1988 Ford Transit 120 Autosleeper queries and manual

[Kedishen]

Bah its a legend?! I thought it was a swb panel van conversion!

This makes cutting a hole real easy but u could easily mount it inside if u wanted.

On my auto sleeper amethyst I cut a hole in the body below the floor line using an adjustable wood circle drill thing. This means any water leak is irrelevant.

Similar to this


When I removed the system, I filled te gap using a circular vent used on houses, fitted perfect and available from most DIY stores



If u want to fit on exterior, make sure u buy the 1.5m filler hose otherwise u will be in trouble.

Also, I'm familiar with the legends, any questions just take a picture and ask.

[Jimimitch]

Hey Kideshin, your a wealth of knowledge mate, its much appreciated (even if your auto-correct calls me names)!!!

My autosleeper is definitely a legend, I will have a good look at how to mount the external filler when i pick up the van. Had a bit of trouble this weekend, got a call from the dealers on the friday (meant to pick up van sat morning) saying the diaphragm to the boiler has suddenly packed up and they have to order a new one in.

Needless to say i am still van-less at the moment and have not had the chance to inspect the gas compartment box. The aim is to pick up the van next weekend, when i do i will take some pictures of gas box and show you where i intend to mount it and see what you think.

On a side note, how do you manage using Internet whist traveling around?

[Kedishen]

In Portugal Meo do first month free 10gb internet when u buy a simcard - simcard is 9.95. I was annoyed when they put the price of simcards up, but it still cheaper than going to a cafe and having to buy coffees + it aways with me on my smartphone. Then just eat sleep rave repeat

Dunno about other countries but I am sure research will be done. If all else fails, I have a wifi antenna and can borrow someone elses connection if they stikll use WEP encryption

[Kedishen]

Here's a pic of legend

Gas locker on my amethyst was on other side, but I expect it will be same principle.

See where the exhaust is, basically fit it in line with it. The water tank is just forward of that so no other options. You can exit the gas cupboard through floor (gas floor vent should be in middle of cupboard if it fits two bottles, although not certain) and the hole will be below floor level.

You could also fit it in the gas door, but this leaves you with problem of a hole when you sell it.

[Kedishen]

Also when u pick up van, make sure u test te water system.

It is a shurflo 18psi pressurised system and the diaphram at this age will probably be stuck open... which blow off pipes and destroy the boiler.

To prime it
open all taps including shower and pump will run. Keep going until water flows out non eratically, then close taps to halfish untill they stop spitting air. With all taps closed, pump should stop running shortly after... don't let them con u otherwise.
Do this as first thing when u get there and leave pump switched on at control panel. If it cycles off and on regularly with taps closed then there is a leak. Usually behind taps... if there is a pulldown sink in bathroom, guaranteed leak will be behind there.

If taps drip regularly, they are at end of their life and are not servicable.

Also check the fly curtains and roller shades for adequate operation and tears. If they feel sluggish, u need to undo one end and roll them up abit on the metal bar to tension spring. This includes skylights.

Check shower tray for cracks, breaks. A repair kit costs A lot of money and leaks flood the floor... trust me I know.. Beware of "cute" stickers.

Check operation of sliding windows and make sure they lock.

Also the skylights will probsbly leak from the handles. U can tell if the handles will flex about. They should be rigid. I' drilled out the perished plastic plugs and replaced with nut and bolt.
Also check the handles where plastic wedges are. They hold the roof light down and it will fly open whilst driving if they are broken.

Plus basic things like lights, cooker, gas fire, oven, grill.

When fridge is lit, look at flame inside fridge through panel. It shoukd be nice healthy blue and not be hard to ignite.

Check there is a spare wheel and the tool to lower it is included. If van still has original ford scissor jack, same tool is used.

Also the rear doors have a habit of leaking from top left corner. Caused by wear of the locking mechanism. Can't be adjusted.

[Jimimitch]

That pic looks just like my van, except mine is beige!!!

Thanks for the info on the diaphragm mate, I will tell the dealers that is how i want the water system / pump etc tested when i pick it up this weekend. I would like them to test it themselves and tell me it is all good before i get on the train (will still test it myself as well).

If there is a leak behind the pull down sink in the shower how major is the repair work? I am cautious that I only have a couple of weeks before I quit work and start traveling!! The plan is to do a 10-12 day trip around the UK before leaving the country to make sure everything is working on the van as it should.

Thanks again for the help mate.

[Kedishen]

Not its not a big problem just a nuisance. Presuming it actually has a flip down sink in shower area, any leak drips down into the waste tank being the the drain is designed. I'm just picky.

Leaving a short time period to get to know the van, be sure u purchase a Haynes manual before leaving.

Test fit the spare wheel so u know how to do it and check its condition + its got air in it.

Tools

Carry a quality socket set with extension bars and both imperial/metric sockets.
A set of spanners up to size 24.
Cables ties of various sizes
Bungee straps
Puncture repair kit (I carry both the swuirt in tyre stuff and the rubber inserts).
Decent trolley jack

Fuel filter
Wheel bearing
Fan belt
Power steering belt
Ball joint
Spare brakepads and shoes

The is thr absolute minimum I woukd Carry with me in an extended trip...

There's a fuller list here if u need ideas for what to take

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=136891&start=30

[Jimimitch]

Hi Kedishen,

So I arrived to pick up the camper-van on Saturday and it turns out the dealer had something wrong with his kidneys and could not be there to demonstrate everything working.........I was so pi55ed off to hear at the time.........I cant believe how long they have had to sort all these things out and numerous times I have asked to see everything going before I take the vehicle. He has reassured me everything is going, but words are cheap right????......Anyway I did drive it 4 hours across the country yesterday and it drove really well. In fact I was surprised how well it drove, -even in the heavy winds.

van.jpg

I have got a fair amount of quite basic questions for you mate, i hope you dont get sick of me!!!!!! Right as you have mentioned I don't have much time to get everything sorted and i sure as hell can rely on those guys to do it. First off i will start with some simple gas questions: I wil get a Gaslow refillable system and install it as it doesnt look to difficult to me. Here is a pic of my Gas locker:

gas1.jpg

I am planning to put the fill point in the lower left hand corner of the brown trim (this is below the floor level) Do you see any problems there?


Next question: (this one shows how little i know this van)

gas2.jpg

I know these pipes shut off the gas, but which one does what? I suspect i will be trial an error if you cannot tell me.

Cheers again for the list of service items to take, man things are adding up!!!!!!!!

[walt1984]

Just a guess. Bottom one looks like a pan could be hob/cooker.
Next could be space heating,top one looks like fridge, the blank one could be a water heater.
Looks very tidy.

[Kedishen]

Hi Kedishen,

So I arrived to pick up the camper-van on Saturday and it turns out the dealer had something wrong with his kidneys and could not be there to demonstrate everything working.........I was so pi55ed off to hear at the time.........I cant believe how long they have had to sort all these things out and numerous times I have asked to see everything going before I take the vehicle. He has reassured me everything is going, but words are cheap right????......Anyway I did drive it 4 hours across the country yesterday and it drove really well. In fact I was surprised how well it drove, -even in the heavy winds.

van.jpg

I have got a fair amount of quite basic questions for you mate, i hope you dont get sick of me!!!!!! Right as you have mentioned I don't have much time to get everything sorted and i sure as hell can rely on those guys to do it. First off i will start with some simple gas questions: I wil get a Gaslow refillable system and install it as it doesnt look to difficult to me. Here is a pic of my Gas locker:

gas1.jpg

I am planning to put the fill point in the lower left hand corner of the brown trim (this is below the floor level) Do you see any problems there?


Next question: (this one shows how little i know this van)

gas2.jpg

I know these pipes shut off the gas, but which one does what? I suspect i will be trial an error if you cannot tell me.

Cheers again for the list of service items to take, man things are adding up!!!!!!!!

Fraid I cannot see where you mean by the "brown trim".
If you mean the horizontal sticker than runs length of van, then this is not a good place to put it. It needs to be in the skirting of the van, below the wooden floor. Take a picture from further back so I can see what is where.

With the gas knobs, i would say top is fridge, 2nd is gas fire, 3rd is water boiler and 4th is cooker/grill/oven. Although I cannot be completley sure. Easiest thing to do is light the appliance then turn off the knob u think supplies it. On my amethyst i had a 4 way splitter like that and a seperate feed to the fridge with another knob inline.

[Jimimitch]

Hi guys,

Certainly wont be mounting it by the brown sticker. I intend to mount the filler point where i have shown the red dot (sorry dont have a shot from further back).

gas3.jpg

One other thing I have noticed. When replacing the gas pipework (as requested by gas certification) the dealer has pulled the carpet (that was glued) off the timber panels that form part of the gas chamber. He has not even screwed these panels back down let alone sealed / glued them. How important is sealing this chamber? I take it any gas leakage will go out the bottom of the gas chamber vent right????

But he should have sealed it right??........Gets me angry seeing such a good vehicle hacked at by an idiot. Any recommendations on what products to use to stick the carpet back to the wood panels of the chamber??? P.s i will upload a pic tonight.

[Jimimitch]

Here is the carpet & panel to the seat / gas chamber that the dealer removed:

gaschamber.jpg

So did the dealer leave me in any danger by not sealing this chamber, or is it ok?

[Kedishen]

u neednt worry about the gas floating upwards. Just make it look tidy and itll be fine.

The plac where you wanna put the filler...

There are 2 problems which I see>

Its look lik that is a 2 bottle cupboard. the filler kit will maybe be in the way of the bottle not by the door.
and the when you remove the system, ull have to leave the filler kit in position otherwise water will get into the gas cupboard.

Can you not fit it to the right of the door, at about same level as you dot? Long as u can access behind there adequately should be ok, although I suspect the water tank may make things difficult.

[Jimimitch]

You make a very good point!
My plan was to only have one gas bottle (as the cost of things are really starting to add up)......But in the future that position could be a real nuisance. I will have a good look at other the other mounting option and get back to ya.

I have been reading through the Gaslow bits and pieces and i understand most of it. The only thing im stumped by is 'what mbar should my van regulator be? How do i find that out? I spoke with the manufacturer about the system and he recommended these:

1. 6kg bottle: #4006-67-67
2. 3 EU adaptors: #01-4300, 014305, 014310
3. Regulator: #01-4337
4. The filler kit: Standard is #01-4100

I would have just flat out ordered it until the dealer told me I have a 30mbar system. -he said he was sure 110%. You seem to really know your stuff, what is your opinion mate or how do i find out?

J

[Kedishen]

you want a manual change over regulator that conforms to the original British Standard (before Eu made all new vans require a fitted 30mb adaptor). It has a pushover LPG gas hose fitting on the bottom, like you find on the end of a Calor regulator.

Depending on whether you get a twin bottle system, or a single, you will want one of the following:

http://www.gasproducts.co.uk/acatalog/G ... lator.html

http://www.gasproducts.co.uk/acatalog/G ... unted.html

Before you buy your system, you will wanna test fit a 11kg bottle into your gas cupboard to see if it will fit. If it does, get 1x 11kg bottle as they are same price as 1x 6kg.

I will post a picture later on my regulator and provide a breakdown of all the seperate parts involved so u know what you will need.