Garage really blew up my engine

fox2319

Help!

A while ago, I put my car in for a service in a local (chain) garage, I won't mention them by name but you could describe them as a NATIONWIDE AUTOCENTRE.

They mucked something up, as discussed in thread (http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=324082) and ended up keeping my car for a few days and I needed to get a rental car at their expense. That was mid december.

Since then, I went up to scotland (from Somerset) and did some local stuff but nothing major until this weekend. On friday, I went to Doncaster then on Saturday got to newcastle and my car seemed to be overheating. So, I called First Call breakdown (who came out very quickly btw) and they told me that my head gasket was in the early stages of failure and that in my particular car (2002 micra) this would mean a new engine. My car has only done 28k miles, it's hardly run in!

I'm now looking at a bill for £550 from the garage and £200 for a hire car (I'll probably get £100 back from FC). Not to mention the strain and hassle this is putting on my 1st hols since xmas! I've got the car with a garage in South Shields and am getting them to do the work. I'm planning to call the garage that did the original work tomorrow and tell them the situation. I'm also planning to tell them that I expect them to cover the costs. Is this reasonable in the circumstances and, if so, what legal sticks do I have to prod them with?

Any help appreciated and AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!!!! (that's better)

Cheers

Jeff

Quinny_2

Firstly,a new head gasket doesn't mean a new engine.A new head gasket,means just that.What it will entail,is the head skimming,and a new gasket fitted,and new coolant.

I have never heard of any car needing a new engine,just because the head gasket is going.

Secondly,if your garage did a service as requested,then they wouldn't know if the head gasket was faulty.A service usually means plugs,oil and various filters,etc,so it's unlikely to be their fault in my opinion.

So on that basis,I don't think you have a leg to stand on,especially as you say by your own admission,you went from Somerset to Scotland,and then latterly,on to Doncaster and Newcastle.That's a hell of a lot of mileage for a Micra,and I'm guessing that you didn't think to check the fluids,and anything else before you went?

I'm sorry,but I think that on journeys as long as those,with the problems you have,you must bear the brunt of any repairs to your car,especially as they seemed to have repaired it the first time around,and up until now,it seems to have been ok.

And also the fact that your OP,was 4 months ago.

Ken.

saintjanet

Quinny wrote: »

Firstly,a new head gasket doesn't mean a new engine.A new head gasket,means just that.What it will entail,is the head skimming,and a new gasket fitted,and new coolant.

I have never heard of any car needing a new engine,just because the head gasket is going.

Secondly,if your garage did a service as requested,then they wouldn't know if the head gasket was faulty.A service usually means plugs,oil and various filters,etc,so it's unlikely to be their fault in my opinion.

So on that basis,I don't think you have a leg to stand on,especially as you say by your own admission,you went from Somerset to Scotland,and then latterly,on to Doncaster and Newcastle.That's a hell of a lot of mileage for a Micra,and I'm guessing that you didn't think to check the fluids,and anything else before you went?

I'm sorry,but I think that on journeys as long as those,with the problems you have,you must bear the brunt of any repairs to your car,especially as they seemed to have repaired it the first time around,and up until now,it seems to have been ok.

And also the fact that your OP,was 4 months ago.

Ken.

I have to agree with everything ken says,saved me a lot of typing!!Really sorry for the problems you are having though.

fox2319

Quinny wrote: »

Firstly,a new head gasket doesn't mean a new engine.A new head gasket,means just that.What it will entail,is the head skimming,and a new gasket fitted,and new coolant.

I have never heard of any car needing a new engine,just because the head gasket is going.

Secondly,if your garage did a service as requested,then they wouldn't know if the head gasket was faulty.A service usually means plugs,oil and various filters,etc,so it's unlikely to be their fault in my opinion.

So on that basis,I don't think you have a leg to stand on,especially as you say by your own admission,you went from Somerset to Scotland,and then latterly,on to Doncaster and Newcastle.That's a hell of a lot of mileage for a Micra,and I'm guessing that you didn't think to check the fluids,and anything else before you went?

I'm sorry,but I think that on journeys as long as those,with the problems you have,you must bear the brunt of any repairs to your car,especially as they seemed to have repaired it the first time around,and up until now,it seems to have been ok.

And also the fact that your OP,was 4 months ago.

Ken.

Ta for the reply but a couple of points.

The car is a micra on which the head gasket is apparently (according to a couple of garages I phoned on sat) a complete pig to replace. In addition to the gasket you also need to look into replacing and setting up other bits (forgive my technical analysis) and it works out cheaper (again apparently) to get the new engine in.

Secondly, prior to this, I've used the cars for runs to scotland no problem. The car only gets about 5-6k a year. most of that around town then a couple of big road trips. On the motorway, I stick to reasonable speeds and don't tear along the dotted lines. (despite what it says on the licence).

Finally, of course I checked the fluids before setting off. All seemed ok (i.e. somewhere between min and max).

Since the service, I've done around 2k miles. Hardly a lot.

Thanks for the reply though.

Jeff

roswell

Personnaly id blame NationWide, why because they are con men, ... im actually currently wondering if my engine is about to make a exit due to the wrong oil being put in .. I believe it to be the wrong oil because it seems very thin and the engine just doesnt sound right ... I am never going there again .. ever.

plan fort this week,,, oil change by someone NOT Nationwide

moonrakerz

I would say a new engine for £550 was a bargain !

waster_2

I also agree with Ken.

OP, why do you think that the garage that performed the service is at fault? You need to have some sort of grounds on which to challenge their competency. Perhaps if you share those with us we may be able to appreciate why you think they are liable.

Four months and 2k miles have passed, so hardly recent. And, it is not usual for anything in any normal (intermediate or major) service
to have any bearing on the head gasket, unless they forgot to top up the coolant to the correct level. Yet by your own admission you checked the fluids' before the journey and they were within limits. Unless, you have previously and post service had to fill the coolant up by an excessive amount?

I think that unfortunaetly your Micra has just got a problem that anyone could have had at anytime. Often things occur on cars without any warning and/or logical explanation. We've all been there and just have to accept these things happen. Unless, you can say different.

BTW, what does the £500 cover? Certainly not a new Micra engine or a recon one. Sounds more like a strip down, skimmed head and rebuild.

fox2319

Thanks for the replies, now relatively sorted though.

I spoke to the original garage today and they confirmed that when they had my car originally, they had to replace the head gasket following their mistake. This is only really the second big journey I've done in my car since then. They've put their hands up and agreed to cover the repair bills here and car hire costs.

However, the work will be done by the new garage and my guarantee will be with them.

plane_boy2000

when i started reading this post I thought that you did not have a chance and that you were just unlucky as I could not think what they could have done to cause a gasket failure, and although I have no time for them and think that they are cowboys I guess we have to say well done to them for admiting their fault and fixing it.

Quinny_2

Well,I stand corrected,although I still think they weren't negligent.

2k miles later after it's been in to have it's service,and I'm sure most garages would tell you to politely go away,so well done you.

Ken.

waster_2

I'm intrigued as to why they would have had to do anywork that caused a head gasket to be replaced in the first place. This would never normally be part of any servicing item.

I think you need to investigate the reason further as there may be other implications that could possibly not have manifested themselves yet. But, wait till after they've done the remedial work before asking awkward questions - and don't be fobbed off. Post the answer(s) here for advice if you're not sure about them.

Good luck.