"Gas Tail needs replacing"

moulesy
moulesy Forum Participant Posts: 9,402 ✭✭✭✭✭
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edited March 2016 in Parts & Accessories #1

Just collected the van from its annual service. Satisfied with all the work done apart from when I went to pay I was told "the gas tail is date marked 09 - it's needs replacing"!   But "you'll have to do that yourself, we can't do it because we don't know when you'll next be using your gas"!

Now I know, at least I assume, it's a fairly straight forward job, but I was a bit surprised that they didn't just do it as part of the service (or at least get in touch and ask me if I wanted them to do it).

So - does anyone know -  is this normal? They are main Bailey dealers - why would they not do it for me?

Comments

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited March 2016 #2

    Thats interesting as i thought anything other than the connection to the cylinder all others must be by a "qualified"person? 

    sorry cannot stop it shouting,was on OHs computer,nuff saidWink

  • commeyras
    commeyras Club Member Posts: 1,853 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2016 #3

    Most surprising and what a strange explanation!.  Mine was replaced automatically last year when Caravan serviced.  Cost was just added to the bill (part only)

  • moulesy
    moulesy Forum Participant Posts: 9,402 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited March 2016 #4

    Most surprising and what a strange explanation!.  Mine was replaced automatically last year when Caravan serviced.  Cost was just added to the bill (part only)

    Well, I thought that should happen. Might take it up with them, but will probably wait till next year and ask (insist!) they do it then. 

  • kenexton
    kenexton Forum Participant Posts: 306
    edited March 2016 #5

    Buy yourself a stainless steel pigtail from Gaslow and your issue will be resolved.They have a life longer than your likely ownership of the van and are very simple to thread onto the regulator providing that you do not cross thread the nut.I change my stainless
    Caloe propane fit   pigtail for a stainless one which fits my French bottle twice yearly without any issues-sounds a bit like "jobsworthism" at your dealership to me.

  • TheAdmiral
    TheAdmiral Forum Participant Posts: 506
    edited March 2016 #6

    Moulsey, our dealer changes it during the Annual Service, no big issue as it only costs a few bob, hope you and Mrs Moulsey are keeping well

    Admiral

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,867 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2016 #7

    It might depend on the type of connection. Most caravans/motorhomes use pigtails now rather than a piece of rubber pipe connected by jubilee clips. Like Ken we have used stainless steel braided pigtails for some years now rather than the rubber type which
    apparently have been blamed for making the problem with bulkhead regulators worse.

    David

  • kenexton
    kenexton Forum Participant Posts: 306
    edited March 2016 #8

    Moulesey you can also get the replacement rubber POL ends and washers from the makers of  your (£30 approx ) Gaslow stainless propane hose at about £3 inc postage,should the ends and washers need replacement at service-rubber does perish and crack.That said
    mine have not done so after three years of use but spares are available just  case.

  • moulesy
    moulesy Forum Participant Posts: 9,402 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited March 2016 #9

    Thanks, everyone, for your comments. I've emailed the dealers for clarication. Not had a reply yet. Letter to director is on standby! Happy

  • commeyras
    commeyras Club Member Posts: 1,853 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2016 #10

    At a boy!

  • Merve
    Merve Forum Participant Posts: 2,333
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    edited March 2016 #11

    Moulesy - Dont even think of a new rubber one. David mentioned the problem with regulators and that is true. Only though if the valve for the bottle is higher that the regulator itself. The oils and other foreign agents can then run down to the regulator. The stainless steel ones are far superior and last 20 yrs. Same thing though. Regulator ABOVE the cylinder valve or if thats not possible as in some installations, make sure you put a bend on the pipe to form a 'sump' where rubbish can gather.

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
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    edited March 2016 #12

    I second what Merve says - and also the SS I got doesn't require a spanner to change at the cylinder end - sooo much easier to hand do on a "tap" type fitting. 

  • moulesy
    moulesy Forum Participant Posts: 9,402 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited March 2016 #13

    Well, I got no answer to my email to the workshop. So I wrote a letter direct to the managing director and within 24 hours I had a phone call asking me to get in touch with them. Unfortunately, I'm down in Cornwall for the weekend, so I'll keep them waiting
    till Monday. Will let you know the outcome! Happy

  • moulesy
    moulesy Forum Participant Posts: 9,402 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited March 2016 #14

    Well, I just phoned the dealers and talked to a very apologetic young lady ("I do apologise, our computer's been down for a week so I'm just catching up with some emalis" - yeah, right!

    Wink. Use left and right arrows to navigate.
    ) and, apparently, since my service just over a week ago, they've changed their policy and
    I shoud have been offered the option of having it done when it was with them. "Bring it down tomorrow and we'll get someone to do it there and then".

    So, one satisfied customer, albeit having to make an extra unnecessary journey to get the job done, but I still can't understand the reason for not doing it the first place. Oh well such is life!

  • BlueVanMan
    BlueVanMan Forum Participant Posts: 382
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    edited March 2016 #15

    A point to watch for those who use 3.9 kilogramme propane cylinders. We do because we have diesel heating and a compressor fridge. The screw fitting from gaslow does not fit
    some 3.9 cylinders because the finger bits foul the top bar of the cylinder.

    According to our local calor dealer not all cylinders are exactly the same height and the variation makes a difference whether the connector is useable or not. They were happy for us to select a "long-necked" 3.9 propane from their stock but in the end we
    didnt bother and discarded the gaslow connector.