Problems, design changes & updates..
Discussion
Ok, leading on from this previous thread.... www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=122999&f=7&h=0
To help potential buyers when looking for a second hand T350, I'm going to try and make a concise list of things to look for, common problems and thier "factory fix date" where applicable, and any design changes/ updates such as the luggage cover etc... If people would like to contribute thier own list (either on this thread, or by email), then I will try and compile them all into one master referance listing..!
NB: lets try and keep this to a factual thread, and not let it fall into one of those debates about build quality and reliability issues..!
ok, to start things off (and in no particular order..!!)
Petrol filler ring - glued on on earlier models, but had tendancy to fall off... Factory fix was to screw it to the body - introduced.....?
Fuel filler nozzle - had tendancy to "splash-back" when filling up -replaced with a revised version in.....? (Mine has revised version & seems to work fine! )
Gaiter around gearstick has tendancy to become unstuck. (unsolved?)
Condensation in all light clusters - esp front (unsolved?)
Speed Sensor - often failed or gave spurious readings - replacement type introduced approx May 04 - not sure how successfull..
EFI warning on start-up - common problem - new chip introduced approx may 04 in attempt to cure this-not sure how successfull..
Seatbelts!!
Introduction of luggage cover to range in....?
Introduction of sunvisors to range in...?
Modification to tailgate hatch catch to include allen-key adjustment... (when..?)
Wind noise from around top of door seals...
hmm, sure there are a few more, but thats a start..!
>> Edited by mjc on Thursday 9th September 10:19
Petrol filler ring - glued on on earlier models, but had tendancy to fall off... Factory fix was to screw it to the body - introduced.....?
Fuel filler nozzle - had tendancy to "splash-back" when filling up -replaced with a revised version in.....? (Mine has revised version & seems to work fine!
) Gaiter around gearstick has tendancy to become unstuck. (unsolved?)
Condensation in all light clusters - esp front (unsolved?)
Speed Sensor - often failed or gave spurious readings - replacement type introduced approx May 04 - not sure how successfull..
EFI warning on start-up - common problem - new chip introduced approx may 04 in attempt to cure this-not sure how successfull..
Seatbelts!!
Introduction of luggage cover to range in....?
Introduction of sunvisors to range in...?
Modification to tailgate hatch catch to include allen-key adjustment... (when..?)
Wind noise from around top of door seals...
hmm, sure there are a few more, but thats a start..!
>> Edited by mjc on Thursday 9th September 10:19
Back to the top 
mjc said:
ummm - you just have to adjust the locking ring underneath to suit....? 
>> Edited by mjc on Thursday 9th September 16:21
the locking ring doesn't lock.... I supplied a fix for this I'll search and link www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=89433
>> Edited by Exx on Friday 17th September 13:42
Did they not introduce a cut out in the body to get your fingers in, so as you can lift up the boot easier or is this just a special mod? I don't have this personally and find it takes me a good 10 minutes of trying different combinations of fingers squeezed into the gap between the window and body before I finally prize it open!!
cropsprayer said:
Did they not introduce a cut out in the body to get your fingers in, so as you can lift up the boot easier or is this just a special mod? I don't have this personally and find it takes me a good 10 minutes of trying different combinations of fingers squeezed into the gap between the window and body before I finally prize it open!!
Yes they did
Anyone with fingers larger than that of a five year old is stuffed with the old design!CraigAlsop said:Mine is suffering from this. The nearside hinge started to seize and so the body, where the hinge attaches to it, has started to flex badly and is starting to crack. Dealer has loosened off the hinge mechanism and is waiting for a fix - new design of hinge - that the factory is working on. When it is available they'll sort the body but not sure how just yet!
Watch for stress fractures around the hinge mounts for the hatch (T350). If these break, the failure is fairly catastrophic, ripping off the back of the car, as one of the members in our region found out
GCerbera said:What happens is that the glass raises itself into the airflow - the faster you go, the more the pressure pushes it up, until whoosh! 1 moment you are happily driving along the motorway at a decent lick, next moment the back of the car is hanging off.
Watch for stress fractures around the hinge mounts for the hatch (T350). If these break, the failure is fairly catastrophic, ripping off the back of the car, as one of the members in our region found out
Do tell us more...
CraigAlsop said:
CraigAlsop said:
Watch for stress fractures around the hinge mounts for the hatch (T350). If these break, the failure is fairly catastrophic, ripping off the back of the car, as one of the members in our region found out
Do tell us more...
What happens is that the glass raises itself into the airflow - the faster you go, the more the pressure pushes it up, until whoosh! 1 moment you are happily driving along the motorway at a decent lick, next moment the back of the car is hanging off.
Some manufacturers charge a lot of money for a self raising spoiler. This is nothing new though, Chimaeras and Griffiths had the same feature, you get a spoiler at 80mph, everyone waves and points, you pull over and everything looks in order, until you realise the boot isn't latched. I guess a stronger latch is needed on the T350 then?
Snakes said:
Watch for stress fractures around the hinge mounts for the hatch (T350). If these break, the failure is fairly catastrophic, ripping off the back of the car, as one of the members in our region found out
Mine is suffering from this. The nearside hinge started to seize and so the body, where the hinge attaches to it, has started to flex badly and is starting to crack. Dealer has loosened off the hinge mechanism and is waiting for a fix - new design of hinge - that the factory is working on. When it is available they'll sort the body but not sure how just yet!
In what way has it seized? Just so we know what to look for ...
targarama said:I don't have any details as it was diagnosed at the dealership. The best way to check if it is happening is to watch the body lip where the hinge attaches to see if it is flexing as the glass is opened. If it does then the hinge is starting to seize.
In what way has it seized? Just so we know what to look for ...
Top tip Craig. Checked hinges today, 1 ok but 1 WAS loose. No doubt dealer would pick it up, but for anyone who wants to check now, the symptom & cure on mine was as follows.
Raise hatch, then put head inside to watch hinge as you pull hatch 1/2 way down. The central part of the hinge should stay still relative to the bodywork. If it's loose it'll move to take up the free play as you start opening or closing the hatch.
Was easily tightened up with an Allen key (but seemed quite loose and took nearly a complete turn of the key)and I greased either side of the aluminium hinge faces to reduce the friction for future longevity.
Raise hatch, then put head inside to watch hinge as you pull hatch 1/2 way down. The central part of the hinge should stay still relative to the bodywork. If it's loose it'll move to take up the free play as you start opening or closing the hatch.
Was easily tightened up with an Allen key (but seemed quite loose and took nearly a complete turn of the key)and I greased either side of the aluminium hinge faces to reduce the friction for future longevity.
on the T350 tailgate hinge there are two different hinge designs the first one and then a second modified one.
I don't know how many or what age of car is fitted with the earlier type but it is no longer fitted now.
The modified type look exactly the same as the origonals but have a slight cut out on the stationary part of the design (that is attached to the car) to prevent it from sizing up on the moving part of the hinge.
Andy
I don't know how many or what age of car is fitted with the earlier type but it is no longer fitted now.
The modified type look exactly the same as the origonals but have a slight cut out on the stationary part of the design (that is attached to the car) to prevent it from sizing up on the moving part of the hinge.
Andy
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