SO16_Saint Posted 14 October, 2014 Share Posted 14 October, 2014 The wife has an 07 plate Xsara Picasso Diesel. The Aux belt has been squealing for a while, and last night on the way home from work, the power steering went. No lights came on on the dash... does this sound like the Aux belt has gone or would this be something else entirely? Also, been quoted 3 prices for a repair: A main dealer (not Citroen) - £140.00 incl VAT Garage 1 - £74.00 ex VAT Garage 2 - £30.00 all in Im thinking garage 1 is about right?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hutch Posted 14 October, 2014 Share Posted 14 October, 2014 Why does your wife need power steering? Mine just shouts at the car, and it does what it's told. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitey Grandad Posted 14 October, 2014 Share Posted 14 October, 2014 Why does your wife need power steering? Mine just shouts at the car, and it does what it's told. My wife drives the car. I just hold the steering wheel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buctootim Posted 14 October, 2014 Share Posted 14 October, 2014 I would have thought that if the aux belt had gone a whole raft of systems would have failed and the dashboard would light up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitey Grandad Posted 14 October, 2014 Share Posted 14 October, 2014 I would have thought that if the aux belt had gone a whole raft of systems would have failed and the dashboard would light up. It's no wonder it's gone with all that stuff hanging off it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SO16_Saint Posted 14 October, 2014 Author Share Posted 14 October, 2014 OK so it was definitely the belt. Popped home at lunch to take a look and get it to the garage, and the belt itself was on the floor - intact, but on the floor. I cut it down and took the car to the garage for repair tomorrow. The mechanic said it's unusual that it came off in one piece, and it may be something else - think he said pullies? Still no lights on the dash, however?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SO16_Saint Posted 15 October, 2014 Author Share Posted 15 October, 2014 OK... so it's not JUST the aux belt.... it's a new Alternator too Any recommendations for good trustworthy garages/mechanics greatly appreciated as quoted >£300 and it seems a bit steep to me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ecuk268 Posted 15 October, 2014 Share Posted 15 October, 2014 As you're in SO16, go and see Pete King in Salem St (just off St James Road). Decent, honest bloke and a Saints season ticket holder. I've used him for years without any problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buctootim Posted 15 October, 2014 Share Posted 15 October, 2014 (edited) Whether £300 is reasonable or not depends on the cost of the new alternator, they vary a lot. You can obviously get one from a scrappie for £30 but whether its worth doing or not is another question. Should be about an hours labour to fit plus £15 or so for the belt. Edited 15 October, 2014 by buctootim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SO16_Saint Posted 15 October, 2014 Author Share Posted 15 October, 2014 As you're in SO16, go and see Pete King in Salem St (just off St James Road). Decent, honest bloke and a Saints season ticket holder. I've used him for years without any problems. Thanks... will look him up. Whether £300 is reasonable or not depends on the cost of the new alternator, they vary a lot. You can obviously get one from a scrappie for £30 but whether its worth doing or not is another question. Should be about an hours labour to fit plus £15 or so for the belt. Thanks, just had a look on Eurocarparts - and they're around £130. Labour, what, £100? and another £15 is around £250.... so the quote looks a bit high on that basis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buctootim Posted 15 October, 2014 Share Posted 15 October, 2014 Thanks, just had a look on Eurocarparts - and they're around £130. Labour, what, £100? and another £15 is around £250.... so the quote looks a bit high on that basis. It probably is a bit, but then you've got to weigh up whether you can realistically get it fixed elsewhere. No aux belt on it means you'd be driving it to another garage with no water pump, no power steering and hoping the battery lasts out - ie a recipe for disaster. Getting it trailered would eat up the price difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SO16_Saint Posted 15 October, 2014 Author Share Posted 15 October, 2014 It probably is a bit, but then you've got to weigh up whether you can realistically get it fixed elsewhere. No aux belt on it means you'd be driving it to another garage with no water pump, no power steering and hoping the battery lasts out - ie a recipe for disaster. Getting it trailered would eat up the price difference. Yeah, you're right... although the water pump doesn't run off the aux belt on the Picasso apparently. i drove it from home to the garage and it's bl00dy heavy without power steering! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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