Should I let this guy off the hook? Legal issue

Splott

ptrichardson wrote: »

I've had a letter this morning stating (amongst others) the 2 following points:

1 - Running at 75% heat after operating at full load for more than 30 mins is "more than acceptable and within the operating limits"

They are correct. Where it is unacceptable is when it moves into the red. Anything under that is perfectly fine. That is why the rest of the gauge isn't red.

The problem you have is that this is probably the first vehicle you've ever had to drive at "full load" for any significant length of time and it is a temperature gauge you're unfamiliar with.

So it went to 75%, I'm sure it shouldn't do that.
What do you good folks think?

Without knowing what temperature 75% is you cannot say. Merely saying "3/4" isn't sufficient to say there's an actual fault with it, especially on an engine working hard.

Cooling systems on vehicles are designed to get up to around 90C very rapidly. They're not designed to run stone cold or luke warm. They actually run a pressurised cooling system so they can run well over 100C without the water boiling.

I've had cars where 2/3 was normal and 3/4 would be a bit on the high side but nothing to worry about, especially if the motor was having to work hard.

steve-L

ptrichardson wrote: »

Anyway, the actual issue with the van is moot - I've returned it and they claim that either it doesnt matter, or that it doesn't happen. It does, whichever of the 2 they want to chose!

Actually, you returned it and they actually made it easy for you.
Forget the technical if its normal or not....
Had they not made it easy for you then you might be waiting to go to small claims after having to lay out for independent reports that might well have said what Splott just said!

Honestly, a no quibble take it back by a dealer is really quite a turn-up!

Being perfectly honest, they made a loss having to take it back but did without making you jump through hoops.... now they probably just want to sell it and cover losses and hopefully its not a real fault or its easily rectified....

I think chance is despite you putting up the REG is IMHO totally legal you are actually doing them a dis-service after they refunded your money.

ptrichardson

Video deleted.

Still think warning people was the right thing to do - they misrepresented many things with the vehicle, and I really think they are turning a blind eye to the existing issue, hoping the new owners won't notice before the warranty period ends.

But I've not got the time nor energy for any fights right now.


Thanks v much to everyone who replied. Much appreciated

Splott

ptrichardson wrote: »

Video deleted.

Still think warning people was the right thing to do - they misrepresented many things with the vehicle, and I really think they are turning a blind eye to the existing issue, hoping the new owners won't notice before the warranty period ends.

The problem seems to be wanting brand new vehicle quality for 12 year old vehicle money.

mgdavid

ptrichardson wrote: »

........ it started to overheat - it only does this on long runs and only when you keep it to full throttle for more than 10minutes.........

no vehicle is designed for that sort of abuse.
user error.

vaio

user error? abuse?

Our Iveco Daily van only does 85-90 flat out when loaded so whenever it goes on a motorway it does pretty much the whole journey on full throttle.

It's what the throttle pedal is for, the longer you keep it pressed to the floor, the quicker you get to site. If manufacturers didn't want to to use full throttle they would make the rubber mats thicker

ptrichardson

vaio wrote: »

user error? abuse?

Our Iveco Daily van only does 85-90 flat out when loaded so whenever it goes on a motorway it does pretty much the whole journey on full throttle.

It's what the throttle pedal is for, the longer you keep it pressed to the floor, the quicker you get to site. If manufacturers didn't want to to use full throttle they would make the rubber mats thicker

Some curious points above, but this is correct. Engines are absolutely designed to run flat out. They are testing in this respect.

This generation of van is controlled by a governor, so as not to over-rev.

You can take any car you like, and run it around the millbrook oval, and it will not overheat unless there is something wrong with it.

red_eye

ptrichardson wrote: »

Bit of a long one this, so I'll try to be brief.

I bought a motorhome a few weeks back, but when I drove it home, it started to overheat - it only does this on long runs and only when you keep it to full throttle for more than 10minutes.

I returned the vehicle the next day, and got my money back - which is good.
Strangely though, after giving me the money back, the bloke from the dealership clearly said that he didn't believe there was really a problem with the van at all and that I'd just "fell out with it".

To me, that indicated that he'd try to sell it without attempting to fix the issue, so I thought that I would try to warn people about it by putting a video on Youtube showing the van overheating.

If you google FE51 UOK, its the first hit.


I've had a letter this morning stating (amongst others) the 2 following points:

1 - Running at 75% heat after operating at full load for more than 30 mins is "more than acceptable and within the operating limits"

2 - I had no right to use the registration number as I'm not the legal owner of the vehicle and to remove the video as it has cost them a sale.


So it went to 75%, I'm sure it shouldn't do that. Especially a completely unloaded motorhome when it was 5C in early January. What would it be like in Summer, with all our stuff in it!

Also, surely I was the legal owner of the vehicle at the time I took that video?


He's threatening solicitors etc, but I feel the video serves a right and correct purpose until they fix it.

What do you good folks think?

FE51 UOK is the first hit on google but there is no vid

arcon5

So the vehicle is not overheating, simply running at a higher than expected temperature... The dealer agrees to give you an easy life and just refund you and in return you tarnish it by making it difficult for them to sell, despite clearly not having a clue how it should run.

Yet your asking if you should let them off the hook...classic!

fivetide

arcon5 wrote: »

The dealer agrees to give you an easy life and just refund you

To be fair to the OP this is the second post that makes it sound like they just walked into the dealership and recieved a big bag of cash within five minutes.

this is despite saying:

I had to fight them very hard to get my money back. Thankfully I paid by credit card (deliberately) so I had protection too.

So it doesn't seem all that amicable or easy!