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166

General Car Chat / Re: Phaeton on the way out?

« on: 28 June 2019, 22:23:21 »

now working but will be good to see codes situation. Used an AC thermometer from Halfrauds and it is showing 45  degrees F at the centre ducts.

PM sent to you Mark.

167

General Car Chat / Re: Phaeton on the way out?

« on: 28 June 2019, 18:50:28 »

Yes he has. It was throwing codes if you put more than 180g in. Just driven it and it is starting to work I think - quite cold so maybe it resets itself. When it was purged tonight there seemed to be an air bubble. God knows what is going on.

168

General Car Chat / Re: Phaeton on the way out?

« on: 28 June 2019, 18:11:24 »

I misunderstood the position re 180g v 600g of gas. What mechanic meant was with more than 180g in the system it shuts down and throws fault codes. So not realising this just had it  topped up to 600g with a mobile aircon guy and of course it shut down. Just trying to contact Tunnie to see if he can clear the codes with his VAG system  - apparently it will work if you drive off straight away and do not allow car to idle. Problem could be compressor or some pressure valve as pressure very high.

169

General Car Chat / Re: Phaeton on the way out?

« on: 27 June 2019, 17:13:04 »

After a couple of weeks away on business just collected the Phaeton so now back on road - however - nothing but bad luck with it. Indie sent steering rack away for refurb but due to corrosion was beyond remanufacture. Decided on a VW refurbed rack and hopefully with them they will not look too closely at the exchanged rack. This may take several weeks before we hear on value. Other pipes connected to rack corroded and replaced also. Aircon condenser replaced but sods law once re-gassed there were leaks from the valves where you connect up to do the  re-gas. This was sorted but system will not take a full charge and throughput only coolish so definitely not working properly despite no leaks. Seems the system has had no refrigerant in for a long time and stuff has seized up so thought is with the valve buried behind dashboard which is something of a no go area in this car. Can only get 180g of 600g in so decision is to run it to see if now gassed it may sort out whatever restriction is there. Hopefully it is not a problem with new condenser.

I smell something.....expansion valve cant impact gas charge quantity (as it can fill from the low and high sides)

Possibly restriction in new Condensor??

170

General Car Chat / Re: Phaeton on the way out?

« on: 27 June 2019, 13:34:15 »

After a couple of weeks away on business just collected the Phaeton so now back on road - however - nothing but bad luck with it. Indie sent steering rack away for refurb but due to corrosion was beyond remanufacture. Decided on a VW refurbed rack and hopefully with them they will not look too closely at the exchanged rack. This may take several weeks before we hear on value. Other pipes connected to rack corroded and replaced also. Aircon condenser replaced but sods law once re-gassed there were leaks from the valves where you connect up to do the  re-gas. This was sorted but system will not take a full charge and throughput only coolish so definitely not working properly despite no leaks. Seems the system has had no refrigerant in for a long time and stuff has seized up so thought is with the valve buried behind dashboard which is something of a no go area in this car. Can only get 180g of 600g in so decision is to run it to see if now gassed it may sort out whatever restriction is there. Hopefully it is not a problem with new condenser.

171

General Car Chat / Re: Phaeton on the way out?

« on: 08 June 2019, 23:30:56 »

A glimmer of hope for the Phaeton - an independent has started work on it...steering rack is now out and was in fact a Bentley rack. It will be sent for rebuild next week. Took 6 hours to get it out.

172

General Car Chat / Re: Phaeton on the way out?

« on: 02 June 2019, 16:09:20 »

I think any exec car is expensive to fix when it gets a few years/miles on it. Irrespective of whether its S-Class, XJ, 7 Series and so on.  The parts are often unique to that model.  Drop to a smaller size, such as E-Class, XF, 5-Series and parts and knowledge are more readily available.


Personally, I'd find an indie prepared to source/fix refurb rack, and keep the V-Dub. Its a nice, reasonably unique car, but with near zero trade in value, and its near immaculate. Its comfortable and refined, and reasonably well put together.

Unless you're "doing a tunnie", and look for excuses because you fancy a change...   ...in which case, treat yourself

No not doing a Tunnie -  I was perfectly happy with it until this week. I agree with your points on this entirely.

173

General Car Chat / Re: Phaeton on the way out?

« on: 02 June 2019, 16:07:18 »

I am retiring this year and should really go for something more economical and I did not want to spend more than a certain amount but setting myself a target to try and buy something less than 6 months to a year old. Will enquire about S class repair bills for the longer term.

Go on! Blow ya tax free lump sum on fixing the oversized Passat. You know you want too.

I may bite the bullet and do it as the car looks like new (if I can get a reasonable deal from VW if that is indeed the last resort). Something tells me though this could be just opening myself up to another issue in a few weeks or few months time.

174

General Car Chat / Re: Phaeton on the way out?

« on: 02 June 2019, 16:00:34 »

Thanks all. Just back from Merc dealer and I am not comfortable in the E class. Sports seats too narrow. They then put me in an S Class at £94k but the range starts at £73k. This was like the Phaeton size and spec so very comfortable. But not going to pay this kind of money.

I am trying to find an independent and waiting for video from VW to send on to a local garage. Problem is the distance I can travel sensibly with the power steering leak. Another local garage will only do this job if they use VW parts. I even spoke to a power steering company in Weybridge who said they have seen too may poorly prepared refurbs that they have stopped the hydraulic side of their business. He recommended me to a place in Bristol but even they say to have the rack removed by a VW specialist.

I am still on the repair case but even the dealer is nervy of attempting it given the other issues that might be uncovered on a vehicle of this age.

175

General Car Chat / Re: Phaeton on the way out?

« on: 02 June 2019, 11:01:45 »

Why an E-class rather than an S-class?

Just asking as the S seems a closer match to a Phaeton.

I agree. Posh bastid like Phil definitely should go for an S class. 

Thanks Steve for putting me up there. I may keep the Phaeton and trade in the Astra and use the Phaeton for the short journey to the station. This will be similar to having an electric car for the station but instead of topping up the battery I will be putting power steering oil in everyday to keep mobile!!

176

General Car Chat / Re: Phaeton on the way out?

« on: 02 June 2019, 10:58:35 »

I am retiring this year and should really go for something more economical and I did not want to spend more than a certain amount but setting myself a target to try and buy something less than 6 months to a year old. Will enquire about S class repair bills for the longer term.

177

General Car Chat / Phaeton on the way out?

« on: 02 June 2019, 10:20:10 »

After 10 years I think it is time to retire the Phaeton. It needs a new steering rack and feed pipes and ac condenser. The ac condenser is not a problem but there is no equivalent steering rack replacement and the VW part is £2k and the feeder pipe £300+. I can get a refurbed steering rack for £300  but nobody round here wants to fit it so I will park up the phaeton until I can find a solution. no point doing condenser on its own as the feeder pipe needs bumper off and front end exposed.

Now looking at other cars and given my size - the best option seems to be the Volvo S90 and V90 Inscription (2018) but these still leave me with RFL of £465 like the Phaeton. Going to see a Mercedes E220d AMG Estate later.

Even in perfect nick the Phaeton is only worth about £4-5k. Even if repairs done I am still on original exhaust and batteries and who knows what is around the corner. I have in the past been able to get discs and pads as non VW but the bigger items have no VW equivalent obviously due to low numbers of Phaetons sold. (some parts are shared with Touareg/Bentley/A8).

Reluctant to scrap it as it is otherwise perfect with full VW service history. Waiting to get video of issue and to hear if any goodwill from VW.

I test drove an S90 D5 Inscription yesterday and very impressed. Obviously not the best looker.

178

General Discussion Area / Re: Care crisis

« on: 30 May 2019, 18:49:09 »

In dealing with care homes for family members I am now into my 9th year of experience. Trouble is there are so many variables and busy people with families do not always have the time to research solutions. if there is property involved and both parents alive at the time then ideally you should have  (well in advance of the problem arising)  organised their  house ownership as tenants in common so that half the estate is protected. You cannot do this after the event of in clear contemplation of avoiding care fees or the authorities will cry foul. Too complex to put in detail on here.

My mother is paying £250 a week for full nursing care in a care home which is based on her available income. The equity in her share of the house was used up some years ago but at least she is in an excellent home but 210 miles from where I live. She unfortunately refused to move down to us when we offered many years ago and now it is too late.

I had 3 of these situations to deal with and there is always a great sense of injustice at the system but the balances between state and personal are sort of understandable and brings some sort of efficiency to proceedings although not necessarily understandable when you meet it for the first time.

179

General Discussion Area / Re: I love bank holiday weekends

« on: 27 May 2019, 12:30:25 »

Many congrats Kevin. I was in your neck of the woods for a couple of days. Visited Winchester, dinner with friends in Avington tottered around Alresford also, stayed at Holiday Inn in Winchester which was absolutely first class. Back along the A31 but double whammy on Phaeton after diagnosis at home yesterday - aircon condenser has gone and steering fluid disappeared through seal on steering rack. Not cheap jobs on the P. will assess indie costs v VW tomorrow.

180

General Discussion Area / Re: Car back

« on: 13 April 2019, 09:42:17 »

looks good.