From: Tim Watts on
On 06/06/10 13:23, Duncan Wood wrote:

> They're really not that complicated,

Not from a schematic POV - but those engine bays doo seem to be
chock-a-block with junk these days. I even had to give up with the
starter motor on my old Lanos (a job I would rate normally as easy) as I
could just about touch one of the bolts let along get any of my tools on
it. Even the mechanic swore a lot.

> and in general, the reason the
> dealer hasn't got anything outr of the diagnostic machine is because
> they can't be arsed to plug it in.

Part of the problem is dealer "mechanics" are mostly just fitters these
days. I got further with an independant mechanic who kept old Lanoses as
runarounds and courtesty cars. He could diagnose weird faults by looking
and listening.



--
Tim Watts

Hung parliament? Rather have a hanged parliament.
From: Mrcheerful on
Tim Watts wrote:
> On 06/06/10 13:23, Duncan Wood wrote:
>
>> They're really not that complicated,
>
> Not from a schematic POV - but those engine bays doo seem to be
> chock-a-block with junk these days. I even had to give up with the
> starter motor on my old Lanos (a job I would rate normally as easy)
> as I could just about touch one of the bolts let along get any of my
> tools on it. Even the mechanic swore a lot.
>
>> and in general, the reason the
>> dealer hasn't got anything outr of the diagnostic machine is because
>> they can't be arsed to plug it in.
>
> Part of the problem is dealer "mechanics" are mostly just fitters
> these days. I got further with an independant mechanic who kept old
> Lanoses as runarounds and courtesty cars. He could diagnose weird
> faults by looking and listening.

lanos starter change is a half hour job


From: Tim Watts on
On 06/06/10 12:57, PJK wrote:
> Tim Watts wrote:
>
>>>
>>
>> On an aside - any recommendations on VW specialist independents in the
>> Hastings/Tonbridge circle (I live halfway between)?
>>
>> VW T Wells are a PITA. Called 3 times - service person was busy.
>> Promised a call back. No call back. Tried a second time. Promised a
>> call back in "5 minutes". Tried 3rd time, half an hour later. "They've
>> all gone home - did try to call you". Bollocks they did, had the phone
>> next to me and unused.
>>
>> As the car is out of warranty, I have no need of a main dealer, so I
>> was wondering if an independent might be a better bet? But would have
>> to be a specialist with VAG "issues" bullitin access and someone who
>> knows what they're doing.
>>
>
> I've recently had a turbo go on a Passat and was very happy with an
> independent VW specialist in T Wells details here:
>
> www.jgarage.co.uk
>
> They were quick, thorough and reasonably priced although that was of
> course only my experience.
>
> Peter.

Thanks for the tip Peter. A reasonable walk from High Brooms - so quite
easy to get back and forth when I leave the car (I live down the line in
Robertsbridge).

I shall ring them tomorrow.

--
Tim Watts

Hung parliament? Rather have a hanged parliament.
From: Tim Watts on
On 06/06/10 22:17, Mrcheerful wrote:
> Tim Watts wrote:
>> On 06/06/10 13:23, Duncan Wood wrote:
>>
>>> They're really not that complicated,
>>
>> Not from a schematic POV - but those engine bays doo seem to be
>> chock-a-block with junk these days. I even had to give up with the
>> starter motor on my old Lanos (a job I would rate normally as easy)
>> as I could just about touch one of the bolts let along get any of my
>> tools on it. Even the mechanic swore a lot.
>>
>>> and in general, the reason the
>>> dealer hasn't got anything outr of the diagnostic machine is because
>>> they can't be arsed to plug it in.
>>
>> Part of the problem is dealer "mechanics" are mostly just fitters
>> these days. I got further with an independant mechanic who kept old
>> Lanoses as runarounds and courtesty cars. He could diagnose weird
>> faults by looking and listening.
>
> lanos starter change is a half hour job
>
>

This is DIY - it takes 3 hours to find all the correct tools in the
shed/under the stairs! ;->

--
Tim Watts

Hung parliament? Rather have a hanged parliament.
From: Tim Watts on
On 06/06/10 12:57, PJK wrote:
> Tim Watts wrote:
>
>>>
>>
>> On an aside - any recommendations on VW specialist independents in the
>> Hastings/Tonbridge circle (I live halfway between)?
>>
>> VW T Wells are a PITA. Called 3 times - service person was busy.
>> Promised a call back. No call back. Tried a second time. Promised a
>> call back in "5 minutes". Tried 3rd time, half an hour later. "They've
>> all gone home - did try to call you". Bollocks they did, had the phone
>> next to me and unused.
>>
>> As the car is out of warranty, I have no need of a main dealer, so I
>> was wondering if an independent might be a better bet? But would have
>> to be a specialist with VAG "issues" bullitin access and someone who
>> knows what they're doing.
>>
>
> I've recently had a turbo go on a Passat and was very happy with an
> independent VW specialist in T Wells details here:
>
> www.jgarage.co.uk
>
> They were quick, thorough and reasonably priced although that was of
> course only my experience.
>
> Peter.

Just spoke to VW and Joe. VW confirmed no recall campaigns on my car and
Erwin didn't show anything either (though I did capture very useful PDF
of all the major bits fitted to mine, so that was worth 4 euros.).

Can't look at ELSAwin right now as the bloody thing won't install on 64
bit XP and my laptop is short of space - need to set up a VMWARE machine
for it.

Joe reckoned it wouldn't be the oil pump as it should still start, then
whine loudly about there being no pressure. Also said it was unlikely to
be an injector (if just one). Initial hunch - something electrical for
the first bet.

Suggested I check the fuses (which I was going to do), in particular the
fuel pump.

He sounded a decent chap and a proper mechanic who knew his field and
he's 30% cheaper than VW (big surprise - not ;-#)

And his mate who does recovery lives near me - might get a better tow in
rate.


--
Tim Watts

Hung parliament? Rather have a hanged parliament.
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