100 or 190 mk5?

[screechowl]

I've recently got an old mk5 Duetto to use while my other smiley is being renovated. But now I've fallen in love with the Duetto & think I prefer to spend time & money on getting that one done. They're both hi top, LWB. The only difference is the chassis, the Duetto is a 100 the other one is a 190 ex-minibus, so a much heavier motor.

Any advice, what's the better vehicle a 190 or 100??

[Kedishen]

100's have 14 inch wheels and an axle ratio of 4.56.. some had 4.11 if u lucky.. not seen a duetto with one though.
190's have 15 inch wheels and an axle ratio of 5.12.

Apart from load ratings and some of the running gear, its the same van.

As for the choices, which suits your needs better? Speed and fuel economy or sloooow and noisy but carrys more beer?

I dumped the 150 coachbuilt for a 150 panelvan with 4.63 axle

[screechowl]

Ta, I thought the fuel gauge had hardly moved today although we did a few miles. It's light as a feather & quiet too.... The 190 sounds like a truck & the accelerater pedal dead stiff, it's wobbly too. The 100 is more like driving a car. But it needs loads doing to it if I keep it If the chassis wants welding I'd have to strip it down.... don't know what to do now. The Duetto is all padded, sound system sounds ace, no echoes. But the carpet's mouldy in parts, god know what's underneath it. Back doors only just open, I won't try it again. But I could get new ones

[Kedishen]

More than likely had a water leak from pressurised system... probably at the carver water heater...

the diaphragm water pumps after 20 years like to break and pump just keeps running...

or the heater tank or pipes were not winterised and froze...

carver can be fixed if it is leaking. Just take the big long nut out and put more thread on it. Seal is usally OK.

If its pump, better to replace with a new one. Make sure it is the 16/20psi version. Any higher and will overpressure carver cascade.


Easiest way to test system is to open all taps, run pump until water runs without gargling a lot/ then reduce taps to less pressure, close shower taps first, then sink. Once all air out, close all tsps, leave pump turned on. If it keeps cycling there's a leak. If pump doesnt stop, new pump or pressure valve needed. Expect a drip from taps from spouts/ the rubbers dry out and get fooked. Leaks are often at back if tap connections. Be very careful with the tap connections in bathroom, they are a b*stard for leaking if disturbed as it is plastic push fit.

[screechowl]

Arrrr much too late for all that it's all been taken out! Bathroom's gone, pump, under chassis tank...all! I've put the settee/bed where the bathroom was & left the kitchen units & fridge where they were. I was just going to use it as a donor van you see, but think I'm gonna keep it. There's a leisure bat under bonnet but it's disconnected & not taken it to camp site yet so don't know what electrics are working, but hob works
Where a bouts are you mate? Maybe I could bring it to let you have a look?

[screechowl]

Oh Glouc? not a mill miles away.....

[Kedishen]

yea but to get to "Gloucester" will require a ferry and a brisk drive through Spain my friend Living in me van in Portugal.

Hope you can restore it to its former glory. Make sure you insulate the feck out of it. In those old Autosleepers, whoever was blowing the fibreglass insulation through a straw must have been asthmatic.

[screechowl]

I envy you Go to Tamera eco village

Van just has that material lining. But it feels really snug & sound proof..... do I really have to take it all off ?

[Kedishen]

No keep it. Most of the auto sleepers I seen of that period had very little so if its got some then get good.

I heard that they serve alot of pizza in that village lol