Yours in desperation
Page 28
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CAN SOMEBODY help me — I'm getting really desperate.
I sold an 18-month-old Scania Mast October and took delivery of the truck I had been working for for the past three years — a new Scania 141.
Well, I thought, as I picked up my new custom-painted wagon from the paint shop — here we go with a year's (at least) trouble-free running. What a foolish thought that has turned out to be.
The truck is now six months• old and has been nothing but trouble since the day I brought it home. In fact on that very day the supplier had to come 70 miles and tow it back to the workshop because of a dreadful knocking.
It has never pulled like 376bhp, in fact is still won't and never has been able to outpull an F10 let alone a 12.
It smokes excessively, and worst of all there is a vibration through the cab, which apart from being unbearable is totally unacceptable for a truck costing £29,000. The fuel consumption averages 5.6mpg pulling 20 ton, which, after all, for a 141 is only half-loaded. It just manages 7mpg when running empty.
This vehicle cost me (an owner-operator) pounds in days lost work, inconvenience, extra derv, and so on while the suppliers endeavour to find the faults. But, alas, each time it is returned to me the same.
The supplier eventually reringed the vehicle after much deliberation because each cylinder compression was down to 250 to 300 lb/sq in, which, I am told, was low for a diesel engine.
This must be the answer I told myself — but no — the 141 is exactly the same.
Vibration still there, no power down the lower end of the rev range, excessive smoke and fuel consumption, plus other faults too numerous to mention.
I have asked the opinion of every Scania supplier/dealer that I pass during my work to try this vehicle out for me and their replies are identical: "Bloody awful."
Trouble is, like everybody, truck suppliers are feeling the recession and unless they are certain of being reimbursed by the manufacturer for warranty work they seem to be reluctant to carry work out, even though it is their responsibility in law.
But where does that leave me? The mechanics from the Scania franchises who have tested my vehicle all seem to think I need a new pump — alas, I've tried to get them to put a new pump on but you can guess the outcome.
I have taken a solicitor's advice who reckons I have a good case for getting my money back, but that would cost me upwards of £500 and I just can't afford it.
I would have thought that a firm of such high repute as Scania would have come up with a satisfactory solution by now and said to hell with the cost. Or are they just dillydallying until the truck is out of warranty?
IAN G. COX Ian Cox Transport Bunting ford, Herts We have invited Scania to comment on Mr Cox's letter which has been passed to them — Editor.