My 1981 Eurovan Holdsworth Villa conversion , AKA Pooh recently had a
garage service and following on from that last week had the following
work done:-

Brake Light switch replaced - the old one was not switching until my
foot was to the floor.

New anti-roll bar links and bushes - both of the 'originals' had broken,
yet Pooh's previous owner had managed to get it through, what in the UK
we call 'it's MOT' , a statutory vehicle roadworthy test! (mmm... so
much for MOT certificates)

Right hand carburettor, the old carb's choke spring linkage was missing
and the choke flap was flapping about like a loose sail. The engines now
a lot smoother but the revs are a little bit low when cold.

This week it's the pain barrier - new break shoes, new exhaust
(muffler), tail pipe and Heat Exchangers, they cost an arm and a leg for
what they do. Hopefully this will get rid of the horrible exhaust smell
that keeps Pooh from being used for camping.

I have a lingering doubt, however - That smell of petrol (gas) that
hangs around Pooh if the tank is more than 3 quarters full. I looked
underneath at the tank and put my finger on the front left hand corner
of the tank on the seam where it disappears into the chassis. There was
a small trail of petrol, not enough to drip but more than enough to
smell. I hope that this smell will not vent into the van.

While it is off the road I got all the old repair bills and MOT
certificates in date order and managed to work out that Pooh had done
about 3,000 miles a year since new, which is not too bad - I will
concentrate on this for a while as this helps to deaden the cost pain.

I hope that by April 3rd, when we take it on holiday for the first time,
Pooh will be mended. Fingers crossed!