Please help - car problems and no money

Mad_girl

I really don't know what to do, money is short as my DH and I are in an IVA, my car is really giving me problems, it's a 52 Fiesta. It started overheating and the mechanic has done all sorts to is ( I have spent over £250 that I did not really have to spend), he keeps saying it's this then that! Anyway after the last repair it is still doing the same thing. It gets hot and seems to over heat but only when stationary (it does not overheat when I a driving), I called him again and he said it's the head gasket.

Yes another thing, he said he does not do head gaskets and I must go somewhere else and it will cost about £450 but he thinks my cylinder head is also going and he was me he would trade the car in for something else.

I just can't believe this, I NEED my car for work and cannot afford a new one (even if I wanted I could not due to IV). Does anyone have any advice as I am so stressed out and cannot think clearly

I have used this mechanic for the last 10 years and never had a problem and was always fair.

karenx

Take it round some other garages and see what they think the problem to be and get a written quote? See if they differ in any way.
Unsure what you want help with though if you have no money? A garage isnt going to fix your car for nothing when you say you have no money. Can you not borrow of a family member?

LandyAndy

What sort of mechanic 'doesn't do head gaskets'?

Answer: One who doesn't know what he's doing and has been guessing at the source of this problem.

Inactive

LandyAndy wrote: »

What sort of mechanic 'doesn't do head gaskets'?

Answer: One who doesn't know what he's doing and has been guessing at the source of this problem.

Or possibly one that thinks he may not get paid.;)

Inactive

Sadly it is not possible to run a car on thin air, if you cannot afford to run a car there really isn't any alternative to finding another means of transport.
Bike, moped, bus, train etc.

maninthestreet

The OP has a good claim against the mechanic - seems like he's been paid money to fix the problem more than once, but has failed to do so.

vaio

OP

If you let it sit and idle does the radiator electric fan come on before the car over heats?

Mad_girl

karenx wrote: »

Take it round some other garages and see what they think the problem to be and get a written quote? See if they differ in any way.
Unsure what you want help with though if you have no money? A garage isnt going to fix your car for nothing when you say you have no money. Can you not borrow of a family member?

Well obviously I would "find" the money some how. I just felt like I have been messed around by this guy and wanted to know if any one knew what the problem was - a comment like that really is not necessary, is it! I DO NOT expect a garage to fix my car for nothing either!

Mad_girl

LandyAndy wrote: »

What sort of mechanic 'doesn't do head gaskets'?

Answer: One who doesn't know what he's doing and has been guessing at the source of this problem.

He has been so reliable the past 10 years that I did not think that he did not know what he was doing, I guess I will have to get a second opinion - should I take it to the Ford garage?

Mad_girl

Inactive wrote: »

Or possibly one that thinks he may not get paid.;)

God you people are unreal, I have used this guy for 10 years and always paid him, I just wanted some advice, if you do not have any advice then perhaps not post.

Mad_girl

vaio wrote: »

OP

If you let it sit and idle does the radiator electric fan come on before the car over heats?

Hello, thanks for your post, yes, the fan does come on.