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        General >> Problems >> keep the old girl ?
        
(Message started by: uoapsdb on Apr 28^th, 2004, 4:01pm)

Title: keep the old girl ?
Post by uoapsdb on Apr 28^th, 2004, 4:01pm

I have an R reg 2.3 Scorpio Estate which I bought at 65K 2 years ago. I've put on 50k in 2 years. I loved the car when I bought it but it has deteriorated in the time I have owned it. I started looking at a Mondeo replacement but there is no comparison. So I'd rather spend a bit of money and get my Scorpio back to how it was.

I tried taking it to Gates to get a report on the problems that are spoiling the car but they ripped me off £75, said the tracking might need doing and have I thought of trading it in. I usually get my car done by a local garage rather than Ford, maybe if I'd gone with Ford I wouldn't have had the problems but I'm not convinced of that.
They only seem interested in changing the oil filter on 1 year old cars and charging you £200 quid for the privilege.

Can you recommend a mechanic in the Chelmsford/Stevenage area or anywhere in England who is actually interested in cars, in particular the Ford Scorpio.

The problems I have are with the drive of the car i.e. the steering wheel wobbles slightly when not under braking and more when under braking. It vibrates a lot at about 85 mph. There is a loud throb every time it goes into top gear (I think this is the CattleGrid effect). I've had the front disks replaced twice and the wheels balanced. The car has cheapo tyres on but they are a matching set. My local garage are unable to come up with a cure. Maybe the tyres are faulty, the rims are distorted, there is where in some bushes somewhere, the exhaust is a bit rough, maybe it's this that makes the throbbing noise, I just don't know.

But I'd like to talk to someone who knows about these cars and can give me a diagnosis. Please can you help.

Title: Re: keep the old girl ?
Post by JohnJ on Apr 28^th, 2004, 4:10pm

Sounds like the discs are warped.....you have to bed them in when you buy new ones..you cant stand on the breaks with new discs and expect to get away with it they will warp!.....The loud thump going into 5th gear could be the MAF, try cleaning with the carb cleaner spray....and vibrations when driving could be bad tyres or wheel balancing out...you did say the tyres are cheap.....JJ :)

Title: Re: keep the old girl ?
Post by uoapsdb on Apr 28^th, 2004, 4:26pm

Thanks John, car is due for a service so will get local garage to do this.

But what I really want is to drive the car into a garage and for them to tell me what the problems are, not what they might be.

Is this too much to ask ? Looking at all the problems listed on this site it would pay someone to open a garage that deals exclusively in Scorpios, he'd be in business 365 days a year.

Surely you can measure discs to see if they are warped, and tyres and wheel rims. and check wishbones and bushes.

There is a mechanic listed on this sites recommended garages in Peterborough, is there a Scorpio mechanic any nearer in the Essex/Hertfordshire area ??

Title: Re: keep the old girl ?
Post by Kevin_Tulloch on Apr 28^th, 2004, 5:22pm

Hi mate

It depends on how far you want to travel.I've had my problems with garages,including Ford (don't get me started!!!).I now use a garage in Derby,who i trust implicitly with my Scorpio.They have always done the work they've charged me for and have always told me when they haven't had time to do some bits (when i've needed the car back).Hourly rate is around £35.00 (i think) and you get parts about the same price they pay (well Ford parts anyway,in my experience).They're friendly and don't patronise.They also have loan cars,that are clean and tidy.I know it's a bit of a way out,but how much does peace of mind cost?I know it's sounds like i work for them!!But i'm just very happy with the service they've given me over the past year.The name of the garage is "Hawkins and Shepherd".The number is 01332 346819.Give them a call,you have nothing to lose.Good luck.

Regards
Kev

Title: Re: keep the old girl ?
Post by Badboytunes on Apr 28^th, 2004, 6:12pm

on 04/28/04 at 16:10:40, JohnJ wrote:

I didnt know the scorp was 5 speed auto??/ isnt it a 4 speed?

Title: Re: keep the old girl ?
Post by john.n on Apr 28^th, 2004, 8:01pm

I think he means 4 speed + overdrive. john.n ;)

Title: Re: keep the old girl ?
Post by Badboytunes on Apr 28^th, 2004, 8:03pm

is it not 3 speed with an overdrive hence 4 speed? My car only changes 4 times

Title: Re: keep the old girl ?
Post by JohnJ on Apr 28^th, 2004, 9:12pm

Ok the last change,..the one at the end. the fourth or what ever it is :D

Title: Re: keep the old girl ?
Post by scorpio_man on Apr 28^th, 2004, 9:28pm

hi there

Quote:

said the tracking might need doing

why? are your tyres wearing unevenly? worn wishbone bushes/ball joints can cause your vibrations. so can cheap tyres which aren't true. there could be damage to the alloy wheel as it is very easy to do. they are quite deep at the centre. hit a pothole too hard and they can bend the rim.
re the gear changing. as stated earlier, give the MAF a clean. see http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/cleanmaf.htm
also check the level/condition of the gear oil. give the car a longer type run, nice and warm. with the engine RUNNING, cycle through the gears 3 times each. again with the engine RUNNING, check the level on the BLACK dipstick (left hand side of engine as you look at it). is it at the max? does it look a reddy colour or more black/dark brown? does it smell burnt? red and non smelly are fine, black and smelly are bad signs.

let us know how you get on.

Title: Re: keep the old girl ?
Post by uoapsdb on Apr 29^th, 2004, 11:40am

Thanks andrew, very useful suggestions.

Looks like I'm not going to find a garage/specialist in my area. May have to try and sort these problems out with my local garage or go to the one in Derby Kevin mentioned, or there is an ex-Ford mechanic in Peterborough listed on the recommended garages page.

Appreciate you taking the time to contribute.

Steve

Title: Re: keep the old girl ?
Post by MichaelRomulus on Apr 29^th, 2004, 7:18pm

Can you recommend a mechanic in the Chelmsford/Stevenage area or anywhere in England who is actually interested in cars, in particular the Ford Scorpio.

try www.kandrautos.co.uk - 01823 289928 - Guys are Ford trained and reasonable price for quality professional work

Michael