I''ve just got my first campervan, a 1989 Autosleeper Flair. Hoping to do her up, and get everything working... but she didn't come with any manuals. Does anyone know where I can get hold of them? It's the zig unit and Vaillant water heater that have me beaten at the moment!!
That model was our very first motorhome. Had two kids in tow then as well. We had it for seven years and toured all over the place visiting Portugal, Spain, France, Germany into Northern Italy, Austria, Norway, Sweden, & Finland, not forgetting Good old UK including Scotland She really served us well.
Great to hear you had a good time in your van efkaven... no kids in tow yet, but do like the sound of touring Europe if I can get her fettled up!
Ed - thanks so much for the offer of help. My biggest 'problem' is working out how to fire up the water heater without a manual. It may well be 'dead' but everything else seems to work so I'd like to try any knacks before giving up!
To fire up the water heater:
1) Obviously make sure the gas bottle is switched on, and there is plenty of fresh water in the tank!
2) Turn the large knob all the way to the right. You will hear a loud click as the piezo ignition strikes. It probably won't light first time, so hold the knob in this position for a few seconds to let some gas through the system and dispel any air in the pipe. You should hear a faint hissing of gas when you do this.
3) Turn the knob back all the way to the left ("off") and wait 30 seconds for any build-up of gas to clear. Then turn all the way to the right again and see if the flame lights. If it doesn't light, return the knob to the off position again, wait a few seconds, then repeat. Sometimes it takes me half a dozen attempts to light it.
4) When the flame is lit, keep the knob held in the ignition position for a few seconds so that the flame failure device has time to warm up.
5) Finally, turn the knob back to the second position on the dial. This is where you leave it when it is running.
6) Run the hot tap for a while and check the water heater kicks in. It should make a "whoomph" noise and you'll be able to see lots of blue flames through the window in the heater. The water should get hot after a few seconds. There is a temperature adjustment knob under the gas knob which you can adjust to preference. When you turn off the tap, the heater should turn off.
If you're unable to get it lit, it may need a service.
Also, there is a gas cut-off valve in the small cupboard to the bottom right of the wardrobe (I think). Make sure the one for the water heater is turned on!
I have only just joined and noticed you've helped with advice on a 1989 ford flair autosleeper. I am just wondering if you can recommend a awning - I'm not sure which one will fit?
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Topic: Autosleeper Flair - manuals
