Oh jeez, where do i start?

[SD1too]

Originally Posted by lida

... there was a coolant leak from the "in V thermostat pipes", a misfire on one cylinder, 18 yr old cambelt noisy from suspected tensioners ... the cooling fan comes on after a very short journey and stays on and on ... Vis valves noisy on inlet manifold ...
I told Kingsburys that I would monitor the car over the weekend. Hope to take her back on Tuesday, but in the meantime any suggestions would be gratefully received ...

Hello Lida,

I am very interested in your thread because (1) I know Kingsbury's well, (2) I have a V6 like yours and (3) I recognise all the work you've paid for as I've done it myself!

I could write a lengthy post with lots of analysis and recommendations but that wouldn't help with your forthcoming negotiations at Kingsbury's. I'd be happy to have a chat with you on the phone this weekend if you'd like to. I'm also not far from Hounslow ...

Send me a PM and I'll be happy to assist.

Simon

[trikey]

Sounds to me like there is an airlock somewhere!

[SD1too]

Originally Posted by trikey

Sounds to me like there is an airlock somewhere!

That was my original thought too Andy but the garage's alleged vacuum fill plus two sessions of mine have not resulted in any improvement.
As said earlier, I suspect a faulty thermostat since the engine overheats mildly and the bottom radiator hose is tepid.

Simon

[trikey]

I would avoid the garage! If they don’t know how to get into the engine management using T4 (avoiding the other ecus) then they don’t know much about our cars!

[dave lincs]

Lida

You could bring the car to myself or Trikey to see what is going on with it, if it turns out to be the thermostat then it is not a big job to change while you wait

Dave

[Martin Butler]

Has the garage fitted any parts that now would appear to have not been needed? that they can't seem to use the correct T4 software, would indicate they did not diagnose the problem correctly, i would not allow them to do any further work on the car, and take advise from those on here that do have experience of the type of engine, If the thermostat is thoughgt to be at fault, it might be as good to change it, then see if the problem persists, if its ok, then you know that was the problem, if it still plays up, at least you know you can strike the thermostat out as being faulty. and try fitting a new snsor,

[lida]

Thank you so much, Martin. They are saying that because I removed the satnav (years ago), their T4 stops at that point and cannot jump to the next area that needs to be checked.
Is there any credence to this?
The gobby service manager said they had to use another, generic test kit. "Wot I said, do you mean one that can diagnose all cars?"
"Yes, that's right" replied the gobshite.

I think in a logical way. What has changed in my car that could affect temperature? Thermostat. The new one may be faulty, or they may have bought a cheap one and to muddy the waters written down the known Rover part no. for the stat.

I wish I had just had new plugs done, oil change, MoT, plus one ignition coil.

I did tell the service manager a few home truths when I collected my car. He blushed, but was still spouting nonsense. However, I think he was genuinely shocked when, following my call to Simon, I phoned garage and told them I do NOT want them to change sensor, and not to do any further work.

[Martin Butler]

Originally Posted by lida

Thank you so much, Martin. They are saying that because I removed the satnav (years ago), their T4 stops at that point and cannot jump to the next area that needs to be checked.
Is there any credence to this?
The gobby service manager said they had to use another, generic test kit. "Wot I said, do you mean one that can diagnose all cars?"
"Yes, that's right" replied the gobshite.

I think in a logical way. What has changed in my car that could affect temperature? Thermostat. The new one may be faulty, or they may have bought a cheap one and to muddy the waters written down the known Rover part no. for the stat.

I wish I had just had new plugs done, oil change, MoT, plus one ignition coil.

I did tell the service manager a few home truths when I collected my car. He blushed, but was still spouting nonsense. However, I think he was genuinely shocked when, following my call to Simon, I phoned garage and told them I do NOT want them to change sensor, and not to do any further work.

I will be honest, i don't know enough about the T4 system to say, but i doubt that removing the sat nav would effect it, but i do understand engines, and everything points to either the thermostat not opening, or a sensor not reading right, not telling the ecu, to open the thermostat, has the timing been disturbed? belts changed etc? if not it has to be either of those, or occasionally both, a sensor can fail, thing is even genuine parts now are after market, so its possible that they might not be as good as what was fitted in the factory, I tend to stick with OEM stuff. even then, it can be a hit or miss.

[trikey]

If the garage connects t4 and then tries to scan the ecus, it will stop at the satnav as it wouldn’t be able to communicate for obvious reasons.

They have to go into the ecus individually to check them, it is easily doable.

The other way is to alter the zcs coding to tell the car not to look for the sat nav in future (although I suspect they wouldn’t know how to do that if they can’t get past the first hurdle)

[lida]

Originally Posted by trikey

If the garage connects t4 and then tries to scan the ecus, it will stop at the satnav as it wouldn’t be able to communicate for obvious reasons.

They have to go into the ecus individually to check them, it is easily doable.

The other way is to alter the zcs coding to tell the car not to look for the sat nav in future (although I suspect they wouldn’t know how to do that if they can’t get past the first hurdle)

TRIKEY - In my letter to garage, I am going to use your sentence about testing ECUs individually which they could have done. Garage either lazy B. or thick B.

(What does ZCS stand for?)