Ford Focus Serviced today - "HELP"

greggp_2

hi,

How can a routine service go horribly wrong :mad::mad::mad:

Today I took my ford focus 2008 titanium 1.8 petrol for its annual service. I was advised that the spark plugs needed replacing so I agreed the work to be done.

Having collected the car from the garage...whilst I was driving home the car began shuddering when I was in 1st gear at traffic lights!The car needed a lot of revs to keep the engine running. I turned the car round and immediateley returned the to the garage.

At the garage they had a look and told me that 1 of the replacement plugs they had fitted was faulty and asked me to wait in reception while the corrected the problem. They then came back 10mins later to tell me that part of the plug had broken off and that some internal damage to the engine had occcured. They couldnt assess the whole situation there and then as they needed to take more parts off the engine and they were due to close in 30mins. They have kept the car and said they will call me on monday with an update (closed sunday).

HELP I am now really worried about any long lasting term damage to the car!! They have kept the car and said they will pay for any repairs needed but I am more concerned about long term damage or possible hinderance on the performance.

Where do I stand legally Should I obtain something in writing? Also Can I obtain a hire car and then claim this from the garage?

Thanks
Gregg

Crabman

Sounds like an admission of liability on their part. Make a note of everything that happened today for your own records along with the people you spoke to, their positions, what they said, etc.

Surprised you weren't given a courtesy car (did you not ask for one?), you should ask for this when you next speak with them and also keep any receipts for extra expenses you've incurred.

anewman

A full new replacement engine would be desirable. Would be good when it comes to resale time too.

somech

sounds interesting, dont take any bull from them, ask for everything to be written down, def ask them for a courtesy car, and oh post back on here with any updates and i'll help through this, (20 years in the garage trade 7 at senior level)

The_Economist

greggp wrote: »

hi,

How can a routine service go horribly wrong :mad::mad::mad:

Today I took my ford focus 2008 titanium 1.8 petrol for its annual service. I was advised that the spark plugs needed replacing so I agreed the work to be done.

Having collected the car from the garage...whilst I was driving home the car began shuddering when I was in 1st gear at traffic lights!The car needed a lot of revs to keep the engine running. I turned the car round and immediateley returned the to the garage.

At the garage they had a look and told me that 1 of the replacement plugs they had fitted was faulty and asked me to wait in reception while the corrected the problem. They then came back 10mins later to tell me that part of the plug had broken off and that some internal damage to the engine had occcured. They couldnt assess the whole situation there and then as they needed to take more parts off the engine and they were due to close in 30mins. They have kept the car and said they will call me on monday with an update (closed sunday).

HELP I am now really worried about any long lasting term damage to the car!! They have kept the car and said they will pay for any repairs needed but I am more concerned about long term damage or possible hinderance on the performance.

Where do I stand legally Should I obtain something in writing? Also Can I obtain a hire car and then claim this from the garage?

Thanks
Gregg

I think the spark plugs they use are motorcraft ones. mmmmm had trouble with these myself in the past. Easier said than done but try not to worry to much. If they had admitted it was there fault the world is your oyster. Keep everything logged and make sure they guarantee everything they touch. You should come out the other end ok. Make sure they pay you or compensate you for the hassle.

opinions4u

Here's a link to my situation in July.

They did exactly the same to me. I insisted on a courtesy car and got one.

They kept the car a week - stripped the engine down (possibility of molten metal landing anywhere beneath) etc.

It's run better than ever since they returned it.

skiddlydiddly

It will be a basic engine rebuild, no need for a whole new engine.Maybe replace a piston, valves and I guess bits of metal could also damage the catalytic converter.

mark5

opinions4u wrote: »

Here's a link to my situation in July.

They did exactly the same to me. I insisted on a courtesy car and got one.

They kept the car a week - stripped the engine down (possibility of molten metal landing anywhere beneath) etc.

It's run better than ever since they returned it.

Did they admit liability or try and charge you anything etc?

Drone31

Sounds to me like they threaded the spark plugs when they put the new ones in. if they've done that, they'll have to fit a new engine block as it's one solid thing, which is great news for you, bad for their wallets.

Usually, a spark plug only breaks off when it's been on a while, and dirt etc has formed, lodging it in tight. They could have only damaged it when you brought it back in, and they tried to take them back out. I reckon they've knackered the threads when fitting one of the new ones - OR - they didn't fit new ones, they just cleaned the old ones and put them back. Naughty naughty

Flying-High_2

Drone31 wrote: »

Sounds to me like they threaded the spark plugs when they put the new ones in. if they've done that, they'll have to fit a new engine block as it's one solid thing, which is great news for you, bad for their wallets.

Knacked Plug threads?...... Usually fixable with a Helicoil kit....

Drone31

Flying-High wrote: »

Knacked Plug threads?...... Usually fixable with a Helicoil kit....

If I had a 2008 model anything, and a garage bust the heads due to being too forceful with the spark plugs, there is no way I'd be satisfied letting them fix it with a Helicoil Kit, irrespective of how good a job they feel they could do with it.

An older car, maybe.