Vectra Strange noise - Clutch?

[RobO]

Hi all
Have "Y" Vectra - old shape - and I have a strange noise coming from the
clutch / engine / gearbox area.
Nearest noise I recall to it was on the old style starter motors when the
phosphor bronze bushing went dry, they made a screeching noise as they
slowed to a stop.
When does it occur? - when I get to the point of bite on the clutch - it
screeches upon engagement (as it is engaging). There is a very slight
vibration felt in the gear lever when it occurs.
I have had a test drive with the service manager of a local major dealership
who was trying to be helpful, but said that he could not be sure what it was
and that the Network Q warranty does not cover investigative work - just the
correction of the problem.
I am aware that diagnosis from a description as above may not be easy or
accurate, but I welcome pointers and experiences of your similar previous
problems which may help me/ the garage to pinpoint this before the warranty
runs out.
Many thanks
RobO

 

[steveb]

I have had a test drive with the service manager of a local major dealership
who was trying to be helpful, but said that he could not be sure what it was
and that the Network Q warranty does not cover investigative work - just the
correction of the problem.

fucking weasel!

Tell him to get the problem fixed. You aren't concerned about an
investigation.

Threaten his arse with Trading Standards and small claims court

steveb

 

[Martin]

Hi all
Have "Y" Vectra - old shape - and I have a strange noise coming from the
clutch / engine / gearbox area.
Nearest noise I recall to it was on the old style starter motors when the
phosphor bronze bushing went dry, they made a screeching noise as they
slowed to a stop.

Presumably not thrust bearing? (I think that would always make a noise when
clutch is partially or fully depressed.)

When does it occur? - when I get to the point of bite on the clutch - it
screeches upon engagement (as it is engaging). There is a very slight
vibration felt in the gear lever when it occurs.
I have had a test drive with the service manager of a local major dealership
who was trying to be helpful

Given the rest of your sentence, that's a contradiction in terms!

, but said that he could not be sure what it was
and that the Network Q warranty does not cover investigative work - just the
correction of the problem.

WHAT? The guy's got to be from another planet. I would hope one call to
Vaux would get him, and your car, sorted (or maybe the threat of a call)

I am aware that diagnosis from a description as above may not be easy or
accurate, but I welcome pointers and experiences of your similar previous
problems which may help me/ the garage to pinpoint this before the warranty
runs out.

IANAL, but if it runs out very soon, get a written acknowledgement NOW of
your complaint!

Apols for shouting - but this kind of attitude towards the very people who
keep all these dealers in business relly pi**es me off.

One other thought - get another (maybe non Vaux) mildy-corrupt place to
provide written diagnosis - then go and show this to your dealer. He can
then spend a couple of days swapping out clutch, g/box and engine. That
will sort your problem - based on _your_ diagnosis. He can't contest it,
cos he hasn't got a better diagnosis. If you see what I mean. Win-lose, me
thinks!!!

Good luck

 

[Lordy]

and that the Network Q warranty does not cover investigative work -

WHAT? The guy's got to be from another planet.

Why, that's how nearly all warranties on second hand cars work - they
are generally provided by a 3rd party company...

I can't seen a mention of how far into ownership of the vehicle the OP
is tho, obviously that has bearing on the issue.

 

[Martin]

Why, that's how nearly all warranties on second hand cars work - they
are generally provided by a 3rd party company...

Sorry - I didn't know this. Presumably if car just stops completely you'd
have to pay for diagnosis before getting the repair done?

I can't seen a mention of how far into ownership of the vehicle the OP
is tho, obviously that has bearing on the issue.

The OP mentioned NetQ warranty, so I assumed it was still within the period.
Does the warranty gradually phase out, or just stop when a key date is
passed?

 

[RobO]

Hi all,
Thanks for your replies and concerns outlined therein.
I had another "test ride" with the garage from which I bought the car and
they acknowledge there is an unusual noise - believe it not to be the
clutch, but don't know what it is.
They shied and shuddered at the thought of any involvement of Network Q or
Vx, so I agreed this only as a last resort.
Parting shot from the foreman was that, "the system is shut down at this
time of night, I will get "the girl" to sort things out in the morning and
ring you." - Still waiting - oh and yes the phone does still work <)))))).
Looks like it's going to have to get "formal".
Thanks
RobO

 

[Guest]

Hi all,
Thanks for your replies and concerns outlined therein.
I had another "test ride" with the garage from which I bought the car and
they acknowledge there is an unusual noise - believe it not to be the
clutch, but don't know what it is.
They shied and shuddered at the thought of any involvement of Network Q or
Vx, so I agreed this only as a last resort.
Parting shot from the foreman was that, "the system is shut down at this
time of night, I will get "the girl" to sort things out in the morning and
ring you." - Still waiting - oh and yes the phone does still work <)))))).
Looks like it's going to have to get "formal".
Thanks
RobO

If the car is less than 3 years old and has done less than 60K miles,
then it's a main dealer warranty job. ** PROVIDED ** it has a full main
dealer stamped service history.
Dave

 

[RobO]

Hi Dave
The answer is - well yes er - BUT - they have the service book - sold as
FSH and never delivered at point of sale as such. According to dealer
service documents and a new book was ordered, but never received. Makes a
farce of it really when they are willing to buy a new book, stamp it up and
post date it!
A lot of questions need to be answered and I think the time for sweeping the
problems under the carpet and being "Mr Nice Guy" have come to an end.
Thanks for comments.
RobO

 

[Lordy]

and that the Network Q warranty does not cover investigative

Sorry - I didn't know this. Presumably if car just stops completely
you'd have to pay for diagnosis before getting the repair done?

If it's a fault that is not easily defineable, then a lot of the time
that is unfortunately the case. Used car warranties generally cover
specific items, they do not cover taking the car to bits to find out
which item. Warranties also claim to cover all essential items, but they
have a 'wear and tear' clause that more often than not lets them wriggle
out of it.

The OP mentioned NetQ warranty, so I assumed it was still within the
period.

I meant how far into the period tho.

Does the warranty gradually phase out, or just stop when a key
date is passed?

Technically your warranty doesn't, but your consumer rights gradually
phase out. Warranty companies will try and get out of paying, so the
less time you've had the car the better a chance you've got of saying
it's not fit.