Hi
Disaster stuck while in France last week and the cam belt failed on my 2006 Lunar Roadstar, a Fiat Ducato 18 JTD 2.8 engine, while leaving a Lidl car park. I was in first gear doing about 5 mph. To be honest the noise it initially made I thought the exhaust had hit the road.
The MH is currently in France awaiting delivery back to the UK in around 10 to 14 days. I had Motorhome Facts insurance (I a member of the MHF forum) and the DAS breakdown cover has been excellent. I returned yesterday and have now got to sort out it's repair, which is proving problematical.
I have spoken with the MH dealer, as I insisted when i bought the MH in Oct 2014 a new cam belt was fitted. It has done 8000 miles since then so has failed before the recommended change interval. The dealer, who has serviced the MH yearly, is willing to take up the matter with Fiat if I pay for a full engine diagnostic. They have quoted £5380.30 + fitting + vat for a new engine. I reckon around £10000.00. So any offer of good will from Fiat will almost certainly leave me with a substantial bill.
Initially I was hoping to take it to my local garage who has serviced my cars for years. They had quoted me £2800 + £700 to £800 fitting + vat for a recon engine. However the owner has said he cant do the job as the vehicle is too big for his garage and is reluctant to take it and look at the engine, to see if it is repairable, as in his experience he says it is 95% certain to need a new engine. I have rung round my local independent commercial repairers and no one seems to want to fit an engine. All have said they don't want the work.
I know I can get used a engine via the internet. In 30 minutes yesterday I had an engine quote, allegedly from a fire damaged MH with 36000 miles, for £1300.00 delivered.
Does anyone know / can recommend a garage, or is anyone on here a mechanic, where I could get the MH delivered for repair. Ideally in Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambs or Essex but to be honest it can go anywhere in the UK as it is being delivered back on a trans-porter and I can collect when repaired.
Happy to have a recon or used engine fitted, for example the one quoted above, but simple cant afford dealer prices.
Many thanks - also joined and posted on the MHF Forum
Disaster stuck while in France last week and the cam belt failed on my 2006 Lunar Roadstar, a Fiat Ducato 18 JTD 2.8 engine, while leaving a Lidl car park. I was in first gear doing about 5 mph. To be honest the noise it initially made I thought the exhaust had hit the road.
The MH is currently in France awaiting delivery back to the UK in around 10 to 14 days. I had Motorhome Facts insurance (I a member of the MHF forum) and the DAS breakdown cover has been excellent. I returned yesterday and have now got to sort out it's repair, which is proving problematical.
I have spoken with the MH dealer, as I insisted when i bought the MH in Oct 2014 a new cam belt was fitted. It has done 8000 miles since then so has failed before the recommended change interval. The dealer, who has serviced the MH yearly, is willing to take up the matter with Fiat if I pay for a full engine diagnostic. They have quoted £5380.30 + fitting + vat for a new engine. I reckon around £10000.00. So any offer of good will from Fiat will almost certainly leave me with a substantial bill.
Initially I was hoping to take it to my local garage who has serviced my cars for years. They had quoted me £2800 + £700 to £800 fitting + vat for a recon engine. However the owner has said he cant do the job as the vehicle is too big for his garage and is reluctant to take it and look at the engine, to see if it is repairable, as in his experience he says it is 95% certain to need a new engine. I have rung round my local independent commercial repairers and no one seems to want to fit an engine. All have said they don't want the work.
I know I can get used a engine via the internet. In 30 minutes yesterday I had an engine quote, allegedly from a fire damaged MH with 36000 miles, for £1300.00 delivered.
Does anyone know / can recommend a garage, or is anyone on here a mechanic, where I could get the MH delivered for repair. Ideally in Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambs or Essex but to be honest it can go anywhere in the UK as it is being delivered back on a trans-porter and I can collect when repaired.
Happy to have a recon or used engine fitted, for example the one quoted above, but simple cant afford dealer prices.
Many thanks - also joined and posted on the MHF Forum
