Servicing My 1.6hdi

[Guest postmanpat]

Hi

New poster here, so please be gentle.

 

Could anyone give me a few pointers on servicing my Berlingo Multispace 1.6 HDi, please? The manufacturers warrantee runs out in a few months, so the main dealer can swivel for his £190 for a minor service, from now on I'm doing it myself! I have not managed to find a Haynes manual for my model and a quick peek under the bonnet reveals something that sort of resembles an engine, but isn't quite what I was expecting. :blink:

 

I think I've found the housing for the oil filter, but it's on the side of the block facing upwards, so i could be wrong. Even if it is the filter housing, I don't know how to get it off. There's a big plastic nut on the end, so maybe I should use that to remove the housing? ;)

 

But before I get that far, I have to drain the old oil. A quick look underneath reveals a big plastic tray covering everything, so I can't even see the drain plug in the sump, or even the sump come to that! Is there a hole somewhere in this tray that allows access to the drain plug, or do I have to remove the whole thing just to drain the oil? :unsure:

 

They don't make it easy do they :P

 

Failing all else, does anyone know where I can get manual for my car? It's a 55 reg.

 

Thanks.

[kfk]

Yes the plastic cover has to be removed to gain access to the oil drain bolt.....from your description it sounds like you have found the oil filter. The plastic nut moulded into the bell shaped plastic cover is the one used to release it. Make sure you use a torque wrench to tighten it if your not sure as they have an unhappy knack of either leaking due to too loose or leaking due to cracking when over tightened.

 

Should also be noted that the correct method for draining the engine oil involves running the engine until the cooling fans come on and draining the oil whilst still 'hot'.....draining whilst warm isnt good enough and will contribute to premature turbo failure due to seizure.......the consequences of which are the nut comes off the turbo spindle and tries to play roulette with the turbo vanes.......you hit the jackpot when the nut gets sucked up the inlet manifold and drops into the engine!

 

Ignoring the cost of the service you have to take into consideration that it does include genuine parts that are covered by warranty and workmanship that should also be guaranteed, it will include a diagnostic check which would cost around £50 on its own, and regardless of whether you are capable of looking after your vehicle or not you will be given advice as to the condition of tyres, brakes, exhaust etc which you can choose to shop round and get the best prices for.....with it being the third year, assuming the vehicle is under 60,000 miles your warranty will be expiring soon....so surely that is a reason to get it checked, especially with the MOT coming up.

 

Of course you could service it yourself, and unless your one of the fortunate with a garage you can enjoy the pleasures of working outside in the british weather, finding you need an additional part and having to stop half way through what your doing to get down the dealers before they shut at lunchtime on saturday!

 

And then having carried out 'your service' you still wont have checked the computer memories and have 5 litres of oil to dispose of.....yes i know, its only a trip to the local tip.....but its a hidden cost and takes yet more of your time.

 

Another thing thats worth noting..........you might feel your dealer is having you over, the price seems about right to me........but come the day your car is taken to them on a breakdown truck you would like them to shift heaven and earth to get your vehicle back on the road as quick as possible.... sometimes its a case of who you know.....and if you dont use them you dont know them so you join the queue.

 

I dont want you taking offence at the above..........but working in the service department of a main dealer i get used to customers expressing 'disgust' at what they consider high service charges. A recent radio program did an article and stated that labour charges at main dealers are between £50 & £200 per hour.......i'm glad to say that at £65 per hour were at the lower end.......but the customer still expects £200 per hour facilities!!!.....any idea how much it costs to provide a service to clean cars Free of Charge?

[Guest postmanpat]

Thanks for the info, it will be very useful. Could you tell me the correct torque for tightening the filter housing, please?

 

With regard to cost, I'm sure the main dealers have to charge what they do to cover overheads, etc, and they do provide excellent service, but it still comes down to what people can afford, or are prepared, to pay. So far, my service has cost me around £20 for oil and £9.99 for a filter. Fingers crossed, it won't cost me too much more. The main dealer price I quoted is for a minor service, which is, basically, just an oil change and some checks. £30 against £190 is a huge difference.

 

I'd love to be able to afford to take my car into a main dealer for it's service, but I just can't at those prices. If I could, I wouldn't be driving a Berlingo!

 

Thanks again for the info, it's much appreciated.

[kfk]

Dont forget to obtain a sump washer and pollen filter if you have air con.

 

With regards the mot......that can be carried out upto 30 days before its due to expire providing you take the registration document with you and present it before the mot is started........so make sure you get it done before the warranty expires....just incase!

[Guest postmanpat]

Dont forget to obtain a sump washer and pollen filter if you have air con.

 

I'll get the washer, thanks, but I couldn't afford air con :P