Jon’s camper/MTB conversion

[Jonhall]

Back from a few days in Wales with a dirty great crack in the windscreen

Picked up a chip from something thrown up by a HGV on the motorway on Thursday, and after a cold night I went out to find a crack on Friday morning…

Replacement arranged through insurance as I don’t fancy shelling out for a new heated screen!



I also seem to have lost almost all of the coolant: the van has been sat since Thursday night and I went out to do a couple of jobs today (Saturday) and got the coolant warning light.

A quick look under the bonnet confirmed that it’s almost all gone. No puddle on the driveway though, so I’m going to top up and have my mechanic friend look at it. Fingers crossed it isn’t anything serious…

Anyone got experience of the 2.0TDi losing coolant?


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[Jonhall]

Now got a nice new windscreen from Autoglass

Also spent the weekend getting the carpet lining finished, it was slow going but I’m pretty pleased with the result.

There’s a few scruffy bits, but they should all eventually be hidden by the furniture pods.







No further update on the coolant situation, although the absence of white smoke from the exhaust and lack of gunk under the oil filler cap seem to rule out the worst… My optimism could be misplaced, but time will tell!


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[Jonhall]

Got some blinds for the cab, they block the light really well (even around the mirror) so should be nice and cosy for sleeping!




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[Marcmcq90]

Loving how this is progressing! Cracking quality of work too! Any further news on the coolant issue?

[Jonhall]

Thanks [mention]Marcmcq90 [/mention] Haven’t made a great deal of progress lately, both me and my partner got hit with Covid so we lost a few week’s worth of evening games and weekends! Your post reminded me to update the thread though

Coolant issue has now been properly investigated (pressure testing/chemical testing) and there was no trace of a leak anywhere. My mechanic thinks that there was air trapped in the system from the water pump replacement that was carried out alongside the cam belt being done just before we bought it. We’ve hardly done any miles really, so it took a while to set the warning off.

I’ve been keeping a very close eye on it and the coolant level hasn’t dropped since and never goes over 90°c

We have made a start on the bed system: the right hand unit is coming along (this houses the fridge and provides storage space). The left hand one will have a slide out cook station






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[Marcmcq90]

Looking good mate! Looking forward to seeing it finished…

Where did you get the window covers from?

[Jonhall]

They’re from Kiravans, made by a French brand called HTD. The set even included some tiny sections for the little triangular windows! Took a while to track some down as most that I found that were in stock were for the Mk5


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[Marcmcq90]

Thanks mate. Just had a look and they are sold out

[Jonhall]

These were my backup choice:

https://fuellagoon.co.uk/products/vw-ca ... al-screens

Slightly more expensive but there is the option of a full set (could be useful as I think you have a Caddy Life?)


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[ibaker01]

Cracking project - loving the flooring

[Jonhall]

Got far enough with the furniture units that we now have a useable bed! Currently using our trusty double sleeping mat until proper cushions get sorted.

Next jobs are to build the slide out cookstation (to fit inside the left unit) and devise a way to secure the centre panels while driving. The smaller one will eventually double up as a table top, using the Sequoia leg system.

Just booked a campsite for this weekend so we can make the most of the good weather and spend our first night in the Caddy


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[Shrekdave81]

Looks mint

[Jonhall]

Cheers [mention]Shrekdave81 [/mention]

Just saw your build thread too, looking forward to seeing it progress!


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[Pagey]

Liking your build, I am planning a bike van but with a Kombi set up.

[Jonhall]

First night in the van was a success!

Now on to finish up the furniture (sanding, painting etc.), install a solar panel and get some proper mattress cushions sorted.






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