New Owner of a THP 200 GT

[Buddy]

I thought that I would move this to the main area from the Newcomers, I am now the owner of a THP 200 GT after owning a THP 156 for the past three years and even though it did have a few usually easily fixed problems I liked it so much that apart from being dubious about changing the car I replaced it with a 200 GT which has much less mileage and is the later version. So I paid my money...

That was just over a week ago and there has been a loss of coolant since a little after I got it home a drive of just under 50 miles so today after covering about another 70 miles of day to day local driving I found a puddle under the car and further investigation shows it's coolant from the area of the water pump, I did get a warranty with the car so it will go to one of the local garages for repair, not main dealer! I'll be checking out a new repairer and the warranty company!

 

[Buddy]

To hopefully close this off, it was the heater hoses badly fitted by someone who did the thermostat housing! New hoses have now been fitted! I took it to a garage in Derby due to it raining, cold and the warranty company said best to use them as they could deal with them direct! However the warranty company wouldn't cover it as hoses, bad maintenance and wear and tear aren't covered! The garage gave me a quotation which I did thing a bit high but it was there and would be done today I told them to do it! I'm now light of pocket to the tune of almost £600 . However give them their due it took them very little time and I only asked them on Monday morning, I took it in on Tuesday to test and report and collected it this afternoon.

 

[Buddy]

So, I took it for a decent run today and after about 25 miles or so pulled in to do a little shopping, checked the level and it had gone from the full mark to minimum, ok, possible air bubble but when pulled out of the parking space there was a small wet patch! I got home about three miles further on and the level had dropped a good half inch, left it on the drive for an hour and it was almost empty even bigger puddle on the drive! I'm suspecting the thermostat housing or the pipe across the back of the engine which I know was there on the 156 but according to the garage the 200 doesn't have it. Can anyone confirm if it should be there or not? The dealer that I bought it from is offering half the cost of repairs but if it's going to be a money pit I'll be asking for a refund. Just a problem in getting it back to him as he's 50 miles away!

 

[Kenneth]

So, I took it for a decent run today and after about 25 miles or so pulled in to do a little shopping, checked the level and it had gone from the full mark to minimum, ok, possible air bubble but when pulled out of the parking space there was a small wet patch! I got home about three miles further on and the level had dropped a good half inch, left it on the drive for an hour and it was almost empty even bigger puddle on the drive! I'm suspecting the thermostat housing or the pipe across the back of the engine which I know was there on the 156 but according to the garage the 200 doesn't have it. Can anyone confirm if it should be there or not? The dealer that I bought it from is offering half the cost of repairs but if it's going to be a money pit I'll be asking for a refund. Just a problem in getting it back to him as he's 50 miles away!

200 has the crossover pipe as well. It f oven gar new thermostat housing new oooes and might need a new crossover then you shouldn’t have any more coolant issues for a while 🫣

the coolant level sensor WILL go. At least they are dirt cheap and easy to swap out.

this car has been sold with these issues. Get he Farage that sold it to you to get everything fixed or get your money back. They sound clueless TBH. The warranties that come with used cars have more clauses than a Santa convention. But you have basic consumer rights on your side here. Get them to do the work. It’s nothing otter than age related wear. But they’ve sold it to you like this. They should sort it. Or left you get out of it and give you your money back then have to sort it before selling it again anyway. They can decide what they prefer. Either way you get it fixed or get your wedge back.

 

[Buddy]

Thanks for this, I had checked up on consumer rights and concur with what you have said, the trader is currently on holiday so while I had sent him a couple of emails I am waiting until he returns, had it checked and an attempt to repair but not fixed the problem with his offer to pay half I will give him the opportunity to make a choice. Returning it is a bit difficult as his establishment is 50 miles away and the car may not make it with it's problems.

 

[Pedro]

The thermostat tanks are notorious for splitting along the seams & leaking my 200 has had 3 in over 5+ yrs but whatever you do don't fit a aftermarket one unless its a branded make & you need to match them to the engine code as some won't fit your car as you may discover if ordering off some cheap price sites !

 

[Buddy]

I got one from GSF for my old 156 and it fitted quite easily apart from one of the heater pipes which was a little oversized on the spigot the pipe slid onto, I sorted that by cutting the hose back and fitting a pipe fitting inside, a couple of jubilee clips and it did a good job but yes probably best to get an original part.