Good to see little Hubnut is still working on cars with Tim. He may or may not be a mechanic after his school years, but these are good skills to learn. Merry Christmas to you and all the family 😊
I had an English friend who when he discovored I was mostly interested in being a mechanic as my career, I was suddenly a "bleepin' grease monkey.." Welp, I wouldn't have had the 15 years of fixing and owning some really fun old SAAB's without that interest and skill. I will not trade those years for anything.
If it's affordable keep the Berlingo running , as you say you have to look at the mileage and purchase cost. Alternators , tyres and bearings are consumables -For those that say change the car - who's to say any replacement you could get wouldn't have these running costs anyway.
Still not bad. Try repair costs for new cars. Served my apprenticeship on Berlingos at the council, who had a fleet of them. They can rack up serious milages. Bar suspension springs and Axels they were regular predicable faults. Axels after 80 to 100k would tire but easy to swap fit new shocks refresh. VW Caddies and Ford Connects had unpredictable faults electrical etc. I just preferred working on the Berlingos. Axels when loading keep the weight forward as much as possible and don't overload they will last past 120k miles with light use. I still think the best packaged rear suspension design dispite the issue with the tube bearing axel flange design. No wheel arch intrusion, great handling. Best all rounder surprisingly, I'll admit was the Kangoos. They would have an occasional electric fault mechanically can't say much issues. Epic in the snow was a Kangoo, berlingos with Michelin tyres not so. Worst was the Ford Connects, injectors, fuel pumps, electric, nasty plastics and serious rust. I hated them utter crud. A 2010 VW caddy needs the hubnut torqued to 200Nm the hub is held with for splined bolts an utter pig to do esp when rusty. Plus VW Caddies gearboxes I didn't like. I'd rather replace an axel on a belingo than mess about with a caddy. Plus the front wings went quick on VWs. Bella is far simpler. The Berlingos bodies rarely rusted considering the hammering by road men. Just religious oil and filter changes. Also the above mentioned springs. Did so many as a precaution always fit new top strut bearings. When ok and you change a spring the swivel bearing will go and you have to take it all apart. Cheaper to replace then plus pack the bearing with grease. Lasts longer. Former mechanic labour costs are not that bad.
The amount you have spent on Bella is still about the same as the interest you would pay on a car loan so you are getting better return for your money.
I had a MK1 Fiesta 1.3 Ghia back in the early 90's with a failing alternator. I drove it back home with every electrical appliance on in order to drain the battery so it was absolutely flat and wouldn't start. I was with the AA at the time and I had the home start package. Phoned them up and they came out and changed the alternator. I only had to pay for the alternator. A win win for me!
Ten years ago due to difficult access it took me 3 hours to remove the alternator from my Peugeot 406 and another 3 hours to install the new one. Back in the days of the old Ford Escort and Cortina I could change an alternator in 20 minutes.
I remember having exactly the same issue with a 1997 Mondeo, made worse by the wiring having been burned by the alternator as it failed. The wiring was like a moulded unit that ran all the way across the back of the engine, completely out of sight. It took two whole evenings of working outside in the dark to sort it out. It took me by surprise as before that, I'd only ever done cars where an alternator swap was a 15-minute job.
@@Zeem4 I think the only time I swapped an alternator was when I was a teenager and it was on an Austin 1800 which belonged to the father of the local scrotes; a car that you could see the road go by if you looked at the floor inside. They're underneath on an 1800... and I was paid the princely sum of 50p for my work.
Good for you to keep Bella in Happy Go mode. Others may pack it in, for reasons that make no sense to others. Cheers and tis the time for messages of Happiness and Merriment. Be grateful, not hateful.
As sad as it is to see Myrtle go. At least she has gone to a good home. I've been following this channel since I first saw Elly the 2CV. I am a sucker for cars like that and what drew me to this channel in the fist place. I love weird and quirky vehicles. Even the rare ones. I learned there is word for cars like that. It's called a Hubnut. 😊
Merry Christmas to all the HubNuts 🎄🎅🏻🎉 thanks for another wonderful year of content Ian and Carly. One of my favourite YT channels; just so unpretentious and genuine. 👏👏👏👏
I suggested selling Myrtle in the past because she's indeed become redundant and your responses then showed how sensitive this decision was to make. Good to hear you found a good home for her that'll be good for her as well as your peace in making this decision, and your head- and literal space to focus on the rest of the fleet.
I think for a £750 car you can't complain, seems good value to me. A lot of the issues you've had are standard wear and tear items including things like an Alternator. Any second hand car is a financial risk and you could spend £5,000 + on a car and still end up paying out a fortune in maintenance andcrepairs. Long may Bella remain on the fleet.🙂👍
I may have to purchase a maroon hat when the store re-opens again as I appear to have lost my wonky hat. So pleased to hear Myrtle has been sold to Simon, I know how much love he has lavished on her. Merry Christmas to you and Carly and family when it comes.
That alternator was in a very sorry state. You were lucky it still worked. The last time I had to change an alternator was because it just died, no warning, just dead. Merry Christmas 🎅
My first car, A Triumph Toledo allegedly had the big end going. It lasted 3yrs then the alternator quit. I got a new one and...... Hey Presto! The big end noise stopped!
I did a Citroën grand picasso alternator, and in and out took me 2, not quite full days. It didn't help that I'd not done one before. Access was shite and i I had to cut a 13mm spanner in half to move a bolt 2mm at a time. Also, everything in that area is covered in muck/oil that you'd find on a 15 year old car..... there's many different types of alternator aswell with different voltages because Citroën 🙄👍🇮🇪
Sorry to see the matiz go bye Myrtle😮 Merry Christmas All the best another great video has always Ian and Carly miss/mrs hubnut and hublets and hubmutt 👍
An empty space, but, for how long? Bella now looking resplendent after much pampering, and sounding all the better for it. Best Wishes to you and yours. Hoping you have a supremely splendid Christmas, and an equally jolly New year.
Sad to see matiz myrtle go, but if it’s not fitting your requirements, it’s a good decision for it to go to a collector, merry Christmas to hubnut and family 🎅🏼 🎄
Merry Christmas, Ian and Carly and children and everyone in the HubNut universe. I hope to see you soon. Until then I will wear my new maroon beanie and have some coffee from a very black Berlingo mug. Love and peace ✌️ Martin ♥️
Ian, it amazes me what goes to scrap now. Just watched a video from KevTee who worked for Charles Trent in the Poole area of Dorset. 2001 Toyota Corolla, 27,000 from new, full service history £250 scrap. Started and was like a sewing machine. The owner decided it wasn't worth the hassle of trying to sell it.
Have a great Christmas too, Ian and all. The story of what you paid for Bella and how much you subsequently spent closely mirrors that of Yogi, my Toyota Yaris: bought for 999 quid last Christmas, spent two thousand on it keeping it on the road and doing 20,000 miles in the last year. Sadly, unlike Bella there's no happy ending and yesterday Yogi drove onto the bed of a truck to make his final journey 😞
Sad to see the Matiz go but I'm currently thinking of changing my Chevrolet Spark after 12 years of loyal service. It is still running fine but looking very tatty, with various hand painted patches!
It's a shame Chevrolet isn't still operating in the UK . I absolutely adore my Aveo ( sparks bigger brother ) sadly parts are getting expensive and I've not had the most enjoyable experience owing mine as it wasn't looked after . I've spent well over £1500 on my Aveo.( Not including purchase price ) New lombada sensors , rocker cover gasket and cover. Egr valve as well as upgraded spark plugs and such. But it's my first car 😂 . I hope I get loyal service out of mine like you do with your Chevrolet. I understand Ian's problem we get attached don't we ? I was tempted to chop my Aveo in for a Skoda but truthfully I couldn't bring myself to do it. I like a car that's unique and a rarity on British roads.
@@HubNut Quite right nothing lasts forever but it's nice to enjoy our cars while we all can. But that's the question isn't it when do you let go ? I know people who've had their cars pretty much restored due to sentimental reasons and others on the other end of the scale purely for the fact they can't afford to buy another car so they keep the current one running on hopes and prayers.
A Very Merry Christmas/Happy New Year (and Happy New Alternator!) to all the HubNuts! Thanks for much entertainment this past year...Here's to more exciting adventures in 2025!
It's not typical HubNut as you always say, Ian! This is what it is to be a Citroën enthusiast! Citroën always had the 'problem', that when you really want to work on the engine, you have to 'drop' it out of the engine bay! I have don it several times with all of them! Except the two cilinder boxers, those are easy to work on in situe! Just drop both front fenders and you're in! But try to work on a GSA; DS; SM; CX or how about the H-van.... You'll save yourself so much time and agony, when you get it up on the lift and drop the engine! And then there is another thing that's occurring now! You crossed the point of no return; just because you love that car and all the investments you already did! If you would sell it, you'll never get your investment back! Keep the Berlingo! I don't have one yet, but I am looking out for one! It would be a great addition to the collection!😊 ❤Keep it up, the making of videos, we're hooked on you!❤
Regarding the difficulty involved in working on modern cars, back in 1987 I changed the cam belt on a Mk4 Ford 1.6 Rustina in an hour. I am no mechanic but the job was very easy indeed. In fact I think with suitable training a Monkey could do it.
Mobile mechanics are with their weight in gold u use one when I know or think I'm goin to struggle. Another job on the belongo has to be done on a car you tndt suits your lifestyle
At this rate, the amount of repairs and fixes you've done on bella, i would hope that you'll eventually get a run of goodluck and stable low cost motoring out of her. But still, it's a 22 year old french car and you'll never know that the next tired component wishes to go next. But honestly wishing you a run good luck. I understand your attachment me to the car and the need to just get it fixed to keep it going as it is your family transport. Although it probably would have been cheaper in the long run to have bought a fresher, less abused, more well looked example after car for more initial cost but not have all these expensive issues in the two years you've owned. I personally had a 90k mile 206 HDi, seemingly well looked after but in the year i had it (13k miles), i had a bad alternator, a bad ABS pump, a bad harmonic damper/crank pulley, two new front springs and top mounts, a new drive shaft (bad CV joint), a bad ground cable/werid electrical issue where sometimes randomly the starter wouldn't engage but replaced the starter but wasn't that and the final kicker, the clutch starting to slip. I decided enough was enough and moved on. But it's put me off owning any modern ish french cars every again as just everything just goes wrong.
As far as daily drivers are concerned there's no such thing as cheap motoring anymore since the days of being able to pick up a car for £500 and running it for a few years then Just going out and get another one are well and truly behind us. You either spend a lot of money on something relatively new, or spend lots on repairs, there is no in between anymore
Good for you, Ian, and now ... Bella. I know, it's tantamount to sacrilege even mentioning this, but the money you've already spent on her and may have to in the future (I still think the injectors are at fault) does not bode well, I fear. Why not return to an old flame with lots of meat on her: I am talking, of course, of the XM. An estate - though not as lovely as a saloon - has oodles of room for the whole family and then some. But I get it, that Bella somehow has captured your hearts and minds ...
Agreed, I'd be seeing if i could get her running right before plowing £££"s on repairs, the car still runs like sh1t and is down on power/doesn't start properly.
It's easy to think that money spent keeping an old car on the road as wasted money. However, if it meets your needs as well as Bella does then it isn't wasted, it's an investment and fair wear and tear. Losing money to depreciation is far less agreeable, you have very little to show for that.
There’s nothing wrong with spending a bit on your often used or daily car when necessary. My 2012 Peugeot 508SW has just cost £680 for a cambelt, water pump, service and a new core plug in the back of the head. I couldn’t really afford it but found the money because not having a daily was something I couldn’t afford either…… and when I weighed up the value of my own time, rolling about outside the house in the p*ssing down rain, along with the cost of the parts, the rule of “bangernomics” kicked in…….it’s pretty simple really…. See what your daily is going to cost to be repaired (or for the cost of you repairing it yourself) If that monetary cost (and your time if you do the work yourself) is less than you can get an equally competent, MOT’d replacement vehicle for, then spring for the repair. Anything over 10 years old and below £3000 purchase price (on finance/ PCP) for a vehicle and pretty often, you are just buying someone else’s problems anyway. Right, had my tuppence worth….. Happy Christmas to you and yours in the HubNut household & have a superb New Year!
Shame about Myrtle, she was a favourite. I do remember you saying you need less little cars then replace her with Desmond... oh well, 3 cylinder cars are great!
Doxxing? Hubnut?? I couldn't see imagine anyone doing anything more egregious than leaving a case of windscreen wash on your doorstep as a token of appreciation for all the awesome videos you guys put out... but I guess there are some weird ones out there, eh?
I keep having a look for a green instrument binnacle & non-manky steering wheel. The bits you stare at & touch all the time are surely important, but can't help but feel that Bella's a bit of a financial black hole. A ruthless cost per mile calculation may be necessary.....
I’ll see your Berlingo Alternator and raise you a Fiat Doblo alternator. Wedged in lower rear of the engine and requiring removal of the engine mount and lifting the engine to clear the subframe, definitely not a fun job at all.
Myrtle was one of my secret favorites. Glad She's ok and in "Collector Status" meaning She'll be indoors and looked after. Who knows...in another 18 years....😮🤪👀🚙🚙🚙🚙🚙🚙
I can't understand why you've sunk so much into that Berlingo! With the suspension work it must owe you many 1000s by now. I suppose you are in so deep now you have to keep going. Does Ellie have airbags!?
Let's be real, we're not playing for sheep stations here when it comes to sinking money. I can't understand why some pay interest on a car. Makes no sense to me but that's just me.
Please spend your next chunk of cash on a new steering wheel for the Berlingo; or put your camera in a different place; I can't concentrate on what you're saying without wondering who's been chewing it! lol🙂🙂 Happy Christmas 👍
I’d want a mobile mechanic to change the alternator on my space station for that stupid money….and just on an old Berlingo…..but of course i’d do it myself…
I always say you know what your doing when it comes to cars, but I still think that bloody Bella is a money pit no way would I consider that amount of money on French scrap like that thing..... Do you ever consider buying a Toyota yes bit expensive but oh my life they are reliable!!!!!!!!
It's not your money John so why should you care so much? What YT income could be had from a reliable yawn Toyota? You haven't thought this through very well.
Thanks Ian, Carly and family for the videos throughout the year, and best wishes for Christmas and the New Year.
May I wish a Happy Christmas to all the members of the Hubnut family, and thank you for all your videos.
Good to see little Hubnut is still working on cars with Tim. He may or may not be a mechanic after his school years, but these are good skills to learn. Merry Christmas to you and all the family 😊
I had an English friend who when he discovored I was mostly interested in being a mechanic as my career, I was suddenly a "bleepin' grease monkey.." Welp, I wouldn't have had the 15 years of fixing and owning some really fun old SAAB's without that interest and skill. I will not trade those years for anything.
If it's affordable keep the Berlingo running , as you say you have to look at the mileage and purchase cost. Alternators , tyres and bearings are consumables -For those that say change the car - who's to say any replacement you could get wouldn't have these running costs anyway.
Disagree when Bella is constantly costing money
Still not bad. Try repair costs for new cars. Served my apprenticeship on Berlingos at the council, who had a fleet of them. They can rack up serious milages. Bar suspension springs and Axels they were regular predicable faults. Axels after 80 to 100k would tire but easy to swap fit new shocks refresh. VW Caddies and Ford Connects had unpredictable faults electrical etc. I just preferred working on the Berlingos. Axels when loading keep the weight forward as much as possible and don't overload they will last past 120k miles with light use. I still think the best packaged rear suspension design dispite the issue with the tube bearing axel flange design. No wheel arch intrusion, great handling.
Best all rounder surprisingly, I'll admit was the Kangoos. They would have an occasional electric fault mechanically can't say much issues. Epic in the snow was a Kangoo, berlingos with Michelin tyres not so. Worst was the Ford Connects, injectors, fuel pumps, electric, nasty plastics and serious rust. I hated them utter crud.
A 2010 VW caddy needs the hubnut torqued to 200Nm the hub is held with for splined bolts an utter pig to do esp when rusty. Plus VW Caddies gearboxes I didn't like. I'd rather replace an axel on a belingo than mess about with a caddy. Plus the front wings went quick on VWs. Bella is far simpler. The Berlingos bodies rarely rusted considering the hammering by road men. Just religious oil and filter changes. Also the above mentioned springs. Did so many as a precaution always fit new top strut bearings. When ok and you change a spring the swivel bearing will go and you have to take it all apart. Cheaper to replace then plus pack the bearing with grease. Lasts longer.
Former mechanic labour costs are not that bad.
The amount you have spent on Bella is still about the same as the interest you would pay on a car loan so you are getting better return for your money.
It's less than the deposit on even a fairly cheap new car...
I had a MK1 Fiesta 1.3 Ghia back in the early 90's with a failing alternator. I drove it back home with every electrical appliance on in order to drain the battery so it was absolutely flat and wouldn't start. I was with the AA at the time and I had the home start package. Phoned them up and they came out and changed the alternator. I only had to pay for the alternator. A win win for me!
Merry Christmas Ian, and Hubnut family. I'm glad Bella is on the mend.
Ten years ago due to difficult access it took me 3 hours to remove the alternator from my Peugeot 406 and another 3 hours to install the new one. Back in the days of the old Ford Escort and Cortina I could change an alternator in 20 minutes.
I remember having exactly the same issue with a 1997 Mondeo, made worse by the wiring having been burned by the alternator as it failed. The wiring was like a moulded unit that ran all the way across the back of the engine, completely out of sight. It took two whole evenings of working outside in the dark to sort it out. It took me by surprise as before that, I'd only ever done cars where an alternator swap was a 15-minute job.
@@Zeem4 I think the only time I swapped an alternator was when I was a teenager and it was on an Austin 1800 which belonged to the father of the local scrotes; a car that you could see the road go by if you looked at the floor inside. They're underneath on an 1800... and I was paid the princely sum of 50p for my work.
Good for you to keep Bella in Happy Go mode. Others may pack it in, for reasons that make no sense to others. Cheers and tis the time for messages of Happiness and Merriment. Be grateful, not hateful.
As sad as it is to see Myrtle go. At least she has gone to a good home. I've been following this channel since I first saw Elly the 2CV. I am a sucker for cars like that and what drew me to this channel in the fist place. I love weird and quirky vehicles. Even the rare ones. I learned there is word for cars like that. It's called a Hubnut. 😊
Myrtle does you proud. You use her for so many things. I hope that you all have a really good Christmas and a healthy and pros[erous New Year.
Mate, if you have a car you like maintain it, spend the money on it to keep it running. It is maintenance and well worth it.
As they say on Salvage Rebuilds, that's been an alternator for far too long ! Bella will last forever 👍
Ah, a fellow fan of Rob and Chris!
Happy Christmas. Look forward to the new year content
Wishing you all a peaceful Christmas, thank you so much for all the wonderful content.
Merry Christmas Ian, Carly a d the Hublets! And to anyone else here in the chat!
Merry Christmas and all the best in the New Year to the HubNut Family.
Merry Christmas to all the HubNuts 🎄🎅🏻🎉 thanks for another wonderful year of content Ian and Carly. One of my favourite YT channels; just so unpretentious and genuine. 👏👏👏👏
I suggested selling Myrtle in the past because she's indeed become redundant and your responses then showed how sensitive this decision was to make. Good to hear you found a good home for her that'll be good for her as well as your peace in making this decision, and your head- and literal space to focus on the rest of the fleet.
Thanks for all the content in 2024 👍👍👍
I think for a £750 car you can't complain, seems good value to me. A lot of the issues you've had are standard wear and tear items including things like an Alternator.
Any second hand car is a financial risk and you could spend £5,000 + on a car and still end up paying out a fortune in maintenance andcrepairs. Long may Bella remain on the fleet.🙂👍
I may have to purchase a maroon hat when the store re-opens again as I appear to have lost my wonky hat. So pleased to hear Myrtle has been sold to Simon, I know how much love he has lavished on her.
Merry Christmas to you and Carly and family when it comes.
Oh no! We do still have a few wonky hats.
Have a lovely Christmas. And thank you for all the great videos.
Hope you and Carly and the hublets have a fantastic Christmas.
That alternator was in a very sorry state. You were lucky it still worked. The last time I had to change an alternator was because it just died, no warning, just dead. Merry Christmas 🎅
This one did not work. I forgot to mention that it instantly stopped charging.
My first car, A Triumph Toledo allegedly had the big end going. It lasted 3yrs then the alternator quit. I got a new one and...... Hey Presto! The big end noise stopped!
I did a Citroën grand picasso alternator, and in and out took me 2, not quite full days. It didn't help that I'd not done one before. Access was shite and i I had to cut a 13mm spanner in half to move a bolt 2mm at a time. Also, everything in that area is covered in muck/oil that you'd find on a 15 year old car..... there's many different types of alternator aswell with different voltages because Citroën 🙄👍🇮🇪
I let go of my Peugeot 1007, drove it for six years and been very nice to me....
Sorry to see the matiz go bye Myrtle😮
Merry Christmas
All the best
another great video has always Ian and Carly miss/mrs hubnut and hublets and hubmutt 👍
Merry Christmas to You and all the family 😊
The alternator is one of those components that rarely get replaced, so it was a good call to get someone else to do the hard work this time.
'Sold the Matiz, getting in the Berlingo' You sure do know how trigger the special comments. 😆 Well played Sir.
Sorry to see her go, but I am sure for the best. Merry Christmas to you and Carly!
Ah lovely. That video of Simon's Metro was my first Hubnut video, good times. Merry Christmas to the entire Hubnut clan!
Happy Christmas Ian and the rest of the hubnut Family
All the best to you all,and look forward to hubnut shannanigans in the new year,merry xmas🎉
Glad Bella is feeling a lot better after the repair. See you in 2025!
New alternator pumping out healthy AMPS into the battery now, hence why she fires up quicker now,
Jets, hoolie blowing outside
An empty space, but, for how long? Bella now looking resplendent after much pampering, and sounding all the better for it. Best Wishes to you and yours. Hoping you have a supremely splendid Christmas, and an equally jolly New year.
The space immediately got filled by the Corsa that isn't actually ours...
Sad to see matiz myrtle go, but if it’s not fitting your requirements, it’s a good decision for it to go to a collector, merry Christmas to hubnut and family 🎅🏼 🎄
Merry Christmas, Ian and Carly and children and everyone in the HubNut universe. I hope to see you soon. Until then I will wear my new maroon beanie and have some coffee from a very black Berlingo mug. Love and peace ✌️ Martin ♥️
Bella is such a versatile car. She deserves some love & care
Ian, it amazes me what goes to scrap now. Just watched a video from KevTee who worked for Charles Trent in the Poole area of Dorset. 2001 Toyota Corolla, 27,000 from new, full service history £250 scrap. Started and was like a sewing machine. The owner decided it wasn't worth the hassle of trying to sell it.
That Corolla was lovely!
Have a great Christmas Ian and family 🎉
Shame you paid someone else to fit an alternator, the rover alternator saga is one of my favourite hubnut moments
I still have flashbacks to the agony...
Merry Xmas Ian, Carly and the hublets!
Have a great Christmas too, Ian and all. The story of what you paid for Bella and how much you subsequently spent closely mirrors that of Yogi, my Toyota Yaris: bought for 999 quid last Christmas, spent two thousand on it keeping it on the road and doing 20,000 miles in the last year. Sadly, unlike Bella there's no happy ending and yesterday Yogi drove onto the bed of a truck to make his final journey 😞
Aw!
o7
Merry Christmas Hub Nuts! hope you all have a super time. oh and with all that special history I thought Myrtle was a keeper...
Sad to see the Matiz go but I'm currently thinking of changing my Chevrolet Spark after 12 years of loyal service. It is still running fine but looking very tatty, with various hand painted patches!
It's a shame Chevrolet isn't still operating in the UK . I absolutely adore my Aveo ( sparks bigger brother ) sadly parts are getting expensive and I've not had the most enjoyable experience owing mine as it wasn't looked after . I've spent well over £1500 on my Aveo.( Not including purchase price ) New lombada sensors , rocker cover gasket and cover. Egr valve as well as upgraded spark plugs and such. But it's my first car 😂 . I hope I get loyal service out of mine like you do with your Chevrolet. I understand Ian's problem we get attached don't we ? I was tempted to chop my Aveo in for a Skoda but truthfully I couldn't bring myself to do it. I like a car that's unique and a rarity on British roads.
Sometimes it is time. Nothing lasts forever.
@@HubNut Quite right nothing lasts forever but it's nice to enjoy our cars while we all can. But that's the question isn't it when do you let go ? I know people who've had their cars pretty much restored due to sentimental reasons and others on the other end of the scale purely for the fact they can't afford to buy another car so they keep the current one running on hopes and prayers.
Merry Christmas to you and your family
A Very Merry Christmas/Happy New Year (and Happy New Alternator!) to all the HubNuts! Thanks for much entertainment this past year...Here's to more exciting adventures in 2025!
Good video, Merry Christmas 🤶
It's not typical HubNut as you always say, Ian! This is what it is to be a Citroën enthusiast! Citroën always had the 'problem', that when you really want to work on the engine, you have to 'drop' it out of the engine bay! I have don it several times with all of them! Except the two cilinder boxers, those are easy to work on in situe! Just drop both front fenders and you're in! But try to work on a GSA; DS; SM; CX or how about the H-van.... You'll save yourself so much time and agony, when you get it up on the lift and drop the engine! And then there is another thing that's occurring now! You crossed the point of no return; just because you love that car and all the investments you already did! If you would sell it, you'll never get your investment back!
Keep the Berlingo! I don't have one yet, but I am looking out for one! It would be a great addition to the collection!😊
❤Keep it up, the making of videos, we're hooked on you!❤
Regarding the difficulty involved in working on modern cars, back in 1987 I changed the cam belt on a Mk4 Ford 1.6 Rustina in an hour. I am no mechanic but the job was very easy indeed. In fact I think with suitable training a Monkey could do it.
Look forward to when you buy her again in 18years.
Mobile mechanics are with their weight in gold u use one when I know or think I'm goin to struggle. Another job on the belongo has to be done on a car you tndt suits your lifestyle
Nagolig Llawen butti :)
At this rate, the amount of repairs and fixes you've done on bella, i would hope that you'll eventually get a run of goodluck and stable low cost motoring out of her. But still, it's a 22 year old french car and you'll never know that the next tired component wishes to go next. But honestly wishing you a run good luck.
I understand your attachment me to the car and the need to just get it fixed to keep it going as it is your family transport. Although it probably would have been cheaper in the long run to have bought a fresher, less abused, more well looked example after car for more initial cost but not have all these expensive issues in the two years you've owned.
I personally had a 90k mile 206 HDi, seemingly well looked after but in the year i had it (13k miles), i had a bad alternator, a bad ABS pump, a bad harmonic damper/crank pulley, two new front springs and top mounts, a new drive shaft (bad CV joint), a bad ground cable/werid electrical issue where sometimes randomly the starter wouldn't engage but replaced the starter but wasn't that and the final kicker, the clutch starting to slip. I decided enough was enough and moved on. But it's put me off owning any modern ish french cars every again as just everything just goes wrong.
As far as daily drivers are concerned there's no such thing as cheap motoring anymore since the days of being able to pick up a car for £500 and running it for a few years then Just going out and get another one are well and truly behind us. You either spend a lot of money on something relatively new, or spend lots on repairs, there is no in between anymore
You will come running back to the Matiz again Mr Hubnut commence evil laugh ahahahahaha no one can resist the 3 cylinder growl of the mighty Matiz lol
Awesome Ian 👍
Good for you, Ian, and now ... Bella. I know, it's tantamount to sacrilege even mentioning this, but the money you've already spent on her and may have to in the future (I still think the injectors are at fault) does not bode well, I fear. Why not return to an old flame with lots of meat on her: I am talking, of course, of the XM. An estate - though not as lovely as a saloon - has oodles of room for the whole family and then some. But I get it, that Bella somehow has captured your hearts and minds ...
Agreed, I'd be seeing if i could get her running right before plowing £££"s on repairs, the car still runs like sh1t and is down on power/doesn't start properly.
Let's be real, we're not playing for sheep stations here.
It's easy to think that money spent keeping an old car on the road as wasted money. However, if it meets your needs as well as Bella does then it isn't wasted, it's an investment and fair wear and tear. Losing money to depreciation is far less agreeable, you have very little to show for that.
There’s nothing wrong with spending a bit on your often used or daily car when necessary.
My 2012 Peugeot 508SW has just cost £680 for a cambelt, water pump, service and a new core plug in the back of the head.
I couldn’t really afford it but found the money because not having a daily was something I couldn’t afford either…… and when I weighed up the value of my own time, rolling about outside the house in the p*ssing down rain, along with the cost of the parts, the rule of “bangernomics” kicked in…….it’s pretty simple really…. See what your daily is going to cost to be repaired (or for the cost of you repairing it yourself)
If that monetary cost (and your time if you do the work yourself) is less than you can get an equally competent, MOT’d replacement vehicle for, then spring for the repair. Anything over 10 years old and below £3000 purchase price (on finance/ PCP) for a vehicle and pretty often, you are just buying someone else’s problems anyway.
Right, had my tuppence worth….. Happy Christmas to you and yours in the HubNut household & have a superb New Year!
Merry Christmas
Hmmm things going smoothly, how very un-hubnut! Happy Christmas to you all have a great day.
about time that pajero mini moved about....still waiting on parts?
No, waiting on time.
I’ll have to order one of those new hats. I love my wonky one 🤣🤣
Have a lovely Christmas All.
I wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy prosperous new year
Cheers ian, reality sets in every so often and its never easy to decide what to do until you look back and go wth!!!!😂
Shame about Myrtle, she was a favourite. I do remember you saying you need less little cars then replace her with Desmond... oh well, 3 cylinder cars are great!
All the best from lockpick & family.
AY UP MR HUBNUT
The translate to English option on this is funny.
What language is this? Even Google translate can't figure it out.
At least when both your front and rear berlingo subframes are rotted out… your battery will hopefully still be charging ok….
Doxxing? Hubnut?? I couldn't see imagine anyone doing anything more egregious than leaving a case of windscreen wash on your doorstep as a token of appreciation for all the awesome videos you guys put out... but I guess there are some weird ones out there, eh?
If the internet has taught us anything, it's that people can be odd. Starting with us...
Merry Christmas Ian. Mrs and family.looking for a better new year..😊
Oh my god
He’s one of the original fleet members 😢
Cannot keep them all sadly.
@@HubNutyeah 😢
I keep having a look for a green instrument binnacle & non-manky steering wheel. The bits you stare at & touch all the time are surely important, but can't help but feel that Bella's a bit of a financial black hole. A ruthless cost per mile calculation may be necessary.....
Never add up the bills!
I’ll see your Berlingo Alternator and raise you a Fiat Doblo alternator. Wedged in lower rear of the engine and requiring removal of the engine mount and lifting the engine to clear the subframe, definitely not a fun job at all.
We ended up with both engine lights removed, and a strap used to pull the engine rearward to allow the alternator to drop out.
That Alternator went South, or was it North, mm or ...........
If it hadn't been for Berlingo,
I'd be mobile a long time ago
Why has it gone wrong,
Why won't it go?
Why did I buy this Berlingo?
Why did you spend £317 on Bella The Berlingo? Because French
I've spent more than that on groceries.
The Berlingo is worth it. Merry Christmas to all and have a happy new year.
I feel your financial pain. Happy Christmas to the HubNuts and the Hublets. Bye Bye Myrtle.
I can’t believe you got rid of Mirtle after you found her again. I feel persuasions may be coming from elsewhere :/
That's an unpleasant assumption. I can assure you that the decision was mine and others felt it wasn't a good idea.
What an odd thing to say.
Myrtle was one of my secret favorites. Glad She's ok and in "Collector Status" meaning She'll be indoors and looked after. Who knows...in another 18 years....😮🤪👀🚙🚙🚙🚙🚙🚙
🎉🎉😢
Merry Christmas, and a 2025 full of intriguingly problematic cars.
I can't understand why you've sunk so much into that Berlingo! With the suspension work it must owe you many 1000s by now. I suppose you are in so deep now you have to keep going. Does Ellie have airbags!?
Elly has no airbags, Bella just one.
Let's be real, we're not playing for sheep stations here when it comes to sinking money.
I can't understand why some pay interest on a car. Makes no sense to me but that's just me.
Alternator...used....eBay...tested......£40. Why not?
Because it's an absolute pig of a job and I don't want a used one failing a few miles down the road.
Please spend your next chunk of cash on a new steering wheel for the Berlingo; or put your camera in a different place; I can't concentrate on what you're saying without wondering who's been chewing it! lol🙂🙂 Happy Christmas 👍
I had a Datsun Sunny estate where a dog had chewed the gearknob up... one of the first things I got from a scrapyard for it!!
Genuinely intrigued as to how much more money you're willing to throw at the money pit berlingo. Anyone else would have sacked it off by now.
How much has it cost to date div by time? Dont think we're talking sheep stations here. Playing golf probably cost more.
Why always stupid money repairs?? Where is sensible preventative maintenance routine for your fleet?? Jounalist maybe… Car man…don’t make me laugh…
Are you in the right place? It's HubNut not Leno's Garage 😆
I’d want a mobile mechanic to change the alternator on my space station for that stupid money….and just on an old Berlingo…..but of course i’d do it myself…
I remember when you fixed stuff yrself 😮
murtil the matiz gone...? im unsubbing
Now there is Daihatsu dedication! The sacrifices we make for the cause.
I always say you know what your doing when it comes to cars, but I still think that bloody Bella is a money pit no way would I consider that amount of money on French scrap like that thing..... Do you ever consider buying a Toyota yes bit expensive but oh my life they are reliable!!!!!!!!
I've owned three Toyotas and they all had stuff wrong with them. Cars age, things break.
It's not your money John so why should you care so much?
What YT income could be had from a reliable yawn Toyota? You haven't thought this through very well.