Brought my GT into the shop today to have it looked over. Got back some rough news. He is suggesting I sell it based on what he sees. Would love to hear people's thoughts on this. Should I just throw in the towel or do people think I have some options here?

- New Air struts all the way around
- Transmission Valve body is throwing codes may require rebuild (I didn't get the codes with my scanner and they are quoting 10-12k to rebuild)
- Head Gasket has a slight leak

 

what year is it, how many miles, how many owners, general condition?

 

2006 w/ apprx 55k. I actually haven't had any real issues. Frankly combining the possible work needed and all the carjackings and things happening a lot lately, maybe its just smarter to let it go. Hard to find another car with as much character that I would want to take a long 10+ hour drive though.

 

Which shop?

 

Smaller shop near me outside Chicago. The guy seems to know his stuff when it comes to Bentleys and most European cars. He is going to put it back up on the lift tomorrow and get some photos for me. I could always get a low mileage tranny off the internet but the head gasket I believe also requires pulling the engine out.

 

I'm genuinely curious as to how he knows the head gasket has a slight leak?

C

 

I am not sure on how he saw it. I know I’d had it up on the lift. I am bringing it back today so we can get a full list and photos of what he found.

 

I will ask today for more detail on this. Is this something I should even take on myself or just leave it to a mechanic? I haven’t worked in transmissions in the past.

 

The struts caught my attention. I very seldom see cars that need the rear struts replaced. In fact I can't even remember an instance where a rear strut failed. Is there an immediate issue with the rears?

Maybe get a second opinion? A few of us in the area take our cars to Fluid Motor Union in Naperville.

 

You are probably right about the second opinion. The air suspension seems to rise and lower fine but I do notice some noise from the back. I just figured being a Bentley it seemed a little rough and loud, maybe from a Mustang I wouldn't have thought much about it the noise or ride but I have also never driven a new Bentley so not sure what exactly to expect.

I will get everything documented from this guy and then bring it to Fluid motors for another look.

 

What sort of noise do you get from the rear of the car?

Curious - why does your guy think your car needs the air struts replaced? Is it just based on age? My 2005 Phaeton (same system) got about 175k off the fronts until one of them popped. Rears are still going strong. My 2005 Continental is still doing fine on the originals.

If you go to FMU please mention the guy with the Phaeton sent you over.

 

He stated that they had no air and I was riding on the springs. Noise is hard to explain, I don't expect it to ride as smooth as a RR but I do hear enough squeaking when going over rougher roads. It's not soo rough that it's jarring but not as quiet or smooth as I would have expected over mildly rough roads. He also said it looked like someone had been racing it, not sure if that's from seeing over revs or if it was just more of a general statement based on what he was seeing. The reason I brought it in was the noise didn't sound normal but its not enough where i was concerned and i don't see any error lights related to air suspension and things seem to rise and lower normally. I didn't check it after letting it sit all night so perhaps there is a small leak

 

Springs? AFAIK car has no springs, just the air suspension. His comment on that point makes me superuneasy.

As to the suspension noise, I've attached a link to a driving video I made for my car (2005 GT). As you can see, the suspension is very quiet even over rough roads except for the noise going over the road joints.


Your suspension noise might just be normal wear and tear on suspension bushings and such.

 

Fair point, I am trying to get an appt w/ FMU before heading down to FL this weekend. Not taking the GT anyway but I am sure it will bother me until I get it looked at.

 

uploaded a video I took. You should be able to hear the noise.