406oc.co.uk

Well, it was trying to warn me it was dying for the last few days but late afternoon yesterday the Diesel in-tank pump or lift pump or low pressure pump (for the benefit of searchers) failed and left me stranded

I had a one hour window at 4:00pm to "nip" to one of our suppliers in town to collect some materials and drop them off at another supplier 8 miles back this way. Pulled into their car park and parked right outside their glass-fronted reception and office and got my stuff - jumped back in the car and no buzz or grumble from the pump I then had the embarassment of getting down on my knees outside their windows to bash the tank underneath but still no joy from the pump (it had previously sprung into life by bashing the tank).

Now, an audience had gathered (I spend £40K per year with these people) and the Branch Manager came out to see me "is this yours?" he exclaimed amongst a car park full of 07/08 Audi's I explained the problem and that it would either work or I'd get it recovered....the latter became obvious. He went away and then came back saying "try whacking the tank with the ignition on - one of my lads just said he had to do that on his Grandads' Peugeot the other week" I had been whacking it with the ignition on anyway.

So then we noticed that the security "goal post" entrance would not be big enough for my recovery truck so I had to ask for a push out onto the road - duely the Branch Manager, Sales Manager and Buyer came out to push "ha ha - you don't see this every day do you, huh huh" said Welton trying to break the ice

Then the recovery arrived and I got the pissed off recovery man from hell "where you headed?".... "where's that then?" etc etc. once he'd mostly got through his well oiled routine he admitted he was from Stoke and didn't know Leicester that well. I was hitched to a solid tow bar behind his Transit....."indicate when I indicate, brake when I brake" yeah yeah etc etc ....

By now it is 5:45pm and we're heading through rush hour to get to my centre-of-town mechanic (who was shut) the route was the rat-run route and we were doing 20mph with lights a blazin' and generally getting in the way then 10 minutes into the 15 min run my car went into ECONOMY MODE and disabled the indicators, I think the brake lights too, and the dash but left the sidelights on remember to exit economy mode you need to start the car...duh! so I just sat there and carried on steering.

Being shut my mechanic told me earlier on the phone to drop the car on the road outside the leisure centre but under a lamp post (this is not the sort of area you'd pop out for a nice evening stroll) lock it up and pop the key through his door for tomorrow. The recovery man also left the towing eye sticking out my bumper (and I couldn't undo it without tools) so now everyone will know it's broken (target vandalism?).

I got home at 7:00pm in the end for an important meeting with Stella and when I was drifting off to sleep later I cast a thought to my lovely car sitting on it's own, lonely, lost an broken and I was sad

Pump-wise they cost £178.00 + £5.00 in "sundry seals, snap ring?" and hopefully an hour to fit, oh and a new fuel filter (just had one 2 weeks ago) and maybe rinse the lines out if any particles are found in the filter bowl sent from the pump.

Interestingly my man said that the lift pump had to maintain a pressure not just a flow of Diesel and it can effect final performance (remember I said my car felt a bit weedy before).

Will update soon and let you know.......

Welly.

Feel for you there welly when mine packed up it was right outside toys r us
lets hope you will now be in for some trouble free motoring

Know just how that feels - thought it was only me these things happened to.
Your luck's got to change.

Words fail me, the money pit strikes again. I can see this turning into "I've got to keep fixing it or I'll have wasted the money I already spent" Maybe I should pack Božena off to the church on Sunday to pray for your Pug...

Cheers chaps, everyone keeps saying "why don't you sell it?" but why should I? and what else would I get? and my cars all sorted now anyway (I hope)!

It's a lot of dollar to throw at the thing but otherwise it's a very clean, very comfortable and economical car with every extra I like

I've been driving her indoors Astra for 2 days and on my way home last night I was getting dazzled in my rear view mirror Ahh! I thought - no auto mirror!....it's those little things you see that make all the difference

Nurse!... where's my tablets?....oh thanks, ta.

I think Welly is changing cars, just more gradually than accepted practice.

Have you got it sorted yet

The car's all done (as of yesterday) but I can't get over to pick it up until Friday.

By all accounts the new pump is a beauty and it's all good

I'll nab the old unit off him to show you all what the fuss is all about

That's good news Welly, be interesting to hear what the performance is like now!

Fingers crossed buddy

Welton wrote:I'll nab the old unit off him to show you all what the fuss is all about

Did you ever see the bit in Office Space where, after they get sacked, they take the malfunctioning printer out into a field and destroy it with a baseball bat?

Well, here's what all the fuss is about...A Bosch pump, complete with level float, made in Czech Republic





The new one is super-silent

Cost = £282.48 fitted inc vodka and tonic and new fuel filter, snap ring and seal.

My man showed me the tool he uses to undo the ring and it's a 3-legged circular adjustable grippy heavy piece of kit that adjusts and locks onto all the different makes. It has a socket attachment and in his own words...."you'd have a nightmare of a job without this tool" I can believe it

For those of you paying attention recently I now have the total bill for my car....£1,231.65.

Keep smiling Welly

Glad to hear you're back on the road.
£Ouch
Hope that's the end

Hi Welly. Pleased you have your pug back sorry to hear where you had to leave it .

I have decided on a new phrase " A 406 HDI IS FOR LIFE NOT JUST FOR CHRISTMAS"

I think you are right for a lot of reasons welly. You have no finance to pay. Its an old car. Less chance of some yob trying to rob it.

And mine is staying for finacial reasons to have spent sh*t loads. And im not paying a sh*t load of finance for it to sit outside work all day

Ok maybe you have spent the same as a years finance but how often do you pay that amount out per year on your pug?

I have had a year where i spent around a 1k but only one year of ownership in 6 and a bit years so cant complain really .

The last two years its been so reliable only a A/C/lower engine mount.

Cambelt water pump and tensioner to be done december and thats it

Wise words rappy. I got pissed off with a 405 estate and flogged it to watch the new owner drive it for several years with no problems.

Welly, think of the finance you are not paying on a newer car.

Richard.

you could always raffle the spoons

dogslife wrote:you could always raffle the spoons

Forks.