The Kombi Krusade

Friday, March 1, 2013

Update

So, have been lacking blog posts for about 12 months now. Theres been a good reason for this. Ladies and Gentlemen, Monty died. Let me give you a moment to digest this information . . . . . . And now ill go into more detail, it was a hot day i had places to be and people to see and was tonking a long when suddenly a clanking came from the rear of my beloved bus. A few hours later Monty arrived at the mechanics by tow truck (thanks RAC) and was left to be diagnosed. My mechanic Jason diagnosed Monty with a suspected (but not confirmed) crankshaft snap. Unfortunately due to an out of control spending habit, i didn't have the savings to investigate thoroughly. Fast forward 12 months and im still a bit on the light side savings wise but am in the process of arranging to have him fixed! I've just moved to Melbourne from Perth and am in the process of organising to have him shipped over to be rebuilt! Words cant express how desperate i am to get behind that big old wheel and go for a drive, but ill have to wait a little bit longer unfortunately! Will be amazing once its all pulled together though! Aiming to keep updating on this now that Im in a more positive mind frame towards old Monty (was a bit bitter for a while) so once he's here will be getting the interior fully decked out (as soon as $ allows!) and will make sure progress is tracked!!! X Charles (and Monty in spirit),,

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Uh oh!

This morning i was driving to work, when the coming to a stop Monty conked out - then wouldnt restart!

He wouldnt even turn over which had me pretty worried!

Had to call RAC (2nd time being towed) who came in about an hour, in the mean time had numerous idiots sitting behind me tooting (despite there being another entry to/from the road being available. Also had a little run in with an ass of a bus driver who had a hissy fit at me as if i was parked there for fun - idiot.

Got him to the car doctors

There Jason fixed him up for me and did the service that was due too (woo!). Turns out his starter motor was old and tired so hes got a new second hand one in which runs nicely!

Glad to have him back on the road after a nerve racking morning!

Charles & Monty

Unintended Sunroof..

I realised that half the problem with my indoor swimming pool was the fact that one of the corners was broken on the exterior hatch, so decided to buy a replacement.

In doing so I managed to do more damage.

Heres what happened!

I purchased a new roof hatch from a caravan shop near by, but the salesman didnt have the entire unit. SO! we removed the mechanism (missing part on new hatch) and put it together.

After leaving when i got out the car i noticed when i closed my door the pressure caused the roof hatch to open and close a little bit - didnt think anything of it.

I got home and decided to set off taking the old one off - despite not knowing how to put the new one on or take the old one off properly. Que screw driver! As you can see i was dressed appropriately too after just getting back from horse riding getting straight on the roof. Spot the logic

The inside screw in cover that fell off a long time ago

After prying all the sides up as pictured i realised i couldnt get it off and it was going to be really leaky now - winner! Rain was forecast for the next few days so out came the duct tape.

The next day i was standing in reception at work looking out the window momentarily, saw something on the road and said to one of my coworkers 'that looks alot like my roof hatch.... hang on.. that IS my roof hatch' just as a car drove over it. smashed.

Silly me hadnt parked into the wind so when it picked up and blown the old lid right off!

Yet again, out came the duct tape

From the inside

Then the replacement process started the following weekend when i was able to rope Dad in!

Out came the old metal fitting

Quite the sun roof

All the wood was rotten so had to be taken out and replaced
Wood Removed

New wood screwed in!

We then used silicon to seal the roof on and screwed it in!

From inside

Much more water tight and looks a great deal better too!

Thanks DAD!! :D

Charles & Monty

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Wheels

The plan is to have whitewall tyres on soon enough but for the time being this is the progress!

Before

Sanded

Primed!

Painted

Paper off

New Hubcaps on

All in all pretty please how they turned out! Have had mixed responses but think they'll look better with the whitewall added on!

Charles & Monty

Indoor Swimming Pool

It appears i have a significant leak.

I put half of it down to one of the corners of my roof hatch missing, and also the fact there is no rubber seal on my sliding window..

Here was my bright spark idea;

Tissues tissues and more tissues.. sadly it made the problem even worse - OOPS

Ive since sourced some rubber for the window (which I got for free BOOM!) so now it leaks a lot less!

Charles & Monty

Bits and Pieces

I found a great dashboard cover on ebay unfortunately it doesnt agree with my Fugu fish! DISASTER!!!

Will have to sort something out as im rather fond of my pink fish..

Looks okay for the mean time though just a bit dodgy.

I finally fitted the new indicator covers, and in doing so realised that the whole unit could do with replacing - another job onto the list!

Before

Insides

New and shiney with new rubbers included which you cant actually see!

Charles & Monty

Goodies Arriving!

Ive found the most brilliant website that I've managed to spend a few pay checks on and have had so much stuff to keep the improvements going!

Very exciting!

The arrival!