Hi all,
Had my 96 V8i Disco off the road for 18 months (been back on road since Nov 04). Dealer argued that the reason it would not run properly was the oxy sensors as Testbook showed they were both reading 'rich'. I argued that if both were reading rich then it probably was running rich. They insisted I paid them about £600 to change them and I refused. I took the car back after paying for the basic checks: ignition system integrity, TIMING, fuel pressure etc etc. which were all on the invoice along with £240 for diagnostic time on Testbook.
Not trusting the dealership (an Essex based one with an SS postal code) one little bit we went back over the work they had allegedly done - when we checked the timing it was miles out. Knowing full well that the dizzy had not been touched since new things started to fall into place... timing out but dizzy body not moved.... checked cam timing - also out.... hmmmmm suspected stretched timing chain - ripped down front cover and it was as slack as a lady of horizontal refreshment's money maker. New chain and sprockets - timed up as per Haynes manual and she runs like a dream. Emissions almost down at zero, MPG now reasonable for such a big heavy car.
Went back to the dealership (I'm sure anyone local knows who they are!) with my evidence and managed to get my money back (after a few months of arguements and the threat of legal action!)
Bottom line - if they can't plug a magic box into the car, the dealer technicians these days are hopeless not managing the basic understanding of an internal combustion engine. Should make an opening for the struggling independent guys who actually know what they are doing.
Si (now happy!)
Had my 96 V8i Disco off the road for 18 months (been back on road since Nov 04). Dealer argued that the reason it would not run properly was the oxy sensors as Testbook showed they were both reading 'rich'. I argued that if both were reading rich then it probably was running rich. They insisted I paid them about £600 to change them and I refused. I took the car back after paying for the basic checks: ignition system integrity, TIMING, fuel pressure etc etc. which were all on the invoice along with £240 for diagnostic time on Testbook.
Not trusting the dealership (an Essex based one with an SS postal code) one little bit we went back over the work they had allegedly done - when we checked the timing it was miles out. Knowing full well that the dizzy had not been touched since new things started to fall into place... timing out but dizzy body not moved.... checked cam timing - also out.... hmmmmm suspected stretched timing chain - ripped down front cover and it was as slack as a lady of horizontal refreshment's money maker. New chain and sprockets - timed up as per Haynes manual and she runs like a dream. Emissions almost down at zero, MPG now reasonable for such a big heavy car.
Went back to the dealership (I'm sure anyone local knows who they are!) with my evidence and managed to get my money back (after a few months of arguements and the threat of legal action!)
Bottom line - if they can't plug a magic box into the car, the dealer technicians these days are hopeless not managing the basic understanding of an internal combustion engine. Should make an opening for the struggling independent guys who actually know what they are doing.
Si (now happy!)
