So, after a new timing belt £345, new clutch £550, four new tyres £260, and still feeling the pain of the cost of the rubbish clutch that was fitted for £576, I now find more problems.
After the new clutch was fitted, I checked the tightness of the wheel nuts ....... and noticed a small movement from the n/s wheel that wasn't present the other side. Jacked it up and found movement - has to be a wheel bearing. Bah, I thought, but I had a spare s/h bearing in the garage so was about to replace it. Then I shone my torch up the drive shaft to check the tightness of the bolts onto the gearbox, and there's a huge split in the inner CV boot. I also noticed the outer one was starting to crack. Rang the garage that did the clutch and he said he was going to mention it but it slipped his mind - the other side was split as well!! So, in addition to the costs above, I've now booked it back in for replacement inner and outer boots on both sides and new wheel bearings both sides - £250 - HOPEFULLY, this will be the last of it for a while
As the driveshafts were replaced complete/new only 20 months ago, I contacted the firm and told them. They offered to send me out two replacement inner boots. I asked if they were upgraded ones or the items they fit as standard - 'standard' came the reply. So, I will not fit these as they are made of cabbage leaves. I know the garage will fit good quality items, especially on request, so no worries there.
In hindsight, and even though they were brand new, I should have replaced the boots with good quality items before fitting the shafts - you live and learn.
Realistically though, the worst that has happened is the sh** clutch and having to replaced the boots - the rest of the expense are simply service/repair items that can be expected after 167,000m. Wasted cash ca. £500
The only cars I've driven more miles in is a 1985 Mazda 323 estate - 196,000m (timing chain and clutch never replaced but carb diaphragm developed a hole), and an old Nissan Sunny - 186,000m (timing belt and clutch never replaced but the belt lost its teeth about six months after selling it to my brother - didn't know about changing them back then).
Is this karma?
Actually, Bergs is good with sorting car problems - fancy something to do mate
