Don't know what to do. Bought a car.....

hartcjhart

sticky one this, as you should have given the dealer the first chance to fix,
if the car is good other than the poss HG,why dont you ask the dealer to pay for the repair and keep it

Tilt

Bedsit_Bob wrote: »

How much :eek:

Thermostat is less than a tenner, and takes 15 minutes (tops) to change.

I was referring to how much it would cost if the OP got a garage to do it.

hareng

As mentioned before should have just took the car back. I very much doubt they will pay for the cam belt change.

Definately head and or gasket, either way it would cost you big time.
Parts to do it may have to have head flashed over, disassembly and putting it back together = many hours at £50/hr plus parts £40 to £600.

[Deleted User]

Tilt wrote: »

I was referring to how much it would cost if the OP got a garage to do it.

What, £200+ an hour?

interstellaflyer

Bedsit_Bob wrote: »

What, £200+ an hour?

No it isn't I guess most garages would charge an hours labour and not want to faff about with charging for 15mins, it wouldn't be worth their while.

Fliss_M

Ok first off the cam was due. No issue with cost there. 2nd it wasn't intentionally driven without coolant. It had a full bottle but the pressure was blowing the bottle cap as the water got too hot cos it wasn't going through the radiator. Thought it was just an airlock but it happened again. Then AA towed it. Garage have been in touch and it was the starter motor that had gone. Their trying to get to the thermostat then they will test the gasket. Hubby (it's his car) has now helpfully told me the AA man checked the gasket and said it was fine. Could have done with that this morning! So am hoping that's all it is.

My overall issue was do I just fix it (were it an expensive gasket job) and just see if I could get anything out the dealer or take it back for a full refund, swallow the £200 I spent and start again. Problem is with 1k cars their all going to have their problems. It has a full original dealer service history so I do have faith if fixed it could be a good car.

A big thanks for your thoughts tho. It has really helped sort my head round it

Fliss_M

And re driving without coolant. In my first car, a cinq sporting I drive it from Sheffield to York to hull and back without it. Just didn't slow down lol! Made it, just, but that was ignorance on my part. I am surprised that didn't seize!

Tilt

Bedsit_Bob wrote: »

What, £200+ an hour?

Clearly you know little about how jobs are calculated. As another poster has pointed out, most garages will charge a minimum of an hour's labour.

Tilt

Fliss_M wrote: »

And re driving without coolant. In my first car, a cinq sporting I drive it from Sheffield to York to hull and back without it. Just didn't slow down lol! Made it, just, but that was ignorance on my part. I am surprised that didn't seize!

Fiat tend to be robust engines. I have personally owned 14 and also worked at a main Fiat/Alfa dealership. In my experience they are not prone to coolant issues such as head gaskets etc.

Fliss_M

Just to update. It was the thermostat in the end. And the heat had melted the starter motor wires. Gasket tested and seems ok. So fc. Cost £234 in the end. Gonna try writing a letter to the garage. Prob won't get anything but worth a shot.