|
|
Post by Sorento 08 on Sept 29, 2020 10:48:32 GMT
First service and all going well until the AWS Mobile guy told me the Alde fluid is -23c instead of -35c, that would explain why my boiler was "kettling" when heating up the hot water, Alde had suggested this might be the problem when I contacted them earlier, who told me to check the fluid, then he came to the offside wheel (last one), while removing the one shot nut it picked up on the last few threads, stripping them off the axle shaft, he did manage to replace the old nut onto the shaft and torqued up to the correct value, so he contacted Alko who said the usual send photos and claim, so that looks like the van is now to sit on the drive until Alko confirm if it is safe to move. So much for booking our next break in a couple of weeks.  Sent dealer email with the facts and see if Coachman are prepared to refund the fluid replacement, not holding my breath on that one. Over the past 40 odd years of caravanning I have never experienced axle thread being shredded by the nut. The joys of modern vanning. Clock now ticking to see how long and where Alko will rectify the issue. |
|
|
|
Post by Trooper on Oct 4, 2020 8:47:00 GMT
Good Luck, I hope it sorted quickley.
Quote
"Over the past 40 odd years of caravanning I have never experienced axle thread being shredded by the nut. The joys of modern vanning"
No I have never heard of it before.
Mike
|
|
|
|
Post by Carper on Oct 4, 2020 11:15:37 GMT
I have never had nor heard of that in 35 years of Caravanning. I hope you can get it sorted soon so you can get away again.
|
|
|
|
Post by Sorento 08 on Oct 11, 2020 14:57:21 GMT
Well the saga goes on Had a call from the engineer last Wednesday (while he was in Hospital waiting to go down for an operation, that is commitment) to say he had received email from Al-Ko offering him the parts to replace the Stub Axle, but he has declined saying during his usual re-training session 18 months ago the removal and replacement of this part is strictly factory including a copy of the training booklet showing the advice, Al-Ko replied saying the whole axle needs to be returned to factory. During this time I have sent 2 emails asking if I need to cancel my future bookings and when I might expect the repair to be completed, I still wait for a reply. I must admit I am not impressed with Al-Ko ignoring my emails. I have copies of the emails they have sent to the AWS engineer and must say a 3 year old could write better and they never leave the name of who sent the reply, neither have they allocated a claim number. I am hoping the AWS engineer is back to work next week and the axle can be removed and the van sat on axle stands on the drive. Now Alde are totally the opposite, I had an email from Alde (Man Dir) asking me to call him on the Monday morning as Coachman had passed on my concerns regarding the "kettle" effect going on in the boiler when on EHU. I called him on the Monday and he wanted the van in to his factory the next day for investigations, unfortunately I had to tell him I have an issue with the axle so the van is not roadworthy, we have provisionally set 9th November for the van to go in (done before I knew it would take up to 4 weeks at factory for the axle), he is not convinced it is the fluid as this is pre-mixed at the fluid manufacturer before sending to Coachman Alde still go into Coachman to test the fluid every 8 weeks. He thinks it could be a sensor in the boiler, or worse still could be a dis-placed baffle plate inside the boiler, if that is the problem then they will fit a new boiler while I wait. So really hoping Al-Ko take less time than estimated, plus we are not locked down again or this could take forever. |
|
|
|
Post by Sorento 08 on Oct 13, 2020 13:13:31 GMT
Update today Had a text message from the Mobile AWS guy to say he has been in touch with Alko and is coming over on Saturday morning to remove the Axle. I will give him a hand as it will take 2 people. He has arranged with Alko to collect the axle next week. So at last things are beginning to move.  Just hope it is back in time for me to get the van over to Alde on the 9th Nov for them to look at the reason for the boiler to kettle on EHU. |
|
|
|
Post by Sorento 08 on Oct 18, 2020 13:00:27 GMT
Stub Axle damage to the hub bearing diameter and thread whilst removal of the one shot nut for the first time.  |
|
|
|
Post by Sorento 08 on Oct 21, 2020 14:23:55 GMT
Alko have still not arranged collection which means my appointment made with Alde to have the boiler looked at is beginning to look like it will not happen.
I can not believe why Alko are dragging their heals in getting this resolved. I have emailed Coachman Customer service manager to see if they can get Alko to move on this.
This is so frustrating.
|
|
|
|
Post by Sorento 08 on Oct 22, 2020 16:12:04 GMT
Further update
Well after sending the emails to Alko and Coachman, both had not replied, this is absolutely not the way I expect manufacturers to behave, I texted the AWS engineer this morning to ask if he would get involved again, he did and he called me this afternoon to say Alko will accept the axle, if I arrange to get it to them, (I did offer just to get the axle down to them) that is really big of them, to say this is a 1 year old van and the failure is down to Alko manufacturing process, it is appalling.
I have now booked a hire van at a cost of £48.00 I am hoping Alko will refund that cost. Sadly they are unable to offer any date for the return, their track record does not give me much hope. and I know as the rise in Covid cases, this will just hamper the situation.
|
|
|
|
Post by Sorento 08 on Oct 26, 2020 16:42:06 GMT
Further update Well after sending the emails to Alko and Coachman, both had not replied, this is absolutely not the way I expect manufacturers to behave, I texted the AWS engineer this morning to ask if he would get involved again, he did and he called me this afternoon to say Alko will accept the axle, if I arrange to get it to them, (I did offer just to get the axle down to them) that is really big of them, to say this is a 1 year old van and the failure is down to Alko manufacturing process, it is appalling. I have now booked a hire van at a cost of £48.00 I am hoping Alko will refund that cost. Sadly they are unable to offer any date for the return, their track record does not give me much hope. and I know as the rise in Covid cases, this will just hamper the situation. Another update today (26.10.20) I returned the axle back to Al-Ko factory this morning, tried to get them to rectify the axle while I was there, but no luck. The manager has said she will hopefully get the axle back to me in just over a week. Lets hope they do not let me down again. |
|
|
|
Post by Trooper on Oct 27, 2020 8:52:37 GMT
Fingers crossed for you Paul.
Mike
|
|
|
|
Post by Dickers on Oct 27, 2020 11:36:52 GMT
Further update Well after sending the emails to Alko and Coachman, both had not replied, this is absolutely not the way I expect manufacturers to behave, I texted the AWS engineer this morning to ask if he would get involved again, he did and he called me this afternoon to say Alko will accept the axle, if I arrange to get it to them, (I did offer just to get the axle down to them) that is really big of them, to say this is a 1 year old van and the failure is down to Alko manufacturing process, it is appalling. I have now booked a hire van at a cost of £48.00 I am hoping Alko will refund that cost. Sadly they are unable to offer any date for the return, their track record does not give me much hope. and I know as the rise in Covid cases, this will just hamper the situation. Another update today (26.10.20) I returned the axle back to Al-Ko factory this morning, tried to get them to rectify the axle while I was there, but no luck. The manager has said she will hopefully get the axle back to me in just over a week. Lets hope they do not let me down again. Hope everything goes well for you Paul. Roy............(Dickers) |
|
|
|
Post by Sorento 08 on Nov 3, 2020 15:28:13 GMT
Great news axle returned from Al-Ko this afternoon. I had already booked the AWS engineer to come on Thursday before the pending lockdown, I think he is still due to come as he was working through the last lockdown as he is fully Covid compliant. I am sure he will get back to me one way or the other as I have text him this afternoon to let him know it is back.
The next dilemma is the van is booked into Alde for Monday 9th November for them to look at the boiler as it is "kettling" when the hot water is on. I know manufacturing is to stay open, so I will have to call Alde on Friday to see what they think. If I did go I would stay in my car on the car park, while they deal with the fault, so no contact with anyone, then drive straight home, they are only 60 miles away from where I live.
|
|
|
|
Post by Sorento 08 on Nov 5, 2020 19:40:38 GMT
End of the saga.
Axle arrived back to me on Tuesday. Contacted AWS chap who arranged to come over on Thursday (later to be England lockdown) to refit. He did turn up Thursday morning at 08.30 and we got cracking to refit and reset brakes and ATC. After 2 hours all was complete and his van was loaded up ready to go, but he suggested I took it for a road test before he left. All OK. He has called Al-Ko to tell them he will be billing them for 4 hours labour, they did not seem too forthcoming to meet his requirements, I do not know why this very large manufacturer would be so offish. I certainly hope I do not have anymore dealings with them again. They have refused to pay for my van hire and fuel to return the axle (even though they agreed to collect but didn't) and the nyloc nuts, which in total has cost me £80.00. I am pleased that my next years service will not be to remove the one shot nuts as I will not have covered sufficient miles, He did say that they do not have to be removed every year unless excessive miles have been covered. which is fair enough.
The next thing that needs to be repaired is the Alde boiler, I called Alde on Wednesday afternoon to see about rebooking my pre-booked appointment, but they said no need to I can still take it down on Monday, as they are allowed to work on warranty and other work during this 2nd lockdown.
|
|
|
|
Post by Carper on Nov 6, 2020 20:55:02 GMT
Glad to see your axle is sorted, I am surprised that Alko have treated you so badly. Perhaps they are getting bit big for there boots, although they have a big part of the market. From the reports I have heard about Alde you should have no problems.
Les
|
|
|
|
Post by Sorento 08 on Nov 6, 2020 21:15:47 GMT
Glad to see your axle is sorted, I am surprised that Alko have treated you so badly. Perhaps they are getting bit big for there boots, although they have a big part of the market. From the reports I have heard about Alde you should have no problems. Les Thanks Les I have had previous experience with Alde, their customer service is second to none, Alko, Dometic and Coachman really need to take a leaf out of Alde's book. Why these manufacturers have to be so negative is beyond me. I have heard that another dealer has had problems with stub axle threads being stripped on first service and even an axle from Alko having the brake lug welded on incorrectly, making it necessary for a dealer requesting a replacement axle, how this was missed by Alko and indeed Coachman's "quality" process is worrying. I do not see why having the monopoly of chassis and axles for most of the caravan industry warrants being so unhelpful. I hope this experience is not repeated again. Hope you stay safe during this next phase. Regards Paul |
|
|
|
Post by Carper on Nov 7, 2020 18:16:08 GMT
I think you have hit the nail on the head by saying that by having a monopoly on the majority of caravan axles. They are most probably thinking that they can do as they want. Perhaps it about time that people start thinking about Caravans with axles made by other manufacturers. But unfortunately that means choices are extremely restricted.
Keep safe and hope we can get away earlier rather than later.
Les
|
|
|
|
Post by Sorento 08 on Nov 10, 2020 15:54:52 GMT
Managed to get to Alde on Monday despite the fog, for them to look at my boiler. (Saw no other vans on the road). They agreed the boiler shell needed replacing plus the clips and hot & cold pipe feeds, total parts cost about £760 glad it was warranty. As mine was being wheeled out another van arrived. So that's 2 on the road. On way back saw a travellers van going opposite way. Filled water back up and tested system, only to find when on boost the kettling returned. Spoke to Alde who suggested running pump at speed 5 overnight, then turn off and bleed, which I did and found air in washroom rad. Reset system and notice now I have intermittent kettling. Spoke to Alde again today who have suggested air is the problem, so I need to run system for a few days, if no better by next Monday, call them and they will arrange to come to me, I asked if using their service pump would help they said the new 12v inline pump is as good. But they might. The sensors seem to be working as the temps are within 2c of each reading. So I have tilted the nose up and running the pump at speed 4 for tonight. Just hope it cures it. 🤞🤞
|
|
|
|
Post by Sorento 08 on Nov 13, 2020 19:46:33 GMT
Final update
Carried out the tests as suggested by Alde, over the last few days, I can now confirm that the boiler is making a slight "kettling" noise and it is now only happening for 10 seconds before it reaches "set point" and cuts the power and is intermittent. As Alde are certain it is some slight trapped air in the boiler, as they can not think of anything else, I have decided to return the van to storage as I think the more the system is used it will disappear, but that is not really going to happen for the rest of this year, (we are booked to go away at Christmas but think this will be unlikely). I will be calling Alde on Monday to provide the details, they have said if the "kettling" was really bad after the weekend, they will arrange to come to me and look at it, which is really good customer service, unlike other manufacturers in the caravan industry.
I am now hoping next year will be a better year for us all to get out and about more freely.
Paul
|
|
|
|
Post by Carper on Nov 16, 2020 9:05:07 GMT
Let’s just hope your problems have passed and you can enjoy next year.
Les
|
|
|
|
Post by Sorento 08 on Nov 15, 2021 20:11:40 GMT
Update
Second service was carried out last month by the same AWS guy as last year.
He was not going to do the brakes this year due to not covering enough miles, but as I had an issue with the van feeling like I was towing an artic and the brakes were quite hot, he was concerned that the sealed for life bearings might have leaked, After having the issue with last tow. I had already had the van on stands to check free play of brakes and gap for ATC and all was OK, (he was not available to check for me). With fingers crossed and sending every prayer up he removed the one shot nuts and pleased to say all was well, no damage to anything. I had said to him that I had a slight brake squeal, so he roughed up the brake drum and shoes lightly when I returned it to storage not a peep. All I am waiting for now is Dometic to get their act together and supply my dealer with 3 replacement blinds as the cords are fraying due to burrs on the holes. When they are in they will fit the replacement "modified" cooker lid that decided to leave its home during a trip to our site back in June, (Yes that has been on order since then and just arrived at the dealer) It is a pity they could not be as customer focused as BCA were in June when our charger decided to pack up, they got one delivered to me at site the next day. So really hoping the revised estimated delivery of the blinds to my dealer in early December will happen so we can get away early January/February. Dependent on how much of the white stuff we get.
|
|
Just hope it is back in time for me to get the van over to Alde on the 9th Nov for them to look at the reason for the boiler to kettle on EHU.
