Fixing advice from our garage proprietor Steve Rothwell
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
MERCEDES-BENZ SLK
► The owner of this 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLK 1.8 had decided that a bit of fresh air through the cabin would be quite nice, opening both front windows. Reaching her destination, she then went to put the windows back up but the passenger side decided not to move, deciding that brute force was a good option she bashed the door and tried again, this did actually work and allowed the window to motor up into the closed position, but once up a loud clunk was heard and she certainly wasn’t going to try and open the window again.
Not that I would recommend this procedure, but it can be the case that a good jolt can sometimes get things moving again, and I will admit to bashing a few fuel pumps in my time to get a stranded motor running again.
The Mercedes was duly booked in and when I checked it out, found it did need a new window motor, and the loud clunk she had heard was one of the securing bolts being dislodged. Removing the door panel and accessing the motor was not a difficult job – and with the parts in stock at the local dealer, the SLK was back out by mid-afternoon.
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
► I’m old enough to remember when catalytic convertors were first fitted to vehicles and the worry that these units were going to be so delicate that they would need replacing every few years at a great expense.
The truth of the matter is that although they do fail, they do last longer than expected and on the vast majority of vehicles give little problems. The catalytic convertor on this 2006 VW Golf 1.6 FSI had been in place from new and was still effectively ensuring the exhaust gasses emitted into the atmosphere were conforming to the required levels. The unit was though corroding around the seams and needed replacing due to a light blow. Fitted at the back of the engine, the book time on this one is only 0.9 hours, and provided the motor is up on the ramp and the fixings all come undone (which they did) this time is quite achievable.
Once the new cat was bolted back in place, the engine was started to ensure that all was well and the Golf ready for action.
PEUGEOT 508
► Walking into the workshop with a large rubber bung and a concerned look on his face, the owner of this 2011 Peugeot 508 2.0 HDi explained that a piece had just dropped off from under the vehicle and he was concerned as to what it was and where it had come from. He was also worried that continuing to drive may cause damage without the part fitted.
I was thankfully able to quickly reassure him that this was not a crucial part and that the Peugeot was quite safe to d
