Breakdowns on the road: our Adventures in mechanics

Breakdown on the Road: Our Adventures in Mechanics

Let’s face it, breakdowns happen. As I write this, our van is in a garage just outside Kalamata, inspiring us to reflect on our journey. Over the past seven months on the road, we’ve averaged a monthly visit to the garage, making us somewhat experts on the topic. Of course, some breakdowns have been worse than others, like that time we thought our wheel bearing was shot, only to find out it was just a stuck brake pad! If you’ve been following our adventure, you’ve seen us visit our new best friends, the mechanics, more than a few times!

In total, we’ve spent around £5,000 on repairs. We know we’ve been a bit unlucky in this regard and it’s especially frustrating because our van is our home. For major repairs, finding alternative accommodations can be both a hassle and a hit to the wallet.

So here we are in Kalamata, not the worst place to break down. Currently, the van is getting a new clutch and, to our unfortunate surprise, a few replacement parts in the gearbox. The grand total for this fix? A whopping €2,080. Plus, we had to secure alternative accommodation for over a week, which set us back nearly €350.

We’ve encountered a variety of issues along the way, including:

• Engine cooling fan failures

• Warped brake discs

• Brake pads needing replacement

• A stuck brake (thankfully not a wheel bearing)

• Various A/C problems (including a non-functional acclimatisation fan)

• punctured tyre

• Two instances of a non working handbrake

• New clutch

• Gearbox refurb

That’s just the mechanical side of things! We’ll save the other broken stories for another time.

When you drive a vehicle every day, you get accustomed to its sounds and how it feels on the road. You usually can tell when something isn’t quite right. If you notice any strange noises or sensations, get it looked at sooner rather than later. It might seem insignificant, but ignoring it could lead to costly repairs down the line. Trust me, turning up the music isn’t a long term solution!

Now, if your van is your home like ours, it’s not easy being told you need to vacate for a few days, or longer. We know it can be stressful, so here are a few tips and tricks we've picked up from our experience:

Tips for Handling Breakdowns

1. Get a Second Opinion: It might seem simple, but don’t just go to one garage. If you can, seek a second opinion. In Sicily, two garages told us we needed a wheel bearing change without even looking at it. The third garage put us on a ramp that day and discovered it was just a stuck brake pad!

2. Plan Ahead: If a garage needs to keep your van for a few days, book your accommodation in advance. This will save you both money and stress. Keep in mind that garages in Europe generally won’t let you stay in the vehicle once they start working on it.

3. Stay Calm: Yes, it’s annoying, but try not to get too worked up. Consider it part of the adventure and look at it as being in the right place at the right time. Plus, it makes for a great story! After all, what’s a road trip without a few unexpected detours?

4. Use Travel Apps: Apps like Park4night can help you find garages with good reviews from other travelers. Don’t hesitate to ask locals for recommendations, either. In Albania, we even discovered a campsite with an on-site garage!

5. Remove Valuables: Always take your electronics and valuables with you. It’s just not worth the risk of leaving them in the van while it’s being worked on.

6. Budget for Repairs: Make sure you have enough spare money for your trip. This amount varies depending on your duration, but we can safely say we didn’t have enough due to our frequency of breakdowns.

While breakdowns can be frustrating, they are a part of the journey. Keep your spirits up, and who knows? You might end up with an interesting story or two along the way! Have you had any memorable breakdown experiences?