Is my dealer taking the p***
Discussion
My little MGF went in for its service and MOT, and two garages came back with similar results for work needing doing. Apparently i have a coolant leak that will need fixing at the same time they will replace my hose and clips- Delear quoted £300 for this.
They also mentioned my timing belt, it needs replacing every 60,000 miles or every 6 years. The car is a P-reg but only has 33,000 miles on it. They recommended i get it done ASAP, which will cost another £300'ish.
Are they having a laugh?
They also mentioned my timing belt, it needs replacing every 60,000 miles or every 6 years. The car is a P-reg but only has 33,000 miles on it. They recommended i get it done ASAP, which will cost another £300'ish.
Are they having a laugh?
Can't comment on the coolant leak but the timing belt is hugely important and if they say it needs attention then you should probably clench your teeth and allow them to do the work. Even though your car is low milage, changing it sooner than 60k is no bad thing.
If you're really unsure whether to trust dealers, why not go to an independant mechanic, there are plenty around.
If you're really unsure whether to trust dealers, why not go to an independant mechanic, there are plenty around.
If you've got a coolant leak get it seen to asap.
(find out where the leak is, what parts need to be replaced etc). If it's just a couple of hoses the 300 quid is a bit steep! (bear in mind that the MGF coolant system is complex and hard to get at though given the mid engine layout, so coolant system fixes are always going to cost a fair whack more than on a fiesta...)
However having owned an F for 3 years the biggest fear was always Head Gasget Failure. Any problems with the coolant system should be sorted immediately. HGF is a known issue with the F and costs a lot more than 300 quid to fix... (i.e. loss of coolant leads to very high temperatures in the engine and the head warps. Obvious clues that this has ahppened are 'mayonaise' type substance where the oil should be.
IF you want really detailed info check out the mgowners online (www.mgcars.org), they can probably be more specific, with exact costs of servuicing at various dealers...
good luck
(find out where the leak is, what parts need to be replaced etc). If it's just a couple of hoses the 300 quid is a bit steep! (bear in mind that the MGF coolant system is complex and hard to get at though given the mid engine layout, so coolant system fixes are always going to cost a fair whack more than on a fiesta...)
However having owned an F for 3 years the biggest fear was always Head Gasget Failure. Any problems with the coolant system should be sorted immediately. HGF is a known issue with the F and costs a lot more than 300 quid to fix... (i.e. loss of coolant leads to very high temperatures in the engine and the head warps. Obvious clues that this has ahppened are 'mayonaise' type substance where the oil should be.
IF you want really detailed info check out the mgowners online (www.mgcars.org), they can probably be more specific, with exact costs of servuicing at various dealers...
good luck
Regarding the belts, you should have them done as the car is within the age bracket for the renewal. My Supra had 43,000 miles when I had the cambelts done, which are every 5 years or 60,000 miles. My 355 needs cambelts every 3 years or 32,000 miles. Its done nowhere near 32,000 (21k) but I'm having it done in March as that is 3 years from when the last owner changed them (pillock changed it 10 months early!!).
Get it done, as if it does fail, it will be BIG bucks to sort (major engine failure etc). £300 for cambelts is not too dear IMO.
Get it done, as if it does fail, it will be BIG bucks to sort (major engine failure etc). £300 for cambelts is not too dear IMO.
Get the belt changed.
The reason your dealer is recommending it is because coolant rots the rubber belt in no time at all. I had a small head gasket leak on a K-series and my belt snapped soon after - bill was close to 700 quid.
You have been warned.... your dealer is not trying to rip you off (well, this time anyway
).
Rgds
Domster
The reason your dealer is recommending it is because coolant rots the rubber belt in no time at all. I had a small head gasket leak on a K-series and my belt snapped soon after - bill was close to 700 quid.
You have been warned.... your dealer is not trying to rip you off (well, this time anyway
). Rgds
Domster
When I got my grale it had 28,000 miles and had already had a cambelt change. I presumed it would be ok. Which ended up in a bill of over £2000. Get the bugger changed.
My little MGF went in for its service and MOT, and two garages came back with similar results for work needing doing. Apparently i have a coolant leak that will need fixing at the same time they will replace my hose and clips- Delear quoted £300 for this.
They also mentioned my timing belt, it needs replacing every 60,000 miles or every 6 years. The car is a P-reg but only has 33,000 miles on it. They recommended i get it done ASAP, which will cost another £300'ish.
Are they having a laugh?
Well car is in the garage.
Final deal goes like this:
-Fix leak in Inlet manifold gasket
-Replace hoses
-Replace cambelt
-Fix minor oil leak around cambelt seals
-Look at continuing minor rattle in exhaust during cold starts ( anyone else suffer from this? )
£500 with hopefully a 5% discount and have given me a free courtesy car (Rover 25- what an absolute piece of sh*t)... What do you reckon, Fair deal?
Final deal goes like this:
-Fix leak in Inlet manifold gasket
-Replace hoses
-Replace cambelt
-Fix minor oil leak around cambelt seals
-Look at continuing minor rattle in exhaust during cold starts ( anyone else suffer from this? )
£500 with hopefully a 5% discount and have given me a free courtesy car (Rover 25- what an absolute piece of sh*t)... What do you reckon, Fair deal?
Ohhhh worried now Mungo.
I knew i had a leak but had to wait a bit so i could afford to pay to get it fixed. In the mean time i constantly checked the coolant levels...i dont think they dropped below the minimum level. Engine temp and oil temp gauges never rose anywhere near the limit. Do you reckon i will have caused damage? If so what would the tell tale signs be?
I knew i had a leak but had to wait a bit so i could afford to pay to get it fixed. In the mean time i constantly checked the coolant levels...i dont think they dropped below the minimum level. Engine temp and oil temp gauges never rose anywhere near the limit. Do you reckon i will have caused damage? If so what would the tell tale signs be?
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