Possible head gasket?

BrentMeister

s_b wrote: »

i cant understand how garages fail to do basic checks like pressure testing
well done for finding somewhere that understands how the cooling system works and knows how to fault find

Apparently my last garage did do quite a few pressure tests. His final words were "We do a pressure test and find a leak. We fix that leak, pressure test and another leak somewhere else starts". That's why they put it down to being the head gasket.
Now i've used this garage for years, and never had an issue. Always the hardest part trying to find a decent garage. I must admit I do have a few doubts going through my mind now. Did they really spend 3 days trying to resolve this issue, or did it just sit in their yard. Did they see the fault was with the thermostat they supplied and fitted and thought 'sod that', tell him its the head gasket....etc

Although you would have thought they would have carried out a block test to try and confirm if it was the head gasket. Maybe the above is the reason they didn't. Who knows, but one way or another i'll find out in Friday.

Obviously if my thinking it right, then I've saved myself a fortune and a lot of stress, but will be pretty disappointed that I previously put so much trust in them. Although this new garage is 25 miles away, I think by the way they were so helpful, explaining everything they were doing as they did it, this will be my new garage of choice.

BrentMeister

Just to give an update.

Fiat never delivered the part yesterday and couldn't give an exact date to the garage when it would arrive. The only other option was to replace the entire thermostat housing. More expensive, but just wanted to know one way or another, so went ahead with this option today.

Apparently the thermostat on my car is a nightmare to get off, as you have to remove the heat exchange etc to get to it. They took the old one off and the gasket was absolutely knackered.

Knew thermostat all fitted and the car runs like a dream. Can't remember the last time it ran so well. Done 30 miles so far and there was a very slight drop in coolant, however the garage said this is to be expected after the system has been drained etc.

Fingers crossed £220 has stopped me having to get a new car!