1988 Ford Transit 120 Autosleeper queries and manual

[Jimimitch]

Ok thanks mate. Had to many problems in the end with the boiler, it was not the pump, nor was it the jets. I simply went back to the dealers and had them 'show me how it works'. After a 3-4 day battle with them, 2 different gas engineers I got a brand new one installed (at their cost). Have been travelling for about 3 weeks now, have covered 2000 miles with only minor complications, I have now reached Bilbao and enjoying the heat!!!!!!! Hope all is well with you in Portugal mate?

[Kedishen]

Good job sorting it out mate, glad its all good now. What did they replace it with?

Well its not summer yet, but I guess I can manage with these colder temps of 23ish... Will just have to keep my jumper on until summer arrives

[Jimimitch]

The guys replaced it with a very similar model to the old but the latest version of it. I still think it might only be designed for static caravans which worried me at first, but i have been told these things have been installed in loads of campers and it has been working like a dream ever since. We have now made our way to Santiago de compostela, not quite as warm as we had hoped but it is warming up the further we go south. I should be heading into Portugal in the next few days, but again prob wont have Internet access unless i pop into a cafe or Macdonalds. Let me know if you still want to catch up for a beer mate, your help has been much appreciated.

[Kedishen]

Starting raining in Portugal today. First rain in months. :/ Think the wet season has just arrived, a bit later than usual but should brighten up soon I think.

O wow you are right up the north there. I am in the far south mate, so could be a good few weeks before you make it down here..

A few places to visit on the way down:

Oporto (Porto)
Fatima
Batalha
Óbidos

There are lots of others, but those are a couple. All have free aires, except Porto. However you can park on the other side of river in a small carpark with a big red billboard... Ull know it when u see it.

Once you get get down here, I can give you lists of places to park and get water etc (for PC/android/iphone) if you would like them. Doesn't require an internet connection.

Parking in Portugal is fine as long as you don't get in the way. You can park (in theory) for up to 13 days in the same place and then you need to move a bit... however if you see campers parked in numbers then assume its ok to park longer if you want to. Also if you see the below sign with either Autocaravana or Caravana below it, then do not park there.. the GNR will fine your ass.



Hit me up when you get to the Algarve itself and a small tip for you... Words are pronounced with emphasis on the penultimate syllable and quite often the last syllable is barely audible... However if there is an accent in the word, then that syllable is emphasised...

Please = Se faz favor ( SUH FASH FAHvor )
Thank you = Obrigado ( O BRIH GAHD o) (Obrigada for ladies)
Yes = Sim ( SEEN )
No = Nao (NOWN)

I want = (Eu) Quero ( EEEo CARE ohh)
I need = (Eu) Preciso (PRUH SEE so)

Diesel = Gasoleo

Have fun

[Jimimitch]

Awesome mate, thanks for the tips, my pronunciation of most languages are terrible!!! Arrived in portugal today, instead of heading straight to porto we shot over to Viana do Castelo, a small fishing village as have been hearing a sight noise when i am driving. Its a bit like a humming, its not the engine, but is still there when i take it out of gear. I am not sure if this noise has always been there and i have just noticed as i traveled down a lot of hills on the way here (cannot hear the noise under reasonable acceleration).

I am thinking it might be the front left wheel bearing, but i jacket it up and shook it from side to side and does not seem to be giving me any play. How hard do you think it will be to find a wheel bearing here mate????

Thanks again, will see you soon.

[Kedishen]

As it turns out mate, I have 2 new top quality (frontline) bearings sat in a box under my drivers seat for a mk3.. got sent the wrong ones by some idiot ebayer in England.. yours for €20 for both or €10 each...

But if u need one sooner, expect to pay between €8 (nasty) - €15 (reasonable) euro a side.. fitting would be maybe 1 hr labour per side at €35 p/hour.. wouldn't recommend going to Ford.. they want €80 a side just for the bearing..

But I wouldn';t be surprised if it were the rear axle, one of the rear wheel bearings or one of the centre bearings mate.. might even be the alternator bearings.. As long as van drives fine, one learns to deal with little noises... old vans be these.

I presume you have rallied downhill with engine turned off?

[Jimimitch]

Holy 5hit, i cant believe you have some wheel bearings for a MK 3!!!!!.............. Maybe I owe you a few move beverages than i thought mate!.. But your right I don't really know if its a bearing making the noise or not, (might be jumping to the conclusion) so I totally agree with your assessment.

I will leave it for now, keep an eye on the noise and see if it changes / gets worse then reassess the situation when i get down your way.

Macdonald's wifi.

Lovin' it!

[Jimimitch]

Sorry nope i did not turn off the engine just Knocked it out of gear. why?

[Kedishen]

Illiminates a few more possibilities.. alternator bearings, power steering pump (if it has one), water pump... vicious clutch... plus you can hear the noise better

Send the misses walking round the van with her ear to floor

[Jimimitch]

Heading down to Porto today, i will try turning the van off (leaving keys turned)down a few hills and see what i can hear!!!

[Jimimitch]

Ok Kedishen mate,

I am leaving Lisbon to head down the mighty algarve region. Where abouts are ya? We dont have a phone / data sim card at the moment so contact may be difficult............You don't happen to know a good mechanic down your way mate, i seem to have a nice oil leak that i think is coming out the back of my valve cover bugger it!!!!!!!...................

Hope the wind is a little softer down your end of the country mate?

[Kedishen]

If its from rock cover I can sort fix that for ya mate, will do clearances at same time whilst its all off. Will need a new rubber gasket, prolly a few euros from the motor factors. Can pre order if it u like.

Im in albufeira atm, but will be moving to loulé for a few weeks - to the church on top of hill. Best place to meet up is in Loule as parts store is easy to get to and easy to do repairs without being bothered by noise and traffic

PM me your english number and I will text ya so you have my number.

[Jimimitch]

Hey just sent you a pm not sure if I did it correctly but if not just send me one with your number.

[Kedishen]

Nice to have met you both. If ever needed, parts and bits can be sent by post if there is a demand but I doubt there will be now that everything is fixed

Have a great journey.

[Jimimitch]

Bloody nice to meet you too mate. Thanks so much for all your help getting things sorted you are a top bloke and we were glad to share a beer with ya.

Take care of yourself and if you ever venture over to our side of the world you have a place to stay (or park).

Jimmy & Lydia