T4 Caravelle adventures and other fleet news Xantia, Xsara Picasso the Roffle CLK and a T25 camper

[Andy F]

On 28/07/2023 at 08:55, tom13 said:

This couldn't have gone to a better home.

Have a look at T4 short shift mod. It's worth doing if you have a spare hour.

Also cherry blossom us what you want on the bumpers.

Thanks! I've heard about the short shift mod. I've been driving it a lot over the last couple of weeks and I think I have just got used to it. I used the Xsara Picasso the other day and it felt like I was changing gear above my head. Much like how Harley must feel after a normal bike? Anyway, I think I've just got used to it and the CLK is auto anyway!

[purplebargeken]

Whoah there. Been reading cos it says T4 lol.  So, my obtaining a T4 van, then doing all the stuff to it will be ignored by the doovla because it isn't a high top or pop top roof.  I can do everything else bar that. So, the implications of doing all that, it then being denied being re-classified as a camper van mean what exactly? Sorry to deviate..

[Andy F]

A little update, that Caravelle went for an MOT and failed on rear brakes.

Over the last couple of weeks it has felt like there has been a vacuum leak or similar, you get 2 maybe 3 good applications of the brakes and then braking effort is massively reduced and you have to push the stiff pedal very hard. On inspection the hose that goes from the vacuum pump to the servo has been rubbing on various bits and has worn very thin, a new one was delivered yesterday so I'll get that sorted today. The vacuum pump didn't seem in the first flush of youth so I've ordered one of those too. I only ordered it yesterday morning and it's allegedly going to be delivered at lunchtime today, courtesy of Just Kampers and DPD.

The osr issue is sorted, the flexi pipe had a big kink in it so that's working nicely now. Fingers crossed for a retest early this week. 

While I wait for to arrive I'm going to appease Mrs Andy F by working on the T25 this morning. I've never particularly been a fan of German cars and yet there's the CLK and 2 VW buses out there to play with. Hmm

[doug]

Pretty sure I fitted two new rear calipers and pads as they were sticking on.

[Andy F]

Quick update. Yes, two new calipers (thank you!) working well, unfortunately the load compensator was at fault resulting in very little braking effort at the rear. That coupled with a new vacuum pump has resulted in some excellent braking capabilities and a fresh MOT. Great to have it back on the road. 

Other bits we've done include a recharge of the air con and keeping it clean. It's currently sans seats to help a friend move somethings out of storage into his new house tomorrow.

In other fleet news, now the van is sorted I'm going to get the CLK motd and move it on. I need something diesel and cheap for a year or so to save some money on my commute. The Xantia also now needs clearing out and scrapping it's just too rotten to save. @purplebargeken if you need any spare parts give me a shout as I have 2 that will be going to scrap shortly. Actually quite sad about that as they have been brilliant transport for years and it feels a bit like the end of an era.

[Andy F]

Also I got the camper running again, gave it a good clean and a good look over. Maybe my outlook has improved but the jobs somehow seem achievable whereas a year a go it felt insurmountable and like a bit of a weight on my shoulders. 

 

Spannering time has been severely limited with the increase in performing work with a(nother) new band. Not sure if there's a place to share our progress on here or even if there's any appetite for it but it has been a busy summer playing lots of festivals. We have started to be rebooked for the same festivals next year but main stage and an improved fee! Very exciting for me anyway!

[Jenson Velcro]

12 hours ago, Andy F said: 

 

Spannering time has been severely limited with the increase in performing work with a(nother) new band. Not sure if there's a place to share our progress on here or even if there's any appetite for it but it has been a busy summer playing lots of festivals. We have started to be rebooked for the same festivalsk next year but main stage and an improved fee! Very exciting for me anyway!

Would definitely be interested in your band’s exploits. If no other thread is suitable, just start a new one in the Open Forums section.

Glad the work on the camper seems less daunting now.

[Andy F]

It's been a successful month or so fleet wise here. Both the Caravelle and the roffleCLK are Motd and legal for another year. The ClK didn't need any work doing and sailed straight through which was very pleasing! I'll give that and my wife's picasso an oil change imminently. Will also treat it to a good clean this weekend as reward. Not the picasso though, it's too full of family detritus for me to go near.

The Caravelle has been superb for family outings and has been our tour bus for the band to Devon twice, Swansea and Bristol. It's been full of 8 people, drum kit and various equipment along my trumpet and the rest of the horn section.

I will do a thread over the weekend of our exploits, if nothing else maybe some shiters could come along to a gig to say hi and see the Dub Bus in action. (The band is called Dub Catalyst.)

I need to have a serious think about whether to keep the CLK or move it on now, it is costly in fuel but a bloody lovely thing waft/ hoof around. 

 

[Andy F]

Another year with the Caravelle another MOT pass. Needing attention to the rear brake compensator again (will source  new one) and needing a new centre exhaust section and back box. All fitted yesterday so it's out and about again. It completed a fairly epic voyage last weekend with the band. 

Bourton on the water - Cheltenham _ Worcester - hairy Dog Derby for a gig on Friday. Then on to Nottingham for an air b and b before heading to Equinox festival near Grimsby on the Saturday. Then reverse journey on Saturday afternoon. Getting on for 400.miles. pretty much trouble free except the exhaust on the journey home sounding rattly and blowing. I'm not sure if the release bearing on the clutch is wearing so will get saving for a new dmf and clutch. 

Clk is going well too, although the Gloucestershire torrential rain meant it has leaked and I drove to chipping Campden with soggy bottom when the T4 had its MOT this week!

[BorniteIdentity]

Just now, Andy F said:

Another year with the Caravelle another MOT pass. Needing attention to the rear brake compensator again (will source  new one) and needing a new centre exhaust section and back box. All fitted yesterday so it's out and about again. It completed a fairly epic voyage last weekend with the band. 

Bourton on the water - Cheltenham _ Worcester - hairy Dog Derby for a gig on Friday. Then on to Nottingham for an air b and b before heading to Equinox festival near Grimsby on the Saturday. Then reverse journey on Saturday afternoon. Getting on for 400.miles. pretty much trouble free except the exhaust on the journey home sounding rattly and blowing. I'm not sure if the release bearing on the clutch is wearing so will get saving for a new dmf and clutch. 

Clk is going well too, although the Gloucestershire torrential rain meant it has leaked and I drove to chipping Campden with soggy bottom when the T4 had its MOT this week!

That Caravelle has been much loved over the years; the vicar who had it before me treated it like another child. Please stick up a picture or two and I’ll text him; he’ll be delighted to see it still trundling. 

[Andy F]

[Andy F]

Handsome old bus in my opinion @BorniteIdentity

Here's my current view, between Northleach and Sherborne on the A40 before an afternoon of teaching the trombone.

[BorniteIdentity]

We had some right laughs in that van. Absolutely the very best of times. The reason it’s done so many miles is the previous owner would drive all the way down to Cannes three or four times a year with his family. It was very much loved, and so nice to see it still making memories today. 

Safe and happy travels! 

[Andy F]

18 hours ago, BorniteIdentity said:

We had some right laughs in that van. Absolutely the very best of times. The reason it’s done so many miles is the previous owner would drive all the way down to Cannes three or four times a year with his family. It was very much loved, and so nice to see it still making memories today. 

Safe and happy travels! 

Brilliant, it makes me smile every time I drive it. It really only gets used for long journeys, so hopefully it will happily soak up many more miles without too much wear.  If you have any more history (photos and stories ) do please share. With a new exhaust it is much quieter than it was, so it must have been blowing for a while. 

Things I want to do; retro fit cruise, and sort the stereo out. Its got 4 speakers, 2 on the dash and 2 pretty much in the boot. The passengers in the middle always ask for the tunes to be turned up, and the other rows always complain it's too loud! It's been a long time since my teens and fitting bangin' stereos but I'm quite looking forward to reliving my youth haha.