Advice before I kill again!!

[thebeno]

Returned home to Stansted Airport on sunday, and could barely get the car moving, one of the brakes had locked, the right rear. Managed to get it to a services and call the AA, they thought it was a leak somewhere as the fluid had gone down.

Brakes are really spongy now and not half as good as they were, also can hear them rubbing.

Took it to Stoneacre, Doncaster this morning, they say its not covered by warranty as its probably not a leak and more likely needs a strip and clean (140 big ones!!!).

How can it need a strip and clean as the service was only done 4 weeks ago when I bought the car?. Anyone think it should be covered under warranty, considering I have only done 2k miles and 3 weeks driving, I think £140 bill is crazy.

Also had the temperature red light come on this morning when starting, flashed until I turned the engine off and tried again. It was -2.5, perhaps something was frozen?

 

[RobM]

I'd push for this to be covered under warranty! If you haven't long had the car you should have a good case for it being faulty when you bought it. And you can also push the theory that they should have picked up any potential problems when they serviced it.

Do you know what service it was? If it was a major service that involves checking or even changing brake fluid that really backs up your case.

As for the flashing temp light... has it come back on since?

 

[thebeno]

I'd push for this to be covered under warranty! If you haven't long had the car you should have a good case for it being faulty when you bought it. And you can also push the theory that they should have picked up any potential problems when they serviced it.

Do you know what service it was? If it was a major service that involves checking or even changing brake fluid that really backs up your case.

As for the flashing temp light... has it come back on since?

No temp light has gone out now, only went on when engine was below zero.

It was the 20k service, so the major one yes?

 

[RobM]

Pretty big one, yeah. And as far as I know the brake fluid is changed @ 20k so I'd really push for this!

It's possible it's been leaking ever since they did the service and got to the point recently where it's so low, it's caused this problem.

Your owners manual should state the exact details of each service.

 

[thebeno]

Pretty big one, yeah. And as far as I know the brake fluid is changed @ 20k so I'd really push for this!

It's possible it's been leaking ever since they did the service and got to the point recently where it's so low, it's caused this problem.

Your owners manual should state the exact details of each service.

So what do you think of their claim that its just dirty and needs a clean and strip? Rollocks?

 

[RobM]

It's possible, but that seems like an awfully convenient excuse. Have you got any trustworthy local garages that can give you a second opinion?

If the AA say the fluid has gone down, this would point to a leak somewhere. And if the last people to touch the brakes were the dealer... well... you do the math

 

[thebeno]

It's possible, but that seems like an awfully convenient excuse. Have you got any trustworthy local garages that can give you a second opinion?

If the AA say the fluid has gone down, this would point to a leak somewhere. And if the last people to touch the brakes were the dealer... well... you do the math

Weve actually got a small garage on site here at work. I will take it down today. Note to self - Sod Stoneacre...

 

[RobM]

That's handy, get them to check it and give an honest opinion and then go back and ram that down the throats of the dealer! Good luck, hope you get it sorted

 

[milesyboy1]

That's interesting on the temp indicator light flashing though as mine has also started doing the same since last week. Anyone know if this could be serious or not?

 

[RobM]

Check your coolant level first of all. If that's ok, and the light continues to flash, you may have a problem with your coolant sensor. Do a search for info as it's a very common problem.

 

[thebeno]

Yeah think I have read about this before, probably just the cold weather!!

 

[thebeno]

Well, the dealer thinks it could be grime on the discs/pads etc, hence why its making a grating noise.

The fluid has not gone down since but I cant see any leaks and cant explain why it needed so much more fluid from the AA.

 

[RobM]

Have you driven it much since though? If it's been sat around since the problem there might not have been any more leaking because there was no pressure on the system.

OR... perhaps when the car was serviced they didn't put enough brake fluid in or didn't bleed the system properly afterwards?

I'm guessing now to be honest. Whatever happens, push for it to be sorted under warranty as it's too close to buying and having the car serviced for it to have been your fault or 'one of those things'.

 

[thebeno]

Have you driven it much since though? If it's been sat around since the problem there might not have been any more leaking because there was no pressure on the system.

OR... perhaps when the car was serviced they didn't put enough brake fluid in or didn't bleed the system properly afterwards?

I'm guessing now to be honest. Whatever happens, push for it to be sorted under warranty as it's too close to buying and having the car serviced for it to have been your fault or 'one of those things'.

Yes I have done a couple hundred miles since, I did think perhaps they have not put enough fluid in, but apparantly the 20k service they did was only a visual inspection and not a fluid change.

 

[ElasticTangent]

I'd push the dealer on the car not being right when you bought it. I did 30k miles in my old LC on the same brakes with no issues at all. I can't imagine any cars needing the brakes stripping and cleaning at 20k miles unless they have been really abused or not maintained correctly.

 

[thebeno]

I'd push the dealer on the car not being right when you bought it. I did 30k miles in my old LC on the same brakes with no issues at all. I can't imagine any cars needing the brakes stripping and cleaning at 20k miles unless they have been really abused or not maintained correctly.

Yes, I agree, as they have said they did not change the fluid, how could it have lost so much, it must be a leak, which I guess is covered by warranty. Trouble is, Stoneacre want £60 just to look at the car.

 

[ElasticTangent]

£60 to look at a car that is under warranty!?!?! They are just taking the p*** now!!! Do you have any other local SEAT dealers?

 

[thebeno]

£60 to look at a car that is under warranty!?!?! They are just taking the p*** now!!! Do you have any other local SEAT dealers?

Unfortunately not, its a 50 mile drive, a 50 mile drive with dodgy brakes!!

 

[RobM]

It might be worth trying to track down the number for the main Seat customer services and push the issue with them. Perhaps go in and ask your local dealer for it, it might make them realise you're serious.

 

[CRAIGLCR]

Give Seat Uk Customer Services A Ring And Report Your Local Garage For Being Total W++kers!!!!!