Fiesta service dispute

devonhil

I recently had my 65 plate fiesta diesel services at a Ford service garage (major service at 90k miles). The garage is not a Ford dealership but the servicing is officially Ford. The car is immaculate and has always had regular Ford services. It has never given me a moment's trouble. Less than a week later on only its second journey since the service, the engine seized completely. The AA checked the cambelt and oil levels (both ok) and thought it may be due to using incorrect oil at the service.
Initially the garage supplied a courtesy car and appeared supportive, but are now insisting it's not their fault 'just an unfortunate  coincidence' and want me to pay for 3 hour labour in the first instance to rebuild the gearbox(?!). Surely this is their fault and I shouldn't be paying more. Also, why would you strip a gearbox when the engine has seized? I really don't know what it is reasonable to ask for - help!

daveyjp

Shouldn't your first question to the garage be 'what is wrong with it'?

It may be a coincidence, servicing doesn't mean cars last forever without major failure, but until you know what is wrong any advice to you is guessing.

devonhil

Thanks for replying. They said they need to do this work to determine what's wrong with the car before they can proceed further. Seems unfair to me that I should pay for them to diagnose the problem! They appear to be very vague. Also, personally I feel it's a bit too much of a coincidence that an exceptionally reliable car should collapse 200 miles after a major service. Also, I'm  not a mechanic, but do you really need to strip down a gearbox before being able to diagnose an engine seizure?

facade

devonhil said:

Also, why would you strip a gearbox when the engine has seized?

Because the engine isn't seized?  Do as daveyjp suggests, and ask your garage what is wrong with it.

The AA are not infallible, they once told my neighbour the reason his car had stopped was a broken cambelt, when it was actually zero fuel pressure because the pump had failed........

chrisw

It's highly unlikely that incorrect oil will seize an engine within a few miles. 

devonhil

It's done 300 miles since the service (single trip) then failed after 1 mile on the second trip. When we bumped the car the camshaft was stuck solid  ( absolutely no rotation) which I thought suggested a seized engine?

devonhil

There were no warning lights at all before it broke down - i was told that you normally get some warning of oil pump failure? Apologies if I'm really incorrect.

Grumpy_chap

Given the first question "what is wrong with it" is being dodged by the garage, ask them "what do they think is wrong with it and why that needs the gear box stripped down to assess"

devonhil

Am I within my rights to ask for a diagnosis without paying more money though? They are implying i need to pay around £300 before they can determine what's at fault - is that normal?

AdrianC

devonhil said:

Am I within my rights to ask for a diagnosis without paying more money though? They are implying i need to pay around £300 before they can determine what's at fault - is that normal?

Telling you the engine is seized will take two seconds with the key alone...

Press the clutch, put it in neutral, does the starter turn it over? Yes? It's not seized.

If the gearbox has locked, then pushing it won't turn the cam either. But it should start happily in neutral with the clutch pressed...

facade

Where is Fred when you need him to point out what can happen at a major service when they are supposed to change the gearbox oil?