Hello Fellow Townies,
I and my wife have recently bought ourselves a 1990 Townace Super Extra 2.0 4wd TD. It has the odd bump and scratch (4 placed there by me!) but only cost us 3,400 pounds so we were well happy with that. I am a serviceman who has been posted to Lisbon for 2-and-a-half-years and bought our 'baby' to ferry family and guests around in spacious comfort without realising there would be unseen problems with spares and maintenance. It arrives off the ferry next week and I have made a list of things to investigate on her before we attempt any long journeys. Please advise if anyone can think of anything else I should look at before we begin to 'thrash her' so she can pay for her keep?
Change oil/fuel/air filters
Add fuel and oil additives as a 'one-off'
Change oil
Change radiator cap
Refill A/C with R13 coolant.(I've heard it can still be obtained out here!)
Mask off headlights for RHD.
Investigate possibility of electric fan installation

The babe was serviced in the UK last week and it took them an hour-and-a-half to empty the engine oil as it was like treacle and very low. It had no air filter and they were unable to get one at short notice so we obtained one through these pages and it will be fitted ASAP at this end. Apparently it had been used to tow a caravan but there is no towbar with it so I don't know what strain that placed on the engine. It was costing me just short of 38 pounds to fill the tank and I was only getting approximately 205 miles out of her(mostly on shorter around town journeys) but the missus says that has improved considerably with the oil change and now less black smoke is spewed forth!
TVM for any advice
Richard


- (#5118) Richard + Mandie Hampson, 18 Aug 02

Hiya Townies,
Reference exporting our townace to warmer climes-it seems Devon was too hot for it never mind Lisbon. The driver sent to pick it up from Plymouth and drive it to Southampton docks broke down at Exeter, a distance of only 40 miles. The radiator had boiled over and there was water everywhere. The AA came out and topped him up but the same thing happened a short distance on. The AA have returned and low-loaded him to Southampton. We're taking a gamble and exporting it as it is and hopefully we can fix it over here. I've no real idea what the snag is till I see it but if anyone's got any suggestions or starting points...

- (#5161) Richard, 20 Aug 02

It does not look good. Was it a private sale or, from a dealer with, hopefully, a warranty ? If private,and you have only very recently bought it, you can still seek redress under the sale of goods act because, if the fault is what I think it is, ie, head gasket failure and possible head damage, it did not "just" happen as you took ownership and, to put the faults right is a major and expensive job. The state of the engine oil is an indication of lack of attention by the previous owner. The delivery driver and the AA man will substantiate your complaint, but, as you may well be comitted to exporting the vehicle, it could be difficult to argue your rights at a distance. First check for any turbulence, with the filler/rad cap off, and the engine cold, at LIGHT throttle openings. If the coolant is being pushed out of the filler neck, it might be an indication that combustion pressure is crossing over into the coolant passges, possibly via the head gasket or a fissure in the head itself. Check the fan operation. If it has not been converted to an electric fan, the fan will be the viscous type and, sometimes, can fail at speed. Also, fit a new rad/filler cap which,working correctly, is an essential component of these cooling systems.
You mention your intention to "thrash" the Townace. If that's true, you have bought the wrong vehicle.

- (#5162) John Davis, 20 Aug 02

Hiya John,
Thanks for the reply. I'd spent the evening going through the archive on cooling and had come up with the same thoughts/conclusions as you. I had the missus check the warranty today (bought the townie from a dealer-warranty thrown in free)and I'm covered for head gasket work up to 300 pounds at any reputable garage I believe, however as you say I'm committed to vehicle export tomorrow so I'm getting her to check if there is any European cover included. The only good thing to come out of this will be the townace knowledge I acquire and the fact I hadn't paid for my Portugese license plates yet....
I've been informed that labour rates are a lot cheaper over here and I should be able to claim the Portugese VAT back as I shirk(work) for NATO. In for a penny in for a pound. I have noticed lots of Hi-Aces out here but with windows and seating inside. Does anyone know if the engines on those vehicles exported to Portugal have any compatability with mine?
Don't worry I have no intention of thrashing the 'baby', the dealer however is another story!

- (#5163) Richard, 20 Aug 02

if anyone else buying or already has a townie and are worried about potential problems i posted a link a few days ago where a 2 year warranty can be purchaced for about £400, no limit on claims max £2000 per claim.

- (#5164) Paul Chapman, 20 Aug 02