Car advice - Advice

Purret · 10-11-2009, 18:37

Hi I have a 1998 corsa and a few months ago bumped into someone at 10mile an hour, the right hand light is pressed in a bit, but no other damage but now the engine makes a screeching noise when starting from any form of slope and when driving round corners at speed (country roads), i wondered what this was or where i could get rid of the car but still got something for it as i will be changing soon but dont want to sell a dodgy car to someone! the brakes also squeek despite being new so this would further give the idea that the car is sh**ged

wiggis · 10-11-2009, 21:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purret

Hi I have a 1998 corsa and a few months ago bumped into someone at 10mile an hour, the right hand light is pressed in a bit, but no other damage but now the engine makes a screeching noise when starting from any form of slope and when driving round corners at speed (country roads), i wondered what this was or where i could get rid of the car but still got something for it as i will be changing soon but dont want to sell a dodgy car to someone! the brakes also squeek despite being new so this would further give the idea that the car is sh**ged

Two words mate. Scrappage Scheme. If you want to shift the car with a clear conscience, this might be a good way forward, and let's be honest, a 1998 Corsa won't be worth much, especially with accident damage. An auction is another way, but you'll likely only get a few hundred pounds at most for it. Depends on if you are planning on buying a new car, or a used car, to replace your Corsa.

If you want to fix it though, the fault could be something simple like a loose fanbelt, or even just low power steering fluid levels - it's worth a quick look under the bonnet and generally check things out before binning the car.

Tom_Tit · 10-11-2009, 21:07

Part x it for something better.

babinaba · 10-11-2009, 22:29

I love how people just assume that it's that easy to part x or use the scrappage scheme. I'd love to be able to get rid of my car using the scrappage scheme but I wouldn't be able to afford a new car or probably get credit for one, so stuck with what I have

Andy Carlton · 10-11-2009, 23:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by babinaba

I love how people just assume that it's that easy to part x or use the scrappage scheme. I'd love to be able to get rid of my car using the scrappage scheme but I wouldn't be able to afford a new car or probably get credit for one, so stuck with what I have

That is everyones answer...scrappage scheme.

1: A brand new car will cost FAR more to repair than a 98 Corsa as it will have to be 'dealer only' repaired most of the time with costs through the roof. (and there is more to actually go wrong with a new car than an older one)

2: Higher insurance premiums as the car is worth a lot more,

3: This scheme encourages people to get into debt through finance and this is probably the worst time to take out credit during a recession and with people losing their jobs on a daily basis.

4: Most of the cars which are traded for 'scrappage' are perfectly ok and roadworthy and this scheme is simply creating more scrappage of which uses more energy resources so how is that good for the environment?

Kat1966 · 11-11-2009, 02:20

Sounds like a fan belt problem, does it start and pull away ok generally and have any lights appeared on the dashboard? The red stop light or the oil light, or the engine management light, the yellow one at the bottom of the dash (yes I am a Corsa owner!!)

Re the scrappage scheme. Like others have said, it's an all too easy solution for people, I have a 1996 P reg Corsa and have only had minor problems with it, it now needs an exhaust, but will not cost that much to replace and my car has only done 86,000 miles in the time it has been on the road ( I am the third owner of the car and have probably put the most mileage on it in my 5 years of ownership), so why should I get rid of a perfectly good car because it is old? And I can't afford to go into debt to buy a new one, my husband did that and his gearbox broke within 6 months of having the car, dealership job and over a thousand pounds poorer.

I'd say take it along to a local garage, Corsa's are usually pretty cheap to repair, and my brakes squeak as well, must be something to do with the make of car!!

babinaba · 11-11-2009, 02:27

actually I'd just like a car that was a bit cheaper to run, better on fuel and cheaper tax. Have had one new car and it was ok but sometimes a pain in the bum and thinking about it, I'd probably not want a brand new car under the scrappage scheme (unless I won the lottery and could buy an aston martin! lol)

PS sorry to hijack your thread

Kat1966 · 11-11-2009, 02:36

Just had a google and found this forum that may help with your problem, it's put mine at ease over a slight problem I get intermittently with mine as well.

http://www.reviewcentre.com/forum259.html

Carlos_dfc · 11-11-2009, 03:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purret

Hi I have a 1998 corsa and a few months ago bumped into someone at 10mile an hour, the right hand light is pressed in a bit, but no other damage but now the engine makes a screeching noise when starting from any form of slope and when driving round corners at speed (country roads), i wondered what this was or where i could get rid of the car but still got something for it as i will be changing soon but dont want to sell a dodgy car to someone! the brakes also squeek despite being new so this would further give the idea that the car is sh**ged

Brakes squealing with new pads - is almost always the pads vibrating within the caliper.
Happens when whoever changed the pads didn't smear the rear of them with copper-grease.
Coupla quid a tube - easy fix for anyone with a bit of car knowledge.

The engine squealing on startup, and when pulling away - very commonly it's the alternator drive-belt slipping. It also tends to happen more during cold weather.
Did this noise start straight away after your bump?
If not, it's probably the drive belt slipping, and is unrelated to the bump.
Another easy fix (assuming it IS the drive-belt) - it's just a matter of adjusting the alternator to tension the belt.

grumpyscot · 11-11-2009, 07:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carlos_dfc

Brakes squealing with new pads - is almost always the pads vibrating within the caliper.
Happens when whoever changed the pads didn't smear the rear of them with copper-grease.
Coupla quid a tube - easy fix for anyone with a bit of car knowledge.

The engine squealing on startup, and when pulling away - very commonly it's the alternator drive-belt slipping. It also tends to happen more during cold weather.
Did this noise start straight away after your bump?
If not, it's probably the drive belt slipping, and is unrelated to the bump.
Another easy fix (assuming it IS the drive-belt) - it's just a matter of adjusting the alternator to tension the belt.

I'd tend to agree with this - slipping alternator belt is most likely.

Tom_Tit · 11-11-2009, 09:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by babinaba

I love how people just assume that it's that easy to part x or use the scrappage scheme. I'd love to be able to get rid of my car using the scrappage scheme but I wouldn't be able to afford a new car or probably get credit for one, so stuck with what I have

Yes it really IS EASY to part x. What makes you think differently?

Right they have a car that is worth what a grand and there could be a few hundred quids worth of repairs.. I say find another car for 1-1.5k and trade yours in. Most garages will knock 500 quid off the price of one off the forecourt. Or if you have the money which you haven't said then pay more and still use the car as a deposit. That way you wont feel the guilt of giving away a duff car because it will then be the garages responsibility. Not yours.

I know which i'd rather do.

The OP wants a new car. Or are you the sort that just expects things for nothing.

AnywhereButHome · 11-11-2009, 19:03

Sometimes it's better the devil you know with used cars, the one you buy might have something worse in store like head gasket failure or something.

wiggis · 11-11-2009, 19:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by babinaba

I love how people just assume that it's that easy to part x or use the scrappage scheme. I'd love to be able to get rid of my car using the scrappage scheme but I wouldn't be able to afford a new car or probably get credit for one, so stuck with what I have

Actually, as well as suggesting two ways the OP could move an accident damaged and potentially faulty car on with a clean conscience

, I also suggested two possible easy fixes

There are no free lunches, and none of us know if the OP has thousands in the bank, or is potless. Different advice applies to different situations.

If it were me, I'd attempt to fix the Corsa, then if I was still unhappy with it, get a fresh MOT, and sell it privately with a clear conscience - if it passes an MOT, it's roadworthy, end of story.

babinaba · 12-11-2009, 01:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom_Tit

Yes it really IS EASY to part x. What makes you think differently?

Right they have a car that is worth what a grand and there could be a few hundred quids worth of repairs.. I say find another car for 1-1.5k and trade yours in. Most garages will knock 500 quid off the price of one off the forecourt. Or if you have the money which you haven't said then pay more and still use the car as a deposit. That way you wont feel the guilt of giving away a duff car because it will then be the garages responsibility. Not yours.

I know which i'd rather do.

The OP wants a new car. Or are you the sort that just expects things for nothing.

No, why would I want something for nothing? I didn't say that. I don't actually understand your post - I can't use my car as a deposit as I wouldn't have any money to pay the balance of the outstanding amount.

Tom_Tit · 12-11-2009, 19:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by babinaba

No, why would I want something for nothing? I didn't say that. I don't actually understand your post - I can't use my car as a deposit as I wouldn't have any money to pay the balance of the outstanding amount.

I don't understand your post.

You say you are lumbered with a car.

If i was lumbered with a car that was knackered i'd weigh up whether it was worth fixing or trading in.

Simple as that. Either way you will have to put your hand in your pocket.

babinaba · 13-11-2009, 01:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom_Tit

I don't understand your post.

You say you are lumbered with a car.

If i was lumbered with a car that was knackered i'd weigh up whether it was worth fixing or trading in.

Simple as that. Either way you will have to put your hand in your pocket.

I don't have to fix my car and it's not knackered (not sure where you got that from), so don't have to put my hand in my pocket for anything - I want a cheaper to run car but I'm not going to be able to hand my car across to a garage and say "give me a cheaper running car for my car....bye". They'll want dosh - which i don't have. Anyway, this has taken over someone else's thread.....sorry OP

pudseymrcvs · 13-11-2009, 03:26

Brake pads need to bed in. Don't worry about the squealing. It will go.
Try tightening the fan belt, otherwise the only problem is that it's a Corsa.
Unless the bump was worse than you've said, I don't think anything is related.

10-11-2009, 18:37	#1
Purret Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: South Gloucstershire Posts: 144	Car advice Hi I have a 1998 corsa and a few months ago bumped into someone at 10mile an hour, the right hand light is pressed in a bit, but no other damage but now the engine makes a screeching noise when starting from any form of slope and when driving round corners at speed (country roads), i wondered what this was or where i could get rid of the car but still got something for it as i will be changing soon but dont want to sell a dodgy car to someone! the brakes also squeek despite being new so this would further give the idea that the car is sh**ged

10-11-2009, 21:07	#3
Tom_Tit Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 146	Part x it for something better.

10-11-2009, 22:29	#4
babinaba Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Services: Sky+, Orange Broadband Posts: 926	I love how people just assume that it's that easy to part x or use the scrappage scheme. I'd love to be able to get rid of my car using the scrappage scheme but I wouldn't be able to afford a new car or probably get credit for one, so stuck with what I have

11-11-2009, 02:20	#6
Kat1966 Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: The Black Country Services: Lots and Lots of things Posts: 292	Sounds like a fan belt problem, does it start and pull away ok generally and have any lights appeared on the dashboard? The red stop light or the oil light, or the engine management light, the yellow one at the bottom of the dash (yes I am a Corsa owner!!) Re the scrappage scheme. Like others have said, it's an all too easy solution for people, I have a 1996 P reg Corsa and have only had minor problems with it, it now needs an exhaust, but will not cost that much to replace and my car has only done 86,000 miles in the time it has been on the road ( I am the third owner of the car and have probably put the most mileage on it in my 5 years of ownership), so why should I get rid of a perfectly good car because it is old? And I can't afford to go into debt to buy a new one, my husband did that and his gearbox broke within 6 months of having the car, dealership job and over a thousand pounds poorer. I'd say take it along to a local garage, Corsa's are usually pretty cheap to repair, and my brakes squeak as well, must be something to do with the make of car!!

11-11-2009, 02:27	#7
babinaba Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Services: Sky+, Orange Broadband Posts: 926	actually I'd just like a car that was a bit cheaper to run, better on fuel and cheaper tax. Have had one new car and it was ok but sometimes a pain in the bum and thinking about it, I'd probably not want a brand new car under the scrappage scheme (unless I won the lottery and could buy an aston martin! lol) PS sorry to hijack your thread

11-11-2009, 02:36	#8
Kat1966 Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: The Black Country Services: Lots and Lots of things Posts: 292	Just had a google and found this forum that may help with your problem, it's put mine at ease over a slight problem I get intermittently with mine as well. http://www.reviewcentre.com/forum259.html

11-11-2009, 19:03	#12
AnywhereButHome Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 363	Sometimes it's better the devil you know with used cars, the one you buy might have something worse in store like head gasket failure or something.

13-11-2009, 03:26	#17
pudseymrcvs Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 23	Brake pads need to bed in. Don't worry about the squealing. It will go. Try tightening the fan belt, otherwise the only problem is that it's a Corsa. Unless the bump was worse than you've said, I don't think anything is related.