[Closed] Just bought a van and it's already dead

Private sale? Don't think you have any legal rights seeing as it got you home.

Unless its a dealer you're on your own I'm afraid, buyer beware. Never know he might do the decent thing though, bad luck though hope you get it sorted one way or another.

Unfortunately with any private vehicle purchase it's buyer beware.
Give the guy a call, he might aswell tell you the problem now it's yours .

Private sale? Don’t think you have any legal rights seeing as it got you home.

Even if it didn't, I don't think it makes a difference.

Give the guy a call, he might aswell tell you the problem now it’s yours .

I wouldn't assume he knew about it. Could easily just be one of those things. Seems unlikely that it'd be possible to paper over a catastrophic problem for just long enough to get it through a test drive and off your driveway.

Your warranty expired when you took the keys. Still sucks - unlucky

Service history say the timing chain/belt had been recently changed? If yes and there’s somehow evidence that this didn’t actually happen then you could attempt the fraud route. Otherwise you’ve got nothing unfortunately

If its timing belt it's not his fault....

Take oil filer cap off. Put in gear and rock the car see if you can see the cam move.

A 2nd hand head may be the cheapest way of doing it.

What engine is it?

Does a 2012 connect not have a chain?

Is picking up a van for mountain biking journeys now classed as an essential journey?

Is picking up a van for mountain biking journeys now classed as an essential journey?

Depends if he was in England or one of the more sensible parts of the UK I guess

You just got unlucky.
It sucks but there's not much you can do about it.
I wouldn't bother contacting the seller, there's really nothing they should be expected to do about it.

Does a 2012 connect not have a chain?

I thought they were the old 1800 unit?

I've just had a look at it. The actual timing belt is inside a cover but undoing a couple of bolts and peeping in, it looks like it's in one piece. But do they always snap or it possible to strip the teeth?

Connect experts on Facebook seem to think it's the 'wet belt' which I've never heard of but apparently runs in the sump.

Private sale? Don’t think you have any legal rights seeing as it got you home.

I kind of know this already which is why I didn't pick up the phone and start going mad. I will speak to him today at some point. I've already let him know it's dead.

I also know it's impossible to predict this kind of failure but I'm gutted that it's had to happen to me, today, after less than 2 hours of driving the bloody thing. If it survived to the next MOT I was planning on having all the belts done anyway. I can't afford to just throw 3 grand down the toilet. It feels like a punch in the gut.

They can rip teeth off.

Best way is check the cams moving as above.

What engine is it. If your not sure wang some photos up.

I'm too far away to get my hands dirty but I'm happy if you want to give us a call and I'll try n help over the phone

Tensioner can go too can't they or is that just full fat transits ?

I knew someone who had an old corsa and the camshaft snapped, looked like nothing wrong until we took the rocker cover off......

I just spoke to the seller. Despite my new perspective he still seems like a nice bloke. He's shocked and seems genuinely gutted. I didn't go mental and start demanding a refund and he offered to help me out in any way he can. I'm not sure exactly what form that help will take yet.

It's a bank holiday weekend but my local preferred garage is open on Tuesday morning. I'll start trying to sort it out then. Until then I'm going to calm down and try not to think about it.

I could have really down without this to be honest. I could have bought literally any other van in the UK and it would have lasted more than 2 hours.

I should have just bought the Impreza wagon I wanted. This is what I get for being sensible.

I’m too far away to get my hands dirty but I’m happy if you want to give us a call and I’ll try n help over the phone

Thanks for the kind offer but the Connect club seem fairly unanimous on the cause after I posted some pics and videos.

We had a very similar exp. Right down to the celebratory ride around and breakdown 😢.
Ours turned out to be a simple issue but still cost a few hundred. Seller paid half 👍

I’m in crookes and use a local lad who may well give it a look tomorrow if you give him a ring
Email if you want his details
Rob.bike.revive@gmail.com

To be fair to the seller, if he knew it was going to fail, he wouldnt have let you had a 30 minute test drive, he'd have took you around the block, with all his fingers and toes crossed.
So you think it will be the wet belt failing - what damage does that cause?

Gutted. Similar things has happened to me recently. Bought a mini country second hand that has started leaking oil and a burning smell after I turn the engine off.

There are worse problems to have. 🤦🏻‍♂️

I'd be finding out what the bang was before drawing any conclusions. Could just be an unfortunate happenstance, could be the seller had bodged something to get it off their drive.

Many years ago bought a car kept pulling to the side, garage replaces front suspension and lots of other parts to make it roadworthy.

Then bought another,dropped a bookcase off for a customer,drinking tea in her kitchen and a neighbour knocked on door to say my car was on fire,it wasnt just a load of oil smoking that had escaped from engine onto a hot engine.

and another,went for a test drive, all ok handed over cash, went for a drive down motorway and cam belt snapped, stuck on motorway for an hour awaiting recovery, luckily garage refunded the payment.

Final car went for test drive pulled up handbrake and cable snapped, car rolled back almost hitting car behind, sales bloke not amused.

Now got a Range Rover Sport and a van

You had all that misery and bad luck, then bought a RRS? @project 🙂

You had all that misery and bad luck, then bought a RRS?

If they were all range rovers that would explain the recurring mechanicals

I wouldn’t be too concerned about the bang either - I’ve stalled my Custom a couple of time whilst manoeuvring and it always makes a massive bang. 1st time it happened I shat myself it was so loud.

Might not be the belts(if its a 1.8 TDCI then they do have 2),could be the DMF(Dual Mass flywheel failing) sometimes they go with no warning, engine will probably sound and feel like its trying to shake itself to bits when turning it over.

They can be replaced with a single mass flywheel for less £.

hi tom. I know a really good guy off abbeydale road, not sure who you use now? Well priced and a very good mechanic. Gimme a shout if i can help with anything.
take the limo for a ride today in the sun!

Oh my God it wasn't a nightmare! It's still on the drive. The big useless dead lump. And I'm 3 grand down. What are the odds of buying an 8 year old vehicle that's 2 hours away from the end of its life?

Right. I know I'm up to my ears in it. It more than likely needs an engine. I just need to work out how to approach it. If I just drop it off at the garage and let them do everything it'll cost a fortune.

Luckily for the first time, I actually have a driveway and a garage to work in so it's not stranded on the street. I might try to find a friendly mobile mechanic and do a combination of DIY and expert help. I could definitely strip the front of the van myself and I can borrow an engine hoist from a mate in Dronfield. There's a local breakers yard that has around 20 Connects in it to get parts from. I think I'll end up breaking it down as far as I can go to find out what's wrong and then pay someone to put it back together properly.

I'll keep you updated if I don't just push it around the corner and set it on fire.

hi tom. I know a really good guy off abbeydale road, not sure who you use now?

I usually go to the Red Lion on Broadfield road because they specialise in vans and motorhomes and they've always done a good job. I'll let you know if I need any help though, thanks.

And yeah, I blew the cobwebs off the limo yesterday and went out to cool down!

push it around the corner and set it on fire

There's your answer. *cough* insurance job *cough*

Torch it or arrange to have have it "stolen" 😉

Torch it or arrange to have have it “stolen”

That ship has sailed - insurance companies stalk your social media

mashr
Member

Service history say the timing chain/belt had been recently changed? If yes and there’s somehow evidence that this didn’t actually happen then you could attempt the fraud route. Otherwise you’ve got nothing unfortunately

How recent? Any comeback against the garage that did it maybe, if it was done but they ****ed up. I had the timing belt done on my Mondeo once and they overtightened i. It drove but didn't feel right, might explain how you got through a test drive and a trip home

I wouldn't be doing an insurance job for 3 grand. Wouldn't it cost more in the long run with increased premiums an excess?

I wouldn’t be doing an insurance job for 3 grand that's fraudulent because it's kinda illegal.

What do you think the issue is and why?

What are the odds of buying an 8 year old vehicle that’s 2 hours away from the end of its life?

The odds of any vehicle failing are the same at any point in the lifetime of any of the critical components. If you hadn't bought it, and he'd taken it on a two hour drive himself, it would have failed and he'd be sat there thinking 'well, I had it 8 years so that's not too bad'.

Or to look at it another way, just because you bought the van off someone doesn't mean the parts are all given a new lease of life! Van doesn't care who's driving it.

buy a cheap engine off ebay swap it and flog it, may recoup some of your loses.

Some people drive with mechanical sympathy and are less likely to break things. If someone jumps in and drives it "normally", bang.

Madame's mate bought a Merc in Germany and took advantage of the limitless autobahn on the way home, bang! Something that had been strong enough to cope with pottering around failed when the revs rose.

When I sold my Ducato I demonstrated how I drove it and the buyer signed a note which informed him that I hadn't changed the cam belt in 14 years, that the engine hadn't ever been revved hard and that I had strongly advised him to change the belt immediately. My son saw the van being thrashed around some time later so he either followed my advice or the advice about change intervals for Fiat cam belts is rubbish.

buy a cheap engine off ebay swap it and flog it

Why would you fix it then sell it? If it's fixed then you might as well keep it; I'd you do a bodge job then you're a ****.

My wife's business has a 13 plate connect. Wet belt failed without warning at 50k. Exactly as you described. Full engine rebuild at a local garage for us.

It's one of those things apparently with that engine. Although seems a little common.

Hope you get it sorted ok.

I think you need a proper diagnosis of the problem before you decide on next steps, at the moment you're assuming it's the wet belt, but you need to be certain.

Proper diagnosis is the next step. I'm going to see someone in the morning and get a professional opinion.

I've already had a quick run down of how to pull the whole front end off. I'm prepared to do that to save some money and I can have an engine delivered if that's what I need.

I've bought myself a massive ball ache. But, I'm gonna a suck it up and get it fixed hopefully in time to salvage some summer road trips. Not sure if I'll trust it for the Morzine run just yet though.

If its the wet belt, how much is a new fully assembled cylinder head, versus how much is an entire engine?

Bear in mid that unless the replacement engine is brand new, any used engine you end up with could be just as bad as the one that's just blown, unless you know its history.

It might be better and easier to replace the cylinder head with a brand new one, rather than replace the whole engine with one of unknown provenance

If it is any consolation you probably have until next year to fix it if you're wanting to road-trip to Morzine.

I know it isn't. I feel for you on many levels.

Dont just go wanging a new lump in.

What's failed?

Not sure yet just thinking worst case scenario. Need someone who knows what they're doing to come and have a look. I'm going to start hunting a good mobile mechanic in the morning.

Speaking from experience, I would just let a mechanic do all of the required work.

I'm sure you are capable, but doing some of the work to save few quid is often a false economy. Don't know how well equipped you are but you could be shelling out for tools, cleaning stuff etc. Also consider the weather when working on the driveway. Weather is good at the moment but spannering in the rain is no fun.

Don't know any good local mobile mechanics I'm afraid. Seems like it won't be an easy fix but as you say worth stripping down to see

@sharkattack - look on Facebook for Sheffield Mobile Mechanic. Ady is a top bloke and knows his stuff. I won’t use anyone else now and if he can help he will.

Is this the fella?

He's on my list for tomorrow.

Yeah Steve it's not going to be fun or cheap but I'm fully committed now whether I like it or not!

@sharkattack. Yep - top bloke. He and his wife took a load of home made Indian snacks to the Northern for the nurses. When he found out Mrs D was a nurse there they took a whole load of cakes and stuff to her ward to help them through the madness.

And he knows his way round an engine. He’ll respond pretty quick via Facebook or I can ping you his mobile number via PM if it’s working yet!

That's encouraging thanks, I'll let you know how I get on.

I did mention a good mobile mechanic yesterday based in hillsborough

Don't worry everyone is on my list until someone takes it on.

I've sent some messages to people including a video of the noise it makes when you turn it over. It sounds like someone hitting an oil drum with a hammer. No replies yet. Probably not the sound you want to hear this early on a morning!

Ooof. that's unlucky.
IF you can prove a private sale has been misrepresented you can take it back, but it doesn't sound like it was (and i bet it would be a ball ache to actually do)

Is it your only car? If its a toy, at least you can have it sat on your drive as a project?
Get an electric drive chain conversion kit for it!

I remember my dad selling his old, beloved pug 405 estate in the late 90s, having had it for years.

We drove past it the following day, with dealer plates hanging off it, and its guts blow up all over the side of the road.
Sad to see it go, but glad we got rid of it!

I think I've found a solution that I can just about stomach.

I found this company through their ebay listings- https://www.tdciservices.co.uk

It looks like they do this swap day in day out. They'll collect it from my drive, fit a reconditioned engine with a new timing belt and a chain where the wet belt was and offer a 12 month guarantee. It'll be done and dusted in a couple of days.

Overall I'll be into it for just over 4 grand so it's still a cheap van. I just hope I get a few months of trouble free motoring out of it.

Ady did get back to me with a price and a date but I like the sound of the specialist option especially with 12 months backup (assuming they honour it). I'll probably use him next time I need something.

I should be up and running by this time next week.

Doesn't sound a bad price.

I'd be throwing a clutch in too.

Last thing you want is in 6months is another 800 quid bill

Sounds like you've found a good solution. It's not a problem to go super cheap with. This has a reasonable cost for a total solution.

I know you are gonna change the engine, but am I the only one thinking "STOP TURNING THE BLOODY ENGINE OVER!?"

It's possible that it could have been fixed but if you keep turning it over, its REALLY gonna be borked.

am I the only one thinking “STOP TURNING THE BLOODY ENGINE OVER!?”

Nope... 🙂

“STOP TURNING THE BLOODY ENGINE OVER!?”

It’s possible that it could have been fixed but if you keep turning it over, its REALLY gonna be borked.

I thought that but then if he is driving along and its in gear when it goes then its bolloxed. Turning it via the started motor wont make it any worse.

Sounds very unlucky. I dont think there is any way that was a bodge.

Really?

Its not great but when its in gear and running then its turning with all the momentum of the van. If the timing is out it just smashes itself to bits. You cant make it worse than that.

Unless you are very lucky and it stays in time and then the starter motor can make it worse but I think its 99% chance of wrecked by this point. I guess all depends how quickly you stop the engine after the bang.

Hes not doing anymore damage....

Trust me

Sorry but it died at 20mph, in 3rd gear, on a busy junction full of typical Sheffield racing drivers. First instinct was to turn the key and get out of the way. It's not like I was trying to bump start it down the street after I realised what had happened.

I haven't touched it since just after it happened.

Sorry Shark Attack. I thought that you had gotten the wee van home then had tried to turn it over, whilst videoing it for potential mechanics to view, so they could hear the noise as the engine ate itself.

I always had the thought that if the engine dropped a tooth or the timing belt broke completely then I should dip the clutch and coast to the side (and never start the thing again, until a mechanic told me how many valves I had bent, if the cyclinders bores were scored or if the big-ends were gone or if it was just the timing belt tensioner that had gone and that I had gotten away with it!) I suppose my view is that unless there is a huge hole in the block and the valves are lying on the ground covered in oil, then MAYBE there is a chance that it could be resurrected.

I must be wrong.

Hope you get it sorted. It's a bloody ball-ache when something like this happens. (Especially in fast traffic.) Its happened to me twice now. Luckily both times, I was able to dip the clutch and coast to the side. (but i realise that this was a COMPLETE FLUKE - like 1 in a million chance.)

I found this company through their ebay listings- https://www.tdciservices.co.uk

It looks like they do this swap day in day out

Be careful of recon engine firms. I recall a watchdog exposee of some right crooks. Check references carefully!

Im already wondering what kind of engine he's getting including fitting for £1000

It's not a recon that much is sure.

A
Lot of places strip old units and make good lumps out of donor parts so 4 knackered engines may yield enough to make 2 good units.

Theres nothing inherently wrong with that if it's done right.

I'd still be tempted to pull the head off and see how many valves it's done.

It wont of done the pistons so as long as the bores are debris free it may just need valves and a kit.

I can price parts if you give me a reg

Possible engine sources:

engines swapped out of other customer vans and repaired: chain drive fitted and head repairs if needed. They must be able do that for £600 ex VAT given that the other £400 is for fitting.

insurance write-offs. They might specialise in scrapping Fords with these engines and make a profit between the engines and other parts they sell on.

buy donor cars cheaply legally

buying engines on the black market, often from stolen vehicles so there's a risk of being done for recieving stolen goods. My old boss was accused of this, the police got very heavy but in the end failed to bring a case (heavy in the way the West Midlands police used to get heavy - fortunately my boss used to drink with the local bobby).

stealing vehicles for donor engines yourself, one of my motorsport rivals did time for this, and ringing stolen cars with insurance write-offs which is what he went down for.

I reckon it's the first option in this case, they offer a full engine rebuild for £2000, if they can do that then repairing after a wet belt failure for £600 is possible.

Or back in the real world given its tdcis..... And transits.

An engine of unknown origin out of a rusty rotten van with a new pair of belts and maybe some injector seals

I'm with Duncancallum. I'd see how many valves it done and see if it's even done any other damage before I threw in any old engine

Any update?

I still have a dead van!

I made a couple of appointments with a local mechanic which came and went. Nobody else wants the job. Everywhere is either open part time or short staffed, or both. I can't find anyone in Sheffield that will touch it.

But, I did speak to Sheffield Engine Services in Hillsbrough (they won't do the job they only do engine work and rebuilds) and I mentioned the company in Barnsley. When he realised who I was talking about he said they do lots of work for him like head skimming etc. He said he wouldn't say this about many people but "Tim is a sound bloke and he'll do you a good job".

So TDCI Services it is. Tim's going to collect it this week and I can have it back on Saturday with a 12 month guarantee.

If I can get a year out of it, that's all I ever wanted. Hopefully I'll be able to sell it at the end but if it's anymore grief I'll be having a big white bonfire.

£4k and you hope to get a year? You could have leased a nice new van for less than that. Bad Luck

Well that wasn't exactly my wildest dreams. I just needed a cheapish stop gap. I just hope there's no more big bills for a while then I'll move it on. The whole 4 grand won't go down the drain (or up in flames)

I just collected the van this afternoon.

To be honest, it looks like he's done a proper job. The engine bay looks factory fresh. I won't bore you with all the details but he filled me with confidence after I had a proper conversation with him. I left there thinking I probably got the best service I could get and I didn't have to get dirty or delve into a DIY nightmare.

It ran like a dream on the way home. Luckily for today the aircon is freezing. So yeah, quite pleased. I started day dreaming about driving down to Morzine in it, maybe collecting the MX bike which is the reason I bought the bloody thing.

Then....

Cruising down the M1 just about to pull off, loud beeping, flashing red lights, and a message on the dash saying 'ENGINE MALFUNCTION'. Luckily this time it didn't drop its guts on the slip road of junction 33 and I stopped in the first available car park.

Just like that I'm back on the rollercoaster of emotions.

Missed your window to flog it then!

(unlucky, I feel for you)

This is grim Sharkey. At least you have a warranty this time.

Well you know this, but don't go trying to start it. Could be a simple issue (an important simple issue like timing)