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I wanted to take a motorcycle with us, but not a small one – my BMW would have overloaded the rear of the Exsis somewhat!
I didn’t want to tow “a trailer”, with all the complications that accompany them. I chose a Hydratrail. Page 145 of the Little Exsis Book explains my thinking, the Hydratrail concept, how I fitted the towbar (almost invisibly!) and shows the Hydratrail in use with both my little old BSA C15T (my late Dad’s) and my big BMW.
This solution has much to commend it, though it’s not the solution for most, I guess. It might give you something to think about though?
Also, I cannot praise Watling Engineering highly enough – they “got” what I wanted to achieve with wanting to make the towbar almost hidden and also with my removable drawbar concept, all carried out in one day, with no fuss. Recommended.
Barry
Hi Chris
Welcome back! I have to say, this site is like the proverbial “swan”… all smooth and serene on the surface, but lots happening down below in the engine room!
You’ve a lot of catching up to do… I’ll say no more! 🙂
Barry
Good luck with this, Fred. It’s a big job but quite straightforward, with Tom’s invaluable help. The biggest problem I think you’ll have is… finding a pleasant enough day or two to do this!
Best wishes and hopes for better weather.
Barry
I’m sorry to hear that, folks. I’m not familiar with the “heater box” and how it interacts with the aircon (I thought they were two separate things?).
These people might be able to offer better suggestions…
https://www.fiatforum.com/ducato/
…as it’s definitely a Fiat Ducato problem. But maybe do a trawl of air-conditioning installers/repairs?
An infuriating and probably easily sortable problem, if you could only get to the bottom of what’s actually happening.
Good luck.
Barry
Maybe this is “condensate”, and not a leak at all? Ok, “a leak” in so far as the condensate is not being directed to the outside as it should be.
Have you located the actual source of the leak – a component, a joint, a pipe, etc.?
Barry
Thank you, Keith. That’s very kind of you.
Part of my recent health problems has been “breathing difficulties”, so I entirely empathise.
Best wishes,
Barry
Horns frequently fail because of poor earths/corroded connections. Maybe separate some connections, clean them up and see if that helps? I’m not sure if this horn earths through the mounting? If it does, unbolt it, clean everything up and bolt it back up again. Of course, it may be that the horn itself has broken – test it by running a couple of wires to it from the battery.
Good luck!
Barry
That is NOT the access to the waste water tank, Tokkeh. That’s access to the blown air heater, the waste pipe from the basin and various wiring. (This is handy when doing any wiring round this area, as you can gain access to the area behind the tall cupboards, cooker and sink units)
To remove that panel is awkward, as it is VERY tight. The answer is to carefully insert a very thin pen knife blade (craft or Stanley knife blades are too thin and will most likely snap). Then gently wiggle the blade so that it pulls the panel gradually out. One of the rounded corners may give you better purchase on the edge of the wood. Pay attention that you’re not damaging the surrounding woodwork as you gradually lever it out. A little silicon grease or candle wax along these edges could make removal easier later.
Now, back to your problem with the waste tank… Access to this tank is via the bottom cupboard under the hob. Lift out the drawers by pulling right out, then while lifting, flip the little pointed pieces of plastic at the front of each runner – this will free the drawer from the runner and it can be removed. At the base, inside this cupboard, is a panel with a finget-pull hole in it. Removing this will give you access to the top of the tank. I know there is “wiring” there, but I’ve never investigated further. May be another member has further advice?
Good luck!
Barry (ex-Exsis!)
(Translation from Dutch)
Dear reader,
“I emptied the dirty water, but the 4 led lights are on / Now I try to open the side panel through the shower area. There is 1 screw here, but I can’t get the plate out without damaging the hold around it. What is your advice?”
And that roof-mounted one is also still a rooflight, albeit a bit smaller than the beautifully big original Heki.
Barry
Hi Michele & Jez,
I think retro-fitting aircon into the dash will be be just SO expensive as to be not worth while. I suppose it might be possible to remove the air con system from a scrap Ducato, but an immense amount of detailed, technical work. But it may be that you can actually find a company that does retro-fit air cons? Try these for a start… https://tinyurl.com/y26lf38p
Simpler would be the Dometic roof aircon, fitted in place of the skylight. It could be controlled remotely (from the cab) and make the entire Exsis cool, not just the cab area..
Good luck.
Barry
I’m sorry, Tom, the old site has well-and-truly gone. I hung on, copying and pasting what I could until my access ran out. It really has gone now.
Barry
Hi Mike & Elaine.
The cable is a standard Fiat Ducato part, but I’ve just had a quick look and… nothing available…!
https://www.eurocarparts.com/bonnet-cable
Try here for info…
https://www.fiatforum.com/ducato/
If you really cannot find this cable anywhere, you could try a motorcycle dealer who may have ordinary Bowden cable (inner and outer, which is all a bonnet release cable is). He may also have solderless nipples. This is a solution but is not ideal, because I doubt that you will be able to fit the original pull handle. Still, it will sort the immediate problem of unlocking the bonnet.
Good luck.
Barry
