Posted by Graham Bullock on December 3, 2005, 12:05 am, in reply to "Re: water pumps"
I agree with you Paul, trouble is, it is not just water pumps is it. Although some makes of cars a very reliable and use well tried and tested designs there are others that are certainly trying hard to keep us and the AA busy at the expense of the owner.
I am not saying that we should stay in the dark ages and not progress, but some of the designs of things now make my blood boil. Fords with oil in the water because the oil cooler below the oil filter has failed, plastic water pumps, dual mass flywheels and pulleys - what is the benefit? Rover K series HGF. I think it is disgusting.
Some of the things I have to quote for repairing now make me really struggle to stay on good terms with my customers, many can not understand how it can cost almost half the value of the vehicle to do some jobs. Why is a vehicle designed to cost almost £900 for a cam belt change?
One thing that really bothers me is what is going to happen when these "New breed" of cars are out of warranty, many will become liabilities, I imagine them as being like pass the parcel where you can't get rid of them fast enough in case anything fails whilst it's your hands and is your responsibility.