High mileage vehicles ?

[chrisl]

I was one of the first K9 casualties to suffer the cam chain failure, I have had a few vans since but due to zero confidence I have replaced them at 70k miles/8 months old.
My current one a 24 XL 130 eat8 Driver has got to 100k and I’m starting to think about getting rid, 

my question is :-

Has one with the updated chain ie, 8mm done any serious mileage since buying or having the modification carried out ?

It’s a tall order but I’m looking to regain confidence, will it ever be possible to run a Berlingo to 200k plus ever again ??

[chrisl]

Morning all,
Well my post has had 68views and not one reply.
It would appear that it’s not just Berlingos, that aren’t what they used to be, this forum used to be a hive of information.
I do realise that most of you good people don’t cover serious mileage like me so really can’t relate to my post but it appears that things are perhaps heading south here.

Enjoy your Sunday !

[evdama]

Perhaps there are more m49/59/B9 members and searchbots on the forum.

[notsofast]

In 2023 I spoke to a surprisingly honest head of maintenance at a local-ish dealer, and he said that even vehicles with the 8mm chain were in his garage having new engines installed due to the chain breaking. He also suggested that lack of basic maintenance was likely a factor in chain breakage - he said some people never get their oil changed, then are surprised when things go wrong. He said the reason the engines are changed is cos the chain tensioner, which is made of plastic and not that robust, gets flung all over the engine in little pieces, and they don't know where all the bits end up, so it's not worth risking making a repair and they change the engine. Of course all this was before the new 5W30 RCP oil and the current recall to check the chain and increase oil pressure. Whether these changes will solve the problem, only time will tell.

Something I've wondered is whether having a vehicle laid up for a long time is bad for the chain, due to lack of oil protection and hence possible rusting. Am I right in thinking chrisl that you took your van off the road for months during covid? This is only a thought of mine, wondering why some vehicles have their chains last longer than others. Personally I've been changing my oil every 8 months/8000 miles, cos the more crap contained within the oil, the more wear there will be on the chain, whether 7mm or 8mm.

[chrisl]

Interesting to hear your views,Notsofast.

I actually worked all through Covid thankfully and was moving samples up and down the country for Public health England, it was a very sad, but lucrative time.
However prior to covid, I had laid that van up for 2/3 months as it sustained accident damage and rather than lose work whilst waiting,I bought another new one - you could have something I admit.
That said my vans get serviced every 12k and run all day,every day so I believed it was sufficient until that van hit 120k when it went bang and a new Citroen engine was fitted at my cost.
My supplying dealer and Stelantis are economic with words when asked about longevity and 8mm chains, hence my previous post asking for current experiences.
Stelantis denied changing any software that altered the oil pressure, maybe as my current van had the 8mm chain from new the software was already installed, who knows.

I’m thinking that yet another new van is the answer, this will be my 11th new Berlingo in 13 years !