Anyone used Click Mechanic for a Head Gasket Failure?
Discussion
I suspect the head gasket has gone on my Fabia vRS 1.9TDI after 140k miles...
It keeps popping off the coolant hose and the coolant expansion tank releases lots of pressurised air (even when cold) after a longish run.
I've tested the coolant tank for exhaust gasses using a cheapo eBay 'sniffer test' which slightly changed colour...
I've got a quote from Click Mechanic for £580 for a HG replacement, but they don't seem to skim the heads, the car overheated once in the 1000 miles it's been like this, so hoping the head won't need skimming.
Just wondering if anyone has used this company for a major job like a head gasket and did the costs exceed what was quoted?
It keeps popping off the coolant hose and the coolant expansion tank releases lots of pressurised air (even when cold) after a longish run.
I've tested the coolant tank for exhaust gasses using a cheapo eBay 'sniffer test' which slightly changed colour...
I've got a quote from Click Mechanic for £580 for a HG replacement, but they don't seem to skim the heads, the car overheated once in the 1000 miles it's been like this, so hoping the head won't need skimming.
Just wondering if anyone has used this company for a major job like a head gasket and did the costs exceed what was quoted?
I assume you are aware that they are just an intermediary & not an actual chain/franchise etc?
That being the case every mechanic is basically their own self-employed mobile mechanic & therefore there will always be good & bad, so unless there is a review of the guy you will actually use it will be kind of irrelevant.
That being the case every mechanic is basically their own self-employed mobile mechanic & therefore there will always be good & bad, so unless there is a review of the guy you will actually use it will be kind of irrelevant.
I have no idea how conscientious your franchised mechanic would be. but if anyone is ever inclined to cut corners then working in the street on a cheap job in this weather is surely when they're most likely to do it. If you value the car, I'd suggest getting it into a reputable workshop.
Drezza said:
Yes im aware that it's subcontracted by mechanics. But for a major job like a head gasket, how do they do that on people's drives?
Quite easily... if it needs skimming then go off to a machinist and have it skimmed. You'd be amazed how much you can do with out a ramp if you're skilled/experienced at working on a car on axle stands. Helped a friend change a cam belt on his drive and have removed inlet/exhaust manifolds from cars on drives before, which are the big bits to do before the actual head removal on a lot of cars, especially a 4 pot transverse.NotBenny said:
Quite easily... if it needs skimming then go off to a machinist and have it skimmed. You'd be amazed how much you can do with out a ramp if you're skilled/experienced at working on a car on axle stands. Helped a friend change a cam belt on his drive and have removed inlet/exhaust manifolds from cars on drives before, which are the big bits to do before the actual head removal on a lot of cars, especially a 4 pot transverse.
Can't help but think that anyone decent would either have their own place or be employed somewhere respectable. No need to be working out in the cold with no lift, cleaning facilities, heater or kettle. Life's too short. I've got a full height lift and a nice heater in the workshop at home - you could offer me double that amount to do a head gasket on someones drive and you'd still get the same answer.Drezza said:
Yes im aware that it's subcontracted by mechanics. But for a major job like a head gasket, how do they do that on people's drives? Especially when the head needs skimming. Alternatively I've been quoted £740 by a local garage with a head skim if required.
A quick poke around the internet suggests a gasket kit, timing belt kit with water pump and head bolts is going to be about £200. If that is right £740 inc a skim seems a good price to me, I’d be very wary of the Click Mecahnic price if the guy doing the work is only getting £440, there might be some dodgy quality parts being used.Megaflow said:
Drezza said:
Yes im aware that it's subcontracted by mechanics. But for a major job like a head gasket, how do they do that on people's drives? Especially when the head needs skimming. Alternatively I've been quoted £740 by a local garage with a head skim if required.
A quick poke around the internet suggests a gasket kit, timing belt kit with water pump and head bolts is going to be about £200. If that is right £740 inc a skim seems a good price to me, I’d be very wary of the Click Mecahnic price if the guy doing the work is only getting £440, there might be some dodgy quality parts being used.I'd be wary of anyone trying to do that in someone elses driveway as a paid job.
In short, anyone with any sense to be reputable would say "f*k that".
Of course on the other hand, it is clear there is a market for mobile mechanics, but if I was doing it, I'd be charging plenty for it.
It's a lot of convenience for the customer, but a lot of potential hassle for the person taking it on.
In short, anyone with any sense to be reputable would say "f*k that".
Of course on the other hand, it is clear there is a market for mobile mechanics, but if I was doing it, I'd be charging plenty for it.
It's a lot of convenience for the customer, but a lot of potential hassle for the person taking it on.
mtrehy said:
NotBenny said:
Quite easily... if it needs skimming then go off to a machinist and have it skimmed. You'd be amazed how much you can do with out a ramp if you're skilled/experienced at working on a car on axle stands. Helped a friend change a cam belt on his drive and have removed inlet/exhaust manifolds from cars on drives before, which are the big bits to do before the actual head removal on a lot of cars, especially a 4 pot transverse.
Can't help but think that anyone decent would either have their own place or be employed somewhere respectable. No need to be working out in the cold with no lift, cleaning facilities, heater or kettle. Life's too short. I've got a full height lift and a nice heater in the workshop at home - you could offer me double that amount to do a head gasket on someones drive and you'd still get the same answer.Would I chose to work on my own car in this way? Absolutely.
Would I chose to have a mechanic work on my car in this way? Only if the car was immobile.
Well I've contacted ClickMechanic who have reassured me that the work is carried out at a local garage, but obviously won't tell me who it is before I pay them so I can't skip out the middle man or see reviews of the garage doing the work but they have said I can cancel within an hour of booking... Apparently all the parts are high quality from reading the reviews.
Not too fussed if the car only lasts a year, so might just gamble on these guys.
Not too fussed if the car only lasts a year, so might just gamble on these guys.
Drezza said:
Well I've contacted ClickMechanic who have reassured me that the work is carried out at a local garage, but obviously won't tell me who it is before I pay them so I can't skip out the middle man or see reviews of the garage doing the work but they have said I can cancel within an hour of booking... Apparently all the parts are high quality from reading the reviews.
Not too fussed if the car only lasts a year, so might just gamble on these guys.
You might want to read their cancellation policy a bit closer, they can charge for a late cancellation. Not too fussed if the car only lasts a year, so might just gamble on these guys.
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