Zafira Engine Terminally Overheated

motorguy

atrixblue.-MFR-. wrote: »

on the other hand the dealer is still bound by SOGA, and thus, he is responsible under this to prove the defect wasn't inherited.

The dealer would have to prove the fault wasnt there at the time of purchase. Clearly it wasnt as the O/P has driven the car for 5 months without previous loss of coolant.

If the O/P has been checking the coolant level periodically as they should be, and there has been no loss of coolant in 5 months, then its clear the fault was not there at the time of sale, so not the dealers issue. If the O/P hasnt been checking the coolant for the 5 months, then the problem might have been there for a period of time, but there is negligence on the part of the O/P in terms of ensuring the car has coolant, so not the dealers issue.

I cant see how there is any recourse with the dealer.

For the engine to have been driven on and on until it physically melts components, it has been being driven for some considerable time without coolant. I cant see how Vauxhall themselves have any liability there - "i've driven my car without coolant to the point whereby it seized, can you replace the engine for free please?"

spacey2012

Main dealers expertise these days appears to limit to "if it comes in a box with instructions" they will fit it.
Most do not even have a mechanic on the books, just "technicians", they would be limited to fitting a new engine from a pallet if the old one does not work.
As I said an independent mechanic may have a better solution.
Dixons are one company that have engines off the shelf from written off late cars and it wont be anywhere near £6k

motorguy

Hobbo2006 wrote: »

Hi All,

Hope you can offer some advice.

Had a Zafira Elite Ecoflex Diesel. 60 plate. Warranty ended 3 weeks ago.

On Friday the 13th my car lost power on the motorway. Temperature light came on as the power went and I weaved onto the hard shoulder. Steam everywhere and engine so so hot when I opened the bonnet. AA called and recovered to Vauxhall garage. The coolant pipe had burst causing the engine to overheat. Vauxhall have been looking at it since then and are not prepared to pay for the repairs as they say that signs of melting mean that it's run dry and is my fault. I'm stunned by this as drove 80 miles to Swindon and the problem occured on the way back so quite obviously the fault occured at some point on the way back. They want about £5k to replace the engine!

Has anyone had success dealing with Vauxhall if so any advice would be appreciated.

If claiming under warranty fails then I have a car of approx £8k value which now does not have an engine. Could anyone suggest what my options are?

Could I sell the car as is? Is it worth getting a new engine? Should I just write it off and take the loss?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

You might want to have an "expert" - the AA for example - examine the engine bay. If the pipe burst catastrophically at speed and there was no opportunity for you to avert disaster, then there should be evidence of that with regards to water marks in the engine bay.

motorguy

Found this related thread

"Vauxhall 1.9 CDTI coolant leak"

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3174438

Leaks seem to be a common ish problem.

bigjl

motorguy wrote: »

Found this related thread

"Vauxhall 1.9 CDTI coolant leak"

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3174438

Leaks seem to be a common ish problem.

Will have read of your link.

But i am certain that the EcoFlex versions are fitted with the 1.7 engine. Which might well be an Isuzu unit again going by what i have read over the last few years.

We used mk2 Vauxhall Zafiras at work. 55reg, 56reg, 57reg and a few 08reg. All 120bhp Design with autobox

And we never had any water leaks or blown hoses.

We had lots of egr issues. Blown engines due to fuel dilution and many dpf issues.

Though servicing tended to be 6weeks or 3000miles most of the time.

They are still being used 24/7 now though most of the 55 plates are not used front line anymore. Replacing them with Skoda Octavia estate with 140bhp lumps, DSG box and 4x4.

The lack of a temp guage was plain silly

But perhaps the regular servicing and checks meant degradation of the hoses was spotted early and dealt with.

All cars can have leaks and issues.

My Jag had a water leak from the thermostat housing a couple of weeks ago.

I just kept it topped up.

And it was fixed under warranty.

motorguy

bigjl wrote: »

But i am certain that the EcoFlex versions are fitted with the 1.7 engine. Which might well be an Isuzu unit again going by what i have read over the last few years.

I had assumed that the Elite spec came with the 1.9CDTI, but you're right, its going to be the 1.7!

colino

Sadly there will be no recourse from the seller, it really isn't conceivable that a trader can be held responsible for the huge consequential loss of a cheap hose pipe letting go.
On that age of car I'd be on to copart looking for a C or D to get the engine and all ancillaries and take the package to a recommended, local, independent mechanic to do fixed price, fixed timescale changeover.
Which Jag thermostat let go bigjl? They've now got a lovely habit of fracturing the thermostat housing (sudden and high volume loss) and even if you do notice the initial weep, hard just to buy the (upside down fitted) pot, and you have to go for a complete upper hose set instead.

bigjl

colino wrote: »

Sadly there will be no recourse from the seller, it really isn't conceivable that a trader can be held responsible for the huge consequential loss of a cheap hose pipe letting go.
On that age of car I'd be on to copart looking for a C or D to get the engine and all ancillaries and take the package to a recommended, local, independent mechanic to do fixed price, fixed timescale changeover.
Which Jag thermostat let go bigjl? They've now got a lovely habit of fracturing the thermostat housing (sudden and high volume loss) and even if you do notice the initial weep, hard just to buy the (upside down fitted) pot, and you have to go for a complete upper hose set instead.

2012 3.0v6 Diesel XJL

All replaced under warranty. I think the housing may be plastic.

The engine is the 3.0v6 unit as fitted to the C6 and Range Rover and Land Rovers.

Actually a PSA Group engine.

colino

For the past 10 years the only really weak point on our much improved Jags is the cooling system. Use of plastic parts because they were specced for a similar Ford (although the Jag would be running hotter and more stressed) or just perseverance with duff parts is unforgivable.

bigjl

I also think the dpf system used in Jags is partly to blame.

They don't use Eloys like the PSA vehicles with the same engine and so regen at hotter exhaust temps.

Still think it is an awesome engine.