03 crew van ex Jarvis (railways maintenance)

[skellyvet]

Hi all,

Replacing an ancient rusty and now scrapped 1993 lwb hi top - seen a couple of these crew cab vans around and going to see one tomorrow. It's 03, 86k, one owner as ex leasing company and the 90 2.4 tdi. Odd dent and scratch but if i'm going to check 3 things when i go and see it (i'm not very mechanically minded, but know the basics) what should they be (apart from logbook, service hx, rust etc)?

Anyone heard of any specific probs with these? No tow hitch so presume it's not been hauling trains around!

Dan.

[Frag]

Listen for noisy or slow starter,knockin or rattling from gearbox at idle & vibration from gearlever when revved.
All signs the flywheel (DMF) is on its way out.....££££££.Tend to knock more when warm & as you turn engine off.
Roadtest & listen for diff & wheelbearing noises,bearing noise will alter when steering turned.Diffs usually alter on & off the throttle.
Other favourites include; More than 3 things tho i`m afraid (if only )
oil leaks=brake vac pump, front & rear crank seals.
check in coolant reservoir for signs of engine oil=cooler bust
play in viscous/cooling fan hub
Fan belt tensioner bearing failing
A jarvis favourite,propshaft rear u/j collapsing
front tyre wear,usually inner edges.
Play in steering rack & track rod ends.
Lower arm rear bushes splitting
Roadtest to see how it pulls,keep an eye on glowplug light.
Timing chain rattles.

I have serviced vans for jarvis/network rail & although they do have regular services/repairs at main dealers,
The people that drive them don`t tend to look after them very well,there just workhorses (no offence to any of said people )
Theres other stuff goes wrong,but its stuff u can`t really check & won`t see coming

[skellyvet]

Proper job - thanks, that's just what i was looking for. I'll let you know how i get on. Dan.

[Guy88]

Make sure the engine is cold as soon as you get there

Normally if its warm there covering a starting fault

When you start it listen for a metallic rattle from the engine that goes after about 3 seconds or when you rev it, this would be the timing chain and your looking at £200 just for parts

[evans88]

Let us know how you got on.

[skellyvet]

Bought it!!
Which is great. Thanks for the advice all - i spent ages over it and, well difficult when i've not spent ages listening to other transits, but i think it was ok. It's due a service anyway so i'll soon find out! Comparing it to my old 1993 190 - things have come one a long way! I keep having to go outside and make sure it really hasn't got any rust.......

I've just got to srt out the elecs now - the buggers had removed the microwave and water boiler on the way to the auction, which is fine as i don't want them, but now i've got to spend a lot of time trying to make sense of all the wiring. Oh well - nothing's perfect and the van seems sound. It has a eberspacher heater though which is a bonus - just got to fing out if it works!

thanks for all your advce guys,
dan.