A couple of capable contacts I have made in the van servicing industry are
quoting 4 to 6 months waiting time for services.
Blaming tradesmen losses and the explosion in the number of vans
already on and coming onto the scene.
It's a bit of a worry with the industry at liberty to employ just about
anybody to work on the equipment - and with lead times as I have found
plan WAY WAY ahead.
B
Possum3 said
02:04 PM Aug 27, 2024
We've got the personnel, but workshop space/equipment is limited. Body repairs and hail damage is choking up most caravan service centres. (Lack of available parts).
Caravan experience is lacking in most automotive workshops, although truck alignment specialists can normally service vans, (brakes, axles, bearings, etc).
Brodie Allen said
05:28 PM Aug 27, 2024
Possum3 wrote:
We've got the personnel, but workshop space/equipment is limited. Body repairs and hail damage is choking up most caravan service centres. (Lack of available parts).
Caravan experience is lacking in most automotive workshops, although truck alignment specialists can normally service vans, (brakes, axles, bearings, etc).
Good infe, Possum. I never thought of using a brake mob to do the van.
I'm presently in conversation with a northern G Coast van service that wants to do a full service $800+ on the 4 wheeler
when the brakes were rebuilt by them completely 5000K ago and one wheel was dragging a bit!!! and I wanted
an inspection to see if pads were worn much. !!!!!
Are We Lost said
06:47 PM Aug 27, 2024
I believe Possum was referring to truck workshops, particularly those relating to wheel alignment. Many car related workshops do not have the room for a van, or want the hassle of moving it.
I have used Big Wheels twice for suspension work and then wheel alignment. Their work was good and reasonably priced although the wheel alignment itself is not cheap. But the overall bill (with discounted wheel alignment) was well under the estimate from a caravan workshop. A nice benefit was "Which day would you like?" rather than "In x months".
Gundog said
09:25 AM Aug 28, 2024
Why not search out you local mobile caravan serviceman, many are licenced electricans, gas inspections.
We used the services of such a serviceman when we were at Beachmere CP near Caboolture Qld, rang him and was slotted in for a visit within 5 days.
rmoor said
11:27 AM Aug 28, 2024
On A Current Affair tonight on TV (Wednesday 28th) there is a segment on "Tango" vans.
Looks interesting.
Cupie said
05:48 PM Sep 4, 2024
WAITING TIMES !!!!!!!
Whilst not in relation to Caravan repairs, my recent experience had me wondering.
My beloved 1996, GQ 4.2 efi Nissan Patrol finally let me down after 290,000 km.
The current diagnosis is that the ECU has a couple of faulty capacitors (condensers when it was built) and is pulsing the fuel pump on & off. Undriveable.
It took me two weeks to get a mobile Auto Electrician here & diagnose the problem.
Then he was pleased to advise that he had a contact who would fix it but there is a 4 to 6 weeks repair delay. Any one's guess what it will cost but he charges only &135/hour.
Of course, he can't guarantee that it is the ECU that is causing the problem, but he thinks that he can get an adaptor that will let his laptop or whatever talk to the Patrol to diagnose the issue.
In the meantime we are off overseas (Vietnam & Cambodia) & I can ponder whether I really want to keep caravanning, & if so do I need ... Cruiser/Patrol .. both too expensive .. next choice Ford Everest ... but will probably settle for a Paj. Sport that SWMBO can use as a daily driver too.
OH! the problems of old age.
-- Edited by Cupie on Wednesday 4th of September 2024 05:49:20 PM
-- Edited by Cupie on Wednesday 4th of September 2024 05:50:48 PM
Gundog said
11:38 AM Sep 7, 2024
Cupie wrote:
WAITING TIMES !!!!!!!
Whilst not in relation to Caravan repairs, my recent experience had me wondering.
My beloved 1996, GQ 4.2 efi Nissan Patrol finally let me down after 290,000 km.
The current diagnosis is that the ECU has a couple of faulty capacitors (condensers when it was built) and is pulsing the fuel pump on & off. Undriveable.
It took me two weeks to get a mobile Auto Electrician here & diagnose the problem.
Then he was pleased to advise that he had a contact who would fix it but there is a 4 to 6 weeks repair delay. Any one's guess what it will cost but he charges only &135/hour.
Of course, he can't guarantee that it is the ECU that is causing the problem, but he thinks that he can get an adaptor that will let his laptop or whatever talk to the Patrol to diagnose the issue.
In the meantime we are off overseas (Vietnam & Cambodia) & I can ponder whether I really want to keep caravanning, & if so do I need ... Cruiser/Patrol .. both too expensive .. next choice Ford Everest ... but will probably settle for a Paj. Sport that SWMBO can use as a daily driver too.
OH! the problems of old age.
-- Edited by Cupie on Wednesday 4th of September 2024 05:49:20 PM
-- Edited by Cupie on Wednesday 4th of September 2024 05:50:48 PM
Why not just buy a replacement ECU,
Cupie said
01:14 PM Sep 7, 2024
Why not buy a replacement ECU?
$1824 at Patrolapart ... don't think it's the right one. But will follow that up if necessary.
Will go down the repair path first.
I can get by without the Patrol for a few weeks ... Just a PITA.
msg said
07:59 PM Sep 7, 2024
That does seem expensive. Paid about $600 a little while ago for a Ford Transit one.
Warren-Pat_01 said
11:01 PM Sep 9, 2024
Oh dear Cupie!
Have you been in touch with the Nissan Patrol Forum? Someone there may be able to assist! While yours isn't the famous 4.2L diesel, I would have been looking at something higher than 290,000km before something clapped out.
When I bought our D-Max, I said goodbye to the NP Forum people - they said I didn't really have to go as most of their members bought either the D-Max or MUX next time around.
I am happy I changed brands (so far) but I wasn't that happy with the price I got for the GU. We too only have one car so "rationing" the use is quite regular.
Brodie,
Your service seems a bit stiff too - is this bloke the only one in the area who can do a service? There are mechanics who are going mobile now as they can operate single handed without staff issues. Are there any in your area? Do they have references?
Cupie said
10:59 PM Sep 10, 2024
Brodie ...
Sorry to steal your thread. But thanks to those who posted their comments on my dilemma.
Probably a decision for when the Auto Elec reports back.
A couple of capable contacts I have made in the van servicing industry are
quoting 4 to 6 months waiting time for services.
Blaming tradesmen losses and the explosion in the number of vans
already on and coming onto the scene.
It's a bit of a worry with the industry at liberty to employ just about
anybody to work on the equipment - and with lead times as I have found
plan WAY WAY ahead.
B
Caravan experience is lacking in most automotive workshops, although truck alignment specialists can normally service vans, (brakes, axles, bearings, etc).
Good infe, Possum. I never thought of using a brake mob to do the van.
I'm presently in conversation with a northern G Coast van service that wants to do a full service $800+ on the 4 wheeler
when the brakes were rebuilt by them completely 5000K ago and one wheel was dragging a bit!!! and I wanted
an inspection to see if pads were worn much. !!!!!
I have used Big Wheels twice for suspension work and then wheel alignment. Their work was good and reasonably priced although the wheel alignment itself is not cheap. But the overall bill (with discounted wheel alignment) was well under the estimate from a caravan workshop. A nice benefit was "Which day would you like?" rather than "In x months".
Why not search out you local mobile caravan serviceman, many are licenced electricans, gas inspections.
We used the services of such a serviceman when we were at Beachmere CP near Caboolture Qld, rang him and was slotted in for a visit within 5 days.
Looks interesting.
WAITING TIMES !!!!!!!
Whilst not in relation to Caravan repairs, my recent experience had me wondering.
My beloved 1996, GQ 4.2 efi Nissan Patrol finally let me down after 290,000 km.
The current diagnosis is that the ECU has a couple of faulty capacitors (condensers when it was built) and is pulsing the fuel pump on & off. Undriveable.
It took me two weeks to get a mobile Auto Electrician here & diagnose the problem.
Then he was pleased to advise that he had a contact who would fix it but there is a 4 to 6 weeks repair delay. Any one's guess what it will cost but he charges only &135/hour.
Of course, he can't guarantee that it is the ECU that is causing the problem, but he thinks that he can get an adaptor that will let his laptop or whatever talk to the Patrol to diagnose the issue.
In the meantime we are off overseas (Vietnam & Cambodia) & I can ponder whether I really want to keep caravanning, & if so do I need ... Cruiser/Patrol .. both too expensive .. next choice Ford Everest ... but will probably settle for a Paj. Sport that SWMBO can use as a daily driver too.
OH! the problems of old age.
-- Edited by Cupie on Wednesday 4th of September 2024 05:49:20 PM
-- Edited by Cupie on Wednesday 4th of September 2024 05:50:48 PM
Why not just buy a replacement ECU,
Why not buy a replacement ECU?
$1824 at Patrolapart ... don't think it's the right one. But will follow that up if necessary.
Will go down the repair path first.
I can get by without the Patrol for a few weeks ... Just a PITA.
Have you been in touch with the Nissan Patrol Forum? Someone there may be able to assist! While yours isn't the famous 4.2L diesel, I would have been looking at something higher than 290,000km before something clapped out.
When I bought our D-Max, I said goodbye to the NP Forum people - they said I didn't really have to go as most of their members bought either the D-Max or MUX next time around.
I am happy I changed brands (so far) but I wasn't that happy with the price I got for the GU. We too only have one car so "rationing" the use is quite regular.
Brodie,
Your service seems a bit stiff too - is this bloke the only one in the area who can do a service? There are mechanics who are going mobile now as they can operate single handed without staff issues. Are there any in your area? Do they have references?
Brodie ...
Sorry to steal your thread. But thanks to those who posted their comments on my dilemma.
Probably a decision for when the Auto Elec reports back.
In the meantime .. research options.