V8V Sump Plugs
Discussion
Part of the outrageous charge for my recent 2nd year service of my 2009 Vantage was the cost of $23/each for the three sump plugs. This is the first experience on any car where you replace the plug vice the crush washer/gasket.
I am not sure if it possible to just replace the rubber o-ring on the sump plug, but I have looked at a online parts catalog for jaguar and they seem to use what looks visually the same plug. I was thinking I would buy one to verify but wondered if anyone else has already researched this. The Jag plug seem to be around 1/3 of the cost.
I am not sure if it possible to just replace the rubber o-ring on the sump plug, but I have looked at a online parts catalog for jaguar and they seem to use what looks visually the same plug. I was thinking I would buy one to verify but wondered if anyone else has already researched this. The Jag plug seem to be around 1/3 of the cost.
millsjq said:
Part of the outrageous charge for my recent 2nd year service of my 2009 Vantage was the cost of $23/each for the three sump plugs. This is the first experience on any car where you replace the plug vice the crush washer/gasket.
I am not sure if it possible to just replace the rubber o-ring on the sump plug, but I have looked at a online parts catalog for jaguar and they seem to use what looks visually the same plug. I was thinking I would buy one to verify but wondered if anyone else has already researched this. The Jag plug seem to be around 1/3 of the cost.
Are you sure it is the same part?I am not sure if it possible to just replace the rubber o-ring on the sump plug, but I have looked at a online parts catalog for jaguar and they seem to use what looks visually the same plug. I was thinking I would buy one to verify but wondered if anyone else has already researched this. The Jag plug seem to be around 1/3 of the cost.
The V8V is dry sumped so different to the Jag engine.
IME it is false economy scrimping on low cost consumables.
If there is an issue they can/may blame the parts you issued.
Your are far better off free issuing oil and haggling on the service price. You can save ALOT more that way
millsjq said:
Yes, My car will be out of warrantee for the next service and plan to do the servicing myself. In my youth I was a Porsche tech and have most of the tools and a lift at home.
I hope you don't plan on selling your car then. I, and I'm sure many others, wouldn't go anywhere near an Aston that has been serviced by the owner.Also, how outrageous was the charge? Adding $69 (£45) isn't going to make it silly money. If you want to save a lot of money on running costs, I fear you may have selected the wrong brand
The sump plugs were not the outrageous part of the service, the 2nd year check cost me over $1,600 and was listed as 10 hours of labor. This was oil change, pollen filter replacement and check and I provided the oil! The brake flush was completed a few months ago.
Still $78 for sump plugs that I can source from jag (for the same part) for $15 does not make sense to me. The extra $60 would not hurt but why throw money away.
I know many would not be comfortable doing their own service, and this may be more prevalent in the colonies than in the UK. However, Twenty five years ago I was a Porsche Tech, I rebuilt more 911 and 356 engines than I can recall. I have a lift, air, air tools, and almost everything I need to maintain my cars with the exception of AMDS and think I am more than capable.
I have maintained all my cars for over thirty years including a number of Porsches and others including a few frame up restorations. I would rather take the time to do the work myself without time constraints knowing it is done properly than drive 2+ hours each way to the dealer, take a day off from work, and have him charge me $1,500 for an oil change and pollen filter replacement as I experienced two week ago.
Still $78 for sump plugs that I can source from jag (for the same part) for $15 does not make sense to me. The extra $60 would not hurt but why throw money away.
I know many would not be comfortable doing their own service, and this may be more prevalent in the colonies than in the UK. However, Twenty five years ago I was a Porsche Tech, I rebuilt more 911 and 356 engines than I can recall. I have a lift, air, air tools, and almost everything I need to maintain my cars with the exception of AMDS and think I am more than capable.
I have maintained all my cars for over thirty years including a number of Porsches and others including a few frame up restorations. I would rather take the time to do the work myself without time constraints knowing it is done properly than drive 2+ hours each way to the dealer, take a day off from work, and have him charge me $1,500 for an oil change and pollen filter replacement as I experienced two week ago.
Edited by millsjq on Wednesday 25th January 18:49
Tbh I don't think $1600 is that bad for a service - equates to £1025 and I paid more than that for my last one, but I didn't provide the oil.
I'm sure you could look service your car perfectly fine, but I was on about when you come to sell.
I would instantly be put off if the service book didn't have any history from a main dealer / reputable indy for a couple of years.
I'm sure you could look service your car perfectly fine, but I was on about when you come to sell.
I would instantly be put off if the service book didn't have any history from a main dealer / reputable indy for a couple of years.
George, I agree that self service will effect resale opportunities. To some it will be a immediate show-stopper, others a negotiating point. I am hoping to keep the car long enough were that is not a significant issue. But most of us think we are going to keep our current toy longer than we do in reality.
I always have kept detailed documentation and photos of maintenance activities on my previous cars. That may mitigate some of the issue; once I provided the documentation to potential buyers of my previous Porsches it did not seem to deter anyone. However, I do expect potential Aston buyers to be more concerned.
It may seem perverse to many but I actually enjoy working on the car particularly routine maintenance which I can plan for. I also have an opportunity to clean things, like when pulling the wheel liners off for replacing the air filter, I can clean the wheel liners, behind the wheel liner etc.
Jack
I always have kept detailed documentation and photos of maintenance activities on my previous cars. That may mitigate some of the issue; once I provided the documentation to potential buyers of my previous Porsches it did not seem to deter anyone. However, I do expect potential Aston buyers to be more concerned.
It may seem perverse to many but I actually enjoy working on the car particularly routine maintenance which I can plan for. I also have an opportunity to clean things, like when pulling the wheel liners off for replacing the air filter, I can clean the wheel liners, behind the wheel liner etc.
Jack
millsjq said:
The sump plugs were not the outrageous part of the service, the 2nd year check cost me over $1,600 and was listed as 10 hours of labor. This was oil change, pollen filter replacement and check and I provided the oil! The brake flush was completed a few months ago.
Mills-Edited by millsjq on Wednesday 25th January 18:49
What did they charge for the brake flush? Did you source fluids?
I was not going to extend the warrantee and take a gamble on it not blowing up and hope that repairs will be a lower cost than extending the warrantee. For the brake flush, I have a vacuum pump for brake flushing and performed the flush myself (Rick, provided the proper sequence, I miss his support!)I only found one source in the USA that had the correct Castrol brake fluid. I did not want to wait for the 2 year service for the brake flush and performed the flush at 2 years since manufacture. It appears that the car sat (and shipping time) for 7 month before it was put in use. As brake fluid absorbs water over time, and is not really dependent on miles, I went with a 'early" service.
Sump plugs have gone up alot from the factory .
Its funny how the price of these has got you going , but not taking out an extended warratny , hoping the repair bill if anything happened would be cheaper.
Your thoughts on this , considering how much sump plugs are,guess how much a mecanhic failure on a Aston would cost.
I see so many cars with problems out of warranty that most of the time would be covered if they extended it, and over the course of that year 9 out of 10 people lose more money .
Just my 2p
Its funny how the price of these has got you going , but not taking out an extended warratny , hoping the repair bill if anything happened would be cheaper.
Your thoughts on this , considering how much sump plugs are,guess how much a mecanhic failure on a Aston would cost.
I see so many cars with problems out of warranty that most of the time would be covered if they extended it, and over the course of that year 9 out of 10 people lose more money .
Just my 2p
blackice1 said:
I see so many cars with problems out of warranty that most of the time would be covered if they extended it, and over the course of that year 9 out of 10 people lose more money .
In other words "Aston's are poorly built, poorly maintained and fall apart after a few years" Hardly selling the brand, there!
millsjq said:
I was not going to extend the warrantee and take a gamble on it not blowing up and hope that repairs will be a lower cost than extending the warrantee. For the brake flush, I have a vacuum pump for brake flushing and performed the flush myself (Rick, provided the proper sequence, I miss his support!)I only found one source in the USA that had the correct Castrol brake fluid. I did not want to wait for the 2 year service for the brake flush and performed the flush at 2 years since manufacture. It appears that the car sat (and shipping time) for 7 month before it was put in use. As brake fluid absorbs water over time, and is not really dependent on miles, I went with a 'early" service.
Thank you, I just sent you an email via PH.blackice1 said:
I see so many cars with problems out of warranty that most of the time would be covered if they extended it, and over the course of that year 9 out of 10 people lose more money .
Would this 90% figure apply to all Gaydon cars, Blackice ??What about 3 year olds just coming out of warranty now ?? Surely that figure would be less ?
Jockman said:
blackice1 said:
I see so many cars with problems out of warranty that most of the time would be covered if they extended it, and over the course of that year 9 out of 10 people lose more money .
Would this 90% figure apply to all Gaydon cars, Blackice ??What about 3 year olds just coming out of warranty now ?? Surely that figure would be less ?
1)AM will resolve any and all "issues" under warranty so we are quick to book it in for the slightest issues (including needing a wash
)2) The dealers make good margin from AM on wrranty work as they back charge it to the factory
3) I get the impression the vast majority of warrant claims are electronics issues, something most modern cars suffer from.
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