suspected head gasket blown on used car brought less than 2 weeks ago....

Stooby2

Given the money the OP paid it may well be a case that someone offloaded a failing car to the dealer, maybe in part-ex or just to get a bit of cash for it. Someone dealing in cars for £870 is not going to spend any time on inspecting it - so long as it drove around the block and most things worked ok that was probably all the checks that were done.

I wouldn't rely on the AA's diagnosis. Some AA patrols don't know their behind from their elbows and he was probably just guessing at the fault. There's any number of reasons the car ran dry - possibly even that it hadn't been filled in donkey's years.

As Foxy says above, fill it up properly with water/antifreeze (about a 50/50 mix) and take it for a few short runs locally to see if it uses water. Keep an eye on the temperature gauge. A failing head gasket will show up if you go up a long hill in a high gear and the temp starts to creep up fairly quick. After the first run, the levels may well drop as the water fills the system properly, but after that, it should remain the same. If it keeps using water have a good look around whilst it's running for leaks. Unless it uses a huge amount a day, it may well be ok and last you for a while.

If you're paying £870 for a car, the dealer has probably made at least 100% profit and means he bought for around the £400 mark which is probably it's realistic value. For that kind of money you're taking a chance buying a car from anyone.

albionrovers

Email not the best idea. No-one MUST read an email?

motorguy

albionrovers wrote: »

Email not the best idea. No-one MUST read an email?

I agree. Thats why on the back of one having been sent i suggested a follow up call.

All to easy to say you 'didnt get the email'

Foxy-Stoat_3

sarahj1986 wrote: »

It is 2001 with 44k miles on the clock. Ive booked it in to be checked. It might be that the engine/head gasket etc can be saved because the AA man did manage to drive it onto and off the pick up truck. But we will see.....

Thanks to all

What car is it?

You need to find out what the problem and the cause before you go rejecting the car or even ask the dealer to rectify it. If you go just saying its not fit for purpose and it broke down, without knowing the problem and cause he may well fob you off or just bodge it and hope it holds out.

Just so you know, if you drive a brand new car with no coolant in, it WILL break down !

Norman_Castle

Ive booked it in to be checked.

Wait for the dealer to respond or phone him.

Joe_Horner

Quick and dirty check for head gasket failure if losing coolant is a symptom:

Fill the cooling system and replace all caps.
Start engine from cold and run for a minute or two (do NOT let it warm up appreciably).
Stop engine and remove coolant filler cap.

If you hear a hiss of pressure releasing then your head gasket is faulty. There isn't time for pressure to build up because of the coolant getting hot, so any pressure has come from the cylinders pumping into the cooling system.

If you don't hear pressure escaping it's not a guarantee that the gasket's ok, but it makes it quite a bit more likely good than not.

sarahj1986

just to update you all

garage says the coolant is leaking
they have since advised the water pump is leaking
theres a nut or bolt that needs replacing by driver side
and a possible leak on engine oil
total about £500

overall Ive been sold a heap of junk. I was never told about any ofd these issues when I was sold it

Surely Sales of Goods comes into force here? I just need to know where I stand? Ive contacted the dealer and I am awaiting a reply....

help and advice will be great

motorguy

sarahj1986 wrote: »

just to update you all

garage says the coolant is leaking
they have since advised the water pump is leaking
theres a nut or bolt that needs replacing by driver side
and a possible leak on engine oil
total about £500

overall Ive been sold a heap of junk. I was never told about any ofd these issues when I was sold it

Surely Sales of Goods comes into force here? I just need to know where I stand? Ive contacted the dealer and I am awaiting a reply....

help and advice will be great

When you told the dealer you were giving him 48 hrs to reply, what were the consequences you were giving him if he didnt, and are you now going to action that?

KTF

sarahj1986 wrote: »

just to update you all

garage says the coolant is leaking
they have since advised the water pump is leaking
theres a nut or bolt that needs replacing by driver side
and a possible leak on engine oil
total about £500

overall Ive been sold a heap of junk. I was never told about any ofd these issues when I was sold it

Surely Sales of Goods comes into force here? I just need to know where I stand? Ive contacted the dealer and I am awaiting a reply....

help and advice will be great

What does it say on the paperwork/invoice you got from the dealer.

Horizon81

Whether it says no warranty or not, I thought there were certain obligations when buying from a dealer. That if a fault develops within a set period of time it can be assumed it was present during the sale? Is this not the case?

However, having paid under a grand and with a receipt saying 'no warranty' then I wouldn't fancy my chances of them putting this right, regardless of the law. Is it a Fiesta?