Engine noise and warning light now on

[Maff]

Last week when I started the car I could hear an electric motor whirring away, thought it must have been the fan as this sometimes comes on after starting.

Drove for 30 minutes and switched the engine off and still making a noise. Got out and inspected and it sounded like the washer bottle motor (that kind of small fast motor noise).

After further inspection it appeared to be coming from down low on the drivers side front bumper near the front fog light, however with so many things in that direction it's difficult to see what sort of motor/pump it could be.

After 40 more minutes of the motor/pump changing speed/sound it went off.

Today the engine warning light came on while driving and now stays on.

Anyone know what this electric motor/small pump noise could have been, as I'm sure the engine warning light is related to the problem last week.

Car seems to drive fine, no problems or extra noises and seems to respond even better than before!

 

[Dieselman]

Possibly the charcoal cannister purge motor.

 

[Maff]

Turned out to be the secondary air pump that had gone, not sure what that does but they said it was OK to use the car whilst waiting for a replacement to come from Germany.

 

[Flash]

Maff,

Was it our "friends" down Greenoaks that diagnosed the fault?

Flash

 

[Rose Chap]

Maff,

Was it our "friends" down Greenoaks that diagnosed the fault?

Flash

Which Greenoaks? I've rejoined the Mercedes gang after a three year VW related absence, but last time I used a MB dealer it was Rivervale in Reading.

Since I'm now living in Wokingham I was thinking the bunch in Bracknell are handy. Do they know what they're doing? Failing that I drive past the one in Slough occasionally whilst on the way to sort out the Oompa Loompas. Recommendations?

Cheers

 

[Flash]

Hi,

From personal experience with them and feedback from others I would not use them...

Rivervale is now under the Stealership restructring programme now Greenoaks - the current Service Manager at Reading is the former Service Manager from Slough who I have had "dealings" with. Better be careful what I say for legal reasons.

My car had a wheel curbed/damaged whilst in a partuclar Stealership's custody. Best I got was a refurb as a "goodwill gesture" and was made out to be a liar and that I had curbed the car myself and no apology. There are many more horror stories.

Flash

 

[Maff]

Yes it was greenoaks Maidenhead. (I wont go to Slough any more) I had it booked in at MB Uxbridge who have been excellent, but it's too far to go really.

I noticed two small scratches on the back of my car when picking it up, but I'm not sure if they were they when I dropped it off, as it was pretty dirty, and they washed it.

Kinda wished I’d travelled the extra miles to Uxbridge now...

 

[Rose Chap]

Thanks fellas, this is good info to know, even if it isn't all positive!

I ran a 190E whilst at uni in Bournemouth and used Jackons in Poole, they were always good as I remember so I might try and combine services with trips to the seaside.

By the way Maff I notice you've got a Golf TDI. However bad MB dealers are I refuse to believe they can reach the depths of sheer stupidity and ignorance of the VW dealer network. Anyway, that's a story for another time (and forum!).

Thanks as always.

Andy