Cause to complain ?
Discussion
A bit of advice please. A friend of mine had a repair undertaken last year (June) by a local outfit (part of a National chain) She has used them regularly in the past and they have always been reliable and helpful. Work consisted of new radiator and head gasket repair (including head re-machining) Total bill about £800. The car is 10 years old with about 75K on the clock. Come MOT time today, there were a couple of problems - nothing too bad, but they then came back and told her that the head gasket needed changing !! To say she was a bit put out is an understatement.
When she told the guy that it was replaced only 6 months ago and that they did the job he then offered to flush out the cooling system and let her run it for a week to see if there was a problem. She wasn't aware of anything wrong in the first place, but is now in a dilemma as to where this may lead (she can't afford another big bill) Should she be down at the garage banging on the counter asking what they did in the first place and what are they doing now ?
When she told the guy that it was replaced only 6 months ago and that they did the job he then offered to flush out the cooling system and let her run it for a week to see if there was a problem. She wasn't aware of anything wrong in the first place, but is now in a dilemma as to where this may lead (she can't afford another big bill) Should she be down at the garage banging on the counter asking what they did in the first place and what are they doing now ?
Rovinghawk said:
covboy said:
Should she be down at the garage banging on the counter asking what they did in the first place and what are they doing now ?
Before doing so, she needs to be sure the 2nd place isn't trying it on to get repair work.Call me cynical... but 
Sounds like the garage has developed an income stream based on telling ignorant motorists that their head gaskets need replacing and skimming etc.... generating a nice £800 bill and extra work (assuming the extra work is actually ever done).
Sounds like someone there forgot they'd already done this car until your friend reminded them.
Queue furious back pedaling by garage as they realise even they might be taking the piss a bit with doing it twice in just 6 months!
Off course, I'm a cynical old fart so this might not actually be true. But how often do modern cars need HG and skims these days?
Sounds like the garage has developed an income stream based on telling ignorant motorists that their head gaskets need replacing and skimming etc.... generating a nice £800 bill and extra work (assuming the extra work is actually ever done).
Sounds like someone there forgot they'd already done this car until your friend reminded them.
Queue furious back pedaling by garage as they realise even they might be taking the piss a bit with doing it twice in just 6 months!
Off course, I'm a cynical old fart so this might not actually be true. But how often do modern cars need HG and skims these days?
Piersman2 said:
Call me cynical... but
Sounds like the garage has developed an income stream based on telling ignorant motorists that their head gaskets need replacing and skimming etc.... generating a nice £800 bill and extra work (assuming the extra work is actually ever done).
Sounds like someone there forgot they'd already done this car until your friend reminded them.
Queue furious back pedaling by garage as they realise even they might be taking the piss a bit with doing it twice in just 6 months!
Off course, I'm a cynical old fart so this might not actually be true. But how often do modern cars need HG and skims these days?
I'd go with this too .....Sounds like the garage has developed an income stream based on telling ignorant motorists that their head gaskets need replacing and skimming etc.... generating a nice £800 bill and extra work (assuming the extra work is actually ever done).
Sounds like someone there forgot they'd already done this car until your friend reminded them.
Queue furious back pedaling by garage as they realise even they might be taking the piss a bit with doing it twice in just 6 months!
Off course, I'm a cynical old fart so this might not actually be true. But how often do modern cars need HG and skims these days?
I am not a mechanic but surely there is a test (pressure test?) to check whether a cylinder head needs repair. She should ask the garage to carry out the test (FOC) to confirm their diagnosis. If it needs doing then she tackles them about the original repair, if not this confirms their attempt at rip off.
It's the time of year where cars used only for short journeys can have mayo in the oil filler cap as a result of not getting hot enough to boil off the water resulting from burning fuel. Entirely normal and not the surefire hgf indicator that many believe it to be. Also a reason why cars only used for short journeys go through exhausts quicker than those used for long runs. IIRC burning a gallon of petrol/diesel produces around a gallon of water. I sometimes wonder how many have had their trousers pulled down by the unscrupulous.
Is her car losing any coolant? Why have they said it needs a hg change?
The sniffer test & compression test mentioned above would be worth doing & I'd suggest not letting the garage that did the work do them as you can't be sure they'll be truthful.
Is her car losing any coolant? Why have they said it needs a hg change?
The sniffer test & compression test mentioned above would be worth doing & I'd suggest not letting the garage that did the work do them as you can't be sure they'll be truthful.
Step 1 - Buy a pressure tester, http://www.rimmerbros.co.uk/Item--i-2T598559?utm_s...
Step 2 - Test the cylinders - http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-check...
Step 3 - Profit
Step 2 - Test the cylinders - http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-check...
Step 3 - Profit
I didnt know untill I had a look on my 18.vhpd engine on a 7 what a head gasket was. Its the cork/seal between the top of the engine and the main part of the engine.
I replaced one myself, sealed it and was fine no more leaks.
A head gasket sounds awful if its leaking/needs replacing if you dont know what it actually is.
I replaced one myself, sealed it and was fine no more leaks.
A head gasket sounds awful if its leaking/needs replacing if you dont know what it actually is.
If they're part of a national chain I would ask their CEO to comment via www.ceoemail.com
superlightr said:
I didnt know untill I had a look on my 18.vhpd engine on a 7 what a head gasket was. Its the cork/seal between the top of the engine and the main part of the engine.
I replaced one myself, sealed it and was fine no more leaks.
A head gasket sounds awful if its leaking/needs replacing if you dont know what it actually is.
You clearly don't know what a head gasket is.I replaced one myself, sealed it and was fine no more leaks.
A head gasket sounds awful if its leaking/needs replacing if you dont know what it actually is.
superlightr said:
I didnt know untill I had a look on my 18.vhpd engine on a 7 what a head gasket was. Its the cork/seal between the top of the engine and the main part of the engine.
I replaced one myself, sealed it and was fine no more leaks.
A head gasket sounds awful if its leaking/needs replacing if you dont know what it actually is.
I replaced one myself, sealed it and was fine no more leaks.
A head gasket sounds awful if its leaking/needs replacing if you dont know what it actually is.
head gasket
rocker cover gasketAre you sure you're not getting these mixed up?
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