The infamous heater matrix, radiator, alternator, water pump, various hoses and a new battery - all replaced at some point during the 12 months prior to my p38 being hit by white van man. Took cash in lieu of repair and had full respray excluding roof done and pocketed a grand - after all what could go wrong now?
The engine could blow on way back from paint shop thats what!
So found brand new short engine for £1250 and had heads skimmed etc. The car should be be good as new. Except it isnt - 250 miles after getting it back had almost total brake failure which resulted in call to AA. ABS pump was running for a good 2-3 minutes after engine switched off. They spotted a low level of brake fluid and topped me up - I was told that everything had been looked at by the mechanic who'd serviced the car 3 months earlier and assumed that he'd checked everything again especially as he did a 50 mile road test himself. AA followed me home in rain and everthing was ok. As it was the day after.
The day after that was at Father in Laws funeral and I was driving. ABS and brake warning lights came on and braking ability was severely reduced. Had to use engine braking until we got to crematorium!
Checked fluid and it was ok carried on and did 100 miles with no further problem. Then ABS and brake warning lights come on whilst driving on motorway - as there were hardly any other vehicles around I tried the brakes which seemed to be fine and decide that I'd come of at next (uphill) slip road and check what was wrong - real dilema - do I stop on hardshoulder with baby in car and wait for HGV to hit us or carry on with no noticeable problem other than warning lights? The lights went out before I left the motorway, about 2 miles after they came on, and inspection of the system showed full reservoir and no obvious leaks.
Following day topped up fluid with approx 250 ml and pedal was nice and firm on braking. 40 miles later ABS pump goes wild and dumps a load of fluid on path. Went to independant dealer in Stockport who kindly had a quick look - typically nothing wrong then! Changed 2 relays in engine bay fusebox as precaution and booked in for 2 weeks time.
On way back to town ABS light on again and pump whirring away for fun - no change in braking this time just the noise.
Any suggestions as to what it could be? After a bit of searching I get a feeling it could be the ABS accumulator - I really hope it isnt another £500 repair - I could have bought a new shape at this rate!
And the passenger heater fan just keeps running - replaced relay as it looked burnt out but its still whirring away on its own! Took relay back out to shut it up - pity the other half doesn't have a removeable relay to shut her up too!
Other than these two faults Ive got a very nice car!!
Sorry for the length but at least you know the full story now!
The engine could blow on way back from paint shop thats what!
So found brand new short engine for £1250 and had heads skimmed etc. The car should be be good as new. Except it isnt - 250 miles after getting it back had almost total brake failure which resulted in call to AA. ABS pump was running for a good 2-3 minutes after engine switched off. They spotted a low level of brake fluid and topped me up - I was told that everything had been looked at by the mechanic who'd serviced the car 3 months earlier and assumed that he'd checked everything again especially as he did a 50 mile road test himself. AA followed me home in rain and everthing was ok. As it was the day after.
The day after that was at Father in Laws funeral and I was driving. ABS and brake warning lights came on and braking ability was severely reduced. Had to use engine braking until we got to crematorium!
Checked fluid and it was ok carried on and did 100 miles with no further problem. Then ABS and brake warning lights come on whilst driving on motorway - as there were hardly any other vehicles around I tried the brakes which seemed to be fine and decide that I'd come of at next (uphill) slip road and check what was wrong - real dilema - do I stop on hardshoulder with baby in car and wait for HGV to hit us or carry on with no noticeable problem other than warning lights? The lights went out before I left the motorway, about 2 miles after they came on, and inspection of the system showed full reservoir and no obvious leaks.
Following day topped up fluid with approx 250 ml and pedal was nice and firm on braking. 40 miles later ABS pump goes wild and dumps a load of fluid on path. Went to independant dealer in Stockport who kindly had a quick look - typically nothing wrong then! Changed 2 relays in engine bay fusebox as precaution and booked in for 2 weeks time.
On way back to town ABS light on again and pump whirring away for fun - no change in braking this time just the noise.
Any suggestions as to what it could be? After a bit of searching I get a feeling it could be the ABS accumulator - I really hope it isnt another £500 repair - I could have bought a new shape at this rate!
And the passenger heater fan just keeps running - replaced relay as it looked burnt out but its still whirring away on its own! Took relay back out to shut it up - pity the other half doesn't have a removeable relay to shut her up too!
Other than these two faults Ive got a very nice car!!
Sorry for the length but at least you know the full story now!
