General Claiming van hire cost from fiat!?

[rolopolo]

Random question folks,

My 62 plate ducato van, 3.0 180 xlwb has suffered badly since winter with the heavy rain and Water Ingress!!!!

It's had wiring issues sorted, a turbo variable vein actuator thingy, a turbo, glow plug timer relay, all from water ingress changed under warranty,
The last thing that wasn't changed at dealer in February is a faulty glow plug, they reckon warranty would only pay for glow plug not new cylinder head if reqd, so they wouldn't touch it,

2nd dealer it's at now, waded in and tried removing said seized in glow plug and snapped it off, they say all work is covered

But as it's my workhorse it being off the road through no fault of mine, I'm having to hire a van for next well or two,

Dealer can't supply a courtesy van.

Question is, has anyone ever managed to claim back any hire costs from fiat or know if it's possible and how!?

If not then I will have to take it on chin, would be nice though to get tge £££ back

Cheers
Neil

 

[varesecrazy]

Random question folks,

My 62 plate ducato van, 3.0 180 xlwb has suffered badly since winter with the heavy rain and Water Ingress!!!!

It's had wiring issues sorted, a turbo variable vein actuator thingy, a turbo, glow plug timer relay, all from water ingress changed under warranty,
The last thing that wasn't changed at dealer in February is a faulty glow plug, they reckon warranty would only pay for glow plug not new cylinder head if reqd, so they wouldn't touch it,

2nd dealer it's at now, waded in and tried removing said seized in glow plug and snapped it off, they say all work is covered

But as it's my workhorse it being off the road through no fault of mine, I'm having to hire a van for next well or two,

Dealer can't supply a courtesy van.

Question is, has anyone ever managed to claim back any hire costs from fiat or know if it's possible and how!?

If not then I will have to take it on chin, would be nice though to get tge £££ back

Cheers
Neil

ask in the general forums,
90% of FF members won't look here ; - }


Charlie

 

[maingate]

Random question folks,

My 62 plate ducato van, 3.0 180 xlwb has suffered badly since winter with the heavy rain and Water Ingress!!!!

It's had wiring issues sorted, a turbo variable vein actuator thingy, a turbo, glow plug timer relay, all from water ingress changed under warranty,
The last thing that wasn't changed at dealer in February is a faulty glow plug, they reckon warranty would only pay for glow plug not new cylinder head if reqd, so they wouldn't touch it,

2nd dealer it's at now, waded in and tried removing said seized in glow plug and snapped it off, they say all work is covered

But as it's my workhorse it being off the road through no fault of mine, I'm having to hire a van for next well or two,

Dealer can't supply a courtesy van.

Question is, has anyone ever managed to claim back any hire costs from fiat or know if it's possible and how!?

If not then I will have to take it on chin, would be nice though to get tge £££ back

Cheers
Neil

Hi Neil,


If I were you I would make sure the water ingress has been sorted and then change the oil in the gearbox. Not 100% sure about the newer models but it was a common fault on earlier models. if there is a breather on top of the box then the chances are it has water in it. new gearboxes are not cheap. In fact take it back to them under warranty.

 

[rolopolo]

Gearbox oil was changed recently, I have it done every year for longevity (and fact I do 100k per year) water ingress mod is scheduled for once these repairs are done, as you can see, not much point in modifying then letting this happen

 

[Pasty007]

Hi Rolopolo, did your van not have the engine cover fitted when you purchased it. Mine has a cover which absorbs the water stopping the water getting onto cylinder head. By the way, I was in Germany recently and saw the new Ducato camper vans having photos taken for new brochure. The front end has had a complete facelift and also a new dash.

Regards

Mark

 

[rolopolo]

Yes seen the boxers at pug garage down the road, look good but not giving fiat any £££££ for one just yet,

Mine has the felt cover but that's as much use as choc fireguard, hence the issues it's had,
He had to do more wiring cleanup today too, she's back on road now, also fitted new inst cluster (glowing oil & battery lights). New side door rollers as door nearly fell off, and 4 fully functioning glow plugs,

My only advice to anyone currently owning or about to purchase is Do the scuttle mod (P Seal and drain pipes) and bug dealer to do the motorhome "recall" where they cover everything with some sort of water sealant to stop things sitting in water seizing up!

 

[Duffish]

Wow! A fiat ducato doing 100k a year! That's merc sprinter mileage! Think I need to try one ! Save me lots of cash! what mpg do you get when on a long motorway Eco drive ?? My sprinter shows 40mpg on the trip computer !

 

[rolopolo]

About tge same mate, bearing in mind mines a 3.0 180hp
If sat at 50-55 can get 45-50mpg load and road conditions permitting,

Personally wouldn't have a merc, awful drive, uncomfortable and more breakdowns

20 months old 155k
5 main dealer services, using Selina oil
Only faults due to water ingress (screen/scuttle)

Hope that helps

 

[rolopolo]

Plus depending on what you carry, an L4H2 is 1 more cubic mtr in volume, although shorter in length than the 4.3m sprinter
And they don't rust

 

[Duffish]

Yes rust is not good on the sprinter ! I have the 316 mwb high roof always loaded to the max 3.5tonne I sit on cruse control at 55mph and I also do 100k a year!

 

[rolopolo]

You'd gain load space l3h2 I think is 13 cubic mtr, l4h2 15cubic and l4h3 17cubes, xlwb sprinters are 14 cubic,
Then it's just weight of what you carry,
Beauty if the 3.0 lump, is cruising at 50-55 your spinning at 1500-1600 rpm! The 2.3's will be over 2000rpm,
So your ticking over basically, as long as it serviced properly and using correct oil (low ash) stick to fiats Selina as tests prove it outlives the recommended 30k interval,
It should run for ever as your not thraping it, but a good blast does it good now and then, cleans dpf too, oh and don't put supermarket diesel in, leads to egr issues, I use BP or Shell and inj cleaner once every month,
Also use cruise,
Plus what you spend on a basic sprinter you get a whole load of spec for your ££
My 180 was 18500 ish plus vat brand new, you get a faulty merc star badge for that

Have a look at the new 2014/15 ducato range just out, from end look awesome

 

[Duffish]

It's just the warranty that will worry me! 3years or 100k = a 1 year warranty!
A sprinter with all it's faults has a 3 year unlimited mileage warranty so no hidden bills! But yes the new vans look very good for a face lift!
My sprinter At 55mph it's at 2,100 and it is a 2.2 with 160bhp just had a new clutch and fly wheel put in on Thursday and Friday under warranty with a replacement van! just went home in it and it doesn't like going in to 5th gear!

 

[rolopolo]

Warranty is now unlimited for two yrs, 3rd year dealer,
Agree tge warranty on Merc's is better, but your paying for it in the metal and they have to offer the warranty as no one would run them without lol, I have noticed a lot more fiats on road since they changed the warranty.
End of day mate, it's personal choice,

 

[Duffish]

I didn't no that about the 2 years unlimited ! 3rd year will the dealer cover it with 200k on it?? If so I will look at getting one! The price is so sweet! When did it change from the 3 year 100k

 

[rolopolo]

Changed I believe when the euro 5 engines came out in 2011, at same time service intervals went up to 30k from 28k
Not really sure on 3rd year, on my old van I bought 2yr old, I never had any warranty issues, will ask though if I remember when back in there in 2 weeks