The saga comes to an end. Or does it?

[paulbn61]

Well, its been 6 weeks since I got my Rover back after the engine transplant. The so-called "mechanic" who was entrusted with the job has now been sacked (no surprise) and to be fair the garage has done the remedial work as required.


When I detail the errors you won't be surprised the aforesaid "mechanic" was booted. Other customers also unhappy with him.


Broke two brackets, including the intercooler elbow. and lost the sealing rings He tried to secure the elbow with a cable tie.
Rrefilled the power steering with old fluid and topped up with some kind of old oil.
Damaged a track rod end
Left the abs wire loose which rubbed and confused the abs computer
Left a engine mounting loose
Lost a wheel nut and left two nuts finger tight
Didn't check the tracking which was way out


So today, the last jobs were done with new parts. the intercooler elbow and a re-flush of the power steering fluid.


Took the car out on our local dual carriageway, with some trepidation, but I seem now to have a properly working Rover, with a newer, 90k mileage engine which seems to have a bit more go. I didn't expect a new car, just one that worked at least as well as before.



Keeping everything crossed and hittin a large lump of wood (my head) that i can get some good use out of my hassle and expenditure.


I must say, I have been sorely tempted over these past weeks to just raid the savings and get another car, but held off.

[paulbn61]

Well, so far so good.


I just bit the bullet and had new rear shocks, droplinks and d rubbers, and booked in for a new exhaust (which I've been hoarding in my shed for a year) next week. Definitely does handle and corner pretty well.



Every time I do something, the annoying "thrumming" decreases but still a slight thrum except on totally smooth sections of road (I think we do have a yard or two).


Apart from gearbox, rear springs and one or two small bushes here and there, (and of course bodyshell and interior) there's not a lot of the original car!!!! Ha, ha!!!


Why do we do all this?????

[Bogbrush82]

Originally Posted by paulbn61

Why do we do all this?????

Because we love our cars too much.

[hogweed]

Originally Posted by paulbn61

Why do we do all this?????

I think I've asked myself this question more than most on here


This year alone, she's let me down three times: broken front spring, little pin in the handbrake mechanism rusting, breaking off, and jamming the rear wheel in the middle of a busy roundabout (and discovery that rear shocks needed replaced while in being fixed); gear cable breaking.


Each time it's been massively inconvenient, and costing a fair bit to get fixed - but mostly it's the feeling that I can't trust her any more.


So each time, I've looked at replacements. If I hit myself over the head with a mallet a few times, I might spend up to £10k on a replacement; but I've looked at everything I could get for that amount, and asked myself if I'd be happy having spent that amount of money.


Each time, the answer has been no, so I've thrown another couple of hundred at the Rover.


This will happen again this week, as she's in for MOT (and annual service), and needs more work.


Expenditure this year so far £689. Though that includes £120 for two cheapo tyres