Jacaranda

Thanks that's awesome! I just bought it for $185 with ebay plus and have found a mechanic who will fit it for cash. 😀

Thank you. Based on a few YouTube videos that I watched it's a bit of a bugger to remove like the water pump. 😭

Hi everyone, The battery light in my 2008 Touring came on tonight so I headed home in case I got stranded. The battery tested 11.8V with a multimeter and no change when I started the engine. I'm assuming that the alternator has failed but is there anything else I can check myself to properly diagnose? A previous post on this forum mentioned to check earth cables and the serpentine belt but mine seem to be OK. What could I expect to pay a mechanic to replace the alternator? Thanks.

Do you mean that the repair cost would be so high that it wouldn't be worth it on my 2008 Aurion? Maybe there's an oil additive to stop timing cover leaks? 😁

Thank you Hiro, much appreciated. I'm learning something new every day.

Thanks Rimsy, that's a very interesting question! I'm relying on what the mechanic told me. He also said that the RH drive shaft leak could be fluid that has dripped from the power steering pump which I'm assuming is situated above. Wouldn't he know the difference between engine oil from the timing cover and power steering fluid or do they look and feel similar? Your suggestion to just monitor the PSP reservoir is logical so I will do that before I take any further action. I'm assuming that a front timing cover seal replacement if required is a big job? Thanks again for your reply which is much appreciated.

Hi Guys, I had my tyres rotated and balanced today and when the car was on the hoist, the mechanic reported that the power steering pump and RH drive shaft were leaking. I checked the power steering reservoir when I got home and the fluid was at the correct level (HOT). I had recently noticed a very small amount of fluid on the garage floor which appeared to be directly underneath the power steering pump. My question is (given that the leak appears to be minor) is whether or not I should use a stop-leak additive? Some of them on the SCA website have quite good reviews. I would appreciate any advice and recommendations.

My Aurion had a 120,000 km service a few months ago which included oil and filter, new air filter plus the engine was decarbonised. I keep a vehicle log and track expenses for business purposes. I purchased the car when it had done about 40,000 km and my average fuel consumption for the 80,000 km travelled has been 11.1 litres / 100 km. 95% of my travel is in the city. Since the service I have travelled 3,000 km and I have noticed a sharp increase in fuel consumption. The current average is 14.4 litres / 100 km. My driving habits have not changed. It is the first time that I have had the engine decarbonised and I am wondering if there is a link to the increased fuel consumption or it is just a coincidence?

Not a problem and thanks again for your suggestion. After some experimentation I have figured out how to carry the ladder inside the car. The solution is to slide the front passenger seat all the way forward and lay the back rest all the way down. By removing the front and rear passenger headrests the ladder will just fit. 👍

Thanks for your suggestion but the towing eyelet screws to the front of the car.

Hi All, I need to carry a 6ft ladder in my Aurion to do a job. I don't have roof racks and the ladder will overhang the boot by about 80cm which shouldn't be a legal issue if it is properly secured. I can't find any attachment points under the boot lid and I don't have a tow bar to tie down to. I'm hoping that the brains trust here have some suggestions. 🤞😊

For better or worse we don't have inspections for registration in SA. I'm also installing on the spoiler brake light and I totally agree that it is much more likely to catch the attention of the following driver.

That's interesting 🤔 I did some basic research which indicated that a flashing brake light is illegal throughout Australia. Exceptions are adaptive brake lights fitted to some expensive imports which flash brake and hazard lights under extreme deceleration and/or braking. Happy to be corrected. 😊

That's absolutely awesome Herb! Thank you so much, I really appreciate it! 😊