Comments on The Extraordinary Tourist: Getting to Know More About Cars

Some vans do have a kind of bonnet, engine cavity ...

2009-04-23T15:55:00.000+09:30

Some vans do have a kind of bonnet, engine cavity area in the front - though nothing like the length of a car bonnet. I still think the bulk of the engine is probably still under the seats though (that's why you sit so high up in a van compared to a car).

With the seats down there is a kind of fire wall to protect you should the engine catch fire but you'd want to get out pretty quick all the same.

The particular radiator mechanic I went to doesn't have a hydraulic lifter (car hoist) thingy so you can just walk underneath - hence that could be why he's not a fan of working on a van. Not to worry. The more I work on stuff the more confident I get about fixing my own engine troubles.

I ended up walking to the radiator place carrying the radiator from a strap over my shoulder. It's not that heavy or large so wasn't much of a problem.

I just took another look at the picture of your va...

2009-04-22T20:34:00.000+09:30

I just took another look at the picture of your van, and see it hasn't got a bonnet! Silly me! LOL! Could have sworn I've seen vans with bonnets! (perhaps not!)

Aren't these mechanics supposed to 'crawl around and go underneath' when they are fixing cars etc! I thought it came with the job! Maybe it's because he's a radiator specialist! Perhaps the first mechanic suggested this so he didn't have to 'crawl around and underneath' etc!

Hope he was genuinely doing you a favour, and the specialist bloke.

I don't like where the engine is - right under the...

2009-04-22T20:25:00.000+09:30

I don't like where the engine is - right under the passenger seat! That puts it right inside the van too, only encased underneath. Wouldn't like the engine to set on fire!

Shouldn't it be out front directly under the bonnet like other cars - mostly? (I don't know anything about cars either if this seems a dumb question!)

How are you going to get it there? Hope it gets fixed properly, and the 'running on' problem, as this is going to waste petrol isn't it? (another dumb question maybe!)

Don't think about using hills and long drives until it's fixed properly1 I think you said that you had some retreads put on, so hope they're not getting too worn with all the travelling.