The grumpy thread

[rusty_vw_man]

1 hour ago, sierraman said:

Why do ‘yoofs’ seem to like talking in this bizarre accent so they sound as if they live in South London despite living in a former mining town in the North? Just had to endure half an hour of some rapping on the bus. I must be getting old because I can’t seem to get my head round why you’d want to pretend you live on a South London sink estate dealing crack, wearing shit clothes and ultimately getting disembowelled in a stairwell of some grim flats. 

You dissing me bruv, man dem gonna shank you etc etc etc

I moved to Chester having spent 10 years living in Lewisham it makes me laugh when the yoof round here talk like this, because none of them would last 30 seconds when confronted with the real thing. Baffling really. 

[Datsuncog]

Remember this one?

On 12/13/2019 at 11:59 AM, Datsuncog said:

Frantic texts from a chum of MrsDC's this morning, as the Bini diesel she bought in July (four years old, bought from a dealer, fully serviced at point of purchase) is now "making a clicking noise" from the engine.

Is there oil showing on the dipstick?

"No."

Is the oil warning light on?

"Yes, it's been on for a week..."

So MrsDC's chum's husband had the ailing Bini trailered back to the dealer they bought it from in the summer - the one who said it'd been serviced before sale.

While opinions upthread have been many and varied, I should probably advise that the owners are not mechanically inclined and, up to now, annual services have been all their previous cars have ever needed (Peugeot 206 and Kia Ceed).

Therefore, the concept  of lifting the bonnet and checking the oil level weekly is as foreign and quaint to them as greasing trunnions or decoking the head. They'd expressly bought the 4yr old Bini on the assumption that it would provide them with super-modern, jump in and drive motoring and would last them for years, as long as they got it serviced fairly regularly.

Stop sniggering at the back, there.

Certainly, the dealer hadn't mentioned that these things apparently need a good slurp from the oil can as regularly as their grandad's £5 Ford Popular did back in nineteen-oatcake.

ANYWAY the interesting part is that the dealer won't actually tell them what's wrong with the car. It's fucked, oh yes, and it needs a new engine - but they won't elaborate on the nature of the fuckedness.

But not to worry, the garage will 'work with them'.

A frightener figure of £7k has been quoted for a new engine.

Plus labour.

The car cost them £8k five months ago. I'm not sure how much they got on the trade in against the Kia, but there's a fair wedge of finance outstanding so they can't afford to shrug, just walk away from it and start again (my preferred option with cars). But they also can't afford to fix it.

Not the sort of news you want the week before Christmas.

Banjax.

[sierraman]

7 minutes ago, Datsuncog said:

Remember this one?

So MrsDC's chum's husband had the ailing Bini trailered back to the dealer they bought it from in the summer - the one who said it'd been serviced before sale.

While opinions upthread have been many and varied, I should probably advise that the owners are not mechanically inclined and, up to now, annual services have been all their previous cars have ever needed (Peugeot 206 and Kia Ceed).

Therefore, the concept  of lifting the bonnet and checking the oil level weekly is as foreign and quaint to them as greasing trunnions or decoking the head. They'd expressly bought the 4yr old Bini on the assumption that it would provide them with super-modern, jump in and drive motoring and would last them for years, as long as they got it serviced fairly regularly.

Stop sniggering at the back, there.

Certainly, the dealer hadn't mentioned that these things apparently need a good slurp from the oil can as regularly as their grandad's £5 Ford Popular did back in nineteen-oatcake.

ANYWAY the interesting part is that the dealer won't actually tell them what's wrong with the car. It's fucked, oh yes, and it needs a new engine - but they won't elaborate on the nature of the fuckedness.

But not to worry, the garage will 'work with them'.

A frightener figure of £7k has been quoted for a new engine.

Plus labour.

The car cost them £8k five months ago. I'm not sure how much they got on the trade in against the Kia, but there's a fair wedge of finance outstanding so they can't afford to shrug, just walk away from it and start again (my preferred option with cars). But they also can't afford to fix it.

Not the sort of news you want the week before Christmas.

Banjax.

So they didn’t check the oil and now the engine has seized through lack of oil? 

[myglaren]

That's pretty shit.

I can't remember for sure which was the last car that needed to be topped up with oil more often that about three monthly.  Probably the Hillman Imps, but then they needed the engines changing that often anyway.

[3VOM]

4 minutes ago, sierraman said:

So they didn’t check the oil and now the engine has seized through lack of oil? 

Does that model have a low oil warning light? If it has and it works they haven't got any excuse really.

[Yoss]

I mean there's not being mechanically minded and there's ignoring the oil warning light for a week. Should you really be driving anyway with that sort of attitude? Isn't there something about mechanical aptitude in the driving test these days (it's been so long since I took mine that I can't remember)? Where you have to open the bonnet and point at the dipstick, header tank etc. Or am I making that up? I know you have to do it before they let you drive the vans at work (Royal Mail). 

[New POD]

39 minutes ago, sierraman said:

So they didn’t check the oil and now the engine has seized through lack of oil? 

They werent told to read the operators/owners/user manual that came with the car, which would have detailed how to check the oil, how to respond to each warning light and what oil to add.  So the dealer is to blame. 

[LightBulbFun]

8 minutes ago, Yoss said:

Isn't there something about mechanical aptitude in the driving test these days (it's been so long since I took mine that I can't remember)? Where you have to open the bonnet and point at the dipstick, header tank etc

aye indeed they do have something surprisingly! but the only ask 1 question out of a possible list

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/car-show-me-tell-me-vehicle-safety-questions/car-show-me-tell-me-vehicle-safety-questions

[mrbenn]

3 minutes ago, New POD said:

They werent told to read the operators/owners/user manual that came with the car, which would have detailed how to check the oil, how to respond to each warning light and what oil to add.  So the dealer is to blame. 

There has to be some level of personal responsibility here.

A red warning comes up on the dash, is duly ignored for a week, then the dealer that sold the car months ago is liable?

Absolute bollocks.

ETA: a sad situation for all concerned.

[sierraman]

9 minutes ago, New POD said:

They werent told to read the operators/owners/user manual that came with the car, which would have detailed how to check the oil, how to respond to each warning light and what oil to add.  So the dealer is to blame. 

Bollocks! You shouldn’t need to have your arse wiped like that. If you haven’t followed basics like that you are on your own. 

[New POD]

9 minutes ago, mrbenn said:

There has to be some level of personal responsibility here.

A red warning comes up on the dash, is duly ignored for a week, then the dealer that sold the car months ago is liable?

Absolute bollocks.

ETA: a sad situation for all concerned.

By the way my post was Ironic and very much tongue in cheek. 

[mrbenn]

1 minute ago, New POD said:

By the way my post was Ironic and very much tongue in cheek. 

Oh. Then I shall stand down ?

Apologies!

[New POD]

Just now, sierraman said:

Bollocks! You shouldn’t need to have your arse wiped like that. If you haven’t followed basics like that you are on your own. 

Ditto. I was being Ironic. 

I mean I bought a car off JohnK so I'm fairly sure I understand the buyer/user responsibility when it comes to his extended *warranty he offered.

 

[Yoss]

I was hoping you were or else you'd be very much on the wrong forum. 

[New POD]

Im definately on.the right forum. 

 

[Richard]

It still isn't acceptable for a four year old car to be drinking oil. The manufacturer has a responsibility to design and build the thing properly in the first place.

[MarvinsMom]

56 minutes ago, New POD said:

They werent told to read the operators/owners/user manual that came with the car, which would have detailed how to check the oil, how to respond to each warning light and what oil to add.  So the dealer is to blame. 

i once melted the engine in a mark 2 ford focus, which was a company car.

i had the car serviced, in line with the manufacturer's requirements only for me to overheat and seize said car the day after it had been in dock.

why?

the dealer had given it me back with no water in it. not one drop......

and i only became aware of this once the temperature gauge jumped from normal to off the gauge red while stuck  in traffic in the middle of York.

ah happy dayz......

[Datsuncog]

1 hour ago, sierraman said:

So they didn’t check the oil and now the engine has seized through lack of oil? 

That's about the size of it, though it's not actually seized - just producing a knocking noise. I haven't heard it myself, but I'm guessing it's some terminal unhappiness up at the top end caused by oil starvation.

1 hour ago, 3VOM said:

Does that model have a low oil warning light? If it has and it works they haven't got any excuse really.

It doesn't have an oil level gauge (something even my Phase 1 Lagunas had) - just the red 'engine fucked' light that pings on when it's, well, fucked.

I'm genuinely not sure how to feel here. It was unquestionably moronic to run the car for a week with the red light showing, but they're just so utterly confused as to how a modern car could have drunk a whole sumpful of oil in a matter of months - when none of their previous cars ever needed topping up between servicing (or, at least, never broke because of it).

They're taking the line that the garage mustn't have filled it properly when it was serviced, and I've tried to explain that it probably was filled properly - but some diesels, and petrols, need regular top-ups.

I've no particular experience with modern diesels beyond my hateful 1.9 JTD Alfa, so I can't offer much in the way of advice. They're just incredulous that it could be considered normal for a modern to burn through half a pint of oil a month.

While I think they've been very silly on several levels, I also feel desperately sorry for them. They're not car-savvy, their car is viewed more as a household appliance - so while it's easy for us to roll our eyes, to them this must feel a bit like your fridge breaking down, only for you to be told that you're meant to pull it out from the wall and check the refrigerant every week.

The dealer kinda has them over a barrel - they owe them the finance, so they're going to have to pay it off one way or another.

But I'd really want to know what the problem is. If it's been run bone dry, I'd expect the dealer to make much of this and explain why it's well outside their normal warranty. Their refusal to explain exactly what's caused the oil loss, beyond 'you need a new engine' is ringing my alarm bells. This place seems to specialise in ex-GB, ex-PCP cars probably sourced at auction...

[Jamie]

if its a 4 year old Mini, it will either be a very late R56, or , like my wifes an F55/56 which will definately have a digital oil gauge. My wifes likes a drink and it shows up on the dash what the oil reading is if it is low it will remind you until you sort it. Sort of moronic to ignore as you say.

[GrumpiusMaximus]

On the one hand, I feel bad for them because they wouldn't necessarily know.  On the other hand, it's user error ignoring the oil warning light like that.

Had a similar one today with somebody's personal laptop at work.  Fortunately our policy dictates that we ask if they have a backup.  Totally neglected it for 8 years and it had problems during an OS upgrade.

Some people just don't understand what they're using, regardless of the object and only know that it's 'working' or 'fucked'...

[Split_Pin]

If my R56 is anything to go by, it would have also shouted at them for a week, as well as the light on the dash.

Even if something as simple as the TPS light comes on after I have adjusted the tyre pressures and forgotten to reset the system, my wife who isn't a car person as such, immediately texts me, explains what the light is and checks whether it's ok to drive the car.

Sorry but my opinion is that red light means danger and if in doubt, stop and Google it. 

[purplebargeken]

I would quickly take said BINI away from t he dealer saying that they are going to get an 'independent specialist' to do the related work instead, sadly the BINI would then catch fire a week later and become a total loss annoyingly just before the booked appointment with said 'specialist' .  Of course this is just forum banter and not real life, so this would never ever* happen. Ever. Maybe. 

[purplebargeken]

Sad grump. My mates father in law was buried on Tuesday.

Mate rang me to say that his mum died earlier today. 

She suffered with advanced dementia so is a bit of a release but still it is all very sad. 

Parkinson's and dementia can go and do one.

[paulplom]

Using oil.

I had a new '99 astra van back in the day. I was doing 1000 miles a week plumbing all over the country. That van used a litre every tank full or 500 miles. I only had an esso fuel card and the oil was a tenner a litre. Anyway it went back to vauxhall where they stripped the head off and found nowt wrong. It was still using a litre every tank full 100k later. Some engines just use oil.

Another note. When I did take it back to vauxhall I'd checked the oil that morning and forgot to put the filler cap back on. You can imagine the mess when the dealer popped the bonnet ?

[HillmanImp]

What is it with people parking up with their lights on in car parks. This is obviously an Ignis but BMW owners seem to be worst for it. I see several of them every morning here. 

It makes it impossible to park next to them as you can't see shit out of your mirrors.

Drives me mad. 

[anonymous user]

1 hour ago, HillmanImp said:

What is it with people parking up with their lights on in car parks. This is obviously an Ignis but BMW owners seem to be worst for it. I see several of them every morning here. 

It makes it impossible to park next to them as you can't see shit out of your mirrors.

Drives me mad. 

Dogging?

[sierraman]

9 hours ago, Datsuncog said:

That's about the size of it, though it's not actually seized - just producing a knocking noise. I haven't heard it myself, but I'm guessing it's some terminal unhappiness up at the top end caused by oil starvation.

It doesn't have an oil level gauge (something even my Phase 1 Lagunas had) - just the red 'engine fucked' light that pings on when it's, well, fucked.

I'm genuinely not sure how to feel here. It was unquestionably moronic to run the car for a week with the red light showing, but they're just so utterly confused as to how a modern car could have drunk a whole sumpful of oil in a matter of months - when none of their previous cars ever needed topping up between servicing (or, at least, never broke because of it).

They're taking the line that the garage mustn't have filled it properly when it was serviced, and I've tried to explain that it probably was filled properly - but some diesels, and petrols, need regular top-ups.

I've no particular experience with modern diesels beyond my hateful 1.9 JTD Alfa, so I can't offer much in the way of advice. They're just incredulous that it could be considered normal for a modern to burn through half a pint of oil a month.

While I think they've been very silly on several levels, I also feel desperately sorry for them. They're not car-savvy, their car is viewed more as a household appliance - so while it's easy for us to roll our eyes, to them this must feel a bit like your fridge breaking down, only for you to be told that you're meant to pull it out from the wall and check the refrigerant every week.

The dealer kinda has them over a barrel - they owe them the finance, so they're going to have to pay it off one way or another.

But I'd really want to know what the problem is. If it's been run bone dry, I'd expect the dealer to make much of this and explain why it's well outside their normal warranty. Their refusal to explain exactly what's caused the oil loss, beyond 'you need a new engine' is ringing my alarm bells. This place seems to specialise in ex-GB, ex-PCP cars probably sourced at auction...

It would be practically impossible to determine if it had enough oil in it when they bought it. As sad as it is I don’t think they’ve a leg to stand on personally, the dealer is probably acting on goodwill to avoid the potential for a Twitter post of ‘xx cars sold me a faulty car’ bollocks. 

Difficult to provide a diagnosis of exactly what’s gone wrong in a situation like that other than stripping the engine down, which costs money. They’ll not want to do that because they’ll be a couple of hundred quid down with an immobile car and in any case telling the customer what they already know - that it’s bollocksed. If it’s knocking I would hazard a guess it’s run very low on oil and the crank main bearings have been starved of oil, whichever way you look at it it’s another engine time. Probably actually cheaper to fit a used unit that fuck about replacing the bottom end with new parts - if that can even be done. 

[Snipes]

Yeah its not like a rwd engine where sometimes you can drop the sump and do a set of shells in situ. What a nightmare. 

 

[Datsuncog]

16 hours ago, Split_Pin said:

Sorry but my opinion is that red light means danger and if in doubt, stop and Google it. 

I think that'll be their hard lesson from all of this.

I feel sorry for them, but also massively frustrated.

Their previous Kia was totally reliable, but they chopped it in for the Bini because the EML came on, apparently because the particulate filter needed cleaned out.

They really don't have the cash for a new engine, so I reckon their best bet is to sell the Bini for spares/repairs, settle up the remaining finance, and if there's any left over I'll help them buy a cheap snotter to keep them mobile - something like a Mk1 Yaris.

As an aside, when my last Laguna pissed out all its oil on the M2 last April, not a single warning light came on and the first I knew of it was a ferocious knocking noise from under the bonnet... I'd at least hoped for the 'full Renner' experience, Blackpool Illuminations style, with the big STOP warning and everything - but the only thing that ever came on was the airbag light, while it was being taken away.

Cars, hey?

[andy18s]

14 hours ago, MarvinsMom said:

i once melted the engine in a mark 2 ford focus, which was a company car.

i had the car serviced, in line with the manufacturer's requirements only for me to overheat and seize said car the day after it had been in dock.

why?

the dealer had given it me back with no water in it. not one drop......

and i only became aware of this once the temperature gauge jumped from normal to off the gauge red while stuck  in traffic in the middle of York.

ah happy dayz......

I once worked witha lad who bought a brand new Citroen ZX Volcane 16v after saving forever for it

After it's 1st dealer service it froze up on him 1 night,splitting the block

No coolant in it,only fresh water...

Dealer didn't want to have anything to do with it,claimed he must have swapped the fluids