Amarok restored to normal! Third time lucky....

After breaking the serpentine belt during our high country adventure, the Amarok spent just over a week at the Wodonga dealership being repaired. See here: http://project2014australia.blogspot.com.au/2016/12/a-few-nights-in-victorian-high-country.html

The initial diagnosis was that the serpentine belt tensioner had failed, causing the belt to shred.  Parts of the belt ended up destroying the power steering pump pulley, requiring a new pump, adding a small fortune to the repair bill.  Being just over two years since it last happened, it wasn't covered under warranty - but thankfully it didn't destroy the engine either.

Unfortunately the car wasn't fixed properly.  The new tensioner rattled heavily at idle, and I took it to my local dealer to get checked out.  They agreed the tensioner was faulty, but didn't have one in stock, and could I please come back at another time to get it fixed. This dragged the saga out until mid January when I finally could make it back to get fixed.

So last Friday I took it in, and waited for the repair to be complete (I was on my way home after working overnight).  On starting the car I could tell instantly that it still wasn't right - but was desperate to head home and have a nap.

My local dealer replaced the tensioner with a new pulley.  I had been told some cock and bull story about there being a newer version of the pulley (apparently VW are on their third revision now) - but the new one was exactly the same as the one replaced by the dealer at Wodonga.

So, after a snappy 1400km round trip to Tamworth over the weekend, I took it back to my local dealer on Monday afternoon.  I had tried to call, but couldn't get through and just drove in and requested someone look at the car.

I think they could tell from the look in my eyes, I wasn't leaving until it was fixed.  They sent a mechanic from the floor (thank goodness - I was over the 'service manager') - who had a look, could see the car wasn't right and decided to take it into the workshop straight away.  A few minutes later he diagnosed the alternator pulley was playing up, and would need replacing. They didn't have one in stock - but some common sense prevailed and they took one off an alternator they had on the shelf.  Big thank you to James from the workshop for finally identifying the fault and fixing the car properly.

So at last - just over a month since it failed, the Amarok is back to 100%.  I am a little frustrated that it took so long to get put to rights - three extras visits AFTER it had already spent over a week off the road.  It also makes me wonder if the power steering pump really did need replacing after all.  Hmmm...

Whilst waiting for the car to get fixed, I had a look over some new Amaroks on the showroom floor.  I was interested to see the new 4 cylinder Amaroks have a plastic cover that covers the air conditioning compressor, power steering pump and the whole serpentine belt.  I asked why this kit hadn't been retro fitted to earlier models, but got the usual excuses.  If I want to install those covers it will cost me $356.

Whilst I love the Amarok as a comfortable touring car, I think there are some design flaws with the engine, particularly if it gets used as a 4WD should.  The plastic covers are all just attempts to patch over underlying shortcomings.  I am sure if there was the same volume of these cars on the road as other brands, the shortcomings would have all been identified, met and addressed by now - either by the manufacturer or with quality aftermarket gear.

Such a shame - as the rest of the car is simply fantastic.  But for now it's good to go again.  Best I start planning the next adventure!

A few nights in the Victorian High Country - and a broken Amarok

Every now and then the moon and stars and moon align, and I get the opportunity to take off for a couple of nights with the guys who introduced us into four wheel drive touring.  This is a part of Australia that we have not spent much time exploring, and I was looking forward to changing that.  I also knew I was in good company.  These guys have forgotten more about four wheel driving than I'll ever learn - and I was eager to pick up some tips.

Jo had given me a leave pass for a few nights, so I packed the car with essentials for a solo few nights.  A swag, some beer and a ten minute run around Aldi had me stocked with enough food for the adventure.  

Jo's only instruction: "Don't break Rocky!"  

I confidently assured her that I wouldn't do anything silly and would bring the car back in tip top condition in a couple of days....  How wrong I was!

Reunited we fossick at Inverell - and I don't have to dig!

With Rocky fully repaired and ready for action, we were keen to return to Armidale and get camping. It was time to also get fossicking again. Before the week was out, I learnt a much easier way to fossick...

But some things are more important, like friends and nice beaches.  So after a short stopover with Jo's parents in Caloundra (thank you again for your wonderful hospitality), we diverted to the magical town of Byron Bay.  We were all looking forward to catching up with some dear friends - and a dip in the beautiful water was a bonus.

The weather was absolutely perfect, and we spent ages splashing about in the waves.  You can see why this is such a popular place with tourists, and jealously guarded by the locals.

We came back to Armidale to a repaired Amarok.  The dealer in Tamworth had replaced the CV boot and the air conditioner compressor.  Shane from Opposite Lock had picked up Rocky to replace our broken shock absorber.  Mum and Dad had then picked up Rocky and brought it back to their place.  I was really impressed with the team from Opposite Lock in Tamworth - who were extremely easy to deal with over the phone, and would happily recommend them.

In borrowed wheels, the road trip continues north...

With Rocky booked in to be towed to the Dealer, and plans already made for Mackay, I knew I had to continue to make ground north.  I might also have been just a little keen to catch up with the family, having missed them terribly over the previous fortnight.  Thankfully my parents were able to lend me their second car for the journey onward.

It was a good decision.  After driving 750km the previous day, I had another 600km to get to Caloundra, and 900km more to Mackay.  My brother had arranged time off work especially for our visit, meaning I didn't have the luxury of sitting in Tamworth waiting for parts to arrive from Sydney. 

An ominous start - I should have been a mechanic!

Whilst the family was enjoying a couple of weeks on the Sunshine Coast with their grandparents, I had been doing a couple of odd jobs at home.  My main job was to deliver Rocky and Matilda to the family, ready in all respects for a new camping adventure.  Sadly things started to go off the rails not long after departure.

I had decided to get on the road as soon as I woke up.  Thankfully I checked my clock, and decided that 12.30am was too early, so I rolled over and next thing I knew it was 4.15am.  Fifteen minutes later I was on the road, but it soon became apparent that all was not well.  The car was lacking power - more so than I expected.  Could it have been the new tyres being a slightly bigger size?  So many thoughts were running through my mind, but when I was unable to hold sixth gear going downhill, I knew I had to stop and  investigate. 

The camper's right hub was hot, really really hot.  But it was still full of grease, and Yass was not far away.  I decided to push on to Yass, and utilise a quiet street and a street light for further investigation.  As I pulled up, I was just a little nervous.  It was the Saturday morning of the long weekend, and if I didn't have the parts to fix it, I could be in for a long wait.

It turned out the brake shoes were binding (could it have been that hard stomp on the brakes for the kangaroo earlier?).  The bearings were fine - the grease hadn't cooked off entirely, so I repacked the bearings, re-adjusted the brakes and crossed my fingers.  I might have grumbled a little about the mechanic who supposedly checked the brakes and bearings when fitting the new tyres a couple of months ago...

If I knew what was coming, I should have turned around and gone home.  

Investigation by streetlight and head torch