever.When i took a look at it i was able to gently push the neck and water poured out. The people who owned it before had a leak and they had cacked sealer around the leak but as i said it still leaks.Only bought it last Friday and took it back today where the "fitter" put more sealer around it, this is the same guy who on Saturday said my lesuire battery is fine on his meter. I took that to another garage who said its had it , took it back and this time manager swapped it for new 110 amp with no comment. So any ideas chaps?. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Tracker Posted May 24, 2012 Share Posted May 24, 2012 Insist on a new tank fitted free and name and shame the buggers on here! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted May 25, 2012 Share Posted May 25, 2012 Pastiche You haven't said how old your Mobilvetta is, but the Top Driver 52 model was being produced from the late-1990s to the early-2000s. So the chances of obtaining a like-for-like replacement tank off-the-shelf may be slim. I'm not sure from your description ("a bad leak from the neck to the pullout empty lever") how damaged the tank is. Inlets and outlets on motorhome waste-water tanks are often an integral part of the tank's main structure and, if the tank is just cracked around the inlet, it may be possible to remove the inlet and replace it with a 'nut-in-tank' fitting of the type marketed by CAK. http://62.128.151.219/Library/A1rfln/CAKTANKSCARAVANACCES/resources/24.htm If the damage is more extensive, then repairs may prove trickier. http://monsterguide.net/how-to-repair-plastic-tanks For a proper repair to be carried, it's likely that the tank will need to be removed from the motorhome. It's possible that using a high-quality adhesive/sealant may be sufficient to stop the leak if care is taken, but just adding more sealant on top of a DIY bodge won't be effective long-term. You need to emphasise to whoever sold you the vehicle that their repair to the tank hasn't worked (I assume the tank still leaks) and insist that they rectify the fault under the terms of the warranty the motorhome was sold with (I assume there was a warranty). The vendor needs to be given the opportunity to carry out an adequate repair and I suggest you shy away from 'naming and shaming' until it becomes evident (and hopefully it won't) that the vendor can't/won't do that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Kirby Posted May 25, 2012 Share Posted May 25, 2012 Derek Uzzell - 2012-05-25 7:04 AM...................You need to emphasise to whoever sold you the vehicle that their repair to the tank hasn't worked (I assume the tank still leaks) and insist that they rectify the fault under the terms of the warranty the motorhome was sold with (I assume there was a warranty). The vendor needs to be given the opportunity to carry out an adequate repair and I suggest you shy away from 'naming and shaming' until it becomes evident (and hopefully it won't) that the vendor can't/won't do that. Sound advice! I assume you bought on the basis that the leak would be fixed, or could be fixed? If so, it is for the selling dealer to properly repair - warranty or not. However, if you bought on the basis that there was a leak, and you accepted it in that condition not realising the true cause, you will have more of a problem establishing that the dealer should now take full responsibility. Even if there is no warranty as such, the goods sold still have to be of merchantable quality, and a motorhome with a leaking waste tank seems to me somewhat short of the mark. However, seeking redress under Sale of Goods (Implied Terms) Act etc is a legal process - so best not to push the "nuclear" button immediately! One has to be reasonable with second-hand goods. If the van is, say, 10 years old, it would not be reasonable, IMO, to expect a new tank to be fitted if a workmanlike repair can be effected. However, in the absence of a reasonably effective repair (meaning a permanent repair, not one that requires periodic re-fixing) then a new tank may be the only realistic option. However, don't expect that to be the dealer's opening offer! :-) Depending on what plastic the tank is actually made of, it may be possible to get the defect welded - but would normally need a specialist plastic welder - meaning taking the tank to him. Clive had such a repair carried out on his water tank soon after he got his Carthago van. Anyone remember the details, as I think he mentioned the name of the firm? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flicka Posted May 25, 2012 Share Posted May 25, 2012 Hi Pastiche Googling "plastic tank welding repair" brings up a multitude of possible companies & you should be able to find one near to you to suggest to your Dealer. Or have a look at http://www.ehow.com/how_7935265_repair-plastic-welder-tanks.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted May 26, 2012 Share Posted May 26, 2012 Brian Kirby - 2012-05-25 9:48 PM ...Clive had such a repair carried out on his water tank soon after he got his Carthago van. Anyone remember the details, as I think he mentioned the name of the firm? I'm pretty sure it was in an MMM article that Clive described how - after accidentally drilling holes in his Concorde's water tank while fitting an LPG reservoir - the tank was repaired. http://www.motts.org/CONCORDE.htm GOOGLE-ing indicates that there is a reasonable number of companies offering specialist repair services. Here are a copuple of examples: http://www.tek-tanks.com/vehicles/rv-caravan/ http://www.hendersons.co.uk/mailer1/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coachman Posted May 27, 2012 Author Share Posted May 27, 2012 Derek Uzzell - 2012-05-25 7:04 AM Pastiche You haven't said how old your Mobilvetta is, but the Top Driver 52 model was being produced from the late-1990s to the early-2000s. So the chances of obtaining a like-for-like replacement tank off-the-shelf may be slim. I'm not sure from your description ("a bad leak from the neck to the pullout empty lever") how damaged the tank is. Inlets and outlets on motorhome waste-water tanks are often an integral part of the tank's main structure and, if the tank is just cracked around the inlet, it may be possible to remove the inlet and replace it with a 'nut-in-tank' fitting of the type marketed by CAK. http://62.128.151.219/Library/A1rfln/CAKTANKSCARAVANACCES/resources/24.htm If the damage is more extensive, then repairs may prove trickier. http://monsterguide.net/how-to-repair-plastic-tanks For a proper repair to be carried, it's likely that the tank will need to be removed from the motorhome. It's possible that using a high-quality adhesive/sealant may be sufficient to stop the leak if care is taken, but just adding more sealant on top of a DIY bodge won't be effective long-term. You need to emphasise to whoever sold you the vehicle that their repair to the tank hasn't worked (I assume the tank still leaks) and insist that they rectify the fault under the terms of the warranty the motorhome was sold with (I assume there was a warranty). The vendor needs to be given the opportunity to carry out an adequate repair and I suggest you shy away from 'naming and shaming' until it becomes evident (and hopefully it won't) that the vendor can't/won't do that. Hi the year for our camper is 2003 its the 2.0 jtd model. I rang the dealer again friday and had quite a blast at his people overlooking the problems we have got. Up to now the repair is holding up but I have reservation about it. Another problem they are going to do this Monday as the manager is going to go through the whole van himself plus they are picking it up, we found the fridge ignition is not working as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coachman Posted May 28, 2012 Author Share Posted May 28, 2012 Update on our problems with waste tank and more. Today got camper back and all have been rectified, the tank had the split welded .Thanks for all your comments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coachman Posted June 14, 2012 Author Share Posted June 14, 2012 I do not believe it, in my last thread I said the tank has now been repaired and all is well. What I did not mention Was the faulty slide waste gate from the tank had a slight drip which did not worry me but CaravanTech said they would fit new one anyway (waste gate).tonight the fitter called in after work to fit new one but undoing old one the !"weld" split again. So tomorrow start again with calling CT and see what they come up with.Just another point about the MOBILVETTA DRIVER 52 with 2.0 jtd engine, just done 350 miles and averaged 26 mpg, thought that was decent for small engine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coachman Posted June 22, 2012 Author Share Posted June 22, 2012 Just an update on that tank. They took it off and tried to get replacement from Mobilvetta but they no longer stock this one so they have had it for a week now but tonight I understand its been "refurbished" by another company and will be back shortly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coachman Posted June 27, 2012 Author Share Posted June 27, 2012 Oh dear, oh dear, today they went to fit the refurbished tank and found one of the bolts which hold the tank in place coming through the camper floor!. It turnsout the floor right through from one side to other has got woodrot, it is about 100 mm from the back of the camper. They installed the tank with a plate to hold the bolt in and said to bring it back end of season when the will replace what ever has to be done . Will it ever end?.Anyway going away for couple of weeks and try enjoy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Kirby Posted June 27, 2012 Share Posted June 27, 2012 Might be worth writing to them to confirm that arrangement. A change of personnel, or a bout of forgetfulness on either side (:-)) might otherwise result in disappointment! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flicka Posted June 27, 2012 Share Posted June 27, 2012 I think I would be very close to rejecting the vehicle as unfit for purpose. :'( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 flicka - 2012-06-27 11:56 PM I think I would be very close to rejecting the vehicle as unfit for purpose. :'( That might be difficult for a 9-year old vehicle. It's quite likely that the poor condition of the motorhome's rear floor would have been hard to detect with the waste-water tank in place, and the selling dealership (Caravan Tech) seems to be taking a reasonable attitude to repairs as long as 'Pastiche' keeps the pressure on. I echo Brian's advice that Pastiche should write to the dealership summarising the present position - that the motorhome's rear floor has rot, that CT has carried out work to allow the waste-water tank to be attached securely to the vehicle and to permit the motorhome to be used safely during the summer, and that this work is just a temporary measure and a full repair to the vehicle's rear floor will be made later this year. I'd ask for written or e-mail agreement that this summary is accurate, and confirmation that the remedial work will be performed later in 2012. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coachman Posted June 28, 2012 Author Share Posted June 28, 2012 Thanks Brian for comment, I will be seeing them this Friday and get that sorted.I am goingn to try and get them to do it in August as we do not go on holiday as a rule at that time, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coachman Posted June 29, 2012 Author Share Posted June 29, 2012 Thanksvguys for all your comments. Today went to CT and service manager has booked it in for 1/8/12,As far as he is concerned its down to CT and will write to us saying so.I must admit this guy Ian really takes the trouble to heart, for instance whilst waiting for tank to be fitted I asked could I buy a fridge door catch as it was a bit naff, he looked at it and without saying anything came back with new one and fitted it straight away himself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coachman Posted August 16, 2012 Author Share Posted August 16, 2012 I ask you what a year this has been, started off with appendix being taken out,had to be differant they went in via centre stomach and looked like a zip fastner with 25 clips.Still, bought the Mobilevetta after long recovery from tum and all is well?. Well the tank was repaired and then the floor at back had damp. Took it in for repair as said earlier.Back in hospital again for week "scaffolding" in my back (screws come loose) plus they then took out the Dynessis.So chanced a short trip to dealers to see how the work is going.on van.They said its a bit more than they thought . I saw that the first board which is 3mm ply then 50mm of poly' then 15/18mm ply floor is what the base floor is. the water had got through the back of the board where Mobilvetta had not sealed it from the elements. Dealer is cutting back to good "floor" to fit new bit. I am in no hurry as cannot drive the van for some weeks now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Kirby Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 Then I hope you are both returned to full health in time for each other, Robert! :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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