Recalls: Bentley 3W Continental GT
Overview
Manufacturers, or importers, issue recalls for defects or faults which have the potential to cause injury. Generally, manufacturers will inform the original buyers if their vehicle is subject to a recall and of the steps required to remedy the defect or fault. Please note that the recalls below (if any) are for Australian-delivered vehicles only. Furthermore, the number of recalls should not be taken as an indication of a model’s reliability or its safety more generally.
Recalls: Bentley 3W Continental GT
- In August 2006, a recall was issued for Bentley 3W Continental GT vehicles manufactured from May 2003 to March 2004. In these vehicles, a foul could occur between a brake pipe and an engine-mounted hose clip which could result in failure of the brake pipe. Furthermore, this failure could result in a loss of brake fluid and increased stopping distances under braking; there was also a risk of fire due to brake fluid entering the engine compartment (PRA 2006/8709).
- In May 2008, a recall was issued for Bentley 3W Continental GT vehicles manufactured from December 2003 to March 2008. For these vehicles, road salt could corrode the outer surface of the fuel filter. In extreme cases, this could lead to the filter housing becoming porous with a corresponding fuel leak, creating a potential fire hazard (PRA 2008/10025).
- In October 2013, a recall was issued for Bentley Continental GT vehicles that were fitted with carbonic ceramic brakes that were manufactured before June 2010. In these vehicles, the stainless screws fixing the rear rotor to the metal bell may fail due to corrosion if the vehicle has been used in salty environments. If eight of the ten screws were to fail, stopping distances would increase and could lead to a crash. At the time the recall was issued, however, no more than three screws had failed in any vehicle. To fix, the existing screws were replaced with screws made from a more resistant material. The affected vehicles were in the VIN range SCB CE63W37C 041848 to SCB CG63W8AC 066858 (PRA 2013/13763).
Problems and faults: Bentley 3W Continental GT
Overview
This section identifies potential problems, causes and fixes based on the experiences of owners and repairers, online sources and technical service bulletins. This information is provided solely for reference purposes and AustralianCar.Reviews recommends that only properly qualified persons carry out repairs or modifications. Furthermore, the number of items below should not be taken as an indicator of a model’s reliability or the frequency with which they may occur.
To report a problem or fault to the AustralianCar.Reviews team, please use the Contact Us form. Note that AustralianCar.Reviews does not offer advice on automotive problems or disputes; such enquiries will not receive a reply. For vehicles purchased from dealers after 1 January 2011, please see our Australian Consumer Law fact sheet.
2003-10 Bentley 3W Continental GT W12: bank 2 drive belt deflection pulley
In April 2013, Bentley Motors issued Technical Production Information (TPI) 2032874/1 for 2004-13 Bentley 3W Continental GT vehicles. In these vehicles, the Bank 2 accessory drive belt deflection pulley may be diagnosed as unserviceable/noisy, such that the pulley would have to be replaced. According to the TPI, a new specification Bank 2 deflection pulley (part number 07C 145 276F) was introduced which had the following ‘significant changes’ from the original:
- The original pulley operated using a single-row ball bearing, whereas the new pulley had a double-row ball bearing;
- The original specification single row pulley could be identified as it had a grooved belt running surface and a shallow cone shaped dust cap. The new pulley had a smooth belt running surface and a deep cone shaped dust cap; and,
- The original pulley was secured with a Torx bolt, whereas the new pulley was supplied and secured with a 16 mm hexagon-headed bolt.
The new pulley, however, was only to be fitted to Bank 2 and not Bank 1.
