The Dispatch | Expert | Scudo Hub

Also well worth checking out AutoDoc.com as they have regular sales and a big range of mk1 spares.

Thanks for the reply Vaz. Hoping to get some pit time with my mechanic friend next week. We'll carry out a thorough check of the subframe and hopefully the rack if we can get to it.

The van steers very well with no corrective input needed when in a straight line. Hoping a couple of new tyres will improve things further. I had the tracking done two weeks ago; thing is, it felt spot on at first but following a recurrence of the low-speed 'crack', a very tiny vibration and an extremely slight pull to the left became evident. Nothing that a reasonable person would necessarily notice, but I'm hypervigilant with Brenda and I would probably feel it (and start worrying) if I ran over a gnat.

This is virtually a new van now, with two and a half grand spent. I hadn't realised how well they go round corners on fresh shocks and springs...

But tis best to be sure...so off to the garage we go again

You don't have to drop the subframe. The engine is accessible by removing the front of the van i.e. grille, bumper, front panel, radiator, ancillaries. Think you have to disconnect driveshafts too. Then undo 3 engine mounts and exhaust/heater (with engine supported on trolley jack) and you should be able to tilt engine forward enough to do the head. Still a mission and a half, but no lifting of van involved. My whole engine was replaced without undoing the front subframe and it took just over a day. Good luck....

Merry Christmas Ricko. Here's to plenty of road trip fun in 2020. Our Dispatch mk1 got us to Cornwall this year with no problems except a creaky rear end. Big suspension rebuild due in January followed by full camper conversion after the MOT.

Next move will be finding an attachable tent and awning for extra space and room for a toilet cubicle. Happy days...hopefully

OK that'll be getting rebuilt in the new year then. Hope the springs can hold out for another few weeks....think I'll go everywhere slowly. Can't take the van off the road yet.

That's a relief. Or a partial relief anyway. I never did find out what was causing my water system to pressurise. Still got the old engine, 187k on it, it's on a pallet at work so I may examine it thoroughly in the new year. Will definitely get the head off. One thing I know for sure is that there was air getting into the water system, but no water getting into the oil system.

I'm worried that the government might ban diesels over a certain age! Sadiq Khan has already done it in London.

There is an interesting reply from Steve the Grease which may or may not be relevant....I hope your new engine is under warranty.

Hmm. Sounds familiar. Check some of my 'Brenda' posts out from 2016-17....I had very similar issues. Could be the head gasket or a leak from the inlet manifold into the coolant system. These engines don't seem to be able to cope with overheating; my system suffered for two years with over-pressurisation. Keep an eye out for white deposits around your cap.

There's a cowl under the dash with 2 screws, gonna start by removing that and putting my head up there....

For serious work on Brenda, I am lucky enough to have a mate who fixes lorries for Mercedes. He is happy to take my money on occasion and will hopefully be rebuilding my front suspension soon.