Is Your Zafira Going To Burst Into Flames ?

Strider590

keith1950 wrote: »

Whatever the original problem that might have caused the resistor pack to fail, the cars that are affected have had non-vauxhall replacement resistor packs replaced at non-vauxhall garages..

That's if it was replaced at all, I wasn't going to explain how the thermal fuse bypass bodge works, but someone has already mentioned one way of doing it.

keith1950

Any mechanic/technician who is found to have bypassed a thermal fuse should be prosecuted for endangering life.
Even a back street garage have a duty of care to their customers.
Any zafira owner who has carried out such a bodge themselves deserves similar treatment although I suspect it would more likely have been carried out as a cheap solution by an unscrupulous motor trader to maximise his profit from sellingthe car.

bigjl

The things people do to their cars to save a few quid always surprises me.

What doesn't is people's ability to then cry for compensation when he cost cutting has a negative result.

I would suspect the Vauxhall PR department knows full well the causes of the fires but can't really blame owners.

I still think it is significant that the hundreds of Zafiras that have been in daily use since they were new, 55, 56, 57 and a few 08 plates with the LAS have suffered no fires.

But then they are serviced with only Vauxhall parts sourced directly, even the brakes, and still have the DPFs fitted despite the issue they cause with vehicle used locally.

There must be 200/250 of the original 350 left and I have not heard of a single fire.

The lowest mileage must be well over 100k now, my old one had85k on it when I retired and the last time I drive it was in mid 2010, it was one of the first 55 plates.

BigBopper

bigjl wrote: »

The things people do to their cars to save a few quid always surprises me.

What doesn't is people's ability to then cry for compensation when he cost cutting has a negative result.

I would suspect the Vauxhall PR department knows full well the causes of the fires but can't really blame owners.

I still think it is significant that the hundreds of Zafiras that have been in daily use since they were new, 55, 56, 57 and a few 08 plates with the LAS have suffered no fires.

But then they are serviced with only Vauxhall parts sourced directly, even the brakes, and still have the DPFs fitted despite the issue they cause with vehicle used locally.

There must be 200/250 of the original 350 left and I have not heard of a single fire.

The lowest mileage must be well over 100k now, my old one had85k on it when I retired and the last time I drive it was in mid 2010, it was one of the first 55 plates.

They sound unique for a public sector, most are serviced on a shoe string budget and only every see anything but the cheapest repair when it comes to warranty work. But even with that I've never known one to catch fire.

worldtraveller

Vauxhall has announced a recall of 220,000 Zafira B cars, following a series of fires.

The action came two weeks after more than 130 fires were first reported, via a Facebook group.

The fires have occurred behind the glove-box, in the heating and ventilation system.

The model affected is the Zafira B, built between 2005 and 2014. The cars are all right-hand drive, and have manual, or no air conditioning.

The company said faulty repairs to the heating and ventilation system were probably to blame.

In a statement from chairman and managing director Rory Harvey, Vauxhall said its initial investigations had shown "improper repair of the blower motor resistor and its thermal fuse".

BBC News

Vauxhall Zafira B Safety Check

dogshome

So at last there is a re-call, but Vauxhall are still sprinkling press releases with 'Pattern Parts' & 'Improper Repairs'

He must be referring to all those owners of 2014 Zafira's with copper bottomed warrenties, who suffered a problem and elected to go to back-street garage for a repair that cost them money, rather the the main dealer who would have done for free - Has anyone actually seen Flying Pigs ?

bigjl

You do realise that there has been no reports of 2014 models going on fire?

Just that models from 2005 to 2014 could be affected.

All the pictures of Zafiras on fire that I have seen have featured fairly early ones, all had the pre facelift rear lights which were added in 2008.

As I have said before my old work had over 350 Zafiras, around 100 have been totalled I would expect so that still leave 250 or so Zafiras driving round London 24/7 on 55, 56 and 57 plates mainly though there are apparently 4 or 5 08 plates knocking about.

Non Vauxhall branded parts would not be fitted to any of these vehicles, and none have gone up in smoke that I am aware of.

Coincidence?

Probably not.

BigBopper

bigjl wrote: »

You do realise that there has been no reports of 2014 models going on fire?

Just that models from 2005 to 2014 could be affected.

All the pictures of Zafiras on fire that I have seen have featured fairly early ones, all had the pre facelift rear lights which were added in 2008.

As I have said before my old work had over 350 Zafiras, around 100 have been totalled I would expect so that still leave 250 or so Zafiras driving round London 24/7 on 55, 56 and 57 plates mainly though there are apparently 4 or 5 08 plates knocking about.

Non Vauxhall branded parts would not be fitted to any of these vehicles, and none have gone up in smoke that I am aware of.

Coincidence?

Probably not.

How do you know this for sure?

bigjl

BigBopper wrote: »

How do you know this for sure?

Because the public sector doesn't fit non Manufacturer branded parts. Mainly for liability reasons.

And I have been in the fitters many times, albeit not since I retired, and all the boxes where branded as Vauxhall or Mercedes.

I would suspect they are also branded as Skoda now aswell.

I very much doubt hey pay retail prices though.

When the fitters are overloaded with work the Zafiras used to get sent to Vauxhall dealers for work. And specifically to my fitters also to the now defunct Saab dealer on The Highway in E1.

BigBopper

bigjl wrote: »

Because the public sector doesn't fit non Manufacturer branded parts. Mainly for liability reasons.

And I have been in the fitters many times, albeit not since I retired, and all the boxes where branded as Vauxhall or Mercedes.

I would suspect they are also branded as Skoda now aswell.

I very much doubt hey pay retail prices though.

When the fitters are overloaded with work the Zafiras used to get sent to Vauxhall dealers for work. And specifically to my fitters also to the now defunct Saab dealer on The Highway in E1.

That will be why some have a deal with Halfords to change bulbs then?

And I do wish I was joking.