The cars got the hump

[Night Train]

I've been watching old Ford Escort vans on Ebay to see what price non/bad runners with good body work go for so I can budget for an electric conversion.

 

[tyred]

Sadly, none of this is of any help to the OP

 

[Night Train]

I reckon Willow's car needs some TLC to make it feel wanted again. Some nice words, a pat on the bonnet and then sneek the bike out the back door!

 

[Willow]

I reckon Willow's car needs some TLC to make it feel wanted again. Some nice words, a pat on the bonnet and then sneek the bike out the back door!

I wash and hoover it every week, polish it periodically and don't the let the children eat in it but still it seeks more attention!

Now in the garage so will report back in due course. Hopefully the £68 I spent on AA repair cover will cover the cost and will have been wisely spent. The hassle is another factor though. First garage I phoned said they couldn't even look at it this week, so obivously not suffering from lack of work (perhaps that's to do with the .... cars they are selling!)

 

[Night Train]

I wash and hoover it every week, polish it periodically and don't the let the children eat in it but still it seeks more attention!

Ahhh, that's it, you've spoilt it! My car gets washed once a year, when the road gritting has stopped and if I am going out on a first date. It gets vacuumed for weddings and funerals (and first dates if we are likely to end up in the car) and I eat in it all the time.

I've just used it as a tractor too! (see Tea? thread)

 

[Willow]

£800 not back until Friday - inlet manifold and some board or other. AA repair cover will pay £500. I wrote to Vauxhall in October complaing of the problems and the cost of running this car at just over 3 years old. Been on the phone this morning and seems something may be forthcoming.


Bahhhh...

 

[fossyant]

£800 - ouch !!

 

[Mr Pig]

inlet manifold and some board or other.

Inlet manifold? The inlet manifold is a lump of iron, what could possibly go wrong with it?

 

[Willow]

Inlet manifold? The inlet manifold is a lump of iron, what could possibly go wrong with it?

that's when it helps if you know what you're talking about.

AA paying £500
Vauxhaull coughing up £173
I'm coughing up £173

not quite so bad on the pocket but principal remains the same why have newish car if it keeps going wrong. AA cover is best £60 I've spent this year or is that what's wrong with it because I've got cover?

 

[tyred]

Inlet manifold? The inlet manifold is a lump of iron, what could possibly go wrong with it?

They can crack causing problems with weak mixture but shouldn't happen on a car this young.

Besides, IIRC, Willow's car is diesel so can't cause weak mixture. I suppose if it's bad, it would cause a reduction in turbo boost.

 

[Willow]

They can crack causing problems with weak mixture but shouldn't happen on a car this young.

Besides, IIRC, Willow's car is diesel so can't cause weak mixture. I suppose if it's bad, it would cause a reduction in turbo boost.

I had recently detected a slight change in the engine sound. nothing that anyone would notice if you took it in to be looked at but you know what your own car sounds like. Was finding myself turning off radio to listen to engine, would this have anything to do with it?

 

[tyred]

In an extreme case, you would get a deep throated induction roar like you would hear from something like a Mk2 Escort Rally car with twin Webbers. I suppose there are varying degrees depending on how badly it's leaking.

 

[Globalti]

I sold our 1986 Land Rover 90 last night to a bloke who wants it for hauling logs. We got 10 years of 100% reliable motoring out of it and if he maintains it he will get another 10 years or longer.

 

[Willow]

In an extreme case, you would get a deep throated induction roar like you would hear from something like a Mk2 Escort Rally car with twin Webbers. I suppose there are varying degrees depending on how badly it's leaking.

no noise was more subtle than that

 

[Black Sheep]

Astra with 24k miles on the clock, already had a new alternator and new brake stuff and obviously out of warranty.

AA man been said something had upset it, nothing wrong reset electronics. I've been out again and same thing happened. I have AA breakdown repair cover but to use it you have to call them. I phoned them back and was told to call in the morning and they'll tow me in then cost should be covered (depending on what it is I guess). Stupid thing is I can drive it to the garage albeit on low acceleration (default mode?). Re-arranged tomorrow mornings diary - still perhaps AA man will take my bike down for me and I can cycle back - very up hill though..

there's been issues with fuel pumps (and other bits of fuel system) on recent vauxhalls, was on bbc's watchdog a week or two ago.
the ECU realises something isn't right and shuts it into limp home mode (top speed of about 24mph) not good when it happens while overtaking on the motorway was their verdict.