Garages

Post by **ultimatehandyman** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 10:26 pm

MJA wrote:Whats the car actually doing Chez/Angie? Is it turning over / starting then cutting out / nothing at all?

My mate lost his punto master and IIRC he called out a mobile alarm fitter/auto spark and got it sorted, and hes skint all the time so it's can't have cost the earth.

It was not running smoothly and had bad compression on the cylinder where the burnt valve was.

After she had it fixed she drove it for about two miles and it just cut out on her. When she tried to restart it I think it was turning over but would not start, eventually the bettery went dead.

MJA · Post by **MJA** » Fri Jan 16, 2009 9:15 am

I'm not sure how the imob works on a punto, perhaps it will allow it to turn over but cuts the fuel/ignition, not sure off the top of my head but it does seem odd for it to be the imob considering she driving until it cut out.

Was it running fine for those couple of miles or was it rough? Don't suppose you've located the fuel cut off switch and checked it is depressed? Not sure where it is on a punto but it might be worth tracking down. Also worth checking for sparks but if it's still at the garage it aint gonna be that easy to do

Raf · Post by **Raf** » Fri Jan 16, 2009 1:20 pm

not the red key he's talking porkies..... if the car started and drove then the ECU hasn't lost the codes unless he's done something after that.

its just a case of checking everything's been put back on correctly and that he hasn't left stuff off... compression needs to be checked again & error codes read. hopefully it may have logged something.... hopefully the guy cleared them before starting the work!

Welshy; vauxhall are getting investigated for their dodgy ignition pumps as they've had lots of failures.

Post by **ultimatehandyman** » Fri Jan 16, 2009 4:21 pm

Thanks for the advice.

I don't rate the mechanic to be honest, I don't think he knows what he is doing

She might get her car back in the next few weeks, hopefully

MJA · Post by **MJA** » Fri Jan 16, 2009 8:12 pm

Did you say it went in for a new valve? I cant help but wonder if the cam belt has slipped after the refit if the tensioner is a bit worse for wear. Unlikely but not unknown.

Welsh Decorator · Post by **Welsh Decorator** » Fri Jan 16, 2009 10:42 pm

Raf, about time, never ever seen or heard of a sillyer idea than their's, inprinceiple, it's a good idea.
In practice, OMG! one chance to start it, or thats it, another new pump is required!
Hopefully GM will go under and put an end to it all.

Handy Angie · Post by **Handy Angie** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 10:12 pm

I rang for a second opinion today and that guy asked what year. When I said X (I always smile and think of X Factor) he said he didnt think they even came with red keys for that year! So he is going out this week to have a look. I spoke to the garage as Ive avoided him all week and I asked if my car was in the way and he said no its parked on the street. OMG the garage is next to a piky camp FFS its a wonder the cars not on bricks. God its a wonder I can sleep at night!

thescruff · Post by **thescruff** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 10:33 pm

From what I heard you would do well if the Pikeys pushed off with it

Problem is even they have some pride.

Handy Angie · Post by **Handy Angie** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 10:38 pm

Problem is for the first year EVER cos of the credit crunch I didnt protect my no claims! So I cant afford to claim!

thescruff · Post by **thescruff** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 10:41 pm

You could bet one of then a tenner he can't start it though

Handy Angie · Post by **Handy Angie** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 10:43 pm

Yeah and £20 that it keeps going!

Inky Pete · Post by **Inky Pete** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 10:46 pm

Handy Angie wrote:Problem is for the first year EVER cos of the credit crunch I didnt protect my no claims! So I cant afford to claim!

But the garage have a duty of care to you to keep your property safe while it is in their possesion. I'd have thought they'd be liable if it got nicked after they'd parked it on the street.

Only-Me · Post by **Only-Me** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 10:50 pm

If your car gets nicked by the pikeys........your'll get it back 100yds down the road

My wife had a 2 year old Punto that kept cutting out for no apparant reason........almost like it had crap in the fuel tank and every now and then it would suck up the crap.......get blocked of fuel and cut out. If you left it 5 mins, it would start ok

Great fun at traffic lights

Got fed up with the bloody thing and part ex-ed it for a go fast Sxi.

village idiot · Post by **village idiot** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 11:04 pm

we had a honda concerto that would cut out at traffic lights, garage said intermittent injector fault, there were 2 of them & cost £200 each plus fitting & that might not even cure the problem, car wasn't worth it so got taken away to the scrappies

Raf · Post by **Raf** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 2:25 pm

blokes know when something is not good enough to hold onto and let go.... women on the other hand....