Finding the Breakdown Cover That is Best for You
Posts tagged spark plugs
What is wrong with my car?
Oct 13th
I have a 1994 Vauxhall Astra 1.4ltr injection Automatic. It has had two lady owners before I purchased it and only had 63,000 miles in the clock. It had not done any motorway driving before I had it as the two previous owners never had need to drive on the motorway. However I do alot of motorway driving and this greatly increases the amount of fuel I go through as to get my car up to speed of 70mph I have to put it into sports mode which greatly increases the revs but it does get it to the speed I need otherwise my car would be quite happy to chug along at 50mph. When I am on the motorway I have to keep my foot pretty much to the floor to keep it at a constant speed of 70mph. I do not have kick back like most automatics have as I have noticed there is a restrictor under the gas peddle to stop you from flooring it. My car is not very efficient on speed or fuel I have replaced the spark plugs, put some special fluid into it that cleans the components as it runs, its similar to red ex but it is specifically for injection engines. I dont know what else I can do to try to fine tune it and get it to run as it should do.
When I am on the motorway or if I have had my foot pushed down on the peddle for a while I will suddenly get a scrapping noise of metal rubbing on something, easing off the gas does not help it sometimes makes it worse, to get it to stop I have to decrease my speed and let it cure itself. Which it always does but one day I am afraid it is going to break down on me, and I will be stuck in the middle of nowhere as I do not have breakdown cover. When this scrapping noise occurs I hear it first then I feel it in the gas peddle.
I hope this is nothing too serious as I really dont have the money to fix anything major. Was going to take it to a garage but would not have a clue what to say or what they would do for that matter? Also money is scarce so any useful advice you may be able to give me would be greatly appreciated.
I am in the United Kingdom by the way in case that helps. Thanks in advance
Are sparking plugs normally covered by a car service?
Sep 9th
Two weeks after a normal service my car broke down. I went back to my garage and after using a diagnostic machine the mechanic discovered that it needed new spark plugs.His charge for the service is £85. £30 for spark plugs and £55 for the diagnostics.Should the spark plugs have been checked during the service?
Car on Finance – Catastrophic Mechanical Breakdown. What can i do?
Sep 7th
My girlfriend bought a car on finance in January this year, with finance agreement in place with Black Horse for approx £5k.
Last week, the car broke down. Initial diagnosis showed it was a failed "coil pack", which we since purchased and replaced, showing no improvement.
We then had an independant mechanic have a look at the car, and he found that the "camshaft" was not turning, and therefore would represent serious damage to the engine itself. (Pistons/Valves). Just to confirm this would mean taking the engine apart, costing hundreds of pounds. Repairing this would normally mean installation of a new engine, which would cost thousands, or installation of a second-hand engine which would still cost in the vicinity of £1000.
The warranty we had covered mechanical breakdown, but was only for a 3 month period, so would have expired in March this year.
The main point to consider is that, the independant mechanic who looked at the car, noticed the spark plugs had never been changed since new, (2005 MK5 Astra). However, the company we bought the car from told us it had a full service a day before our purchase date, and have stamped the service book.
This could have contributed to the mechanical breakdown, so i am wondering what we can do in light of this, based on the Consumer Credit Act 1974;
1) In that we recieved and are paying for unsatisfactory goods
2) Sue either the supplier/finance company for the problem
Will i be succesful in either of these options?
One other point to mention is the fact the garage we bought the car from went bust locally, (company still operating in other areas).
Im basically thinking to threaten the garage with court action if they do not offer to repair the damage with no cost incurred by us.
Any ideas?
The mechanic said the plugs were old GM plugs, and are usually replace with different brands are they’ve left the manufacturer. Also, just by looking at the plugs you can tell the wear on them is far greater than 6 months, so again raises questions with their servicing?
I know im grasping at straws here, but she’s left seriously out of pocket, not to mention screwed with no having a car.
The only option is can see is raising this with the finance company/garage in respect to points on the documents, regarding recieving faulty goods, but like you’ve said it would be difficult…