Looking for some advice and recommendations please

[danny137gb]

Looking for some advice and recommendations please.





I bought my Elgrand E51 Series 3 from a well-regarded member on here. A few months in, the alternator failed — the seller agreed to repair it under warranty, which I really appreciated. He also mentioned he replaced the power steering pump at the same time because he could hear it starting to fail — again, great service I thought.





A couple of months later I noticed the power steering fluid had dropped. I topped it up with fresh fluid including an additive to help seal any minor leaks. Fast forward to now — the (new) alternator has failed again.





I took it to a local garage who said it looks like the replacement power steering pump was fitted using the original fittings/pipework and may have been leaking onto the alternator. He didn’t want to take the job on and basically told me to drive it straight back to the seller and insist they put it right, as their previous work hasn’t actually resolved the issue.





I can see both sides — the seller did honour the warranty and carry out the repair, but if it’s been fitted incorrectly and caused the alternator to fail again, where do I stand?





The dealer is saying it’s just the pipes leaking and nothing to do with his work.





So I’m asking for some outside opinions — what would you do in this situation? And can anyone recommend a trustworthy Elgrand/auto specialist near the Rochdale area?

Photo of leak



Thanks in advance.

 

[Blippi]

Depends if it was a dealer you purchased from? If it was a dealer I would take it back and ask them to rectify.

If it was a private individual I think it's an issue you'll have to sort. As they have done above what's needed. If I sold a car it's as seen etc don't get me wrong I would make new owner aware if there were potential issues or I'd be already rectifying as I don't like to drive with known issues.

 

[LeStempy]

It's a known issue with Elgrands that the hose can split and leak into the alternator causing it to fail. If I had gone to the extent of replacing the pump I think I would have replaced the hose also with the knowledge of it being a weak point.

As you say, it sounds like good aftersales service from the vendor initially, though possibly a little short sighted if indeed original fittings/hoses were actually reused.

It's a hard one to call with used vehicles and warrantees, but it does sound like the first alternator failure may have been down to a fluid leak, hence the change of pump.

On the other hand, a drop in fluid level would indicate a leak which should have been investigated without delay rather than bunging in some snake oil and hoping for the best. If the leak had been detected early and repaired, it's likely the alternator would have been saved.

 

[danny137gb]

Depends if it was a dealer you purchased from? If it was a dealer I would take it back and ask them to rectify.

If it was a private individual I think it's an issue you'll have to sort. As they have done above what's needed. If I sold a car it's as seen etc don't get me wrong I would make new owner aware if there were potential issues or I'd be already rectifying as I don't like to drive with known issues.

It was a dealer that specialises in these cars and similar imports.

 

[Blippi]

In that case take it back and speak to the dealer like you say you can see both sides worst case they aren't interested but I doubt that would be the case. Even if it isn't covered by warranty etc I'm sure it would be in there interest to help you get the problem sorted. I haven't directly bought a vehicle from any of the dealers on here but have had parts from a few and found them to be genuinely helpful beyond obviously trying to relieve me of my hard earned.

 

[danny137gb]

It's a known issue with Elgrands that the hose can split and leak into the alternator causing it to fail. If I had gone to the extent of replacing the pump I think I would have replaced the hose also with the knowledge of it being a weak point.

As you say, it sounds like good aftersales service from the vendor initially, though possibly a little short sighted if indeed original fittings/hoses were actually reused.

It's a hard one to call with used vehicles and warrantees, but it does sound like the first alternator failure may have been down to a fluid leak, hence the change of pump.

On the other hand, a drop in fluid level would indicate a leak which should have been investigated without delay rather than bunging in some snake oil and hoping for the best. If the leak had been detected early and repaired, it's likely the alternator would have been saved.

Thanks, unfortunately I had no knowledge of this being a common fault.
Also admit I fell for what seems to be snake oil trick, genuinely gutted, if I had known there was a chance it could cause damage I would have took it back. This con just made more sense than a 30 mile trip (to the garage/car dealer) there and back.

I can only assume the original pump was leaking onto the original alternator as-well causing it to fail. Hence why they replaced both, but unfortunately didn’t fix the problem.

suppose I have to take some blame for the alternator as I did notice the fluid was low and fill it up.

Do you recommend any garages or websites for parts.

Thank you

 

[danny137gb]

In that case take it back and speak to the dealer like you say you can see both sides worst case they aren't interested but I doubt that would be the case. Even if it isn't covered by warranty etc I'm sure it would be in there interest to help you get the problem sorted. I haven't directly bought a vehicle from any of the dealers on here but have had parts from a few and found them to be genuinely helpful beyond obviously trying to relieve me of my hard earned.

He is based about 30 miles away so haven’t gone down in person as can’t attempt that without an alternator. I have messaged him but He basically just says the alternator is my fault because it has been driven with a leak. He said he will get back to me about the power steering pump. I haven’t heard back so need to chase him up on that.

I get the alternator and have to accept that but also annoys me because if the power steering had been fixed completely there would be no leak and I would still be recommending him.

 

[LeStempy]

You should find all the parts you need here

Quality Car Parts for Japanese Imported Vehicles | JDM Car Parts UK

JDM Car Parts UK is a leading supplier of quality car components for Japanese imported vehicles. We specialise in Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, Suzuki, and Toyota parts, but our expertise extends to sourcing components for all makes and models.

jdmcarparts.co.uk

 

[danny137gb]

You should find all the parts you need here

Quality Car Parts for Japanese Imported Vehicles | JDM Car Parts UK

JDM Car Parts UK is a leading supplier of quality car components for Japanese imported vehicles. We specialise in Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, Suzuki, and Toyota parts, but our expertise extends to sourcing components for all makes and models.

jdmcarparts.co.uk

Thank you

 

[MarkT]

I can see both sides — the seller did honour the warranty and carry out the repair, but if it’s been fitted incorrectly and caused the alternator to fail again, where do I stand?

My understanding for garages generally, is that reusing the lines is normal unless they look in poor condition.

When you ask where you stand, I assume you mean legally?

Given it's over a year since you bought it and, after the warranty repair, you drove it for months (and months?) knowing you had a leak, this is totally on you.

Get the parts (including quality lines and connectors!) and your local mechanic will probably be happy to fix it. If they won't, go to a small independent garage.

Important: When booking it in, use the code "it's an import, do you mind me supplying my own parts?"

(If you have a choice between quality and price, go for quality

 

[danny137gb]

When you ask where you stand, I assume you mean legally?

No not at all. I wouldn’t be posting on here if I was to take legal action. I was just looking for advice from people not involved.

I have had my mechanic tell me it’s bad workman ship and he should own his work and correct it!

However the dealer Denies the van was sold with a leak and it was just unfortunate the alternator failed, he was the one who said the power steering pump was failing and replaced the pump under warranty, without informing me until it was done.

The van is not used often, so the leak wasn’t picked up for a few months. Not being a mechanic I am surprised I even noticed it at all.

I understand after reading on here and google this is a common fault if the ps fluid leaks it’s above the alternator and can cause the alternator to fail.

My million dollar question would be was the power steering leaking when the van was sold which caused the first alternator to fail and then when the pump was replaced this never fixed the underlying problem and then the inevitable happened again.

Also I really liked the seller and he seems like a top bloke. I have highly recommended him and still have his stickers on the van. He did the right thing with the warranty but arghhh.

Like I said I haven’t named the seller in this post as I just wanted some advice and hopefully another garage mechanic to take the van too.

 

[MarkT]

Not being a mechanic I am surprised I even noticed it at all.

Checking fluid levels is driver-level but respect for doing it and trying to fix the leak - most people don't even check their tyres!

This is what the government recommends we do.... I wonder how many of us do all these? I don't

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/annex-6-vehicle-maintenance-safety-and-security

I have had my mechanic tell me it’s bad workman ship and he should own his work and correct it!

Assuming he takes as much care with his own work as he expects others to take, keep that mechanic sweet!

Through bitter experience, most people just fix the problem in front of them rather than taking the time to dig further. In places like a garage where you're working to targets and let go if you take too long, taking a close look at the connections/lines on the off chance they caused an unrelated ~20 year old part to die is unlikely.

It definitely pays to do as much as we can of the maintenance - can be a steep learning curve though.

 

[LeStempy]

Sometimes you just have to take it on the chin, accept a bad situation and move on.

 

[Importland]

Who is the 'well-regarded member on here.' ?
Who apparently partook in 'it’s bad workman ship and he should own his work and correct it!' ?

 

[Importland]

It was a dealer that specialises in these cars and similar imports.

Who is? Remember, others might be about to part with lots of money to the same dealer.

 

[Highway Dave]

Who is the 'well-regarded member on here.' ?
Who apparently partook in 'it’s bad workman ship and he should own his work and correct it!' ?

Who is? Remember, others might be about to part with lots of money to the same dealer.

Sometimes it’s best to wait and get a full story before stating the above.
Seems to me the “dealer” made good efforts to rectify a fault and also another spotted whilst working on the bus.
The leaking pipe is a common to Elgrand fault and as such can happen at any point, I don’t think it’s been said that the leaking pipe is was apparent straight away ?
Do we all change all connecting bits when changing a part, that could get expensive.
I’m not siding with anyone here, just putting another viewpoint across

 

[Reverend RobP]

Who is the 'well-regarded member on here.' ?
Who apparently partook in 'it’s bad workman ship and he should own his work and correct it!' ?

Who is? Remember, others might be about to part with lots of money to the same dealer.

As above. Thats not how we do things on here. This is a public platform, and we don't want to get into a liable situation.
We don't know the full facts, on the conditions when the primary work was carried out.
This is a matter for the OP to sort out with the dealer if they feel they've been wronged. Or move on and get repaired themselves as its a year on from the original work.

 

[Importland]

Yes, of course. Noted.
I only thought that someone on the forum could right this minute be in the dealer's office, parting with X amount of thousands of pounds, blissfully unaware of nothing but glowing reviews. There are forums where posters thankfully name places they feel disgruntled about, which is great, as it's a form of public service, but if his isn't one of them, that of course is fine if that is the rules.

 

[LeStempy]

I think it's pretty obvious to many on here who is involved. I don't think any good will come of public shaming.

 

[Importland]

As a looking-for newbie, I'm clueless to it being obvious. Which is one of the reasons why I wanted as much info of places before parting with thousands of pounds. It's okay though.