Stupid maintenance requirements
Discussion
donkmeister said:
Vectra C with the Z28 engines... Changing the headlamp bulbs involved removing the headlamp unit, which involved removing the front bumper (or at the very least, removing enough fixings to bend it down to the ground). Why? Some bugger had put engine right where the bulbs go in and out.
Another one for the Vectra C that caused some disagreement when I posted it before... Removing the rear bank of sparkplugs involves removing the inlet manifold. I think someone claimed they'd managed without, but I can't see how. I know Vauxhall had to remove mine as they forgot to do up the clips on the boost pipe leading to a thrilling "limp home" moment as I pulled onto a busy DC and went N/A.
It's quite doable on the Saab 9-3 version having done it myself.Another one for the Vectra C that caused some disagreement when I posted it before... Removing the rear bank of sparkplugs involves removing the inlet manifold. I think someone claimed they'd managed without, but I can't see how. I know Vauxhall had to remove mine as they forgot to do up the clips on the boost pipe leading to a thrilling "limp home" moment as I pulled onto a busy DC and went N/A.
The 355 engine out is not a big of a deal as some like to make out.
Yes its not cheap - looking about 1200 plus parts at an indy however there are a couple of points to consider.
Firstly, its not really an engine out like a normal car. The car is 100% designed for this. With the correct stands the engine, gearbox and rear suspension will all come out as one unit in about 3-4 hours.
Secondly, there is so much heat in the engine bay you want to be able to inspect everything - having the engine out makes this so much easier. It also means that the fluids will all be changed, oil, water. AC re-gassed etc.
If you put a regular car in for a cam belt change it will prob cost 600 and they will change just the belt. On the 355 its more like a full fluid change etc.
Add to this that its fairly safe to do the belts every 5 years these days with better quality tensioners etc then its not actually *that* bad if you look at say £2k bill every 5 years for the belt service.
Yes its not cheap - looking about 1200 plus parts at an indy however there are a couple of points to consider.
Firstly, its not really an engine out like a normal car. The car is 100% designed for this. With the correct stands the engine, gearbox and rear suspension will all come out as one unit in about 3-4 hours.
Secondly, there is so much heat in the engine bay you want to be able to inspect everything - having the engine out makes this so much easier. It also means that the fluids will all be changed, oil, water. AC re-gassed etc.
If you put a regular car in for a cam belt change it will prob cost 600 and they will change just the belt. On the 355 its more like a full fluid change etc.
Add to this that its fairly safe to do the belts every 5 years these days with better quality tensioners etc then its not actually *that* bad if you look at say £2k bill every 5 years for the belt service.
MC Bodge said:
Mk5 Mondeo headlamp bulbs require the front bumper (many fasteners, some of which require knuckle-scraping and not to be replaced after the first time)to be mostly removed.
Ideal on a dark night at the side of the road, it is not. A slight change to the design could have prevented the need for this.
Can replace bulbs by taking out centre grill top fixings, pull forward at top I used to stuff rags in , headlamp is unscrewed then inner corner can slide behind grill and out it comes. Not easy first time but easier than taking bumper off.Ideal on a dark night at the side of the road, it is not. A slight change to the design could have prevented the need for this.
V8 Bob said:
MC Bodge said:
Mk5 Mondeo headlamp bulbs require the front bumper (many fasteners, some of which require knuckle-scraping and not to be replaced after the first time)to be mostly removed.
Ideal on a dark night at the side of the road, it is not. A slight change to the design could have prevented the need for this.
Can replace bulbs by taking out centre grill top fixings, pull forward at top I used to stuff rags in , headlamp is unscrewed then inner corner can slide behind grill and out it comes. Not easy first time but easier than taking bumper off.Ideal on a dark night at the side of the road, it is not. A slight change to the design could have prevented the need for this.
The Mk5 is a sod to slide back in the headlamp unit even with the bumper off, though.
Edited by MC Bodge on Thursday 4th March 09:05
Calibra V6, removing inlet manifold to change spark plugs on left bank. That is always quite annoying.
R50 Mini having plastic coolant pipe connectors going to the heater matrix. The job isn't actually that hard but it's annoying that they put 4 spring clips on and 2 have to be accessed from underneath right at the back of the engine when it invariably snaps. Oh and the brake flexis to the rear calipers have to go on perfectly otherwise the banjo bolt won't screw in. Hugely frustrating when the hose wants to fight you.
Minor annoyances compared to some who are taking whole vehicles apart to replace a seal though.
R50 Mini having plastic coolant pipe connectors going to the heater matrix. The job isn't actually that hard but it's annoying that they put 4 spring clips on and 2 have to be accessed from underneath right at the back of the engine when it invariably snaps. Oh and the brake flexis to the rear calipers have to go on perfectly otherwise the banjo bolt won't screw in. Hugely frustrating when the hose wants to fight you.
Minor annoyances compared to some who are taking whole vehicles apart to replace a seal though.
Somewhat out of scope of the thread, but I came across an article the other day on US Coast Guard Icebreaker that had an engine fire and had to replace the engine. This involved cutting out a massive section of the hull and welding it back up afterwards 
Makes working on cars seem simple.
Makes working on cars seem simple.vikingaero said:
Mazda 5 diseasal.
On the first service I asked the Service Reception for an estimated cost, thinking £200 was about right for an oil and filter splash n dash.
She came back and said "I'm so sorry, I hope you're ready for this... It's £576 because this diesel engine needs the cam cover removed to check the valve clearances and we have to refit a new gasket."
[Reminder to self: check servicing costs when buying new cars]
Did the dealer group have 3 letters to its name?On the first service I asked the Service Reception for an estimated cost, thinking £200 was about right for an oil and filter splash n dash.
She came back and said "I'm so sorry, I hope you're ready for this... It's £576 because this diesel engine needs the cam cover removed to check the valve clearances and we have to refit a new gasket."
[Reminder to self: check servicing costs when buying new cars]
RizzoTheRat said:
Somewhat out of scope of the thread, but I came across an article the other day on US Coast Guard Icebreaker that had an engine fire and had to replace the engine. This involved cutting out a massive section of the hull and welding it back up afterwards Makes working on cars seem simple.
Fairly common. If something's not designed to come out a vessel more than 2 or 3 times throughout it's life, you tend to use "soft patches" as opposed to a bolted plate. No maintenance required and they're stronger. Makes working on cars seem simple.thewarlock said:
RizzoTheRat said:
Somewhat out of scope of the thread, but I came across an article the other day on US Coast Guard Icebreaker that had an engine fire and had to replace the engine. This involved cutting out a massive section of the hull and welding it back up afterwards Makes working on cars seem simple.
Fairly common. If something's not designed to come out a vessel more than 2 or 3 times throughout it's life, you tend to use "soft patches" as opposed to a bolted plate. No maintenance required and they're stronger. Makes working on cars seem simple.Fortunately on the boat my brother and I use. The main cabin roof, has a hatch, which is the same size as the engine bay below, which will allow the (large engine) to be lifted straight up through the boat, from its bearers.
andburg said:
Renault Wind 1.6
Timing belt requires engine mount to be removed and the engine partially lifted out to get clearance...I decided to pay for that one
My MR2 has that design - the engine mount is only 3 bolts, and the other mounts have enough play that the engine just needs to be levered up a little bit. No big deal.Timing belt requires engine mount to be removed and the engine partially lifted out to get clearance...I decided to pay for that one
Setting clearances on 20 valves with under-bucket shims, however, is a real PITA, as the clearances are a pain to measure, and the cams have to come out to replace the shims.
Ian_sUK said:
donkmeister said:
Vectra C with the Z28 engines... Changing the headlamp bulbs involved removing the headlamp unit, which involved removing the front bumper (or at the very least, removing enough fixings to bend it down to the ground). Why? Some bugger had put engine right where the bulbs go in and out.
Another one for the Vectra C that caused some disagreement when I posted it before... Removing the rear bank of sparkplugs involves removing the inlet manifold. I think someone claimed they'd managed without, but I can't see how. I know Vauxhall had to remove mine as they forgot to do up the clips on the boost pipe leading to a thrilling "limp home" moment as I pulled onto a busy DC and went N/A.
It's quite doable on the Saab 9-3 version having done it myself.Another one for the Vectra C that caused some disagreement when I posted it before... Removing the rear bank of sparkplugs involves removing the inlet manifold. I think someone claimed they'd managed without, but I can't see how. I know Vauxhall had to remove mine as they forgot to do up the clips on the boost pipe leading to a thrilling "limp home" moment as I pulled onto a busy DC and went N/A.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8rmH-9CS5A
donkmeister said:
RazerSauber said:
Calibra V6, removing inlet manifold to change spark plugs on left bank. That is always quite annoying.
Isn't the Calibra transverse-engined? gforceg said:
donkmeister said:
RazerSauber said:
Calibra V6, removing inlet manifold to change spark plugs on left bank. That is always quite annoying.
Isn't the Calibra transverse-engined? Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff