Hi guys this is my first post so please be gentle, but the last problem i had with my van was apparently beyond 6 different mechanics......2 hours trawling the net and this site, 1 small washer later and it id done it. So i highly rate this place and all the advice given.
Im a tree surgeon and own a 2004 135 t350. The van was bought 2nd hand with 20,000 miles and was immaculate. 2.5 years later the fuel pump packed in and it was off to a "specialist". quoted £1500 - he got the job ( didn't know any one else at the time ). 9 weeks later the van was still off the road and my patience had long gone. long story short i removed the van from his garage and took it elsewhere. another few days later i get the van back...sorted! a few months down the line the fan belt goes so i get it to the garage, a new one goes on...and it throws it off. The mechanic then starts replacing pumps pulleys etc costing me more than i wanted to spend but i needed it back on the road. the van returns with HALF a belt... the mechanic tells me that every new belt gets thrown off or shredded but when using a damaged belt with a few ribs missing its fine. at that time i was totally desperate to get some money back in so i took it away an cracked on ( D!*k...i know ). The problem seemed to have gone for at least 12 months then a 8 weeks ago it re surfaced. Another garage get involved, replace tensioner that had gone and a new belt, same old story...noise on tickover increasing with revs belt wobbling everywhere..1 week later still no joy, they fit a bigger belt and it seems ok. 2 days later its shredded. i look on here and find 1 problem with the same van..Clown who did the fuel pump didn't replace the gasket behing the crank pulley, so allingment was off. i added a washer as a temp fix and it was all fine...almost like new.
This morning i started the van and the belt starts squealing. tension was fine so i took the belt off to check the pulleys etc. There was a slight niose coming off the vacuum pump so i took it off and checked it on the bench. no play and gasket was fine. gave it a clean and put it back on, started the engine and the noise starts again..gave it a tickle of revs then a "water haze" (no other word for it relly, van kind of sneezed) coughs up and the noise dissapered, i turned it off to investigate, couldn't see anything so restarted, noise returns. i take off the belt and re check the pulleys, im pretty sure the power steering pumps gone as there is a fair bit of play forwards and backwards and can hear a clunk when i turn it slowly by hand..is this "in and out play" a sign of failure? or should it be there?? also what could the water thing be?? iv checked the water pump and there is a minute bit of play but you really have to give it a wobble to notice this.
sorry for the whole 9 yards but im at my wits end with this vehicle and my wallets not being opened in another garage because quite frankly if its a case of old off new on im doing it myself....
ANY help will be greatly recieved.