Can we do a FULL SERVICE on our MERCEDES VARIO CAMPERVAN 614d | Fixing a Coolant Leak & New Tyres!

[@MaxSophieinaVan]

Just to say, THIS WAS filmed on VALENTINES DAY! Sophie always gets the best dates... Thanks for watching and follow along for us finally hitting the road!

[@munkehpower]

dunno what is worse it being a date or leaving it a month to tell her it was

[@MaxSophieinaVan]

She’ll take what she’s given 🤣

[@timestamp.]

I hope all is well with both of you. Hope to see you back soon.

[@patricklyons7683]

Nice work to both of you, a small drive to let vehicle oil work then settle. To recheck in few hours the oil level again once it's cooled down. Much like changing wheels, you recheck tightness of nuts after a small journey.

[@MaxSophieinaVan]

Thank you! We learnt that wheel one the hard way last time 🤣😭

[@OnlyToolsAndBoxes]

Cut some ramps out of railway sleepers. Drive up onto them and hey presto……clearance to work under the sump 👍 Also take the doghouse out of the cab area to give you alternative access from the rear of the engine.

[@MaxSophieinaVan]

We actually have scafffboard ramps - honestly our brains were so fried from stressing out that we just didn’t think straight… luckily it fit in the end 🤣

[@CharmCharlie]

That was very impressive (I am useless at those sort of things!) and very informative!! Can't wait to see what else you do and I am sending you good vibes for the best luck with it all!! 🤩🤪

[@MaxSophieinaVan]

Thank you so much!! We can’t wait to show you guys what an amazing trip we’re having so far!

[@pilgrimpeace7763]

Where did you both go ? Do hope all is well. I miss your videos and smiles.

[@timjones2789]

Hi guys, having just become proud owners of a 614 I am learning a lot from your videos. Thanks a lot! As a start, would you mind sharing a link to your workshop manual? Thanks!

[@rwriters]

Great job guys. Don’t forget to grease the kingpin. Cheers

[@MaxSophieinaVan]

We had just done them so didn’t add that in this time, but you are totally correct, king pins are on our three monthly rotation of jobs!

[@the_flying_nim-bus]

Thanks for this. Very helpful indeed. 😁

[@dudeleboski2692]

Brake clean would help with the filter housing

[@denisecafferky2248]

Great work. Well done

[@MaxSophieinaVan]

Thank you so much - we felt a real sense of achievement after this one!

[@RustyRoseAdventures]

Great video guys, defo needed a service looking at all those filters! And that's a lot of oil, I thought my 8L was lots 😂

[@MaxSophieinaVan]

It was a crazy amount!! And how disgusting were those filters!! When we looked through the paperwork we reckoned it hadn’t had a service in about 8/9 years!

[@dudeleboski2692]

Does your rig have air brakes? If so, dont forget the air dryer filter.

[@vidarisaksen9379]

Some tips, you have probably done this already, but others may also enjoy these tips 🙂 Drive the front wheels up on some solid wood so you get a few cm. more height under the van "diy wood car ramps/youtube". If you have a vacuum extractor for oil, it is easier to empty as much used oil as possible out of the engine before loosening the oil plug underneath. Use oil/grease on the o-rings/seal on the filters then it is much easier to loosen next time. Grease U-Joint's on the intermediate axle, not quite sure, but think there are also grease nipples on the spindles on the front axle and steering. Use the brake cleaner to clean the oil filter housing, so you are sure that all dirt has been removed from the threads/seal surface "grease/oil threads before assembly". Drain the air tanks, there should be a vent valve at the bottom of all the air tanks.

[@MaxSophieinaVan]

Thank you!! There is some brilliant information in here 💛

[@timkremser3580]

Thank you for the video! 😌 And a question: Where did you find a manual or advice for the gearbox oil? I have the same Vario and can not find any information for how to change the gear box oil. Thanks a lot for any advice 🙏

[@bettyourcampervan]

Another brilliant video guys ❤️❤️🚐🚐 xx

[@MaxSophieinaVan]

Thank you so much! We weren’t sure if anyone would want to watch us mess around under the bonnet 🤣

[@bettyourcampervan]

@@MaxSophieinaVan of course! Its all part n parcel of vanlife 👍🚐

[@w2cky400]

Hi miss. Hope you remember us! Love from a certain school

[@MaxSophieinaVan]

Of course I still remember! I miss teaching sooo much!

[@pjwhuk8]

Hi Guys, thanks for the great full service video. Couple of things. I have exactly the same model of Vario as you but I have the Manuel that came with the vehicle although it isn’t I believe the full service manual. Could you please send me the link to where you downloaded your full service manual, thanks? Where do you drain the air system please? And finally for you: when you check the oil you do it but by not pushing the oil stick fully in…you push the oil stick in just so the stick plug rests on its housing rather than fully inserted.

[@donnysweekendvanlifetravel7854]

Well done guys saved a fortune doing it yourself manol oil I use same in our renault master bus it's good quality and a good price especially when you need a lot off it great job on the coolant leak on the thermostate housing too I don't think I have ever seen such a dirty fuel filter lol all the best happy safe travels donny

[@MaxSophieinaVan]

Thanks Donny! I don't think it had had a service in a VERY long time looking at all the paperwork we had... very icky fuel filter!! We couldn't believe the price some people were gonna charge for a service so we really feel like we got good value this way round!

[@donnysweekendvanlifetravel7854]

@@MaxSophieinaVan def best way doing it yourself you get to know your bus better too so can prevent brakedowns when under the bonnet

[@MaxSophieinaVan]

That’s what we are hoping, the more we get into the nuts and bolts of the van, the better we’ll understand it!

[@donnysweekendvanlifetravel7854]

@@MaxSophieinaVan if you need any advice just message anytime if you get stuck been mechaniking for 35 yrs

[@RWL2012]

18:14 the "turbo radiator" is the *_intercooler_* - I think that's what you're referring to? :)

[@MaxSophieinaVan]

Haha - that will be the one 🤣 can you tell we’d had a long day by that point?!!

[@RWL2012]

​@@MaxSophieinaVan oh yeah 😜

[@nealeburgess6756]

Nice job. Oil is cheaper than engines! Just a little tip for next time. When you pour the oil from a full container, tip it with the opening at the top, (furthest away from the engine), that way the air can get in easily and the oil pours more smoothly without the glug glug effect. It seems strange at first, but it really works.

[@MaxSophieinaVan]

That is a genius tip!! We couldn’t stop laughing at the glugging for some reason either 🤣

[@richiebainbridge2608]

Job well done. 👍

[@MaxSophieinaVan]

Thank you so much! Max was saying how he'd never thought he'd ever do a service on his own vehicles before we bought the van - its taught us so many new skills and given us so much more confidence!

[@bamboozle999]

Woukd you mind sharing how much you paid for the van originally? And how nuch for the reno please? Thank you

[@hollandduck79]

Hello👋 from the Netherlands🇳🇱. thanks for the video. Sincerely Hollandduck

[@MaxSophieinaVan]

You are always welcome xx

[@dudeleboski2692]

The pre filter can be reused. Simply clean it with brake cleaner

[@dudeleboski2692]

29:59 its called a Thermostat

[@3_E_E_E]

Sis Is mercedes vario still in production? 🤔🤔

[@the_flying_nim-bus]

Where did you get the manual from

[@iannicholls2343]

Hi just watched sevice video and guys mentioned that you downloaded a manul of the Internet I have an old 507d campervan. I have tried to find service manaul on line without success .which Website did you find manul on .keep up with the good work regards ian

[@soundmindrelaxationtherapy3482]

I've got a 711d and been having the same problem , I've just found one on eBay happy To share the info when it arrives

[@alanvanbelt6840]

Never has a Vario air filter been so lovingly installed. Did you put anti-freeze in? It didn't look like any came out.

[@MaxSophieinaVan]

Sophie has a way of putting love into everything she does - it was Valentine’s Day after all!! We did, I think the shot was from us flushing the system with water, your right though - we forgot to film us filling it back up again!!

[@stephenmartin1253]

Hi, Max and Sophie. I've just watched your service of your behemoth of a van. Just a quick question, did you re-check the oil level after you ran the engine? Some of your oil level will have gone into the empty filter.

[@MaxSophieinaVan]

We did! Thanks for checking in and making sure!

[@H2Dwoat]

Hi, I love to see DIY spanner turning, do you guys have much experience with working on vehicles? You certainly made it seem doable by an owner. Do you have a breakdown of costs? Perhaps a comparison to the cost of a service at a garage? I don’t do the oily bits myself so I’m curious where you dispose of the oil and any other potential pollutants?

[@MaxSophieinaVan]

So glad you enjoyed watching us idiots try this for the first time! I think if you have the manual and diagrams we had and you take it step by step its not too overwhelming - even for us newbies. I (Sophie) have done services on my Morris Minor before, but Max had never done anything like this before! It was definitely cheaper than going to Mercedes - we got the parts cheaper than they would provide and obviously the labour costs were free! Luckily our local tip takes engine oil and used coolant so we were able to dispose of it all nice and easily! (hence why we had the huge containers to transport!)

[@H2Dwoat]

@@MaxSophieinaVan Cheers.

[@mikeboone4425]

Just a word don't be so hard on your self young lady it's only a van service . Happy Trails you 2

[@HellsDamnedUK]

That's the longest dipstic in the world lol

[@DB07OUR]

that's not good

[@MaxSophieinaVan]

What’s not good?

[@DB07OUR]

​@@MaxSophieinaVanhaving a coolant leak

[@MaxSophieinaVan]

It is not good at all! Especially just before we had to leave for Europe! Luckily Max is a genius and managed to fix it!

[@DB07OUR]

@MaxSophieinaVan Best it happened before you guys hit the road, and you had all the gear here to sort it , we are thinking about heading to France never done it before but its on our todo list we also want to do Stornoway this year. you guys take care

[@MaxSophieinaVan]

We highly recommend France! We’re having an absolute ball! Travel well x