Introducing Fiona!
Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2015 4:16 pm
Hello,
So I purchased a 94 L400 LWB from a private owner on the Island at the end of November and I thought I would introduce myself and her now that I've had some time with her.
First off I am having a HUGE love/hate relationship with this van.
On paper it is the best vehicle for my needs. Like many of you I'm an adventurer, I like to load the van with people and gear and escape for a few days at a time, preferably away from civilization.
The Love part - What have I done WITH my Delica:
After purchasing the van in late November, I took off down the coast driving hwy 101 and 1 all the way to San Diego before heading across the desserts to Ottawa for Christmas....and than back again in a much quicker fashion. 15,000 km in the first month of ownership is certainly a record for me. Since than I have taken her on the regular weekend trips to the island or whistler. Last weekend she really came into her own, where she worked flawlessly during the day shuttling 5-6 ppl+ 4 x 7ft+ surfboards plus all associated gear, inside and a massive SUP board on the roof. And than at night we popped the boards out and slept 2 of us comfortably in our own little cabin. I wish I had taken pics of the day and night use, just as a statement of how versatile these vans can be, I was truly amazed!
The Hate Part - What have I done TO my delica:
November:
-Coombs: Replaced most of the front steering (bushings, linkages etc), got a 2-3" lift from custom springs. FYI, I find this lift sways far too much. $2k
-Battery draining when off: Brought to CVI - replaced batteries and 1 yr old alternator, $800 didn't fix the problem.
-Installed battery quick disconnects, I currently have to pop the hood every time I stop for more than an hr
-Built a custom bed to sleep 2 without the need to move surfboards (one shorty, one 7.5' mini-mal), while retaining face-to-face seating (been removed since)
January:
-Replaced fuel filter after driving 500 km in 12 hrs through the night in a NDakota/Montana snow storm. Easy/cheap fix, thought it was going to be the fuel pump.
February:
-Pull out 50+ ft of useless wiring all electrical taped together for previous owners accessories
-Brake pedal goes to the floor sometimes, have my mechanic bleed lines, same thing, replace master cylinder, same, replace front calipers, same. $900
Persisting problems, PLEASE help if you can, I have done some searching on most of these:
Battery drain: FIXED see post 8 or 9!
I have managed to live with this problem but I would love to have it fixed! Battery is currently draining at 4A when the car is turned off. Not 0.04 or 0.4, 4A!!! Previous owner said he had the issue once, replaced alternator and it went away. CVI replaced batteries and alternator a year later, didn't fix it. I have pulled all the regular flat U-shaped fuses in the engine bay and drivers footwell with a multimeter in series, no difference. The problem is not consistent, but is present most of the time, I have left the batteries connected the odd time without it draining overnight, but most of the time it is DEAD FLAT.
Brakes:
Brakes pedal goes blank/flat/mushy/to the floor, sporadically. Lines bled multiple times, master cylinder replaced, front calipers replaced, no leaks found anywhere. I pulled the ABS fuse but have only driven it around the block (literally), it went blank once immediately, didn't the other 4 times. My mechanic says he can get it to go blank everytime he turns a HARD left, still hasn't found the issue though. He's a great (nice) mechanic, but he's not a delica mechanic.
Electrical Issues:
First and foremost the previous owner of my van was an electrical-retard (excuse my lack of political correctness). If you are reading this, I DON'T apologize, you have no business touching anything electrical, just don't do it you're going to kill someone. Everything in my van was fixed with electrical tape, EVERYTHING! I had a 12vdc car adapter plug with two wires (previously soldered), but now electrical taped to the adapter and hanging behind my dash! I have mended the obvious wiring issues but still have a few:
-4 fog lights don't work, I went to check the bulbs and moving the whole light they flicker on an off. Probably a short, something I am going to re-wire.
-reverse lights don't work (new bulbs), read about the sensor/switch on the tranny, going to try and find that. Anyone have a pic? (see post 8)
-sunroof and passenger window occasionally close 1/3 of the way and than re-open, a good push with the hand gets them past the "return" point.
-Auto-lock button has been rarely intermittent lately, especially with the sliding door lock.
So I WANT to love this van, I certainly did on my road trip, and especially this past weekend in Tofino. I know it's 20 years old and I will always be dealing with problems here and there. My issue is I can't seem to get these major problems fixed and I'm tired of paying ppl to NOT fix them! So if there's anywhere you can help, I greatly appreciate it. I am hoping to meet some club members whether it be a meet or weekend excursion!
Cheers,
Nick
So I purchased a 94 L400 LWB from a private owner on the Island at the end of November and I thought I would introduce myself and her now that I've had some time with her.
First off I am having a HUGE love/hate relationship with this van.
On paper it is the best vehicle for my needs. Like many of you I'm an adventurer, I like to load the van with people and gear and escape for a few days at a time, preferably away from civilization.
The Love part - What have I done WITH my Delica:
After purchasing the van in late November, I took off down the coast driving hwy 101 and 1 all the way to San Diego before heading across the desserts to Ottawa for Christmas....and than back again in a much quicker fashion. 15,000 km in the first month of ownership is certainly a record for me. Since than I have taken her on the regular weekend trips to the island or whistler. Last weekend she really came into her own, where she worked flawlessly during the day shuttling 5-6 ppl+ 4 x 7ft+ surfboards plus all associated gear, inside and a massive SUP board on the roof. And than at night we popped the boards out and slept 2 of us comfortably in our own little cabin. I wish I had taken pics of the day and night use, just as a statement of how versatile these vans can be, I was truly amazed!
The Hate Part - What have I done TO my delica:
November:
-Coombs: Replaced most of the front steering (bushings, linkages etc), got a 2-3" lift from custom springs. FYI, I find this lift sways far too much. $2k
-Battery draining when off: Brought to CVI - replaced batteries and 1 yr old alternator, $800 didn't fix the problem.
-Installed battery quick disconnects, I currently have to pop the hood every time I stop for more than an hr
-Built a custom bed to sleep 2 without the need to move surfboards (one shorty, one 7.5' mini-mal), while retaining face-to-face seating (been removed since)
January:
-Replaced fuel filter after driving 500 km in 12 hrs through the night in a NDakota/Montana snow storm. Easy/cheap fix, thought it was going to be the fuel pump.
February:
-Pull out 50+ ft of useless wiring all electrical taped together for previous owners accessories
-Brake pedal goes to the floor sometimes, have my mechanic bleed lines, same thing, replace master cylinder, same, replace front calipers, same. $900
Persisting problems, PLEASE help if you can, I have done some searching on most of these:
Battery drain: FIXED see post 8 or 9!
I have managed to live with this problem but I would love to have it fixed! Battery is currently draining at 4A when the car is turned off. Not 0.04 or 0.4, 4A!!! Previous owner said he had the issue once, replaced alternator and it went away. CVI replaced batteries and alternator a year later, didn't fix it. I have pulled all the regular flat U-shaped fuses in the engine bay and drivers footwell with a multimeter in series, no difference. The problem is not consistent, but is present most of the time, I have left the batteries connected the odd time without it draining overnight, but most of the time it is DEAD FLAT.
Brakes:
Brakes pedal goes blank/flat/mushy/to the floor, sporadically. Lines bled multiple times, master cylinder replaced, front calipers replaced, no leaks found anywhere. I pulled the ABS fuse but have only driven it around the block (literally), it went blank once immediately, didn't the other 4 times. My mechanic says he can get it to go blank everytime he turns a HARD left, still hasn't found the issue though. He's a great (nice) mechanic, but he's not a delica mechanic.
Electrical Issues:
First and foremost the previous owner of my van was an electrical-retard (excuse my lack of political correctness). If you are reading this, I DON'T apologize, you have no business touching anything electrical, just don't do it you're going to kill someone. Everything in my van was fixed with electrical tape, EVERYTHING! I had a 12vdc car adapter plug with two wires (previously soldered), but now electrical taped to the adapter and hanging behind my dash! I have mended the obvious wiring issues but still have a few:
-4 fog lights don't work, I went to check the bulbs and moving the whole light they flicker on an off. Probably a short, something I am going to re-wire.
-reverse lights don't work (new bulbs), read about the sensor/switch on the tranny, going to try and find that. Anyone have a pic? (see post 8)
-sunroof and passenger window occasionally close 1/3 of the way and than re-open, a good push with the hand gets them past the "return" point.
-Auto-lock button has been rarely intermittent lately, especially with the sliding door lock.
So I WANT to love this van, I certainly did on my road trip, and especially this past weekend in Tofino. I know it's 20 years old and I will always be dealing with problems here and there. My issue is I can't seem to get these major problems fixed and I'm tired of paying ppl to NOT fix them! So if there's anywhere you can help, I greatly appreciate it. I am hoping to meet some club members whether it be a meet or weekend excursion!
Cheers,
Nick