Forums Forums Enthusiast Forums A - Z Autowirral Dreadful warranty service M53 Ford Birkenhead

ill back that up, i must of spilt a good litre of the oil on me while doing a few clutches and i can still smell it :@

Being 2.5 years old, id guess it was a TDCI

As already mentioned, gearbox oil is horrible stuff, a bit like cat piss, and pretty distinctive.

Engine oil has less smell, but tends to get black pretty quick on diesel cars.

The stains on the drive look quite clean, so its either engine oil that was very fresh, or it is gearbox oil and the smell isnt to strong.

Thanks all - I've had more input here than at Ford - car may be back by tomorrow evening if the parts (don't know what) have arrived. I will update you all then. I am spending my Sunday afternoon composing a letter to Ford Customer Service!!

The MK6/6.5 are prone to have clutch slave cylinder issues, the pedal does become heavy to push. The oil is also the brake fluid as it's one system.


As you look at the pic is the stain on the left from the near side?

When you write your letter, I would recommend bullet pointing the issues and try not to get to emotional with it. Just concentrate on the facts and dates. Mention the inconvenience it has caused you too and this is not what you'd expect from a main dealer.

Most importantly think of the compensation you want for this...free servicing for a year? a replacement car? Also put the time you expect them to reply in i.e. "10 working days". I would leave it open at first and just mention "that I would expect to be compensated" and see what they come back with.

Send via registered post too.

The watchdog website on the bbc has some good points about writing a letter of complaint, they are free and show you how to arrange it and how to word certain areas.

Well worth a look, make sure you find out exactly what was wrong from Ellesmere Port.

Most of all good luck.

Thanks all - as of today it's still there. Ellesmere Port told my husband they've resealed the gearbox (means nothing to me??) and they want it to set overnight?? And tomorrow they will put oil back in and road test it so I should have it back tomorrow evening.

MrPhil - I didn't have any problems with my clutch just the gears (a shuddering when in third and fourth gear) The left hand side of the picture is the passenger side of the car - the other stains are where I've reversed off the drive and it's dripped oil as I've done so.

Neil_c - only trouble is I can't remember the first date when I took it in, although I know it was early April. Can I request this information from M53 themselves do you think??

Thanks again everyone!! Much appreciated

Has the car ever been in a crash or did you buy it new?

As they have resealed the end of the gearbox (plate with around 6 bolts) seems odd.

With it leaking oil and the 3rd/4th gear problems make sure you check for the next few months for weeping of that plate (well husband lol)

Hope it's all sorted, send it in 1 month before the warrenty ends for a check. Saves spending after the warrenty is up.

Quick edit, when you pick the car up ask for the service dates etc, the man behind the computer will tell you.

He will have a full record.

Yes you can request the info from the garage of the date it was brought in. All main dealers will book services into their computers. I wouldn't say too much about why you want it, other than being curious.

Failing that, the garage would have to provide this info under a Data protection request anyway.

It was brand new when I bought it - it's a 57 plate so it's 2.5 years into its warranty. It has been a brilliant car - the funny thing is, as annoyed as I am about my drive, we used to park on the grass before the council did the dropped kerb - so I may never have seen this leak?!

I will certainly be sending it in before the warranty ends in September - it's been a fantastic car but I've kind of lost my faith in it now with all these problems...Or perhaps I've lost my faith in Ford??

I'll get the dates when I pick it up tomorrow, fingers crossed...if I pick it up tomorrow....

I wouldn't get too disheartened by it. Haliwell Jones treated me like shit when I took my BMW in for repair last year. Got all the money back in the end by being persistent. All cars have problems from Fords to Bentleys.

Problems will always come along in life no matter what, but it's how we deal with it that matters.

I got a letter of the solicitors today about some Grrr who is disputing crashing into me. Not going to let it get me down, will just keep on fighting it.

It's just the principle of it to me; why should I let someone else get away with trying to rip me off.

Your insurance company won't give up without a fight so I think you'll be ok there - any witnesses? Photos?

Car is back and is ok as of today. I have a copy of the work done on the car since I first took it in - I will scan it in later for all to see. Ellesmere Port said it was a different leak than last week. Hmmmm - not sure I believe that but........

They also cleaned it inside and out, I'll give them some credit if the car holds out over the next week or so but it is the kind of service you expect when you've paid thousands of pounds for a car.