Brownnova’s family TransSport solution - 280 miles in 2 days…

[danthecapriman]

2 hours ago, brownnova said:

Longest drive yet in the TransSport, slowly awakening it from a long slumber. Done nearly 30 miles today, and all appears well. 

I bet you get loads of attention with that out on the road? It looks so radical in its styling there’s pretty nothing else that looks like it.

Glad it’s going well so far too.

[richardmorris]

I always read it as transwarp,  but I'm a star trek fan.

[brownnova]

Another 50 ish miles covered today to and from a cars and coffee event. This time with the Children and good lady aboard too!

Best bit… ended up parked next to a Pontiac Sunbird! 

 

[brownnova]

Long journey update!

In 2008 the odometer at the MoT read 100,913 miles

In March 2025 it read 101,125 and it only read about 20-30 more than this when I bought it.

It was on 101,340 when I left the house. So this meant that the TransSport was about to attempt more miles in 2 days than it had in the previous 16 years… what could possibly go wrong?!?

The honest truth is I came very close to chickening out and taking the 9000 instead. It felt potentially like yet another RAC callout waiting to happen. However… 

The journey down was uneventful. I opted for the non motorway route. It was only about ten minutes longer and who wouldn’t want to drive through Bromsgrove… I filled her up and took to the roads. After about half an hour I started to relax, this was going to be ok! 

Arrived at the Premier Inn I had booked for the night with a minimum of fuss. 

This made me quite happy… 

The battery drain was still present, so a little concern presented itself over the morning starting regime… however I shouldn’t have feared as all was well, and we lolloped up the M40 to Gaydon. Success on that front too. 

Loads of positive interaction about the old DustBuster, including an interesting older American gent, who was a mechanic in the states in the 90s-00s and gave me a few tips.

Wanting to beat the High volume of RAC call-outs traffic I headed off about 3pm. This time I allowed myself some motorway cruising but then cut cross country. Despite some very wet rain, and some quite hilly sections we made it back home in one piece!

The MPG wasn’t even too hilariously bad… we’ve averaged approximately 24MPG, which considering it was mostly non motorway work is not too shabby for a 3.1 with a three speed box. 

What observations? 
- there’s some kind of knocking/clonking in the front suspension… not a loud one, but it’s there on rough surfaces. (Still quieter than the last one’s suspension which used to clang loudly)
- there is a ticking sound on acceleration, not at cruising or gentle acceleration, but pushing the loud pedal hard or uphills. No idea on this one. 
- the brakes are just ok, but no better than OK. A couple of times it seemed to clonk on brake release… but it only did it on a couple of occasions and I couldn’t get it to repeat 
- it’s quite slow. Not 2CV slow, but accelerating isn’t rapid. But that’s absolutely fine. I think it’s supposed to be like that. Need to check the repair I did to the air filter housing too actually. 
- Speedo and Rev counter. Nope. 
- one rear speaker may be blown. 

All in all, I call it a success. 
 

[Schaefft]

9 hours ago, brownnova said:

Long journey update!

In 2008 the odometer at the MoT read 100,913 miles

In March 2025 it read 101,125 and it only read about 20-30 more than this when I bought it.

It was on 101,340 when I left the house. So this meant that the TransSport was about to attempt more miles in 2 days than it had in the previous 16 years… what could possibly go wrong?!?

The honest truth is I came very close to chickening out and taking the 9000 instead. It felt potentially like yet another RAC callout waiting to happen. However… 

The journey down was uneventful. I opted for the non motorway route. It was only about ten minutes longer and who wouldn’t want to drive through Bromsgrove… I filled her up and took to the roads. After about half an hour I started to relax, this was going to be ok! 

Arrived at the Premier Inn I had booked for the night with a minimum of fuss. 

This made me quite happy… 

The battery drain was still present, so a little concern presented itself over the morning starting regime… however I shouldn’t have feared as all was well, and we lolloped up the M40 to Gaydon. Success on that front too. 

Loads of positive interaction about the old DustBuster, including an interesting older American gent, who was a mechanic in the states in the 90s-00s and gave me a few tips.

Wanting to beat the High volume of RAC call-outs traffic I headed off about 3pm. This time I allowed myself some motorway cruising but then cut cross country. Despite some very wet rain, and some quite hilly sections we made it back home in one piece!

The MPG wasn’t even too hilariously bad… we’ve averaged approximately 24MPG, which considering it was mostly non motorway work is not too shabby for a 3.1 with a three speed box. 

What observations? 
- there’s some kind of knocking/clonking in the front suspension… not a loud one, but it’s there on rough surfaces. (Still quieter than the last one’s suspension which used to clang loudly)
- there is a ticking sound on acceleration, not at cruising or gentle acceleration, but pushing the loud pedal hard or uphills. No idea on this one. 
- the brakes are just ok, but no better than OK. A couple of times it seemed to clonk on brake release… but it only did it on a couple of occasions and I couldn’t get it to repeat 
- it’s quite slow. Not 2CV slow, but accelerating isn’t rapid. But that’s absolutely fine. I think it’s supposed to be like that. Need to check the repair I did to the air filter housing too actually. 
- Speedo and Rev counter. Nope. 
- one rear speaker may be blown. 

All in all, I call it a success. 
 

Ticking sound could be exhaust (manifold gasket) leak?

Was great to see the Trans Sport there, shame we couldn't have a chat about it (I had my eyes peeled on it a few times). I still think it's one of the greatest minivan designs out there are yours is the perfect spec with the white 3-spokes!

[Surface Rust]

Could the ticking be pinking if the timing is out or it doesn't like the fuel?

Might also explain if it feels down on power.

[IronStar]

Just caught up on this, and I love it!

I must be getting old though, I thought that  mk1 Multipla aged gracefully the other day, and thought about buying one, and now this. 😄

[brownnova]

6 hours ago, Schaefft said:

Ticking sound could be exhaust (manifold gasket) leak?

Was great to see the Trans Sport there, shame we couldn't have a chat about it (I had my eyes peeled on it a few times). I still think it's one of the greatest minivan designs out there are yours is the perfect spec with the white 3-spokes!

Manifold would make sense actually, it does sound similar to the noise my old Talbot used to make when the manifold was going. Good shout. I’ll have a look.

Yeah I was hoping to see you @Schaefft and show you it properly, sadly we must have missed one another! Another time! 

[brownnova]

2 hours ago, Surface Rust said:

Could the ticking be pinking if the timing is out or it doesn't like the fuel?

Might also explain if it feels down on power.

Doesn’t sound like pinking to me, and I’m not sure it’s actually that down on power, or just lacking it in the first place! It’s really hampered by the three speed box! I think that’s the biggest difference from the old one.