Make me feel better after 2 disasters
Discussion
Sh!t week so far!
Saturday afternoon I had what I thought was a front blow out in my MINI on the M56. I had just joined the Motorway at around 70mph when there was a sudden bang, steering shook like mad and the car veered across 2 lanes before I got it straight again and managed to coast onto the hard shoulder. It could have been nasty so I was thankful I wasn't hurt. Got the car recovered home within 45 minutes so all good.
I took the wheel off on Sunday so I could drop it off on Monday to get a new tyre fitted. Turns out it wasn't a simple blow out, the coil spring seat broke on my strut sending the end of the spring through my tyre.
Ouch.
Still waiting for parts so my MINI is now off the road. No problem, I have a Shogun too. It's 21 years old but passed it's MOT only last week. What could possibly go wrong.
On my way home from work last night on the M53 a sudden bang, the steering goes very heavy and the dash light up like it's Christmas. Power steering belt has snapped (it's only 6 months old) so I am presuming the Power Steering pump has probably seized.
Like many PH'ers I have my fun car in the garage (Elise) but I am now too scared to use it with this run of luck. I think I will WFH tomorrow!
So, who is going to make me feel better with a worse run of issues?
Brian
Saturday afternoon I had what I thought was a front blow out in my MINI on the M56. I had just joined the Motorway at around 70mph when there was a sudden bang, steering shook like mad and the car veered across 2 lanes before I got it straight again and managed to coast onto the hard shoulder. It could have been nasty so I was thankful I wasn't hurt. Got the car recovered home within 45 minutes so all good.
I took the wheel off on Sunday so I could drop it off on Monday to get a new tyre fitted. Turns out it wasn't a simple blow out, the coil spring seat broke on my strut sending the end of the spring through my tyre.
Ouch.
Still waiting for parts so my MINI is now off the road. No problem, I have a Shogun too. It's 21 years old but passed it's MOT only last week. What could possibly go wrong.
On my way home from work last night on the M53 a sudden bang, the steering goes very heavy and the dash light up like it's Christmas. Power steering belt has snapped (it's only 6 months old) so I am presuming the Power Steering pump has probably seized.
Like many PH'ers I have my fun car in the garage (Elise) but I am now too scared to use it with this run of luck. I think I will WFH tomorrow!
So, who is going to make me feel better with a worse run of issues?
Brian
I remember many years ago, (nearly 40 years)
I had 3 cars, an MG Midget, a modified Mini, and a Metro. I got up on a cold and frosty morning. The Metro was defrosted and off to work I went. About 1/2 a mile in the gear linkage decided to fall apart. Walked back home to get another car, Decided the Mini was the car to use. Went to drive off and there was a massive clunk in the gearbox. Pushed it back and went to get in the Midget, it would not start. Decided to go back to bed, phone in to work and pretend to have a "tummy Bug". stayed in bed till lunchtime and then started to sort things out.
I had 3 cars, an MG Midget, a modified Mini, and a Metro. I got up on a cold and frosty morning. The Metro was defrosted and off to work I went. About 1/2 a mile in the gear linkage decided to fall apart. Walked back home to get another car, Decided the Mini was the car to use. Went to drive off and there was a massive clunk in the gearbox. Pushed it back and went to get in the Midget, it would not start. Decided to go back to bed, phone in to work and pretend to have a "tummy Bug". stayed in bed till lunchtime and then started to sort things out.
ARHarh said:
I remember many years ago, (nearly 40 years)
I had 3 cars, an MG Midget, a modified Mini, and a Metro. I got up on a cold and frosty morning. The Metro was defrosted and off to work I went. About 1/2 a mile in the gear linkage decided to fall apart. Walked back home to get another car, Decided the Mini was the car to use. Went to drive off and there was a massive clunk in the gearbox. Pushed it back and went to get in the Midget, it would not start. Decided to go back to bed, phone in to work and pretend to have a "tummy Bug". stayed in bed till lunchtime and then started to sort things out.
Similarly... Bay window VW needed a part so I got on my Vespa. That broke so I got my push bike out and that snapped an axle. Ended up walking to the VW parts place so I could fix that to drive and get the bits I needed for everything else.I had 3 cars, an MG Midget, a modified Mini, and a Metro. I got up on a cold and frosty morning. The Metro was defrosted and off to work I went. About 1/2 a mile in the gear linkage decided to fall apart. Walked back home to get another car, Decided the Mini was the car to use. Went to drive off and there was a massive clunk in the gearbox. Pushed it back and went to get in the Midget, it would not start. Decided to go back to bed, phone in to work and pretend to have a "tummy Bug". stayed in bed till lunchtime and then started to sort things out.
If it helps you feel better - two years ago I had full dsg rebuild done on my VW Caddy Maxi Life.
Only for it to s
t an injector on the drive home. Which, after replacement and dpf clean, then immediately lead to replacement EGR and control solenoids.
It s
t itself end of last week with Mrs Sway driving, into limp mode. Turns out that the DSG in auto means it won't do a dpf regen... 
Full dpf clean, service, etc. all seemed sweet. Only for the EGR to s
t itself again yesterday.
So, it's going in on Tuesday for EGR delete - and VW specialist handling it all has let me know how to force a regen cause VW are utter f
ktards.
f
king cars.
Only for it to s
t an injector on the drive home. Which, after replacement and dpf clean, then immediately lead to replacement EGR and control solenoids.It s
t itself end of last week with Mrs Sway driving, into limp mode. Turns out that the DSG in auto means it won't do a dpf regen... 
Full dpf clean, service, etc. all seemed sweet. Only for the EGR to s
t itself again yesterday.So, it's going in on Tuesday for EGR delete - and VW specialist handling it all has let me know how to force a regen cause VW are utter f
ktards.f
king cars. I mean I warned him about this when he first got a motorbike, but...
My mate was cleaning the chain on his kid's quad bike, with the engine running. I assume it has some sort of centrifugal clutch. He tweaked the throttle and it dragged his finger into the chain and sprocket, it made a right mess and he was lucky to keep the finger.
My mate was cleaning the chain on his kid's quad bike, with the engine running. I assume it has some sort of centrifugal clutch. He tweaked the throttle and it dragged his finger into the chain and sprocket, it made a right mess and he was lucky to keep the finger.
Mine were, sold a perfectly good Mondeo to buy a Fiat Coupe, engine went as the previous owner ran it short of oil, garage had no interest in their warranty, said its needs piston rings and its a parts only warranty ffs.
Sold at a loss and bought a Rover BRM, you can likely guess the outcome of that folly, did like it though.
Bought a Saab 9-3 which was fine.
Sold at a loss and bought a Rover BRM, you can likely guess the outcome of that folly, did like it though.
Bought a Saab 9-3 which was fine.
OP, perhaps I can make you feel a little bit better:-
Last month I treated my Volvo V70 on 216,000 miles to a major service, cam belt, water pump and 2 new front tyres. Left the garage with a cheery "Hope I don't see you for a while".
A week ago slight squeak from under the bonnet, next day continuous squeak from under the bonnet. Speak to garage, set off, red "no charge" light on the way. Just over 2 year old alternator has failed. Replacement fitted, got message Thursday to say that the car is ready. I agree to collect Monday as I was away. Significant other has need of larger car on Friday, collects Volvo. Friday evening handbrake doesn't release on one rear wheel, car gets driven the mile home anyway. One shredded tyre and ruined wheel later I'm currently waiting for a quote for 2 tyres, (rear pair were both 60-70% worn) handbrake motor and calliper.
It's only money, and machinery :-(
Last month I treated my Volvo V70 on 216,000 miles to a major service, cam belt, water pump and 2 new front tyres. Left the garage with a cheery "Hope I don't see you for a while".
A week ago slight squeak from under the bonnet, next day continuous squeak from under the bonnet. Speak to garage, set off, red "no charge" light on the way. Just over 2 year old alternator has failed. Replacement fitted, got message Thursday to say that the car is ready. I agree to collect Monday as I was away. Significant other has need of larger car on Friday, collects Volvo. Friday evening handbrake doesn't release on one rear wheel, car gets driven the mile home anyway. One shredded tyre and ruined wheel later I'm currently waiting for a quote for 2 tyres, (rear pair were both 60-70% worn) handbrake motor and calliper.
It's only money, and machinery :-(
Sway said:
If it helps you feel better - two years ago I had full dsg rebuild done on my VW Caddy Maxi Life.
Only for it to s
t an injector on the drive home. Which, after replacement and dpf clean, then immediately lead to replacement EGR and control solenoids.
It s
t itself end of last week with Mrs Sway driving, into limp mode. Turns out that the DSG in auto means it won't do a dpf regen... 
Full dpf clean, service, etc. all seemed sweet. Only for the EGR to s
t itself again yesterday.
So, it's going in on Tuesday for EGR delete - and VW specialist handling it all has let me know how to force a regen cause VW are utter f
ktards.
f
king cars.
My Caddy with the 1.6 is the only vehicle I've ever had where completely unrelated things fail while youre working on it... or even if its just sitting on the drive doing nothing! Only for it to s
t an injector on the drive home. Which, after replacement and dpf clean, then immediately lead to replacement EGR and control solenoids.It s
t itself end of last week with Mrs Sway driving, into limp mode. Turns out that the DSG in auto means it won't do a dpf regen... 
Full dpf clean, service, etc. all seemed sweet. Only for the EGR to s
t itself again yesterday.So, it's going in on Tuesday for EGR delete - and VW specialist handling it all has let me know how to force a regen cause VW are utter f
ktards.f
king cars. I changed the radiator on it, between short days/working outside/holidays it took a couple weeks to complete. Only for when I fired it up again an injector had failed! I got that fixed and two days later the lights to the rear end failed!
On a scale of things not hugely disastrous but a few things we've had with the cars this year.
My other half's ML has had an engine light on and off the last 12 months, it's a temperature sensor in the exhaust. She has done what she always does with cars and left it. In that time the boot latch has failed so you can't open the boot without getting inside the car.
Then last week, we'd noticed that when you get in the car the fan blowers were on. Seemed odd but we'd both noticed it separately. Then on Saturday the battery was flat, putting it on charge means the fans just come on and drain the battery. Tomorrow it goes in to hopefully have all three issues resolved.
Earlier this year, I gave her my Saab 9-3 to use as a daily car as it's cheaper to run. Her plan was to SORN her car, put that money aside and get the sensor sorted. Didn't happen.
But my 9-3 did get returned with a steering rack needing replacement, admittedly not her fault but £700 to get replaced.
She's using it again this week until her car is fixed, so let's hope her car curse has worn off! haha
My other half's ML has had an engine light on and off the last 12 months, it's a temperature sensor in the exhaust. She has done what she always does with cars and left it. In that time the boot latch has failed so you can't open the boot without getting inside the car.
Then last week, we'd noticed that when you get in the car the fan blowers were on. Seemed odd but we'd both noticed it separately. Then on Saturday the battery was flat, putting it on charge means the fans just come on and drain the battery. Tomorrow it goes in to hopefully have all three issues resolved.
Earlier this year, I gave her my Saab 9-3 to use as a daily car as it's cheaper to run. Her plan was to SORN her car, put that money aside and get the sensor sorted. Didn't happen.
But my 9-3 did get returned with a steering rack needing replacement, admittedly not her fault but £700 to get replaced.
She's using it again this week until her car is fixed, so let's hope her car curse has worn off! haha
August this year....
Glovebox light went on my 2016 Audi A4. Decided to buy a cheap bulb from the rainforest site....
Within a week most electrics suddenly failed in the car, no screens, virtual cockpit dead, climate control wouldn't turn off even when locked. All sorts of strange goings on.
Rang round a few garages, no one really wanted to take it on. Eventually went to the main-dealers. After a week of stripping down noticed the whole dashboard wiring loom had melted and fused together. (started behind the glovebox) It needed a whole new loom. The only issue was it was on back order and took 2months to arrive. I knew the bill so far was £5,300....I spent the whole 2 months worrying it could be thousands more as it was impossible to know if any components / modules were fried until the wires were changed, and everything plugged back in. Having that hanging over me was pretty awful!
Thankfully when the loom was changed, everything sprang back to life without any further issues and I collected the car last month.
I didn't think there was much point pursuing the seller for damages, but thought what have I got to lose from sending a few emails. It looked certain they wouldn't help, as they stopped replying to emails. Then seemingly out of nowhere when I'd had the car back a week, I got an email, "Please give me your account details to pay the money into sir" A great end to an awful few months.
In the end, going to the main-dealers was the best thing I could have done as well, I got given a brand new A5 courtesy car for the full 2months. If I had gone somewhere else, I may have had no car for 2months (or longer, as they would have been bottom of the queue for the back-order part)
Glovebox light went on my 2016 Audi A4. Decided to buy a cheap bulb from the rainforest site....
Within a week most electrics suddenly failed in the car, no screens, virtual cockpit dead, climate control wouldn't turn off even when locked. All sorts of strange goings on.
Rang round a few garages, no one really wanted to take it on. Eventually went to the main-dealers. After a week of stripping down noticed the whole dashboard wiring loom had melted and fused together. (started behind the glovebox) It needed a whole new loom. The only issue was it was on back order and took 2months to arrive. I knew the bill so far was £5,300....I spent the whole 2 months worrying it could be thousands more as it was impossible to know if any components / modules were fried until the wires were changed, and everything plugged back in. Having that hanging over me was pretty awful!
Thankfully when the loom was changed, everything sprang back to life without any further issues and I collected the car last month.
I didn't think there was much point pursuing the seller for damages, but thought what have I got to lose from sending a few emails. It looked certain they wouldn't help, as they stopped replying to emails. Then seemingly out of nowhere when I'd had the car back a week, I got an email, "Please give me your account details to pay the money into sir" A great end to an awful few months.
In the end, going to the main-dealers was the best thing I could have done as well, I got given a brand new A5 courtesy car for the full 2months. If I had gone somewhere else, I may have had no car for 2months (or longer, as they would have been bottom of the queue for the back-order part)
Bit annoying. And thankfully nothing bad happened. Must be a bit scary, of course.
Anyway, just get the Elise out. The weather looks good for it.
A few weeks ago, I was due to head out to a meeting. I'd been doing a few short trips in the TT and thought nothing of it but that day I went to start it and realised the battery was out. Was going to postpone the meeting so that I could sort out the battery then remembered I had the Porsche so took that instead.
Anyway, just get the Elise out. The weather looks good for it.
A few weeks ago, I was due to head out to a meeting. I'd been doing a few short trips in the TT and thought nothing of it but that day I went to start it and realised the battery was out. Was going to postpone the meeting so that I could sort out the battery then remembered I had the Porsche so took that instead.

They're just unfortunate coincidences that could happen to anybody.
I can walk or cycle to work. I regularly spot bits of broken springs besides the curbs and have picked them up so as not cause punctures. I think I've found a bumpstop too.
I'd rather have a flat tyre or crash into a pothole in a car than a motorcycle. Glass half full etc.
I can walk or cycle to work. I regularly spot bits of broken springs besides the curbs and have picked them up so as not cause punctures. I think I've found a bumpstop too.
I'd rather have a flat tyre or crash into a pothole in a car than a motorcycle. Glass half full etc.
Tam_Mullen said:
My Caddy with the 1.6 is the only vehicle I've ever had where completely unrelated things fail while youre working on it... or even if its just sitting on the drive doing nothing!
I changed the radiator on it, between short days/working outside/holidays it took a couple weeks to complete. Only for when I fired it up again an injector had failed! I got that fixed and two days later the lights to the rear end failed!
Yeah, the VAG 1.6 tdi from that era is utterly shocking for fuel delivery and emissions management.I changed the radiator on it, between short days/working outside/holidays it took a couple weeks to complete. Only for when I fired it up again an injector had failed! I got that fixed and two days later the lights to the rear end failed!
Two years ago it had full DSG rebuild, all four injectors with brand new Bosch ones, EGR, etc.
But... There's nothing else on the market really that meets the use case in the way the Mighty Caddy Maxi Life does for us. Should have got the 2l though!
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