Forum:
As some of you maybe aware I'm running my 1985 Fourtrak on 50% veg oil, but I'd like to convert it to a dual fuel system to allow it to run on 100% veg oil.
To do this, I'm intending to add:
1) Heated (coolant) fuel filter.
2) Fuel / coolant heat exchanger.
3) 2x 3 port, 2 way, solenoid valves.
4) Secondary fuel tank.
Currently it's insured with NFU Mutual - they won't allow me to do the work unless I get a garage (competent) body to do the work. They won't even allow me to do the work, and get a competent body to sign off the work.
So, I've just got a quote off Adrian Flux - it's £50 cheaper than NFU Mutual, and they just want me to write down the modification - they said on the phone that they didn't want me to get an engineers report.
Apparently, looking at the veg oil forums, Norwich Union also recognise veg oil conversions.
NFU mutual .... pain in the bottom
I've just been trying to get temporary insurance to cover a 'trak that I've just bought. I only need cover for a day to drive the vehicle back home, but they are insisting on a 2 vehicle policy.
In comparison, Churchill were quite happy to swap around as required and, a few years ago, didn't charge admin for the change.
I think that the Flux feller might be getting my business next time.
PS.
Thinking about it, this is beginning to be the thin end of the wedge. You can bet that the next time I do serious work on the vehicle, eg changing the bottom balljoints, you can bet some snotty insurance desk jockey will want a so-called 'professional' engineers report. (Judging by some of the professional mechanics' work I have seen, I can do a damn site better ! )
I agree with you. I'm not
I agree with you.
I'm not allowed to modify the engine system to veg oil, but can quite happily do brake / suspension / steering repairs without getting an engineers report.....
I asked NFU for a definition of their competent person - would a self employed mechanic be ok - still waiting for an answer!
Also, a family member is a mechanic - he said a local car dealership forgot to bolt the brake pipe on after they had replaced a McPherson strut - such that the flexible pipe had got worn thru (past the inner braiding) on the spring!
I'm can't be bothered fighting NFU, so I'll change to Mr. Flux!
1985 Veg oil burning Fourtrak "Rocky".
1985 Veg oil burning Fourtrak "Rocky".
sounds about typical of
sounds about typical of them, interesting as one of my quals is a full mechanic so that should mean as i am eminently more qualified that any `mr hat`in the insurance companies i have no need to inform them, however why you would need to inform that you have changed i dont know, nend the day you are running one heavy oil as per the v5 document, what you are doing is improving cold starting
Insurance Companies
They are fine all the time you are giving them money and whilst I accept the argument of whether you tell them of changes or you don't but when it comes to paying out they need but one excuse to refuse a claim. An example I had is Bullbars. I rang Direct Line because my vehicle had them fitted. You will recall some years back the hoo har over these items. I was informed 10 years ago that the rukle was if they were added after construction, ie not part of the original spec. then I would be surcharged £60 per year additional premium. If however they were part of the original build and that could be proved then no additional premium would be required. I was warned that should I have an accident with them on and they decided that the bullbars were not original then they would refuse my claim.
Ok the hype over bull bars may have gone, mine ended at the local tip,but my point is that Mr Bowler Hat at the Insurance Company has the ace card up his sleeve and if they can worm out of a claim, rest assured they will. My experince with Mr Flux some years ago were no better and they rebuked my Mini insurance 11 months into the policy for being non standard having MPI. Since it was a 2000 model which were all MPI their records were rubbish. They also refused my wife as a driver because she had a dangerous profession...a landscape gardener, hardly an MI5 agent.
OLDMINIMAN
M J Young