Meriva B head gasket

Falsandman

Too much negativity here. Had no idea I'd be belittered so quickly on the forum when the reason for posting was seeking genuine sound advice.

Remember the MSE advice:

Don't feed the trolls

Sadly the web has a habit of throwing up a very small but vocal number of trolls, people who are nasty or contrary just to get a rise out of you.

nobile

So you had the work done off your own back & now looking to be reinbursed by EH or did they approve the work & pay for it/will pay for it?

Marktheshark

Some good advice.
Get rid of it whilst its still running.
VX have a department of stupidity that they let loose on every car these days.
At least they knocked Renault off the perch of never ending problems.

bigjl

Have never heard of Vauxhalls having a particular appetite for Head Gaskets.

As you have had the car for nearly a year why do you think this is anything to do with the dealer that sold it to you?

Did you buy a warranty! Did you claim off the warranty?

Silver-Surfer_2

Falsandman wrote: »

Thanks all. In answer to your comments:

After the breakdown I used my AA cover to recover to my local garage which I've used for over 10 years. As they don't do engine work it was then taken to an engine specialist. Head gasket had failed, along with header tank (cracked), water pump (small leak) and thermostat (faulty). All of these parts replaced. All work has now got the car back to full working order.

Unfortunately, although I'd planned to speak to EH about the problem, I didn't choose to do this first. Naturally I wanted to get back on the road asap & was happy to solicit the necessary work myself. EH have suggested that had I contacted them, they may have looked at the issue for me - practically & logistically I think this would've been difficult.

Chose not to extend the standard 3 month warranty at purchase (hindsight can be cruel), so although we're not 'covered', I sought their advice to see where I stand (no expectation). They have offered a free service (impractical as their garage is some 50 miles away), OR £250 off another car purchase with them. Both options, offered as goodwill gesture I've polite-fully declined at the moment as I'm seeking a higher level of financial reimbursement - I think this is a fair cause to pursue as the car is only 4 years old and has only done 33k, regardless of my decision not to extend the standard warranty.

It's clear in this case that the head gasket failure was linked to 2 or 3 other failed parts, and therefore I believe VX to be accountable.

You've no chance of anything other than their goodwill gesture.

bigjl

So what actually happened, reading between the lines, is the car had a small coolant leak from the water pump.

You never checked coolant levels or popped the bonnet and cooked the engine, which would explain how you had managed to crack the expansion tank aswell.

You then chose to ignore any statutory rights you had to get the retailer to repair the car or even look at it.

So no, you are not entitled to anything.

There is nothing to prove that you even had the work done, you might have colluded with the garage to produce a bill for work to attempt to gain a financial advantage.

s_b

Falsandman wrote: »

Thanks all. In answer to your comments:

After the breakdown I used my AA cover to recover to my local garage which I've used for over 10 years. As they don't do engine work it was then taken to an engine specialist. Head gasket had failed, along with header tank (cracked), water pump (small leak) and thermostat (faulty). All of these parts replaced. All work has now got the car back to full working order.

.

these water pumps all show a slight crystallisation on the lower casting
head gasket went so obviously thermostat will go faulty
your local garage should be checking for cracking of header bottle at service just like you should be when you check these things on a regular basis
your sour grapes make me wonder where this world is heading

s_b

bigjl wrote: »

So what actually happened, reading between the lines, is the car had a small coolant leak from the water pump.

You never checked coolant levels or popped the bonnet and cooked the engine, which would explain how you had managed to crack the expansion tank aswell.

You then chose to ignore any statutory rights you had to get the retailer to repair the car or even look at it.

So no, you are not entitled to anything.

There is nothing to prove that you even had the work done, you might have colluded with the garage to produce a bill for work to attempt to gain a financial advantage.

seen this after i posted
interesting who people who actually know how an engine works can read between the lines
maybe we should have been doctors so we could now be on strike demanding more of whatevers going:D

Marktheshark

If you do plan to run it budget for a gearbox before 50k and start saving.

Silver-Surfer_2

Marktheshark wrote: »

If you do plan to run it budget for a gearbox before 50k and start saving.

You're a glass half empty type aren't you?

Silver-Surfer_2

s_b wrote: »

i had to laugh because your garage of ten years couldnt do this repair
do they normally service pedal cars then

I did wonder what sort of garage it was if it didn't do engine work.