Delica Repairs in Nova Scotia

[tinykiss]

Hello

I am about to purchase a Delica here in Nova Scotia (private sale) and am wondering if anyone here happens to know a good place I can get it checked out at before I buy it. Just want to make sure all is ok with it.

Preferrably in the New Minas Area as that is where the Delica is.

Right now my option is to take to Canadian Tire but not sure how well they will know what to look for on these things.

Any help would be great.

TK

[DelicaFreaka]

Right now my option is to take to Canadian Tire but not sure how well they will know what to look for on these things.

TK

No, No, No, No.....don't do it!!!!
Find a good diesel mechanic, preferably of European background and let him check it out. Do as much research here and on the UK and Aussie sites to find out the common problems with these vehicles and make a list so that you can go over it with that mechanic.

Good luck...........................Kirk out.

[DelicaFreaka]

Give Neil a call at Canning Auto in Canning (about 10 minutes from Minas ). He comes recommended as a good diesel mechanic. The phone number is (902) 582-3122.

Hope that helps...................Kirk out.

[FalcoColumbarius]

I agree with Capt. Kirk; do not take it to Canadian Tire. From my personal experiences and from what I have gleaned from this and other Delica sites, Canadian Tire appear to wear proverbial blinders. They only understand the main stream North American Automobile. I went into Canadian Tire a couple of days ago to get battery information to compare it with a battery place that I go and used the Mitsubishi Montero as a model. Apparently Canadian Tire only started carrying Mitsubishi stuff a few years ago. I found this hard to believe as Mitsubishi is huge and have been around for over an hundred years making all sorts of machines from trains to aeroplanes to trucks and the list goes on.

Talk to a friend who knows a little about cars and see where you can find a decent diesel mechanic. Two years ago I spent $200.00 to get the Miss Lil' Bitchi checked out, saved me $800.00. I would imagine the cost in Nova Scotia would be cheaper. Also consider the phone book (Yellow Pages).

Falco.

P.S.: Ah, Capt Kirk has provided you with a number. You're already on your way, right on!

[loki]

Yes, don't go to Canadian tire

They only understand the main stream North American Automobile.

I think this is stretching it, they don't have a great grasp on any automobile imo

[TardisDeli]

Hi TK, welcome.

Don't know anyone in Nova Scotia ... anyone else on the forum have info ? ?

Suggest you take it to a 4x4 place as that is the expensive part if it goes wrong. Who is selling the delica, are they members on the site, if so you might look thru their posts to see what issues they've had. Various people here had BAD dealings from Canadian tire locations.

It is hard to help long distance, but you might want to video it your test drive, and put on YouTube or email it to me (I can send you my private email for the large file) and I can share it with a few others here at next weeks mini-meet. Essentially, make sure the engine is stone cold when you start it (ie they didnt already start it, and if it starts cold and runs smoothly after 1 minute of idleing, this is good) and watch (video it) the colour of smoke when starting it (have a freind along to do this as can't see the smoke from drivers seat).

A good indicator of care might be the interior, if it is dirty then expect the general vehicle maintenance is crap. Has it been insured in that province, or any other BC province, because that might verify the mileage etc.

Here in BC, the CAA auto association offers vehicle inspections for a fee to members.

I don't know anyone at the moment in Nova Scotia, there was an owner from Alberta who was living there (at school I think) with her dog.

Essentially, it is a 15 to 20 year old vehicle, so ALL fluids and rubber (tires, gaskets, and the tiny gaskets inside the fuel injector) need replacing. All items need to be Canada DOT approved, headlights, battery, tires, windows, so verify that you see something about a DOT approval in English on parts.

Can you post what you know about it, ie the advertisement, and a photo, so the group can give their opinions. And what you plan to use it for, and a bit about yrself so we can give advice.

Cheers, CHristine.

[lost1]

I am in Matane (Gaspesie Region of Quebec). I don't claim to be an expert, but I have had mine for several years. I have a pretty good idea of what to look for. This may be as close finding another Delica owner as you can get.

[tinykiss]

Hello

Sorry been so busy I haven't had a chance to come back in here. I have actually purchased the Delica after viewing it.

Essentially, make sure the engine is stone cold when you start it (ie they didnt already start it, and if it starts cold and runs smoothly after 1 minute of idleing, this is good)

Yes after a cold minus 10 start, it blows smoke (basically light grey) and never again :)

Essentially, it is a 15 to 20 year old vehicle, so ALL fluids and rubber (tires, gaskets, and the tiny gaskets inside the fuel injector) need replacing. All items need to be Canada DOT approved, headlights, battery, tires, windows, so verify that you see something about a DOT approval in English on parts.

They purchased it from Maximum Overdrive in BC when it was imported in 2008. The drove it here and decided to sell it. They say these things have all been done but not sure. It has been registered here since and it has gone through 2 MVI (Motor Vehicle Inspections) since it has been here and passed with flying colours...MVI has to be done every 2 years or when registery changes.

Can you post what you know about it, ie the advertisement, and a photo, so the group can give their opinions. And what you plan to use it for, and a bit about yrself so we can give advice.

I am using the Delica for mail delivery as a rural mail delivery in Nova Scotia so the right hand is a nice feature (saves me from trying to reach over through the passenger window).
The road on my route is pretty rough... The road looks like swiss cheese so the unit takes a beating everyday which is frustrating.....should I be worried about this?

The thing is a tank and goes through anything which is really nice.

Any advice is greatly appreciated so as to how I can keep this in good shape. Getting the oil changed to synthetic this week.

Thank you
TK

[konadog]

A block heater is a great thing to have when the weather is even close to freezing - makes for nice easy starts. Enjoy your new bus and don't be a stranger - nice to have input from the east coast on here :)

[tinykiss]

A block heater is a great thing to have when the weather is even close to freezing - makes for nice easy starts. Enjoy your new bus and don't be a stranger - nice to have input from the east coast on here :)

Yeah I will likely have to wait till the fall to put one in, but will get one for sure.

I like the color of your Delica. Was that custom? I am going to get mine painted this year sometime and have been debating on the color combo to go for. Really like the look of yours. You don't mind if I steal it do you.....I am on the other side of Canada after all ;)

TK

[mararmeisto]

As for things to 'watch for', especially on a rough route, keep an eye on your suspension. If it starts to pull either way when you're on a paved surface (you'd probably never notice on a bumpy back road) then you've probably knocked your alignment out or part of the suspension is starting to fatigue (shocks, arms, bushings, etc). Other than that, it IS a 4x4 so it was meant to be driven harder than a city car.

How cool that you're using the Delica to deliver rural mail. I remember a story in the news a year or two ago how Canada Post complained that it didn't know how to deal with a rural postal driver who insisted on driving on the wrong side of the road and kept getting tickets. The driver complained it was too dangerous to get out of the vehicle and cross the road each time and it was a strain to reach across the vehicle out the passenger's window, and Canada Post complained that it didn't know how to keep the driver in the vehicle and still be able to put mail in the boxes (apparently the driver is covered while in the vehicle but not while crossing the road - some sort of liability issue). When I read the article, I thought the solution was pretty simple: supply RHD vehicles. I mean, they pay for milege and such anyways, don't they?

[tinykiss]

As for things to 'watch for', especially on a rough route, keep an eye on your suspension. If it starts to pull either way when you're on a paved surface (you'd probably never notice on a bumpy back road) then you've probably knocked your alignment out or part of the suspension is starting to fatigue (shocks, arms, bushings, etc). Other than that, it IS a 4x4 so it was meant to be driven harder than a city car.

How cool that you're using the Delica to deliver rural mail. I remember a story in the news a year or two ago how Canada Post complained that it didn't know how to deal with a rural postal driver who insisted on driving on the wrong side of the road and kept getting tickets. The driver complained it was too dangerous to get out of the vehicle and cross the road each time and it was a strain to reach across the vehicle out the passenger's window, and Canada Post complained that it didn't know how to keep the driver in the vehicle and still be able to put mail in the boxes (apparently the driver is covered while in the vehicle but not while crossing the road - some sort of liability issue). When I read the article, I thought the solution was pretty simple: supply RHD vehicles. I mean, they pay for milege and such anyways, don't they?

Yep they do pay for vehicle allowance to help cover gas, repairs, etc.. It would be pretty simple to do. I know there are many options in the US.

We are NOT alllowed to get out of the vehicle to put mail in. If we are hit or slip and fall, we were not allowed to be out and as such will not be covered by workers comp and will likely be let o by Canada Post.

You should see the looks I get driving this thing here. This is the ONLY one here where I am. It's a big talk if it's even legal to drive on that side here....LOL. All I say is they registered me and I have insurance so pretty clear it is....

TK

[Delicanagan]

I lived in Kentville and surrounding communities for 18 years.
I know exactly what you mean regarding the "Is that thing even legal?", or "Those aren't even legal here ya know." comments.
Used to be a guy living up by Hell's Gate Dam in Gaspereau Valley that had a RHD Landcruiser. He got the same flack from the locals for years.
Some things take a long time to change. The east coast is one of 'em.