Engine Oil Specifications for Diesel Vans Explained
by Getting oil wrong on a modern diesel van damages the DPF permanently. What low SAPS means, how to read the approvals, and why viscosity is not the whole story.
Diagnosing Intermittent Faults on a Van
The fault that never happens at the garage. How to record the pattern properly, use freeze frame data, and stop paying for repeated speculative repairs.
Van Servicing: What Actually Matters Between Intervals
A working van almost certainly qualifies for the severe usage schedule, which most owners never realise. What matters most, and what you can check yourself.
Choosing a Diagnostic Scan Tool for Your Van
Cheap readers show engine codes and little else. What live data, actuator tests and module access actually get you, and how much capability you need.
Automatic Gearbox Faults on a Van
Automatic transmission faults usually trace back to fluid. Why condition matters so much, what limp mode means, and why an early fluid change beats a rebuild.
Gearbox Oil on a Van: Fill for Life Is Not What It Sounds Like
Manufacturers describe gearbox oil as fill for life. On a van doing high mileage under load, that claim is worth examining rather than accepting.
Gear Linkage and Selector Problems on a Van
Poor shift quality is usually the linkage, not the box. Worn bushes and stretched cables cost little to fix and get misdiagnosed as expensive gearbox wear.
Manual Gearbox Faults on a Van: Whine, Crunch and Jumping Out
Whine, crunch and jumping out are three different faults with three different causes. How to tell them apart, and why the clutch is often the real culprit.
Van Coolant Types: Why Mixing Them Causes Problems
Coolant does more than stop freezing, and the corrosion inhibitors are the part that matters. Why mixing types and topping up with water cause real damage.
Radiator Cooling Fan Faults on a Van
Overheating in traffic but fine at speed points straight at the fan. How to test the circuit properly, including the air conditioning trick that isolates it.