Lude Generation

This is the 3G I inherited from my father in law. It's been such a good car but it's now very poorly.
The ALB light was coming on, then it started leaking oil. The garage have told me that the sump is rotten and the ALB light is coming on because it's also leaking from the steering rack. Oh, and possibly from the gearbox as well. And it's getting holes in the sills - it's already had a bit of welding. (On top of the new exhaust Feb 2012 and new battery in Nov 2012)
The sump can be replaced and I can keep topping up the steering fluid but the garage gave me the impression that it was only a matter of time.......and to actually fix or replace the 4ws steering rack will apparently take lottery money.
So I'm looking at transferring the number plate and sending Hondy to the scrap yard.

Am I rushing into getting rid of it? Should I get a second opinion from another garage? Any thoughts appreciated!

To clarify for you:

1 - The ALB has nothing to do with the steering at all, it's purely the 'Anti-Lock-Brakes'. Likely cause is a dud wheel speed sensor, these can easily be replaced. Have you read the flashing light code from the box that controls the system?

2 - Leaks - likely all seals, did they show you where it was coming from? Even one tiny leak can look huge, without cleaning the engine up and checking again, you won't really know how bad it is. Worth an investment of your time to figure out what you need?

3 - Power steering fluid leak - are they 100% sure it's coming from the front steering rack?

4 - A gearbox leak is rather uncommon, again, this may not be the case - just oil spreading from another leak.

This^^^^ an engine oil leak could cover the entire underside of the car given a little time

I haven't read the code yet. I did take the fuse out and put it back, which didn't make any difference. Someone else suggested I take the wheel off and see if it was the sensor but that's well beyond what I'd normally do with a car. I've never even changed a tyre and my car maintenance skills normally are limited to input of fluids!
Apparently the garage topped up the steering fluid and the ALB light STILL came on after I'd driven a few yards so I did wonder if it was that. It's also making a noise before the ALB light comes on.

As to where it's coming from, I didn't see in the garage but I've just been lying on the floor in the garage here to try and see! When I dabbed the underside where it seemed to be coming from several different places, like it's oozed out and spread a bit before it drips down.

This is what has dripped on to kitchen roll in an hour - it's about 5 or 6 cm across



And this is what it looks like as to where it is coming from - I stuck the phone underneath to take the picture -



I don't know if they're certain about the steering rack or the gearbox.

I think what I need to do first is the code thing and see what that tells me, if anything.

I really appreciate your input on this.

I think I'd want to get the sump replaces first. Once that's done, you'll get a better handle on what leaks you have. To read the ALB code (will tell us exactly why you have the light), you need to have a look at the centre console in the passenger footwell side, there should be a little hatch you can remove (from memory, not had my 3G for a while now!). If you can find the hatch, let us know and we'll go from there.

This is the only little hatch I could find!

I did the flashing code thing. It was a 5 8 which according to the troubleshooting chart is as you predicted, indigolemon, the speed sensor on the rear left wheel.

So there is another local garage I can use so I will get the car in there and get them to sort the sensor,and look at the rest to see what really needs doing to get it through the MOT in mid September!

Thanks

Dibs

A quick bodge for the abs would be to link the two sensors. There is a orange plug near that cover in the centre console and you can use a fork type crimp to link the two. I cant remember which but u could look through the service guide or I could have a look on mine at the weekend and tell you.

At least then you can check the rest of the system... Or pass a mot...

I was told that you could space 4th gen sensors and use them.

if 4th gen ones can be used i have 2 set of complete sensors.