Have your say by emailing or writing to us at:
Who is pulling your chain?
May I refer you to the letter from Dave Pilgrim (July, p123) on changing timing belts.
Nick Fisher has given his answer, but may I just clarify the situation as I see it, before he goes ahead? This could save Dave money!
I have a Bailey Approach Autograph, first registered in March 2014 based on a Peugeot Boxer 2.2 HDI diesel on an Al-Ko chassis.
My understanding is that Peugeot Boxers were manufactured in the same factory as the Fiat Ducato, also the Citroën equivalent. The possibility exists that the engine spec of the Fiat and the Peugeot could be the same.
The publication of the letter prompted me to check my situation. My motorhome was 10 years old this year and has covered 32,500 miles of normal gentle driving.
Page 23 of the Peugeot Boxer Warranty and Maintenance Record refers to routine servicing, specifically to the timing belt and ancillary drive belt (I am aware the timing belt is what I know as the cam belt):
“Timing belt replacement for HDI diesel engines (1.4 - 1.6 - 2.0 - 2.2) gives the replacement intervals as NORMAL CONDITIONS = 10 years or 100,000/122,500 miles.”
Join the debate
Join the community
Your Letters, MMM, Warners Group Publications, West Street, Bourne, Lincs PE10 9PH
There is a caveat, “This does not concern engines fitted with a timing chain”.
I checked with TC Motorhomes, the supplying dealer, which has serviced the base vehicle and habitation annually since new. It confirms that my vehicle has a timing chain, “As a belt is not fitted to this vehicle, a replacement drive accessory and other additional work is not required” and advised me to relax.
Incidentally, my motorhome is ULEZ compliant in London according to the check on Transport for London. The engine is Euro 5 but complies.
My Skoda Octavia diesel 1.6 first registered June 2014 is not compliant, although due to low emissions, no vehicle duty/road tax is payable.
Ian Ruck
Alternative to Alphard
I am a 72-year-old guy with a 65kg Leonberger dog called Danny and need a campervan for living and touring in Scotland. I've been considering the Alphard-based Eco Camper 2 hybrid as it has 4x4 and doesn't look like a campervan. But I wonder, on seeing MMM, if you can suggest alternatives.
Roy and Danny
Looking at the size of your dog, I think you'd really struggle for space in an Alphard. We showing four different Japanese campervans, so that might give you a good idea of the space in an Alphard, especially once the bed is made. The Nissan NV350 in the same video might suit you better, especially if you had it without the nearside seat to give you more floor space.
