An update on the F6, which I've had for the best part of a year now.
When I first went to see the van, I could see that the ignition system needed attention and that the oil and filter needed changing. The seller (delightful) offered to get it serviced and have it put through a dummy MOT, so I sent him a pack of Femsa distributor bits, ignition leads, plugs and an oil filter, which the garage duly fitted. They rejected my plugs - the right ones, and when I first got the van I found that they'd replaced the 'original' plugs with identical long-reach ones. I found out from a Spanish forum that this was a common trick to raise the compression ratio (most F6s have a higher head which gives an 8.3:1 ratio - brilliant when 2-star fuel was available).
I replaced all the usual bits - drivebelts, window catches, fuel cap, brake pads, etc. The van has the original 2-part calipers that feature in most manuals, but which have an unfortunate habit of seizing together - I remember having to saw the piston part out of the calipers that came with an R5 GTL I once had! Valve clearances, plugs (L87Y) and an oil change, too. I also changed the driver's door lock as the original key didn't work.
One of the driveshafts needed replacing, along with a balljoint dust cover, a rack gaiter (I'd forgotten how hard on the fingers they can be...) and a track rod end.
I replaced the whole exhaust system with the side exit type that sits further in - just a matter of drilling a couple of holes for the bobbins. Luckily, as with most of the parts, I had a silencer and pipes in the garage.
The headlights were past their best, and both the adjusters were broken, so I changed these. I had the bowls from a French trip, and managed to find a brand-new pair of headlights for 5 Euros at a junk market in France a couple of years ago! Thanks to Malcolm for the excellent guide on how to convert LHD lights to UK use.
The master cylinder had a slight weep, so I ordered a new one from Autodoc. The van has a type that I haven't seen before on R4s, although I gather that it was/is fitted to other Renaults.
The N/S rear tyre had been wearing on the outside edge, so I had to tweak the tracking. Once I'd undone the nuts and broken the 'seal' between the suspension mounting and the chassis, I used a ratchet strap around the rear wheels to adjust things. Thanks to Andrew (alewis) for this idea - learned here a few years ago!
I had a single 'bad roads' De Carbon front shock absorber, and managed to find another, so these, along with a pair of rears I had in the garage, have gone on the van - not that the ones I replaced were bad, but these have made a real difference.
The ventilation flap below the windscreen had come apart on the inside, so I changed this - I've done this a couple of times before, but find it one of the hardest R4 jobs to do. All done now, and lots of 'Seek-a-leak' used around the windscreen rubber. The van had spent its life near Malaga, so I can't imagine water leaks were a problem...
One of the reasons the van was put through a dummy, rather than a 'real' MOT was that it didn't have a foglight. Luckily, I had a complete rear O/S light unit and lens. Unfortunately, the van (82) didn't have the wiring already fitted , but it was a relatively straightforward - and satisfying - job.
A couple of the window catches on the sliding rear windows were missing. In pre-Internet days, this would probably have meant waiting until a trip to a Spanish scrapyard was possible. Amazingly, I was offered a couple immediately - many, many thanks to Ian (laxeian) on this forum for his kindness and generosity. Thanks too to David (db), who sent me three plastic wheelbrace holders!
I fitted a NOS grille and tailgate badge. The rear door flap stay was missing, so I made one out of 6mm steel rod - a very quick, and again very satisfying job!
It's been a great van so far - we took it over to Normandy in August, where it was very well received (especially on campsites and in supermarket car parks). The extra height of the Spanish vans makes getting 2 bikes and all the camping stuff in much easier.
Thanks to all on the forum for their invaluable advice and generous parts contributions - much appreciated!
