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Fiat Ducato 2010: Howling noise from 40mph


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Peter

 

Interesting that your Rapido motorhome had a 5-year water-tightness warranty.

 

All Rapido coachbuilt models now have a 5-year water-tightness warranty, but I thought that this had only been introduced for the 2016 model-year and that prior to 2016 the warranty period was no longer than 3 years. My 2015 model-year Rapido 640 has a 3-year water-tightness warranty and I was under the impression that this would be the case across all similar-age Rapido ranges. Perhaps A-class Rapidos with the more expensive ‘wrap over’ roof construction (potentially less vulnerable to water ingress) have had a longer warranty period.

 

It would certainly be worth you contacting Rapido about the windscreen becoming ‘unglued’ as they may be aware of other instances of this happening.

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We had a Rapido 987M for 6 years and I always did my own repairs including some serious wrong factory assembling of a headlight.

 

I'm sure in this instance I would have used some simple soft filler to seal the problem and got on with life.

 

Have people forgotten they have two hands and a brain ?

 

Will

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Hello,

Response from insurers is that only "damage or breakage to the glass is covered". Repairs to the seal are not considered as damage to or breakage of the glass. - That's pretty clear.

 

Response from Rapido is that leakage is not a known problem on their A Class vehicles. They suggest using a windscreen sealant e.g. Sikatak, to seal the joint at the leak. So, that's what I'll do.

 

Thanks to all for their help in this.

 

Special thanks to Daly EMS Ltd, Cupar, Fife, for their assistance and service.

 

I've had the van serviced and MOT'd there for the past 3yrs and they always provide excellent, good value service. In this instance they repaired the leaky fuel filter, stripped and serviced the brakes, checked all pulleys and belts, etc, sealed off all vents and external windows and windscreen surround and eventually the inside of the screen as well, and took the vehicle for several test runs They did all of this at no charge. I'm happy to recommend them.

 

Peter

 

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Will86 - 2016-06-28 6:35 PM

 

We had a Rapido 987M for 6 years and I always did my own repairs including some serious wrong factory assembling of a headlight.

 

I'm sure in this instance I would have used some simple soft filler to seal the problem and got on with life.

 

Have people forgotten they have two hands and a brain ?

 

Will

 

Ah yes - the infamous 2006 Rapido lighting problem.

 

http://forums.outandaboutlive.co.uk/forums/Motorhomes/Motorhome-Matters/Rapido-Merc-R-H-drive-Bulb-change-A-major-problem-/3092/

 

http://forums.outandaboutlive.co.uk/forums/Motorhomes/Motorhome-Matters/12v-14w-SRAM-light-bulbs/4063/

 

http://forums.outandaboutlive.co.uk/forums/Motorhomes/Motorhome-Matters/More-on-the-12v-14w-bulb/4079/

 

http://forums.outandaboutlive.co.uk/forums/Motorhomes/Motorhome-Matters/12v-14w-bulb-Final-outcome/4117/

 

(I happened to mention in passing your fruitless search for the elusive 14W bulb when I was at the Rapido factory at Mayenne a couple of weeks ago and discussing Owner Manual errors. The chap I spoke also remembered it...)

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Of course D, it was a good M/H but after 6 years we had fulfilled all the pleasures it was able to provide and with one of us becoming unwell it became less used so had to go. I'm tempted to take on another but its main function would have to be a complete workshop with space for a bed.

 

I learned a lot in those 6 years.

 

bill - Mrs T - Will

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George Collings - 2016-07-02 9:17 AM

It would appear that my second suggestion back on 24/06/2016 that the noise might be airflow turbulence due to bad sealing was very close to the mark.

 

You and I both George, it seems!

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  • 1 year later...

Latest in the saga of the howling noise / windscreen leak..

 

As previously stated the howling noise was eventually traced to a windscreen leak and remedied with the appropriate sticky stuff. This was fine for a year or so until the noise returned and the screen cracked while we were in France on day three of our holiday at the end of May. (2017).

 

A call to Autoglass, our insurers nominated repairer, resulted in exposer to what has to be the worst call centre operation ever. 15 phone calls, failure by Autoglass to understand/accept that an A Class motorhome on a Ducato base does not have a standard van windscreen ,disrespect from Autoglass operatives and 48hrs delay, led me to contact Carglass (French Autoglass) direct. The Carglass people were very attentive but explained that they no longer repair / replace A class motorhome windscreens.

 

On calling Autoglass and explaining this the operative was unbelieving insisting that they merely did not have my glass in stock! The Carglass manager persuaded the Autoglass operator that they did not and could not repair A Class windscreens.

 

The Carglass manager was very apologetic but did thoroughly examine the screen and declared it safe to drive, but did warn that if it got worse to check with another branch.

 

So after 48hrs the only option Autoglass could offer was to have the repair done by their specialist team when we returned home to Scotland.

 

When we got back home I called Autoglass to arrange replacement only to be told that my original claim had been cancelled and that I had to start the process over again. Surprise, surprise, once again the operative couldn't cope with the notion of an A Class windscreen. Eventually after speaking with a more experienced operative I was put in touch with the Glasgow branch specialist team. From thereon things went like clockwork. Within three days the screen was replaced and a very good job they made of it too.

 

The two technicians who did the job explained that they had similar experience of the call centre staff and tried to avoid speaking to HQ if they could.

 

Complaints to Autoglass resulted in my claim excess of £100 being refunded. It also revealed that Autoglass cannot arrange a replacement A Class windscreen in France or Spain.

 

My insurer Safeguard seemed a bit surprised by this. When asked what they would do if the vehicle could not be driven on safety grounds, the only option they could offer was recovery to the UK for replacement of the windscreen by Autoglass.

 

I'm now checking what the situation is with various insurers before renewing.

 

Peter

 

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4 years ago I had the same problem of a de bonding windscreen on an X2/60. I didn't notice the noise - but then I probably wouldn't hear it above the rattles and bangs of all the junk I carry loose in the back :-D

I noticed it when rainwater dripped on the horn button, setting off the horn till it burnt out. So I sealed the top part of the windscreen with white bathroom silicone. http://forums.outandaboutlive.co.uk/forums/Motorhomes/Motorhome-Matters/Scuttlegate-The-Sequel/30670/ Its done the job OK, but the white silicone has become a bit discoloured with black spots. Black silicone might have been neater - but I didn't have any to hand and would have had to use masking tape to keep it off the white bodywork - which I didn't need to do with white silicone.

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Derek Uzzell - 2016-06-29 2:44 PM

 

(I happened to mention in passing your fruitless search for the elusive 14W bulb when I was at the Rapido factory at Mayenne a couple of weeks ago and discussing Owner Manual errors. The chap I spoke also remembered it...)

 

Hi Derek - do you mind me asking how you were able to secure an invitation to the Rapido factory, or did you just 'drop by' when passing...?

 

I would be interested in visiting on a number of counts.

 

Thanks, Mike

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John52 - 2017-08-06 11:33 AM

 

the white silicone has become a bit discoloured with black spots. .

Had an idea after writing that. Bit of thick bleach in a jam jar .... brushed it round the windows with a paint brush. All that black and green mould gone now :-D

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Tracker - 2016-06-28 4:35 PM

 

Well well well surprise surprise - I never could quite see how a howling noise behind the dash could be a wheel bearing.

 

I must admit I have often found wheel bearing noise difficult to pinpoint. I have driven cars and couldn't even tell whether the bearing noise was coming from the back or the front - until I jacked it up and spun the wheels with an angle grinder (Health & Safety inspector would probably have a fit) :$

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