Garage having problems fixing car - suggestions please?

arcon5

Jackmydad wrote: »

Always a good idea to be a "Google Warrior" and Google the fault as in "Mercedes A150 starting problem"
Appears that it can be the camshaft sensor. Although you should have a fault showing.

That's a brilliant example of why being a Google warrior isn't a good idea since it would still crank at least

batman2000

Thanks, everyone... my main take-home message from this thread and from my google searches is that the problem may not be as simple as it sounds, and could be costly to diagnose/repair.

Tarambor wrote: »

As for the misting up inside, quite often its caused by worn door or boot/hatchback rubber seals which no longer seal properly. However in your case it could be water ingress from the battery compartment. Downside is that this can mean you're going to have the problem for a while as it'll be soaked into the floor matting, soundproofing and may be pooled on the floorpan and unfortunately winter isn't really a good time of year to help dry it out.

The misting only happens on the front windscreen. It improved after the repairs last month, when the battery compartment was drained of water that collected there. Recently the misting started again, although not as bad (yet).

Re the garage wanting to replace the starter motor, I've read it can be expensive (£600+?), so will ask the garage not to do this unless they are sure it's the problem. Actually.... it's getting to the point where the repairs are costing more than the car is worth, so maybe it's time to call it quits :-/.

gabitzul

If it proves to be the starter motor, a new one at ECP seems to be around £100 (don't know the full details of your car to be specific). Add to that 1-2 hours labour and you could be looking at £250 inc VAT. Any more than that and I would want to see a full breakdown of the estimate before the work starts.

Alternatively, there are companies out there which repair starter motors - that could be cheaper.

Don't despair.

batman2000

gabitzul wrote: »

Don't despair.

Thanks! Sorry if I sounded a bit despondent - it's just an expense we could do without at the moment. We were hoping this car would run ok for another year or so.

I'll keep your likely costs in mind. I'd got my idea of £600+ in a google search (where else!), the price apparently inflated because of the position of the starter motor in this particular model of car. Don't know if that's true though. It just panicked me!

I'm waiting for the garage to call me. Wish me luck.

Nodding_Donkey

An 11 year old A Class. Surely it's scrap by now.

batman2000

Nodding_Donkey wrote: »

An 11 year old A Class. Surely it's scrap by now.

Are you joking? It's only done 50,000 miles... worth £2000 in good condition in a private sale.

EdGasket

Nodding_Donkey wrote: »

An 11 year old A Class. Surely it's scrap by now.

Obviously you're not into bangernomics.

Rain_Shadow

EdGasket wrote: »

Obviously you're not into bangernomics.

Are aged Mercs good candidates for bangernomics?

batman2000

Rain_Shadow wrote: »

Are aged Mercs good candidates for bangernomics?

Going off our experience, possibly not!!! But on my trawl through the internet, I did find someone who'd owned an A Class from new, over 11 years old with 100,000+ miles on it, and still going strong ;-)

guy999

Hi
My wife has the same car but an A160 purchased new in 2005, apart from problem with the windscreen wiper stalk (which is a common problem) has been faultless. Car drives well and space internally is great for its size.
Will check the vents on her car car later, just in case.
Have seen same car with 150k plus miles, probably higher for sale on autotrader.
Agree have heard that starter motor will be a big cost due to engine will need to be dropped to be replaced.
Personally would only take to a local garage now, not MB.

People I know at work, would just call the AA/RAC out straightaway if car wouldn't start, cheap diagnosis, considering some don't even service regularly let alone check tyre pressures.