NOTE: This is a workspace thread for gathering/organizing info that will become a reference. It'll change a lot and be edited often, so don't mind the mess!


I'm going to start putting together info for the FAQ about common problems. Two of them came up this morning (CEL from a possibly bad thermostat, and leaky windshield wiper reservoir), and I realized the only thing we have in the FAQ is:

Recalls and Known Major Issues:

In general these are good once fixed and won't reoccur, though that repair can be costly.
V8 Vantage timing cover gasket (expensive)
V8 Vantage door lock mechanisms (expensive)
Navigation screen gears (inexpensive)
Fuel vapor recirculation hose (inexpensive)
Leaking windshield wiper fluid reservoir (inexpensive)

And the last one I added this morning. So I want to compile some info to address those specifically. If anyone has anything to add to that list, or some links to threads that specifically cover those, please post them up!

I'll be adding notes about them, fixes, cost estimates, DIYs, links to other info, etc etc, so anything and everything known about the issues would be appreciated.

Thanks!

EDIT: Started taking notes, this is a work in progress! The below are notes will eventually become a new thread, stickied, and ref'd in the FAQ

V8 Vantage timing cover gasket (expensive)
Need link

V8 Vantage door lock mechanisms (expensive)
Need link

Navigation screen gears (inexpensive)
Need link

Fuel vapor recirculation hose (inexpensive)
Fix pic in link

Leaking windshield wiper fluid reservoir (inexpensive)
Need link

05-06 DB9 TT2 transmission cooler hose connections hadcorrosion/leak issues. About $2K to fix at the dealer. Probably not many leftthat haven't been done. Cooler is below the front bumper behind the grille,connections are visible.
Need link

Add the "stuck gas cap, damn it, why won't it open?".
Need info, link

Leaky gas cap, cost
Need info, link

TPMS Sensors/batteries
Need info, link

Thermostat failures, replacement, parts, and CEL from running rich
Need info, links


As with any new car from a small manufacturer, Aston models enduresome growing pains. While these problems were generally fixed over time, theycan be commonplace in the first few years of production. When buying a used car, check to see if anyof these problems have been resolved on the cars you’re looking at. Early model year Aston can be bought for afraction of their new-car MSRP. But ifany of these problems persist, that low entry price can backfire and you’ll bestuck with some painful repairs.



V8 Vantage Timing Cover Gasket

Early production year V8 Vantages often suffer from a slight oilleak from the timing cover gasket. Arevised gasket fixes this problem. The gasket itself is very inexpensive. However, extensive labor is required toreplace the faulty gasket with the new one. This job can cost upwards of $5000. Once completed, the problem should not reoccur. A half-way solution involves much less laborand costs less than $2000, but does not guarantee that the problem will notreturn.



V8 Vantage Door Lock Mechanisms

The early V8 Vantage door lock mechanisms can fail, leading to embarrassingmoments of having to use your key to manually lock and unlock the doors. Notvery fashionable for a high-end exotic like an Aston Martin, is it?



Navigation Screen Gears

Aston Martin uses a mechanized screen for its navigationsystem. Unfortunately, the gears aremade of plastic and can chew themselves up, often without warning. Aston sells a repair kit with all partsnecessary to fix the gears. The job canbe done for less than $200.



Fuel Vapor Recirculation Hose

This is one of the more terrifying problems to encounter as itstalls your engine and leaves you without engine, brakes, or steering. The stall usually happens at low speeds whenalready coming to a stop, so hopefully you’ll be in an easily-controllable situation. Information about this problem can be foundhere:

https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/aston-martin/359095-one-main-causes-engine-stalls.html



Leaking Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir

The windshield washer fluid reservoir can crack, causing it toleak washer fluid. It’s possible thatyou never notice the problem, as the fluid level may be below the crack. Keeping the fluid no more than halfway full isa way to effectively ignore the problem. Fixing it can be done two ways: Either replace the reservoir (which cancost several hundred dollars!) or epoxy the crack of the original. KarlFranz explains where the reservoir is:

“If your car is no longer under warranty, remove the frontpassenger wheel and wheel liner. The reservoir is on the trailing edge of thewheel well ahead of the passenger door.”

https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/aston-martin/366596-washer-fluid-leak.html



DB9 TT2 Transmission Cooler Hose Failures

Earlier model year DB9s (generally ’05-06) experienced problemswith their transmission cooler hoses. The connections would corrode and leak over time. These can be replaced by the dealership forabout $2000.


Tail light condensation
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/t...l+light+custer+

 

Adding DB9 oil dipstick

Any other DB9 issues to include? I'm not terribly familiar with them so I'll need help there.

 

Early (2005, 2006?) DB9 TT2 transmission cooler hose connections had corrosion/leak issues. About $2K to fix at the dealer. Probably not many left that haven't been done. Cooler is below the front bumper behind the grille, connections are visible.

 

Add the "stuck gas cap, damn it, why won't it open?".

 

Rock on, thanks guys

 

Maybe the "DSC service required" item for the v8 as well, had that happened to me but like most results I've found online, goes away by itself:

https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...-required.html

 

Good link, the TPMS thing with it!

 

Tail lamp assy
- moisture in assy - where to drill holes to help dry out
- can lead to bad circuit board
- can also impact front turn signal operation

Clutch
- types to replace with
- dealer, do it yourself, independent options

Shifter cable
- how to adjust and or replace (I'll be needing this)

Brakes
- include info on factory bulletin on quiet shims and grease to eliminate squeal

exterior trim fixes
-

door, hood (aka bonnet), and rear hatch struts

 

Headlight Assy
- moisture in assy. think one member had a detailed diy on venting mod

Leather Shrinkage
- quite a few discussions on various pieces/panels

Passenger SRS Light
- most likely the passenger seat needs to be moving forward

Symptoms after a flat battery and reset procedures
- windows, mirrors and seats

 

What did I get myself into

 

More of a long term project. If each has a section we can add to it as needed

 

Here's the beginning of my list contribution:

Commonly Reported Problems

Body

• Corrosion near side strakes
• Corrosion near door handles
• rear corner of door window strikes rear quarter window
• convertible roof scuffing and wear near hinges
• Windshield washer reservoir and motor assembly leaks
• water leaks in boot area

Electrical

• quiescent battery drain
• gremlins when battery low
• battery removal when battery dead
• power door lock failure
• side window auto-lower not working
• “Passenger Airbag Off. Ser. Urgent” message on DIM error due to seat recline
• limit programming erased causing restricted power seat travel

Lighting

• headlight condensation
• headlight LED failure
• taillight condensation
• taillight LED failure
• headlight washer cover falling off

Engine

• timing cover leak
• valve clicking/ticking sound
• improper oil level
• groaning noise from older metal Oil Pressure Relief Valve during cold engine start and warm-up
• belt pulley squeak

Clutch

• premature clutch wear
• clutch learn not performed automatically on older cars
• creep mode causes wear

Transmission & Driveline

• difficulty is selecting 1st and 2nd gears after cold engine starts
• clunk sound when releasing clutch pedal
• rattling sound when starting to move forward
• sport shift hydraulic leak prevents gears from being selected
• Rear halfshaft and hub clunking noise
• Shifter cables become loose or disconnected

Brakes

• mouse squeak when turning left at slow to moderate speed
• high pitched squeal when brakes applied

Wheels & Tires

• Tire pressure monitor sensor battery failure

Suspension

• DSC Service Required message on driver information module
• power steering pump squeak when turning wheel

Fuel System

• Stuck fuel filler door
• cracked plastic on fuel cap
• evaporative leak on fuel cap
• cracked fuel vapor recirc hose in fuel tank

Interior Trim

• leather shrinkage on trim panels
• leather squeaks
• squeaking near steering wheel
• ECU dock halves falling out (or in)

Climate Control

• Incorrect ambient temp display

Entertainment & Convenience Systems

• scratches on ICE display
• wear scratches on selection buttons
• Mobile phone Bluetooth pairing problems

Navigation System

• Park assist chime stuck on (sensor dirty)
• outdated system maps
• stripped gears in screen raise mechanism

Alarm System

• Alarm Service required (battery in alarm module dead)

Exterior Trim

• water stains on metal grille bars
• grille plastic brackets cracking
• metal grille bars falling off

 

Thank you, sir

 

Got started on this in an external Word .doc

Here's part of a section to show the format I'm using, input appreciated. (These aren't finished, either.)


MECHANICAL


Engine
Timing Cover Oil Leak

Early MY V8 Vantages suffered from a slight oil leak fromthe timing cover gasket. The leak ismanageable but should be fixed. AMLupdated the gasket design and it solves the problem. While the gasket itself is inexpensive, therepair requires extensive labor and the job can total as much as $5000. A half-way solution can be performed for lessthan half of the cost, but does not guarantee the problem will not return.

FEAD Belt Squeak


The front end accessory drive (FEAD) belt can make asqueaking noise on early MY V8 Vantages. The problem is not the belt itself,but rather the idler pulley. Theoriginal design had a wall on the rear side of the pulley, but not on thefront. The updated pulley has walls onthe front and back. The new pulley is adirect replacement for the old on, but requires an updated belt to fit the newdesign.

UpdatedIdler Pulley 9G33-19A216-AA
Updated FEAD Belt 9G33-8620-AA

Fuel System


Fuel Vapor Recirculation Hose


The fuel vapor recirculation hose is found inside the gastank. Its job is to vent excess fuelvapor out of the gas tank and into the intake manifold, where it can enter theengine to be burned off through the normal combustion cycle. This hose has a tendency to tear, at whichpoint it sucks up fuel and dumps it into the engine, causing it to stall. When the engine stalls, engine power,steering, and brakes are all lost until the engine is restarted.

The problem with the hose is caused by its length. The hose is too long, and droops between thevapor valve where it starts and the point at which it exits the fuel tank. The droop causes chafing inside of the hoseagainst the tip of the valve hose nipple. Over time, this chafing will wear through the hose, causing it to splitopen, and allowing it to suck up fuel.
A DIY repair guide can be found here:

https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/aston-martin/359095-one-main-causes-engine-stalls.html

 

You might want to look at whether 6 speed has the ability to create a wiki.