Could this be the end of my Vario's rust? Mercedes vario Camper Conversion

[@burcotwoody9657]

Great video and I liked the Detectorists reference, I was thinking exactly the same as he was shouting at the dogs 😂

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Oh thank goodness someone noticed that haha you are the only person to comment thank you 👍🤓👍😂🤣😂

[@BruceLauderdale]

It’s looking really good Mel. Good luck with the roof.

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Thanks buddy 👍🤓👍

[@WanderbusAdventures]

Held my breath for you when the scuttle was coming off there Mel! Neat repair too, saved you a bit and the planet and all that. Nice work.

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

You and me both!

[@kennethcroll6972]

hi Mel, a little bit of washing up liquid on the wind screen rubber will help it slide over the scuttle panel

[@welshieonwheels]

Thanks Mel well done good luck👍👍👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🇬🇧🇨🇦🦢

[@inlinefourtr]

Weld done Mel, far more satisfying to repair things where possible, make's for a far more interesting video. Getting Vario jobs done.

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Thanks 👍

[@HLnotHL]

Another top job, wish I had those skills and knowledge.. 👍👍

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

You can do it!

[@irnbruo3-ps6np]

Well done sir 🤓

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Thank you 🙏

[@Pugwash.]

Don't go falling off that roof! For wiper arms you can get a mechanical puller thing, as the arms usually push onto a conical base to make them grip tighter.

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

All good buddy

[@anthonyellis1409]

MEL love watching your vids . Mel and all the vans would love one me self. Carnt wait to see the big van build on the inside mel.

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Thank you 🙏

[@speedo1664]

Mel here's a tip for you. Before removing the wipers mark the screen where the blades rest with a marker pen. it makes it much easier to reinstall

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Yeah but the screen wa so dirty i didn’t need to 👍😂👍

[@kodithebear]

You're a resourceful man Mel! Great job.

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Thanks 👍

[@denisecafferky2248]

Sterling job 👍

[@tonymorton1558]

Mel don’t remove the screen at each end of the scuttle, the leaves and debris will block the drain hole and water will build up in the scuttle

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Yeah I realised that too so left them in palace 👍

[@lifeonthehighway6917]

Hello Mel: Interesting video once again, You did yourself a very nice job of the Scuttle repair and saved yourself £100 as this is what they cost from Mercedes, For genuine part, Because I had to buy one for mine. Plus I replaced all the bolts with Hexagon Stainless Steels bolts as Stainless ones won't rust in. Steven from Manchester.

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Cheers mate that’s really interesting 👍

[@thomasmaclennan2176]

Well done my scuttle and bulkhead on 308d totally rusted away got a really good cheap little puller especially for removing wiper arms works so well

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Oh my goodness me

[@skookumjack]

Nice job ,Mel ! It's very satisfying to get job like that done. Then every time you see it a great feeling of well-being comes over you ! 😊😊😊

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Thank you so very much 👍

[@fergusmoloney]

Looks great Mel. I replaced the scuttle in my 609d a few years ago and had to have it off again last year due to a loose wiper spindle. I made sure to give underneath a coat of lanoguard second time around. I hopefully won’t have to have it out again for another few years.

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Sounds good 👍

[@TheQuadman200]

You have done a great job

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Thank you 🙏

[@geoffcampbell7846]

Nice one Mel, it won't be long now before you can take it for its test and then you can take it out and enjoy it. Will you be putting a roof light in that hole, it seems a shame to waste it? 😊. Take care. 👋

[@WhipperdeetsAdventures]

Looks extremely grand bud looks like new❤ amazing build on your dragonfly ❤

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Thank you! Cheers!🍻

[@johnshaw4140]

Nice one Mel , a rust free Vario should last forever , can't wait for the interior build

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Thank you 👍

[@geoff2373]

Nice one mel glad to see people having a go at repairing parts before buying new .

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Thanks 👍

[@PtangPtangBiscuitBarrelSmith]

Mel, Get a secondary drop in cartridge oil filter, they are worth their weight in gold, if you can find one a manual grease system for the bearings too. First thing I installed with my old Mercs. I cant recommend them enough.

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Thank you I’ll have a look into that 👍

[@andymiles6443]

where's the girl friend Mel, not seen her for a while. loving the repair on the scuttle. Vans coming on nicely.

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

She’s off enjoying her camper lol 😂 na Becky is busy working

[@Ritarelay]

Wow top job there Mel. Please tell me you didn’t fall off the roof 🙊

[@rabc1966]

A job well done.

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Thank you 🙏

[@davidpatrick1813]

For decades I ran a shop by myself and 99 percent of the time I never had anyone pump the brake peddle .. we use to in the 70s etc. but it was not necessary. I always let it gravity bleed and stare with the furthest away wheel, let it drain until new clean brake fluid come through.. because you need to keep the master cylinder filled.. then to the next closest wheel ending with the wheel closest to the Mater Cylinder.. .. brake adjustment and other issues may need different attention. ..

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

That’s great thank you

[@davidpatrick1813]

@@BigVanSmallWorld give it try sometime. Even on your rig now. Drain the back might come out tan or brown and you want it pure clean brake fluid. It is a desiccant and wheel cylinders etc rubber get old and can leak … you might pick up a pair of rear cylinders and after inspecting, pack them to stay dry and when (not if) you need them you can have them on hand … storage space needed.

[@duncancremin1708]

Hi Mel. I’m new here. I think the idea of the plastic grilles at the side of the scuttle is to keep the debris away from the drain holes. You don’t want those getting blocked. Why is your bonnet not frilly? I get brown dandruff every time I open mine and the bonnet is lighter every time too. Not long now until I don’t need to open it, because I will be able to reach what I need through it. I’m pretty sure mine is terminal, because the rest of the body is in a similar condition. I have great ground clearance on both sides, because the sills are gone, right up to floor level. I’m hoping to get a better one and use mine to keep that one going. Your click bait caught me, thinking you had the secret to stopping the same thing happening again. Now I realise you meant something different. Oh well…

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Haha sorry about that 👍

[@dutchglobetrotter6464]

Great episode!

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Thank you ☺️

[@offshoretinker]

A question mark after 'rust' in the headline would have made things a little clearer Mel. Love that repair!

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Thank you for pointing this out really appreciate it 👍🍻👍

[@kinross24]

Also, try very slightly tightening seized screws, nuts and bolts first then slacken them.

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Yeah I forgot about that 👍

[@rogerstarkey5390]

Why not Chassis black the panel under the scuttle to make sure it's water/rust proof?

[@rogerstarkey5390]

If you don't have a Hex on the screwdriver shaft, drill a hole (5-6mm?) through the handle and slide another screwdriver through as a "T bar".

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Brilliant 👍

[@Shane_Marsh]

Didn't you make a big drama vid about not filming the welding anymore ? Glad you are 👍

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

I’d hardly say it was a dramatic video lol 👍

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Everything i use in my camper van you will find here in my Amazon Store www.amazon.co.uk/shop/melsvanworld this is an affiliate link so every time you make a purchase i make a small commission good news it doesn't cost you any extra but it helps me to continue to make these videos. thank you.

[@bettyourcampervan]

Another fab video Mel 👍

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Thanks so much 😊

[@TheIcyhall]

Mel....you forgot to show the viewers why you don't weld near the magnets...😮

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Oh shame on me maybe ill demonstrate what happens when you do should be fun lol 😂 👍👍

[@anfieldroadlayoutintheloft5204]

good vid thanks lee

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@pa_maj.MARTINI-van-MAN]

Good job mate 👍🐕🚐👊

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Thanks 👍

[@johnfittis5764]

Wee shot of wax oil in there would keep the rust away perhaps.

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

That’s a great idea 👍

[@anthonyellis1409]

Mel it's like Build ing a six million Dollar van, yes mel can Build it.

[@ZerHour]

Awesome job Mel , those Varios are just awesome becoming hugely collectible, what thickness plate do you tend to use for the repairs ? If you compared something like a 20 yr old fiat were structural areas seem to collapse on many underneath the benz has that strong ladder chassis,and proper suspension fixings similar to the big trucks so its going to last .Also I did hear Mercedes promised to supply any parts for the range of varios but don't quote me on that .

[@neilmasson2310]

Hello Mel iam looking through your videos u did one about putting a diesal heater bigger tank have you got a link to where to buy one thanks

[@JakeyandSpikey]

Are you better after your dpf accident?

[@emlyntilley]

Impact driver can do that job

[@hushhush9687]

I think you are mixing up your words when buy something ,its Bought no R .Brought means take or go with (someone or something) to a place

[@dudeleboski2692]

Mel, on your Model did you have at 1 point Air Brakes?

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Yes the hand brake is air

[@reddave8628]

Where's the missus gone then Mel. Don't she like the cold weather down the shed 😂😂

[@andrewclarke7393]

I’ve wax oiled mine

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

That’s a good idea I’ll definitely have to get some for mine too thank you 👍

[@raybeattie5802]

Well if you can say that Mercedes Motor Co. hasn’t been running a metal & welding courses with every van sold! 🤬🤬🤬😵‍💫😬🤛

[@thomasucc]

I was just wondering, is there a law against abuse of machinery ?

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

I hope not 😂👍

[@rhiantaylor3446]

The trouble with watching your videos Mel is that it increases my desire to own a camper but makes it increasingly obvious that I would never be able to find and fettle one to the standards you have achieved.

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Oh shucks you have made me blush ☺️ 👍

[@adrianhydephotography]

Are you the 6 member of the A Team.

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Haha I’ll take that cheers 🍻

[@Conflictofinterest902]

Young Kevin needs his knee looking at if the squeaking was coming from him

[@rogerstarkey5390]

I know the feeling!

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Haha

[@n.g.gardenservicesessex1714]

ah haaaa sea searcher Magnet....

[@ifell3]

Oh click bait warning 😅

[@audibell]

Get a old ford transit

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Yeah been there done that 😂👍

[@zenzen9131]

Fix it don't buy it ! :)

[@johnrowley5867]

Could you not have just lifted it out behind the bonnet?

[@rogerstarkey5390]

Great minds think alike!?

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

No it wouldn’t work