I got to Sardinia and then the van broke down…
3 days of breaking down in a 3 minute video
The problem
The starter motor wouldn’t was spinning but it wouldn’t engage, so the engine wouldn’t start. My hope was that it was just a faulty starter motor and not broken teeth on the flywheel.
Here’s what I did:
1. Disconnected positive terminal of battery
Best to do this to avoid any short circuits when removing the starter motor wires
2. Removed wires from starter motor
There were 3 wires: ground wire (connected to one of the 13mm mounting bolts below), ignition wire and power wire – both 10mm nuts.
3. Removed 2 mounting bolts
The motor came out quite easily but the position it’s in is a bit awkward.
4. Replaced
I cycled around the whole town (Santa Teresa Gallura, Sardinia) for 3 days trying to find a replacement. I found a guy in a garage who drove to the nearest city (Olbia) to find a replacement motor.
All working good
Now the van starts better than before – quicker and no rattling noise. I have a feeling my old motor was always a bit faulty.
Conclusion
The first few people I spoke to told me I wouldn’t get a starter motor anywhere in Sardinia. I started to look into getting one posted from the UK. Eurocarparts do this and it takes about 8 days – that was my plan B.
Lesson: If someone tells you no, persist and ask other people.
It looks cold..? How do you support yourself without a job, you can’t be rich or you would have got a better van…I assume…
Carry on working the working the traditional 9-5 your’ll never find out. Why would you assume that converting a 15 year old van in to a home be an indication of lacking in wealth? I’ve had experience with new vans needing vast amounts of electronics and a ‘bluetec’ system to run! Nothing but problems. How would you fix an electrical problem in depth of Morocco for example? Changed my van to a 17 year old Sprinter 312D and loving it!
Well if I had sufficient funds to do what Van dog is doing and had the finances to buy a new, newer van I would even though it took a fair proportion of my money just to save myself the hassle of repairs that come with older vans. As I said…I assume. I think my questions are valid, as it did look cold, that wasn’t a criticism, just an observation. As for being rich or well off, I am well aware there are many people travelling around who are rich, well off and also a growing number of people who buy old vans and convert, they look for the best they can afford. It wouldn’t make any difference to me if parked on a site on one side there was a spanking new £150,000 motorhome and on the other a rusting banger. My concern would be reliability and the availability of spare parts and for those with me. As a sole traveller though I understand this would be part of the adventure. Why do work 9-5 or that I will never find out.
Fair enough!
To be Fair I though your question was also valid, as I have often looked in to see how Mike is doing and I admit I wonder how he pays his way…with envy of course..
The older ones you can fix new ones they die you need a expensive diagnostic code reader I pull my 5th wheel with a 95 Mack Midliner I carry spare parts and tools I am a mechanic so I am able to deal with a problem out in the middle of no ware .
Point well made.
I’d like to know more about the ferry to Sardinia and camping conditions. Congrats iron the fix.
Brilliant, your tenacity got you through. You deserve a socket set for Christmas.
hi I loved Sardinia when I used to take my truck over to domasnovus, via genova / porta torres drop the trailer and head back to Cagliari for the weekend, then early start on the trucks only ferry back to genova, the only dislike was the amount of rubbish left in their laybys
Looks like it was just the starter drive that failed Get a spare one to carry I with my RV carry a BUNCH of parts a fuel pump repair kit a engine gasket set spare air bag and air brake chamber starter and used alternator and a U joint along with a lot of tools my generator is also a welder a mapp gas torch kit fuel filters oil filters oil coolant trans lube and grease gun 2 brake shoes (all air brakes use the same ) the truck has a compressor but I have a small 120volt one a 1/2 and 3/4 impact with the sockets Yes get a good set of tools and a shop book on that van is a big help I have a 20 ton air powered jack now laying on 150 F asphalt with a bottle jack is no fun at all ! and a square steel plate to keep it from sinking in said hot asphalt ! its a lot of stuff but if it gets me out of a spot its worth the cost and space to carry it glad U got her going !!!
Sei un ragazzo che non si ferma alla prima difficoltà, e con la tua volontà hai potuto risolvere anche questa situazione. Buone feste e buon Natale, ti seguo sempre ovunque.
Well done! Resourceful, as always! Have a great Christmas, and a happy, healthy & joyful 2017! Ian M.
Just watched your video and it’s Christmas morning so ‘Merry Christmas’.
That would be the one thing that makes me worry about travelling long term, not having a clue about engines and mechanics. If I were in your situation there, I would be pretty scared.
P.s…. not sure what the subtitles were about, but they were awesome
There’s usually people around who can help. You’re never really on your own. You can always get breakdown cover as well if you really don’t want to touch the engine. Merry Christmas
hahahah your videos are hilarious dude
mate, that was a great video and great that you captured it! 🙂
Bro, you need more ebooks, ones on travelling in van and destinations specifically.. folks convert their van.. and then think ‘now what’.. need ebooks for after the conversion!! More dollar for you too. Maybe better van 🙂
Hi Mike, loving the blog. Looks like one advantage of your LDV is it’s rear wheel drive and hence easier to work on in general – you could probably get a clutch changed in Maroc quite easily for example, drop the gearbox out. My van is a Renault Trafic 2 and FWD; a lot of things are quite hard to access like the starter motor. I think Renault quote 4 hours labor to change it. Ben PS Your blog is an inspiration! I want to take my van to Tarifa and Maroc now!
Hi Mike, I’m in Sardinia right now and was wondering if you found any black water free dump sites anywhere? Or do you never use your toilet in the van?
Hey, are you still in Sardinia?
Just wished you’d asked for a spanner set when you saw us in the summer!! It would have been a good birthday present. x
Bro, perhaps you could post a blog post about getting parts abroad, the challenges (not speaking the lang etc).. one of the things putting folks off similar adventures is just that.
Hi Mike, I’m in Sardinia right now and was wondering if you found any black water free dump sites anywhere? Or do you never use your toilet in the van?
Hi Mike, loving the blog. Looks like one advantage of your LDV is it’s rear wheel drive and hence easier to work on in general – you could probably get a clutch changed in Maroc quite easily for example, drop the gearbox out. My van is a Renault Trafic 2 and FWD; a lot of things are quite hard to access like the starter motor. I think Renault quote 4 hours labor to change it. Ben PS Your blog is an inspiration! I want to take my van to Tarifa and Maroc now!
Looks like it was just the starter drive that failed Get a spare one to carry I with my RV carry a BUNCH of parts a fuel pump repair kit a engine gasket set spare air bag and air brake chamber starter and used alternator and a U joint along with a lot of tools my generator is also a welder a mapp gas torch kit fuel filters oil filters oil coolant trans lube and grease gun 2 brake shoes (all air brakes use the same ) the truck has a compressor but I have a small 120volt one a 1/2 and 3/4 impact with the sockets Yes get a good set of tools and a shop book on that van is a big help I have a 20 ton air powered jack now laying on 150 F asphalt with a bottle jack is no fun at all ! and a square steel plate to keep it from sinking in said hot asphalt ! its a lot of stuff but if it gets me out of a spot its worth the cost and space to carry it glad U got her going !!!
Just wished you’d asked for a spanner set when you saw us in the summer!! It would have been a good birthday present. x