Way O/T broken car

[bobh]

Mrs H's ford focus died suddenly yesterday, had to be towed. Towing guy said it was the clutch, said he could tell by the smell.
There had been no 'slipping' previously (Cable??) It is only a 20 reg, can't imagine actual wearing out yet. Obviously most local places are closed today so went online for a quote and got nearly £800! Surely it can be done for less? Never had the problem when I was driving so I'm in the dark.
Can anyone recommend somewhere? Obviously it will need towing to be repaired, needs to be relatively close to me in East Cardiff.


Anyone help please?

[Michael Morris]

Re: Way O/T broken car

Jimmy's garage is over that way. Clos Marion off Rover Way.

[Tuerto]

Re: Way O/T broken car

Jimmy's garage is over that way. Clos Marion off Rover Way.

I've heard that Jim is good, very good in fact, But can he deal with the pressure of working on a Ford Focus?

[Jamsarnie]

Re: Way O/T broken car

I've heard that Jim is good, very good in fact, But can he deal with the pressure of working on a Ford Focus?

Ford Focus? :hehe:

I think Ken Choo is the only person that can put you in contact with the right people here…

I’m buggered if anyone knows where he is these days though.
:shrug:

[pomeroy]

Re: Way O/T broken car

What were the symptoms of the car “dying “?

[bobh]

Re: Way O/T broken car

What were the symptoms of the car “dying “?

She was on A467 near Rogerstone, said she was changing gear but just lost power and she couldn't do anything with the clutch - she said she could push pedal down but couldn't change gear. (trying to ask tech questions to her is like getting blood out of a stone.)
She just mentioned "the spanner light came on"(engine maintenance warning, I presume)

[tforturton]

Re: Way O/T broken car

I always use G&J Motors on Fairoak Road. They’re always pretty reliable. Busy mind, so you may not get an instant appointment.

[pomeroy]

Re: Way O/T broken car

She was on A467 near Rogerstone, said she was changing gear but just lost power and she couldn't do anything with the clutch - she said she could push pedal down but couldn't change gear. (trying to ask tech questions to her is like getting blood out of a stone.)
She just mentioned "the spanner light came on"(engine maintenance warning, I presume)

Seems strange that there were no previous symptoms like clutch slipping or difficulty finding gears. It could be a problem less serious like the clutch master cylinder needs bleeding or replacing. Given the car is a 20 plate the clutch should be good unless it has high mileage or been driven harshly. Anyway it needs to be looked at. Hope this helps.

[bobh]

Re: Way O/T broken car

Seems strange that there were no previous symptoms like clutch slipping or difficulty finding gears. It could be a problem less serious like the clutch master cylinder needs bleeding or replacing. Given the car is a 20 plate the clutch should be good unless it has high mileage or been driven harshly. Anyway it needs to be looked at. Hope this helps.

Thanks. You're probably in the right area.

Its done 45,000 and she's the opposite of an aggressive driver.
If it was an old car, I'd say the symptoms were of a broken clutch cable, but it's all hydraulics these days.

[dandywarhol]

Re: Way O/T broken car

have any warning lights come on
Ive had a couple of instances of loss of power
first 0ne was the cambelt
second was the engine management both times lights came on

[bobh]

Re: Way O/T broken car

Thanks for replies.
It's booked in for Wednesday, Capital MOT &Service, off Newport road. £570 plus £60 tow.
Better than the £800Plus elsewhere, many couldn't do it this week anyway (A few not even till January!)

Only downside is that they don't take credit cards, so that's a big chunk out of the Christmas money.

[Vic Flange]

Re: Way O/T broken car

If it does turn out to be the clutch, my guess is she’s driving with her left foot resting on the pedal, just like my bloody missus does.

[BLUETIT]

Re: Way O/T broken car

If it does turn out to be the clutch, my guess is she’s driving with her left foot resting on the pedal, just like my bloody missus does.

It’s called “riding the clutch”

[Armitage Shanks]

Re: Way O/T broken car

If it's a diesel it might be the exhaust filter, filled up with crap (I'm not a mechanic).
The same happened to my 20 plate Kuga. Lost power etc. But mines an automatic.

Must be something that happened in 2020 to make 20 plate cars cough, splutter and lose energy

[jon1959]

Re: Way O/T broken car

Must be something that happened in 2020 to make 20 plate cars cough, splutter and lose energy

Final proof that cars do get Long Covid?