Your fleet running reports

[Sundayjumper]

First issue with the 118 - a load of water in the os headlight after not really very much rain overnight. I’ve had success in the past (Cayenne & I’m sure there was another) by dribbling super glue all around the join. It gets drawn into any gaps by capillary action and cures by a reaction with water*, which will be exactly the places it’s needed.

IMG_9884.jpeg (145.25 KiB) Viewed 111 times

* this is why it sticks to your skin instantly

[GG.]

First issue with the 118 - a load of water in the os headlight after not really very much rain overnight. I’ve had success in the past (Cayenne & I’m sure there was another) by dribbling super glue all around the join. It gets drawn into any gaps by capillary action and cures by a reaction with water*, which will be exactly the places it’s needed.


IMG_9884.jpeg


* this is why it sticks to your skin instantly

Presumably requires drying out first so you don't seal the water in!

[GG.]

Well - the Range Rover had a good run without costing too much in servicing and repairs. Sadly that has come to an end!

RR is back. Feels more jiggly now the front control arms are not shot

Otherwise feels the same which is oddly disappointing.

[John]

First issue with the 118 - a load of water in the os headlight after not really very much rain overnight. I’ve had success in the past (Cayenne & I’m sure there was another) by dribbling super glue all around the join. It gets drawn into any gaps by capillary action and cures by a reaction with water*, which will be exactly the places it’s needed.


IMG_9884.jpeg


* this is why it sticks to your skin instantly

I think I've mentioned it on here before but if that doesn't work you need Capt Tolley's creeping crack cure, that will almost certainly do the job

[Marv]

So, I've just spent the last few days sorting the comb flap actuator. What a mega ballache, although now I reckon I could do it again in less than half the time.

Firstly I pulled out the centre console - the glove compartment has to come out too.


The comb flap actuator is the round thing to the left of the vent with the orange vacuum line going to it. it actuates the comb flap to the right of it. Unfortunately, there's no access other than by a hole on the left hand side of the heater box (you can see I've already pulled the hose off). By manipulating the arm from the actuator I could disconnect it from the flap, pull it out and replace the diaphragm. Connecting it back was a massive exercise in frustration. In the end, I managed it by using a boroscopic camera inside the box, manipulating the arm so it was over the flap pin, then used a 1/4" socket extension to push it on.

While the console was out, I noticed the foam where the vent joins the air box was looking very sad.


So I cleaned all the old shit out and used some window weather sealing strip in its place.


I also cleaned the centre vent and installed the internal temperature sensor cover (the old one was chipped and sad). The vent is just resting in its place here, it's not properly clipped in which is why there's a gap at the top. I'm also going to move the hands free mic from there - I just stuck it there "temporarily" when I did the initial stereo install 3 years ago and haven't got round to re-siting it.


I also discovered a parking ticket from December 2001! Automotive archaeology!


I also found the most horrendous bodge by whoever installed the previous stereo. There was an illumination wire coming from the clock to the correct place on the old harness, so I connected that when I installed the Blaupunkt. What I was unaware of was he'd attached the other end by holding the wire against the connector then jamming the spade connector over it so it was held in place!


Needless to say, I got that sorted pretty quickly


I've just got to put the console back now and connect everything up which I'll do this weekend. I was hoping to get some other stuff done too, but this turned into a bit of a mission. Next up is sorting the external temperature sensor so I can control the cabin temperature properly. At the moment, it's either full heat or full cold with nothing in between. The HVAC controller uses inputs from the external temp sensor, the internal sensor and the temperature setting on the unit to work out the hot/cold air mix. If any of these fail you'll get either full heat or full cold regardless of the setting on the controller. I've already checked the internal sensor and the unit and it shouldn't be a difficult fix.

Ooh, good effort Andy, none of that looks straight forward!

[DeskJockey]

BiL rang. New Mechatronic unit fitted, car still broken. Garage now thinks that the gearbox was broken and ruined the Mechatronic. They're adamant they've done nothing wrong, and have given them the option of sending it to a specialist for repair (£6k) or a new gearbox (£11k).

He wanted my opinion. I think they need to ask more questions about what initial troubleshooting was done. If the gearbox was that broken shouldn't there be evidence/metal shavings in the oil?

And, What's included in the £6k option?

He's thinking of getting rid, cutting his losses and walking away. If they have a new gearbox fitted, it'll have cost the same as they paid for the car.

[Matty]

Ouch

So are they still charging the £5k, then saying it needs to be sent off for another £6k (or £11k) on top? I assume so, if they claim the mech was broken as well, but like you say, I'd be asking questions about the initial diagnosis.

Depends how confident they are/can be about the £6k option. If spending £6k gets them a car worth £15k, or selling it for parts for £5k, they'd be better off spending the money. A mate of mine made this mistake - I tried to explain that although the repair was expensive, he was better off spending the money to get a car he otherwise knew was solid (with new parts) rather than scrap it for pennies and buy a random used car he didn't know.

[DeskJockey]

Yes. They're saying it would have needed to be done anyway. It doesn't feel like they're offering a good service.

Edit: it has main dealer service because it is the closest to their house. I've said to contact VW.

The garage said they had contacted VW as they've never seen the issue before. VW ear apparently not interested.