ben_harmer32

Had this pointed out to me today. A new company has been registered 'HP2 Ltd.' on the 31st December 2018. Director listed is the same as Hidden Performance.

Thought I would update. Letters to claim back the cost of the last repair were sent out, Hidden have until the 17th January 2019 to reimburse me before I take further action. I am still being guided by citizen’s advice and the consumer helpline as well as an independent legal representative. It would also seem that on the 8th January 2019 the striking off action has been temporarily suspended as per the attached below. As always I’ll keep updating until everything relating to my car has been fully resolved.

So the skyline went to get checked over. The results are as follows: Traction control issue and engine warning light - These were both related to the throttle motor sensor being fitted incorrectly. Once adjusted correctly both issues were resolved. Overboost issue - Boost sensor to ECU in engine bay had been damaged and glued back together. This was resulting in the sensor sending incorrect data to the ECU causing it to fuel cut. A sensor from another GTT was tried, this resolved the issue. New replacement sensor has been ordered and will be fitted tomorrow. Once I have the final invoice I will contact Hidden again.

Honestly i am glad you are happy. Mike did some work on my car the last time it went back and his communications were very good. My post was never meant to put people off from using them. It is just to state the facts and to show what i have been going/still going through over the last 11 months. Funny you should mention steering and handling adjustments as Hidden told me they could not do mine and i would have to have it sorted elsewhere?

Good to see Hidden doing some good work, really glad you’re happy with your car mate. This yet again makes me wonder what went so wrong with my car. Do you have the car back now? If not I would highly recommend having a look at page 7, post 102 in the post listed in my signature.

Thought I would update. I haven’t received any replies to my emails despite following up. I also messaged on Facebook messenger, which was read, but also not replied to. This is yet again in breach of the law as the information I have requested they have a legal requirement to provide. On Monday, after looking at pictures of other R34 engines, I noticed that my TPS throttle sensor had been installed backwards. I have now resolved this. I was hoping it may have been the cause of the error codes but unfortunately not. After informing Consumers Advice about the proposed strike off action I have been given the number to Companies House. They have said if I contact them they should be able to postpone the strike off action until my case has been resolved. All the above has once again been escalated to the Trading Standards Authorities. Car is still booked into the garage on the 19th to have the remaining issues assessed and resolved.

I remember reading that post. I thought it related to the strike-off action on 13th March 2018 which was called off on 14th March 2018. Now a new strike-off action has been issued on 27th November 2018. But I guess this is related to the account extension as previously mentioned?

Either that or this could mean something? https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/10536228/filing-history

To bring the thread back on track, unfortunately I have nothing to update with. I have had no reply as of yet despite one of the requests being a legal requirement for them to provide me with information. I have not even had confirmation which I asked for that they have received my email. Therefor as I stated in my last communication to them I will be going back to using Facebook messenger for future correspondents which I have confirmed is acceptable to use by citizens advice.

Most of the latest corospondents with Hidden have been on Facebook messenger. I created a group chat with the owner and the mechanics as it saved getting messages seperatly from each of them. I sent a message earlier, to keep them updated. I told them the car had been booked into the specialist garage to have the remaining issues resolved on the 19th December 2018. I informed them I have spoken to citizen’s advice and as per the Consumer Rights Act 2015, after their repeat failure to provide me with a car that is fit for purpose, I am entitled to compensation of any repairs it now needs. I also informed them the case has been escalated to the trading standards authorities for investigation. As per legal requirement, I asked them to let me know if they are involved in any schemes involving alternative dispute resolutions. The message was read and after a minute I recieved the following message from the owner: 'Please desist from using this application to communicate with us and instead use email for any and all correspondence including your last message.' I put the above message into an email and asked that they confirm receipt immediately. I also followed up with one last Facebook message just so they knew I had emailed. That was 3.5 hours ago and I still haven't received any confirmation. I fear the request for me to email will be used as an excuse to ignore my communications. If I get any response I'll update accordingly.

I honestly thought this was all over, can't believe it's going to have to go and have more work done. Car is booked back in with specialist on 19th. They're going to put it on there rolling road to see what the boost issue is and read the codes properly and resolve as needed.

They know the car is used as a daily, and with winter coming I consider it dangerous to let it leave without the traction control working. Also I believe its part of the MOT now to check warning lights? Along with the other issues identified previously with tyres and suspension arms etc. I'm amazed it passed. I am currently in talks with my solicter, citezens advice and trading standards with the whole situation so shall update the thread once its all been resolved.

Finally had dry enough weather to put my foot down a bit after the car had warmed up and I'm hitting fuel cut. Looks like an overboost. When trying to find the vac leak causing the over boost my friend noticed that I'm not getting an engine management light when I turn the ignition before starting the car (all lights should illuminate). We took the dials out to find bulbs for engine management, traction control off and slip removed. I replaced the bulbs to find them all alluminated upon start up. I've read the codes and they are as follows: 17 = traction control fault 34 = knock sensor 46 = throttle motor sensor Traction control fault was identified by Hidden on 3rd August. And an overboost issue on 20th August. I can only assume their way of solving the issues were to remove the bulbs. I will be taking the car to a garage to sort the above issues and the over boost as we could not find a leak. Hidden have been informed of the above.

Few new items. 3" Cat back exhaust as the second hand Blitz one i bought wouldn't fit (despite being told it was for an R34 GTT! ) HICAS Eliminator kit. Front drop links for lowered cars.

No offence taken at all, I fully understand what you are saying. As I’ve said before in this post and have said to Hidden, I would not have expected them to resolve every issue. The one’s I wanted resolved they have, which were all around the running issues and condition of the engine. Considering they stripped the engine before fitting it and then got the car running I held them directly responsible. However, saying that, I would have expected several of those items to be identified by Hidden and/or the MOT giving me the option from the beginning to resolve them. I have managed to do a few things off the list from the independent inspection and have ordered some parts. I have just had my first weekend with it. I didn’t do many miles but the car seems to be driving fine at the moment. It will take time for me to trust it fully.

Given that it wasn't mentioned on the previous inspection and i have since had the radiator changed i would say they have now gone missing. I will get under the car later today and have a proper look. I am going to do an oil and filter change anyway just to be safe. It has been pointed out that the oil filter used is not of the best quality and usually don't have a pressure release valve in them like the better ones.

1. Bonnet stay not secured, missing clip or rubber bush HP Response: We believe this was missing from car when delivered to us. Can not find it in garage Independent Inspection: no changes listed by HP 2. Battery tray missing, battery too big and not secured in HP Response: Big battery was not fitted by us. Battery tray was missing from car when delivered to us. Independent Inspection: no changes listed by HP 3. AFM plug tab broken HP Response: 20-year-old plug, recommend replacement found to solve Independent Inspection: no changes listed by HP 4. Plug broken off from A/C sensor HP Response: 20-year-old plug tab, recommend replacement found to solve Independent Inspection: no changes listed by HP 5. Brake fluid cap broken not sealing on tank HP Response: Replacement fluid cap was in stock, so replaced with good unit. Independent Inspection: no changes listed by HP 6. Fan blades trimmed to allow them to miss intake pipework HP Response: Fan blades were already cut from previous owner. eBay intercooler pipework was already on car when it was delivered from Spain Independent Inspection: no changes listed by HP 7. Lots of red sealant used on cam covers Cam cover HP Response: Gaskets replacements were not sourced originally, so sealant used to help old gaskets to seal. Now new gaskets were sourced and installed. No excess sealant found in head, and excess sealant found on outside of covers were cleaned. Independent Inspection: All looks to be good now. 8. Engine oil level low approx 1/3 below max. HP Response: Engine does not seem to be burning any abnormal amounts of oil, however cam seals had a decent size leak. Oil was topped up and since sorting out cam seals and 300 mile drive, the oil level seems to be stable now. Independent Inspection: Too much oil in the engine now. 9. A 70amp fuse has been used to replace an 80amp fuse and has been mounted up on fly lead. HP Response: This “modification” performed by previous owner/garage. Correct fuse has been sourced and installed. Independent Inspection: Is now correct. 10. Upper intake pipe has a very sharp badly trimmed mounting bracket HP Response: Like 6., this mounting bracket was installed/fabricated previously not by us Independent Inspection: no changes. 11. The modified RB26 (Stagea) sump that has been fitted has a massive amount of silicone sealer used, and looks to be leaking towards rear of engine. HP Response: Engine was secured using top mounting support bar. Front subframe dropped, sump removed. No excess sealant found in oil pickup etc. Sump was resealed using High Temp Copper Loctite 5990, using 3mm application tip. Road testing shows no leaks towards front or rear of sump. Independent Inspection: All looks to be good. 12. Tie bar bushes are shot HP Response: Bushes are same as when car first delivered to us. Probably original 20-year-old bushes. Recommend replacements found Independent Inspection: no changes. 13. Bolts missing from transmission oil pump (sump?) HP Response: We believe this is a typo. pump instead of sump. Pump is internal to gearbox and has not been touched. However, we did find 3 missing bolts for transmission sump, which now have bolts installed. Independent Inspection: All looks ok now. 14. Electric cooling fan is cracked HP Response: Cooling performance does not seem affected. Independent Inspection: no changes. 15. Intake elbow next to intercooler is rubbing on front bumper HP Response: Intake pipework couplers in this area were loosened to see if we can get anymore clearance by getting the pipework to sit tighter together, but no success with this. Bodyshop has cut an insert into the bumper to allow pipework to have some room. Given the car was just painted we didn’t want to cut into the bumper to allow for more room. It’s close but does not seem to be causing any issues. Independent Inspection: no changes. 16. Slight oil leak from front main seal HP Response: Front crank seal was not leaking. However, camshaft seals above were leaking and leaking down onto the front area/sump. Just to be safe, front crank and both camshaft seals were changed. 300 miles later and seems to be dry now. Independent Inspection: Oil leak is fixed but lower radiator mounts now missing. 17. Various bolts missing from front panel area, lock support. HP Response: Hard to confirm which bolts they meant with this without further detail. Have gone round engine bay area putting in any bolts that seem to be missing, but not many added. Independent Inspection: Lower bonnet lock bracket bolt still loose, trans cooler bracket bolt missing/broken 18. Front drop links have play in them. HP Response: See 12. Independent Inspection: no changes. 19. Rear hicas steering arms both have play HP Response: See 12. Independent Inspection: no changes. 20. Downpipe to turbo gasket exhaust leak & Downpipe to decat pipe exhaust leak HP Response: New downpipe and gaskets installed to solve this. We also tried to fit the new exhaust you had in the back, but pipework is incorrect, and fitting could not be completed. Independent Inspection: All looks to be good now. 21. Timing belt sounds tight HP Response: Timing belt was indeed too tight. New cambelt, cambelt tensioner and idler pulley were installed, this time making sure cambelt was not too tight. Whining noise & knocking noise has since disappeared. Independent Inspection: All seems good. 22. Camshaft intake side sounds noisy but possibly due to the tight timing belt, belt will get tighter the hotter the engine gets HP Response: With new cambelt in, we have not noted any weird noises from intake side. To be sure whilst rockergaskets were being changed we checked valve clearances, which were in spec. Independent Inspection: All seems good. 23. Front tyres barely legal HP Response: Tyres are what was supplied with your new wheels. Upon your last collection of car, we verbally recommended that you get some decent rubber on it, especially with winter coming. Independent Inspection: no changes. HP Response: Additional Notes • EVAP system had been modified & removed previously, hence why we were not able to reconnect it • Replacement radiator fitted, coolant bled. No issues with overheating. Cabin getting hot air with heaters. • Factory boost gauge on dash is sometimes intermittent. Seems common issue solved by addressing dry solder on board. • Suspension ride is decent, but a bit bouncy with it being so high. Recommend that you get suspension lowered and adjusted as advised on previous visit., • Noted that it takes about 5-10 minutes of soft off boost driving to get oil temperature above 70 degrees in the cold weather. Recommend you don’t start boosting the car hard until you can see the oil temp gauge above 75 degrees and water temp gauge sitting in middle. Do not exceed 120 degrees oil temp with current oil in the engine. Independent Inspection: Additional Notes section. • EVAP system has been removed but part on the system was still plugged in and also had a hose broken off, could have been over looked by us the 1st time round. It’s now been removed and sealed up and unplugged as leaving it open causes excess air to be drawn into the vac system • See 16 regarding the radiator. • Number plate bulbs not working • 3rd break light not working • Factory boost gauge not working • chip on the N.S lower bumper was not present before after confirming with owner Car drove home from garage last night with no issues or noises. However, I find myself listening for everything out of the ordinary which kind of ruins the experience for me. I’m hoping over the next few weeks I will start to trust it more and enjoy. I am still in two minds about keeping it or not. Time will tell!

Quick update. Car was dropped back on Friday 9th November by Hidden to the garage that performed the first independent inspection. They are a very well known and trusted Skyline specialist. They managed to get the car in today for a quick check over and will be working on it again tomorrow for the full inspection. Items identified today: 1. Oil is overfilled. Hard to tell exactly how much, roughly 0.5 - 0.7 litres 2. Coolant level in radiator low and almost nothing in overflow bottle. 3. Slight sound when warm from cylinder head/camshaft area but they don't feel it is anything to worry about at all. It is not easy to hear, have to catch the throttle just right. 4. Car no longer has an exhaust blow. I have to say even this quick check has left me feeling slightly disheartened and a little worried. I hope and pray nothing else is identified on the full inspection tomorrow. I will update when I get the results.

Attached below are the responses recieved from Hidden Performance regarding the results from the independent inspection.

Update received this afternoon. After 300 miles of test drives no oil leaks can be seen underneath (video walkaround of the underside of the engine was sent with this). It was also confirmed oil level is good now that cams aren't leaking (picture received). They are just compiling notes regarding the checklist from the independent inspection and will have it sent through soon. It was confirmed they are planning to drop car back to the garage that performed the inspection on Friday. They will be setting off early so the car should be back there around 10-11am. I will update once I receive the notes later today.

Update received on Saturday afternoon, the mechanic who usually works on my car was out so Mike2JZ took it upon himself to perform the compression test I had requested. The car was taken out for a quick drive to get it warmed up. It was given a 14v supply via a battery charger. EFI fuses were removed and the compression test performed. All cylinders were reporting between 170-175psi with a 3% variation between cylinders. Spark plugs also looked like they are burning correctly. So, the engine is healthy. He informed me that on Monday or Tuesday they have another 100 mile trip lined up for the final road test before checking for the final time for any leaks etc. A report is being compiled with regards to checklist setout by the independent inspection. This will be sent over next week. If all goes well, then they should be in in a position to get the car back soon. The compression test results are a huge weight of my mind. The update I received from Mike2JZ was very comprehensive and contained pictures (attached below) which I very much appreciated. If all updates had been like this since all this started I can’t help but wonder if this whole experience could have been a whole lot different. He is a much needed asset to the company.

Car has now been back with Hidden for 3 weeks. After receiving the above update on Wednesday evening I had hoped I'd get a response today on the car. Unfortunately, I haven't heard anything. Here's hoping everything is OK.

Message received at 10pm last night on Facebook messenger: A compression test will be carried out soon and they will let me know results. They will revert with regards to the checklist set out by the independent inspection. They have another 100 mile road test to do at the end of the week. If that goes to plan, then they can give me a date for return.

Update for today. Message received on Facebook messenger stating quick update, another road test has been completed. The engine has been re-checked for any leaks and all seems to be ok. Also, no strange noises. I replied thanking them for the update. I asked them to confirm what issues identified by the independent inspection are now completed. I also asked for compression test results so I can compare them to the original readings from when the engine was supplied. I notified them it will be getting another compression test done when it goes back to the other garage for a second independent inspection once completed. I then asked if all their tests are now complete and if they have a return date so I can confirm with the other garage ASAP. My response has been read by the mechanic working on my car and the owner of Hidden but I have not had any reply. I will update again once I know more.

Half an hour after posting the above i received a Facebook message from the mechanic working on my car stating: The new seals and rocker cover gaskets arrived Wednesday and were fitted on Thursday. Fluids were topped up and the coolant bled. The car was taken for a long road test today with motorway and town driving and all appears to be OK. The car will undergo more testing next week along with some more checks. They apologised for the late reply stating they have been flat out all week.