Another valeo victim to add to the tally - MB

[jaymanek]

On a car with that mileage I would go for a nissens radiator at £250 ish and get the torque convertor reconned for around £250. UK Specialist parts suppliers and re builders of Automatic Transmissions - Torque Converters - Sussex Auto Parts and Services

Labour will be the biggest cost but you will still end up paying at least 5-600 less.

 

[timskemp]

Thanks for that Jay - I've passed the info on. Am toying with the idea now of running this for another 6 mths max then getting an interim cheap car until I can afford a 212.

 

[speedyyellow]

I have a veleo radiator and, touch wood, a working 'box. What is the cheapest option to protect myself?

 

[jaymanek]

replace radiator... or re route the transmission oil cooler pipes to a seperate oil cooler...

 

[speedyyellow]

I've read the thread so know the two options, I'd just like to know which one generally works out cheaper? I'd rather have a proper rad fitted, but if the price difference is big then I might go the oil cooler route.

 

[timskemp]

Just as an update - have done 1100 miles since getting the car back, it feels like a new transmission, gearchanges are smooth, lockup starts at 1500rpm on light throttle and is solid and secure, no noises, no vibrations.

Garage hasn't prepared the bill yet though so I await the shock...

As an aside, I went to my dealer to get a bulb, and ended up booking a test drive in a coupe. I reckon I'll be changing car mid to next year if business continues as well as it is now, the answer is "E350CDI", the question is coupe, cabrio, saloon or estate...

 

[timskemp]

The bill

Finally, the bill arrived:

Rad £186.25
TC recon £278.60
Seals/Gaskets £77.40
Autobox filter £11.20
ATF £78.00
Intercooler pipes £14.40
Carriage charges £21.50

£667.35 £667.35

Oil £61.75
Sump washer £0.28
Oil filter £5.90
Air filter £20.40
Fuel Filter £10.90
Pollen filter £12.08
Sundries £5.00
Exhaust repair £25.00

£141.31 £141.31

Labour £648.00 £648.00

£1,456.66
VAT £254.92
£1,711.58

I've split it to show what was Valeo Rad related and what was for the service (that was due in about 400 miles anyway) - though it's a lot of money to lay out on a car valued at 4k I'm not too distressed by it, take off the service (say 2 hrs of the labour) and the repair was £1460 inc vat, or under a penny for every mile travelled in the car...

For those wondering whether to pre-empt the failure of the radiator or not, bear in mind mine lasted 163k miles, many don't last that long, and the cost of replacing the radiator or fitting a separate oil cooler is much lower...

 

[st4]

Finally, the bill arrived:

Rad £186.25
TC recon £278.60
Seals/Gaskets £77.40
Autobox filter £11.20
ATF £78.00
Intercooler pipes £14.40
Carriage charges £21.50

£667.35 £667.35

Oil £61.75
Sump washer £0.28
Oil filter £5.90
Air filter £20.40
Fuel Filter £10.90
Pollen filter £12.08
Sundries £5.00
Exhaust repair £25.00

£141.31 £141.31

Labour £648.00 £648.00

£1,456.66
VAT £254.92
£1,711.58

I've split it to show what was Valeo Rad related and what was for the service (that was due in about 400 miles anyway) - though it's a lot of money to lay out on a car valued at 4k I'm not too distressed by it, take off the service (say 2 hrs of the labour) and the repair was £1460 inc vat, or under a penny for every mile travelled in the car...

For those wondering whether to pre-empt the failure of the radiator or not, bear in mind mine lasted 163k miles, many don't last that long, and the cost of replacing the radiator or fitting a separate oil cooler is much lower...

Thats a massive bill.

For anyone with a valeo rad, its worth IMHO changing for a new behr one or fitting an oil cooler.

Personally, I'd keep the motor a bit longer than next year. You've forked out a massive whack for a repair, I'd want some more miles out of it before passing off your good work to someone else.

The E350cdi is quite a bit gruffer than the 320cdi.

Why not look at a last run out 211 320cdi sport. Nicer engine, significantly cheaper to buy and proven model.

 

[timskemp]

Thats a massive bill.

For anyone with a valeo rad, its worth IMHO changing for a new behr one or fitting an oil cooler.

Personally, I'd keep the motor a bit longer than next year. You've forked out a massive whack for a repair, I'd want some more miles out of it before passing off your good work to someone else.

The E350cdi is quite a bit gruffer than the 320cdi.

Why not look at a last run out 211 320cdi sport. Nicer engine, significantly cheaper to buy and proven model.

I'll keep it longer if I have to, need to see how work / money is before splashing on another car but I was intending to change anyway.

Drove a 350coupe last week, didn't like it, too harsh - dealer is lining up 250 and 350 saloons for me in the coming weeks. Coming from the 270 the 350 engine is almost silent!

Don't want another 211, might as well stay with the one I have rather than swap for another.

 

[BlackC55]

Can I just ask.

Who re-furbed the TC? Can you find out Tim?

 

[Druk]

Two questions please.

Tim. Was no repair required on the gearbox?

Olly or Jay... What and where from the air/oil-cooler option?

Ta.

 

[timskemp]

Can I just ask.

Who re-furbed the TC? Can you find out Tim?

I'll ask tomorrow - got a new foglight on the way due to stone damage...

 

[timskemp]

Two questions please.

Tim. Was no repair required on the gearbox?

Olly or Jay... What and where from the air/oil-cooler option?

Ta.

No mention of anything required in the box itself, just the TC.

 

[timskemp]

Can I just ask.

Who re-furbed the TC? Can you find out Tim?

He wouldn't tell me - only that it's a specialist he's know for years (Steve's near retirement age and has been in the trade since school!)