| Author | Message | ||
     David Towers Prolific User Username: xtriple Post Number: 163 Registered: 6-2010 |
Today was the day the old girl had to visit the doctors for her annual check-up. A worrying time I'm sure you will all agree. Anyway, she passed her MOT (roadworthiness test here in the UK) after a reluctant passenger seatbelt was repaired - hardly ever used so just stuck I guess, then on for her service. Now, having spent a fortune on this car over the last two years, I still always expect the worst and, so far, I am yet to be disappointed in this belief! All my drive belts are cracking - sod - I have an oil leak from the turbo return lines, a deteriorated rubber boot on a track rod end (not split, just cracking)and my rear subframe bushes are getting 'past their best'. The specialist reckons £270 to replace the belts (plus VAT of course)and hasn't worked out prices for the rest yet. I am getting sick of spending money on this car! Even the service is going to be more than usual as I asked for the car to have Mobil 1 FS rather than the usual oil they use. Best of all, checking the MOT history, I have done 684 miles in her in a year! | ||
| Larry Kavanagh Frequent User Username: shadow_11 Post Number: 88 Registered: 5-2016 |
These type of faults are to be expected in any older car and sometimes lower mileage causes more problems than regular driving. | ||
| David Towers Prolific User Username: xtriple Post Number: 164 Registered: 6-2010 |
Yes I understand that Larry, but it just makes me sad  that no matter how hard I try, I cannot seem to get ahead of the game. To be honest, it's not really a bad report I was just having a whinge (I am a 'Pomme' after all!)and having thought about the various things the tech reported, it seems like he was just being thorough. I approve of 'thorough'! | ||
| michael vass Grand Master Username: mikebentleyturbo2 Post Number: 363 Registered: 7-2015 |
£270 for belt change seems very expensive to me!+vat! Go somewhere else Mike | ||
| Larry Kavanagh Frequent User Username: shadow_11 Post Number: 91 Registered: 5-2016 |
I approve of "thorough" too David - even if it can be a PITA - better safe than sorry and sometimes wear in one part can lead to wear in others if not rectified immediately. It's often more economical to deal with issues sooner rather than later not to mention the obvious safety benefits. | ||
| richard george yeaman Grand Master Username: richyrich Post Number: 818 Registered: 4-2012 |
David all of the above mentioned items requiring attention have been there for some time now, 684 miles in one year isn't a lot of driving, whoever has been servicing your car previously hasn't been very thorough and you are now catching up. Richard. | ||
| David Towers Prolific User Username: xtriple Post Number: 165 Registered: 6-2010 |
Richard, not sure about that, it's the same specialist but a new mechanic. I fear he is trying to make a name for himself! He has also got in a tizzy about a couple of oil leaks which again, it has had for years (rocker covers) but has never ever required a drop of oil adding between services. This year he has identified a leak from the turbo return pipe which he has got most upset about to the point where it is being done as we speak - another £200! I 'fear' this new chap is trying to drum up business as he also noted a slight smell to the gearbox oil, obviously no one had informed him they changed the gearbox oil last year! Also he has made special mention of the fact the battery clamp is STILL missing. It would be as the battery is not the standard size and the clamp fouls it. I think if it goes back again this year I shall request the good old mechanic who I trust rather than this new guy. Oh yeah.... my A/C compressor is noisy (I've never heard it!) Spare tyre is flat. Battery clamp. Cracking rear subframe bush. Oh yes and it's having a rubber boot replaced for £191. That really does seem rather a lot but then, they are straightening my jacking points (again - garage always seem to bend them!) I have asked for prices for all of these jobs to be attended to, in for a penny... Or 2.000.000 pennies on maintenance so far! | ||
| richard george yeaman Grand Master Username: richyrich Post Number: 819 Registered: 4-2012 |
David you could be right about this mechanic, years ago in the 80s I had a Volvo 760 turbo that I had serviced regularly from new, on one occasion the service manager informed me of a small engine oil leak I gave the go ahead to have it fixed, it was only after they fixed it that it really leaked, so beware. Richard. | ||
| David Towers Prolific User Username: xtriple Post Number: 166 Registered: 6-2010 |
Just had the call that the car is ready and is being delivered back in an hour or so. Bill for everything (including the dreaded) was £1175 so slightly better than expected. Had a long(ish)chat with Paul (the big white chief) and asked about all the various bits they noted. he said that sometimes he wished they didn't have to list these things as he knows it makes me worry. The oil leak from the rocker covers is very slight, the rear bushes are not bad and do not need attention for a while (he said if it was his car he'd leave well alone for now)and the other bits are just 'noted'. I hate it! I like things to be perfect and the thought that bits are deteriorating drives me mad! But I asked about prices to repair these bits and was so shocked at what was quoted, I went on IETIS to see what hours these jobs are supposed to take... Dear God in his heaven! Over £800 to change rocker gaskets, £800 to do the subframe bushes and a very reasonable £ 350 to do the gearbox oil and filter. I recall (now fondly) the good old days of 'Kent' engine Fords where the rocker cover was a couple of quid and took about 10 minutes to change with no faffing about! Now on this Bentley, it's plenums off, ram pipes and all sorts of clutter just to get to the rocker covers! EITIS quotes 5 hours just for the ram pipes! So, not quite a 'clean bill of health' but nothing to worry about yet... though I will! | ||
| Mark Luft Prolific User Username: bentleyman1993 Post Number: 102 Registered: 10-2016 |
David, did they show you these issues on the car? I would ask for the old parts be returned to you. Also, were these issues listed as an advisory on your MOT? I would find that odd if not. | ||
| David Towers Prolific User Username: xtriple Post Number: 167 Registered: 6-2010 |
No advisories at all. Which is odd as last year it got advisories for play in the wheel bearings - which the specialist said was correct adjustment, not been touched and no advisories on that this year. I have been sent pictures of the oil leak from the turbo and the 'O' ring/gaskets themselves and they were fubar indeed. I am happy now to ignore all of these 'notes' at least for the time being. As I will probably only do less than a thousand miles in the next year, all these items should last me out!  | ||
| Robert Noel Reddington Grand Master Username: bob_uk Post Number: 1520 Registered: 5-2015 |
I am a retired mot tester and police mechanic. And I am afraid that most pro mechanics dont quite understand how things like small oi leaks and surface cracking of bushes is norm for older cars. These cars are tough old beasts. However the slight leak from the turbo oil return is maybe in need of a watchful eye. This garage is expensive because a Skilled mechanic with good knowledge of the model can change a set of belts in an hour and belts are NOT that expensive guess 15 quid each tops. The belts are nothing special. Buy a set from motor factors and bung them in the boot or the spare wheel bit ready for the AA man should one break on the road. I no longer do the miles I use to what with internet shopping. DIY | ||
| David Towers Prolific User Username: xtriple Post Number: 168 Registered: 6-2010 |
I had the turbo oil return pipe leak done and the various fan belts as well. The old ones are now in the boot... just in case! They are cracked quite badly, but not that bad, I would have left them to be honest. The oil leak from the rocker covers can wait until something requires the top of the engine stripping as it has never required topping up between services and doesn't leave oil spots on the road from any point, nor do I get the delicious smell of burning oil after a long run (in my case, about 20 miles!). At least I now have a collection of spare fan belts all in lovely 'Crewe' bags that the new ones came in! | ||
| Larry Kavanagh Frequent User Username: shadow_11 Post Number: 96 Registered: 5-2016 |
Have you checked if the oil breather pipe filter is clean, if clogged it can cause back pressure which may result in rocker cover gasket leaking. | ||
| David Towers Prolific User Username: xtriple Post Number: 169 Registered: 6-2010 |
I haven't Larry, I would have thought that would get checked on a service? Okay, where is this filter and I will check it the next time I see the car. | ||
| Larry Kavanagh Frequent User Username: shadow_11 Post Number: 98 Registered: 5-2016 |
I was inadvertently thinking about Silver Shadows David so I'm not sure that your Turbo has the same engine breather system. On the Silver Shadow there's a pipe from the oil filler next (just below the oil filler cap and the mesh filter is inside that. The last time I removed mine for cleaning I used carb cleaner and an air hose to blow out any crud. | ||
| michael vass Grand Master Username: mikebentleyturbo2 Post Number: 365 Registered: 7-2015 |
Hi Larry Yes my turbo is the same, known as the flame trap , Brian always says clean it out. Mike |
