Re: Diesel in the freshwater tank

by AutoSleepy_Don Tue Sep 12, 2017 1:22 pm

Peter Brown wrote:
MIKE L wrote:Hi, I have tried the same things and am going to bite the bullet and get a new tank and pipes and tap.I have flushed several times and have had enough now.
Really an annoying as I have not put does in myself, it must have been I there from before I collected it new in December but the dealer would not accept that they could possibly have done it.

I thought that the Warwick Duo had a whale fresh water inlet not a large bore tube as in older vans?

In recent years the Warwick Duo has both, whale on right side of van, large bore tube on left.
So the water filer cap and diesel are both on the left side. However, the diesel cap is hidden by a flap. Could a work experience not know about the flap and then put diesel into the water tank?
Not something we would do but someone who has never taken a Peugeot boxer to a filling station before.

by Mindhyg Tue Sep 12, 2017 2:58 pm

StewPotch wrote:I was kind of wondering the same as Mindhyg - don't both filler caps have locks and different keys?

If so, why would the water key be kept with the diesel key, on the same keyring, just asking for this very thing to happen.
I would have thought the water key, toilet cassette key, etc would be kept apart from the van key so that you weren't walking about like a jailer with a bunch of keys.

Does anyone know of anybody doing the opposite and putting water into the diesel?

Good point Mr StewPotch. Keeping all the keys together on one bunch is a recipe for tears. If you loose one key then you loose the lot. Looking at some other forums the loss of keys seems to have happened many times and usually after a few large scotches. There may be a spare set but they could be hundreds of miles away locked away in a secure place!

As for putting water in diesel. I stopped doing that when I discovered Gin & Tonic - it taste a lot better as well

by chrisk Tue Sep 12, 2017 4:28 pm

Might be worth putting sticker above water filling point.

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by Mindhyg Tue Sep 12, 2017 4:47 pm

chrisk wrote:Might be worth putting sticker above water filling point.

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Great idea and I think I will buy one to put on the lid of the toilet seat

by MIKE L Tue Sep 12, 2017 8:17 pm

My Warwick duo does have 2 water fillers, 1 on each side.
I think what happened is someone prior to handover has put some diesel from a container, realised what they have done then drained it without saying anything. I know the dealer took the van off site as it had nearly a full gas tank so it would have more than likely needed more fuel than was in the van from the factory. Or possibly put fuel in at the same time as the gas.
The fuel level was just under the start of the red on the guage, and I don't think it would have had that much in from the factory.
When the van was handed over we were advised not to drink the water, with hindsight did someone know something?.
There is absolutely no chance I have done this myself, that is the annoying thing, any doubt and I would have sorted it out and kept quiet.

by StewPotch Tue Sep 12, 2017 8:35 pm

I’m kind of losing where we are going here.

The way I see it, there is a very simple solution and it makes it impossible to get wrong.

On your ignition key keyring, keep yer van key – nothing else (except maybe a steering lock key and house key). That way, when you jump out to fill up with diesel, there is only one possible key that will fit the diesel filler.

If you inadvertently go to the fresh water and try to pour diesel in, you won’t open it.

If you inadvertently go to the toilet cassette and try to pour diesel in, you won’t open it.

You also only have a small bunch of keys to worry about (and your other half has the same). Therefore, you’re not walking about with the potential to lose half your keys in one go.

Keep all the other van keys (fresh water, toilet cassette, cycle locks, etc) on a key lanyard with a big key tab safely in the van. Better still, have two of these lanyards!

Then, when you get on site and you need to top up with water, take this second bunch of keys and open the water cap with the appropriate key.

The worst that can happen is you open the toilet cassette, peer in and realise ‘oops’ and close it before anyone sees you standing there with a hose in yer hand!

Also, when you go to empty the toilet, the worst you’ll do is open the water fill and realise ‘oops’ again. It really shouldn’t be rocket science.

There is no need to put stickers at every orifice in the van. Common sense is all that’s needed. crazie

by MIKE L Tue Sep 12, 2017 8:44 pm

One of the first thing I did was split the keys, the water and toilet keys are on a hook in a cupboard with the toilet fluid.
The water filler has a symbol of a water tap in blue around the edge.
I think someone inexperienced at the dealer was the likely culprit.
Of course the dealer is refusing to accept responsibility, their word against mine.
Unfortunately no one I infallible.

by Maasai Warrior Wed Sep 13, 2017 8:07 am

MIKE L wrote:I think someone inexperienced at the dealer was the likely culprit.
Of course the dealer is refusing to accept responsibility, their word against mine.

Hi Mike L, I see you are based in Derby. Just wondering, did you originally buy your new van from Derby Motorhomes Ltd (once called MotorPlus)?

Pete

by MIKE L Wed Sep 13, 2017 9:57 am

No, unfortunately, I wish I had.
Unfortunately we didn't use the van with any water in the system untill February, 2 months after collection, it is only after filling up at our first holiday we realized about the problem.
The dealership drained the water after the handover as there was risk of freezing.
I get the feeling that even if I had filled up on the day after they still wouldn't have wanted to know!.

by Mindhyg Wed Sep 13, 2017 12:42 pm

Hi Mike L

can we ask who the dealership was as I am sure there are lots watching this forum who would like to know! Also this may have happened to someone else before or may do in the future and they might just pick up on this thread.

by MIKE L Wed Sep 13, 2017 1:57 pm

We were assured by the dealer that they had had no changes of staff for over 4 years and that it had never happened before.
Despite my telling them I had 35 years motor trade and 6 years caravan and motor home experience , so I know full well the difference between water and does fillers they didn't want to know.
I don't know if I can name them here, will give some good clues if that's ok?

by Mindhyg Wed Sep 13, 2017 3:51 pm

Ok Lets have some good clues. I wouldn't think naming them would make much difference as you are not in a legal battle with them. Clues should be enough though.

Await the clues with bated breath!!

by MIKE L Wed Sep 13, 2017 4:03 pm

Hi, you are right there is no legal battle, advice I have received it Is my word against theirs.
As I have said to them I have not put diesel in myself so someone, somewhere has done this and is saying nothing.
The dealership has a very short name and is not far from Birmingham.

by Mindhyg Wed Sep 13, 2017 4:53 pm

Stourbridge West Midlands. Could be AEG then!? I know of them but not about them.

by MIKE L Wed Sep 13, 2017 5:01 pm

You are right I brought it from there.

by MIKE L Fri Feb 02, 2018 11:10 pm

I have now replaced the tank and piping.
In the old tank there was a slight smell of diesel despite 2 flushes with washing up liquid and 2 Biomagic flushes and several rinses..
At least now we can use our water system for the first time since we bought our motorhome.
I think that replacement was the only way to go as nothing else worked.

by MIKE L Fri Feb 02, 2018 11:13 pm

The dealer I bought from is no longer a dealer I have learned.
I would certainly never go there again even. If they were.

by Mindhyg Sat Feb 03, 2018 1:03 am

Yes, I see at today's date they have turned their attentions to another brand and no longer sell the Auto Sleeper brand name. RIP, AEG

by MIKE L Sat Feb 03, 2018 1:53 pm

They will not be missed by me!

by MIKE L Sat Feb 03, 2018 1:54 pm

I think they have been replaced by Go European at Gailey near Cannock.
I have dealt with them before and they seem like decent people to deal with.

by Guest Sat Feb 03, 2018 2:36 pm

my two Carthagos came from GoEuropean....two great vans, two great deals, terrific service team that totally understood all my requirements with regard to the extras/accessories i wanted fitted...
...and they never put diesel in the water tank once....

by MIKE L Sat Feb 03, 2018 4:34 pm

I suppose at least they didn't charge me for it.

by Mindhyg Sat Feb 03, 2018 4:51 pm

No, but you could have been sending them a big hospital bill, and bottled is safer Smiley-Congrats

by groundhog Sat Feb 03, 2018 4:54 pm

post deleted too late to suggest fitting a hatch in tank!

by Guest Sat Feb 03, 2018 5:23 pm

i was wondering about the inspection hatch thing...we have them in both fresh and waste tanks, but they are between the two floors, this is great for getting in there with a hosepipe(if you feel that way inclined) and give the tanks (certainly the waste one) a good old spray around to clear any crud....

even on our old single floored Bolero the fresh tank had a hatch in the floor which revealed a circular inspection hatch for the fresh tank.
the waste tank had one too, but this was underneath the tank so a hose could be inserted from below to give a good clean out...
so, why no decent hatches and access points?