Tag Archives: garages in derby

Peugeot RCZ 1.6 THP 2011 stretched timing chain P0016.

Peugeot RCZ engine management light on Fault code P0016 and engine rattle.

We see quite a few Peugeot RCZ’s with engine management lights on and when diagnosed the fault code is P0016 Synchronization lack of coherence between engine speed sensor (crank sensor) and inlet camshaft sensor. This means that the engine is sensing that the timing of the vehicle engine is incorrect when running. The reason for this is that on this engine model (that is also fitted in the BMW MINI and other vehicles) the timing chain stretches due to either a mechanical component being worn, not being serviced regularly or low oil levels.

peugeot rcz timing chain aarons autos derby P0016

Peugeot RCZ 2012 fault code P0016

With the Diagnostic code read taken place we first remove the rocker cover and fit the engine timing pins to see how stretched the chain is but on this one we could see even with fitting the engine timing pins how far the chain had stretched.

Rocker cover removed with no timing pins fitted.

Having timed the crank and inserted the timing pin we went to time the cams and as you can see they were many teeth out. The two cam timing plates should meet together in the middle and both together.

Timing tool fitted showing how incorrect the timing was.

We removed the Chain and corrected the timing so that the new timing chain kit could be fitted.

Timing chain kit removed.

We always fit a brand new full timing chain kit that includes tensioner, chain, rocker cover gasket, guides, sprocket and VVT pulley.

All new parts fitted and timed up correctly.

With the new timing chain kit fitted and a oil and filter change completed the ecu was reset and the car ran allot quieter with no engine management light or code coming back on.

https://youtu.be/AkQTHUgsOSM Aarons Autos is the best car servicing garage in the world

Your friendly car garage in Derby

Give us a call at Aarons Autos for more info

Toggle panel: Platinum SEO Pack
Code editor selected

Suzuki Alto front shock absorber major failure.

Suzuki Alto Front Shock Absorber Failure

This Low miles Suzuki Alto got recovered into us with suspension failure causing the o/s/f wheel to be leaning out.

Suzuki Alto front strutt failure.

It was very apparent straightaway that the strut had failed due to corrosion.

Suzuki Alto strut failure due to corrosion.

We also checked the n/s/f and also found that it had a large crack in it.

Suzuki Alto strut cracking due to corrosion.

We replaced both front struts and a inner and outer cv boots due to them being torn and after checking the tracking the car was good to go.

Suzuki Alto front strut replaced.

Suzuki Alto tracking completed

Aarons Autos is the best car servicing garage in the world

Your friendly car garage in Derby

Give us a call at Aarons Autos for more info

Rotten Ford Transit LWB for Welding.

Ford Transit Chassis Cab Extra LWB for MOT Welding.

This Ford Transit extra LWB (Long Wheel Base) had been specially adapted for the customer many years ago to enable it to carry extra long loads. It came in to us for its annual MOT, whilst carrying out the MOT it became apparent that the extension section of the chassis which makes this van an ‘Extra LWB’ was made from a lower quality steel than the original chassis and was in very poor condition.

After removing the body from the chassis we could see what we had to deal with and realised we would have to completely replace the cross member as well as repairing the chassis legs.

The structural integrity of the the chassis legs was still very good and it was just the thin outer skin that was holed and corroded so we decided to sleeve the complete chassis leg to increase the strength of the existing legs.

New Sleeve And Top Being Welded Into Place

“MOT Welding on Transit Van”

Once both chassis leg sleeves and tops had been welded into place it was time to align and fit the new cross member, the cross member also supports the prop shaft so needs to be perfectly in line as to not cause any vibrations.

Cross Member And Modified Prop Mount Fitted

Next job was to weld the top onto the cross member and seem seal and paint the chassis to help keep it protected.

After completing this section there were a few plates to be made for the rear section of the chassis then the welding would be complete and we could refit the body.

“Time to refit the LWB body”

Aarons Autos is the best car servicing garage in the world

Your friendly car garage in Derby.

Give us a call at Aarons Autos for more info

Nissan Qashqai air conditioning not working.

The owner of this vehicle had taken his car to another garage for a air conditioning service but they could not complete the work as there machine had detected a leak but they didn’t have leak detection tool.

At Aarons Autos we have a nitrogen gas leak test kit that fills the system with nitrogen which is not harmful to the environment when released into the air.

Front end stripped down to find leak and then removal of the air conditioning condenser.

We used the air conditioning leak detection kit and with the gas escaping we pinpointed the leak to the air conditioning condenser behind the intercooler. We informed the customer of the air conditioning leak test result and after a estimated repair cost they gave us the go ahead to replace the air conditioning condenser.

Damaged air conditioning condenser.

New air conditioning condenser fitted.

After replacing the air conditioning condenser we performed another leak test and the system held gas as it should with no leaks detected.

We do air conditioning servicing, leak tests and repairs.

Aarons Autos is the best car servicing garage in the world

Your friendly car garage in Derby

Give us a call at Aarons Autos for more info

Toggle panel: Platinum SEO Pack
Code editor selected

Vauxhall Corsa oil in coolant and timing chain noisy.

This Vauxhall Corsa came into the garage after the owner had notice that the coolant was being contaminated with oil. Whilst we were looking into the problem we also noticed the timing chain was very noisy and with no visible problems we informed the customer that we would need to strip the timing side of the engine to investigate the problem.

Vauxhall Corsa timing chain gasket failure.

On stripping the timing chain side of the engine both problems were quickly diagnosed. We found that the gasket separating the oil from the coolant behind the timing chain cover had failed letting the two mix together, also when the timing tools were inserted the timing chain was found to be stretched which was causing the rattling noise.

Vauxhall Corsa timing chain gasket (in black) failed.

Vauxhall Corsa timing chain gasket failure close up.

We replaced the timing chain, guides, sprockets and gasket then flushed the cooling system to remove any remaining oil from the system. After performing a intrim service and a full anti freeze change the Vauxhall Corsa engine was nice and quite and the oil was no longer mixing with the coolant.

Aarons Autos is the best car servicing garage in the world

Your friendly car garage in Derby

Give us a call at Aarons Autos for more info

Fiat Ducato camper van radiator repair.

This Fiat Ducato camper van came into us after the customer complained that they had noticed a pink fluid leaking from around the front of the vehicle.

Fiat Ducato Camper van

We checked around the engine bay of the camper van and could see pink staining around the radiator indicating that there may be a leak. We used our coolant pressure tester and entered pressure into the cooling system and the leak from the radiator became apparent.

Fiat Ducato camper van radiator leaking

On removal of the radiator you could see where the radiator had failed and the coolant was leaking from.

Fiat Ducato camper van radiator damage

We replaced the radiator and filled with new anti freeze, the camper van was ready once again for many camping holidays.

Camper van, large van, small van service and repairs.

Aarons Autos is the best car servicing garage in the world

Your friendly car garage in Derby

Give us a call at Arrons Autos for more info

Toggle panel: Platinum SEO Pack
Code editor selected

Vauxhall Meriva rotten subframe found on service.

This 2008 low mileage Vauxhall Meriva came into us for servicing and as we checked the vehicle over we noticed some surface rust on the subframe. Rust is never a good thing so to make sure the subframe still had its integrity that it needs we tapped the rust and we was shocked at what happened.

Not only did a massive chunk of rust/subframe fall off but we found the structural integrity of the steering rack mounting was found to be seriously rotten and in need of immediate action.

Vauxhall Meriva surface rust turned out to be large hole

Vauxhall Meriva subframe steering rack mount rotten

MOT Failure!

We contacted the customer and they popped down so we could show them how serious the fault was and agree on a action plan to solve the issue. We always assess expensive repairs on older cars to make sure that it is financially viable to repair the car and in this case due to the overall good condition of the car and the low mileage it was agreed to replaced the subframe.

We sourced a new subframe from the local main dealer and replaced it, after finishing the service the customer was happy to get his car back all repaired and ready for many more years on the road.

Are Ebay car parts worth the risk?

As a rule car parts are becoming more and more expensive and we sometimes recommend either we or the customer tries and find alternatives on the internet, but after our recent issues we will only be recommending OE parts from our suppliers from now on.

The first instance was a ignition barrel on a 2012 Citroen Relay that had failed. Calling the main dealer for a replacement barrel you had to buy a complete lock kit and it was over 700 pounds. Trying to look after our customer we found one on Ebay and purchased it on there behalf at a very low price. 2 days after fitting the new ignition barrel it failed making us look bad and causing the customer issues.

We managed to find an alternative replacement via Fiat main dealer and the vehicle has been fine since.

”Buy cheap, buy twice”

The second instance was a Vauxhall Meriva subframe that had rotten through, We spoke to the main dealer and the part was over 500 pounds, So again trying to look after our customer we managed to source one from Ebay at half the price.

The new subframe arrived and at a glance looked all good but as we started to fit the lower wishbones we found the o/s/f wishbone was fouling with the subframe. After taking many measurements we found that the front wishbone mounting bracket had been incorrectly welded in the wrong place by 1 cm. After talking to the unhelpful seller the part was returned and a main dealer one purchased and fitted with no problems.

Incorrectly welded wishbone mounting on a Vauxhall Meriva subframe purchased from Ebay

Over the years personally we have purchased parts from the internet with no problems but we thought we would give you a insight to when things don’t go to plan and why we will not be buying cheap parts from the internet in the future.

As the old saying goes ‘Buy cheap buy twice’.

Vauxhall Corsa non start – fixed

This Vauxhall Corsa came into us with a report from a breakdown company that the catalytic converter had collapsed blocking the exhaust making it a non start. We quickly determined that the Cat was infact fine and not the cause. On trying to start the car it would run but backfire and would not rev correctly.

Next we removed the inlet manifold and on removal we found that the lower part had infact blow off. On speaking to the customer they reported that the car did make a loud bang before it would not start again.

Manifold split in half!

Damaged Vauxhall Corsa inlet manifold after blowing apart

Vauxhall Corsa inlet manifold blown apart

After sourcing a new inlet manifold we fitted it and cleared all the ecu codes and the car ran as it should leaving a happy customer.

A few Jobs from last week.

This beautiful Mercedes ML63 AMGcame in for a brake check after its owner had noticed the brake warning light had come on, after a quick strip down and report the customer gave us the go ahead to replace its MASSIVE front brake discs and pads and rear pads.

The front brake discs on this three tonne 500+ horse power beast are 395mm in diameter! to put that into context a ford focus has 270mm discs! The AMG also runs Brembo six pot callipers on the front for optimum braking.

The owner of this Scirocco R came to have his own lowering spings fitted as he wanted the car to sit lower.

There are Pro”s and Con’s to fitting lowering springs to a road car the Pro’s are –

Better handling (centre of gravity is lower and springs are generally slightly stiffer than OE)
Better looking (not everyone thinks so, but if your a petrol head they do)

The Con’s

Very hard drive (UK’s roads are not the best so you feel every bump and pot hole)
Can cause stress to other car parts (if it feels hard to you imagine how the car feels)
Speed bumps (self explanatory)

This BMW 325 Compact Track car came in for a quick Geometry check and adjust before its owners took it to Bedford Autodrome for their Track Day, the owners had fitted all the suspension components them selves and just wanted the alignment checking to make sure it didn’t kill tyres and they could get the optimum performance from their new kit.