Advice needed Please (Car Repair)

philip1976

There was a problem with my car where the spark plug had popped out and car was really noisy.Took the car to a garage explained everything and they said they can have a look.They said car can be repaired just need to rethread the head and head had to be removed to do this so a big job.

we were quoted £1200 altogether with the vat,we decided to ho ahead with the repair.Garage took nearly 3 weeks to do the work and when we went to collect they said price is now £1740.We were not happy and they said extra parts were needed and were arguing they should have told us about extra costs. They said we can bring it down to £1550 so we agreed to that.

We were told the vehicle is now running fine no knocking sounds or anything.On the way home we noticed car wasn’t idling properly and Engine light had come before we got home.Rang them straight away but it was a Friday near closing time so to contact them the following Monday.After checking under the bonnet we noticed a lead/wire was left loose and there were only 3 bolts instead of 10 holding the engine cover on and Front Grille was loose.

Went back to them on the Monday they said they will look at it again,The said they put it on diagnostic machine and said should be fine now but went to Start engine and light came back on and still bad idling,He blamed one of the ignition leads and we should get some new ones.we tried new leads but still the same problems.

on the way back to the garage the car stalled and would restart and cut back out again straight away so couldn’t get there.My cousin is an AA member so help us get it towed but AA guy checked vehicle and said there is metal fillings in the oil.He towed us to garage but garage was closed so left it outside and went back this morning to see the mechanic,told him what AA had said any said ignore the AA and he wants to see with his own eyes.now I’m waiting for a call from them.

Will I have to pay more money or should he have fixed it in the first place?

Thanks 

fatbelly

Well they haven't asked for more money yet so see what they say. This does sound like a mechanical disaster. I have never heard of a spark plug popping out before.

I have asked for this to be moved to the motoring board where you will get better advice

philip1976

Thanks for putting in correct forum

born_again

fatbelly said:

Well they haven't asked for more money yet so see what they say. This does sound like a mechanical disaster. I have never heard of a spark plug popping out before.

I have asked for this to be moved to the motoring board where you will get better advice

Usually the result of overtightened spark plug, which results in a stripped thread.
Been there, done that payed the £15 it cost to fix it back in the 70's. Was a good start to learning bike maintenance & start of the tool collection 🤦‍♀️🤣

user1977

philip1976 said:

Thanks for putting in correct forum

Almost everybody here is asking for advice, so it may be helpful to use a more specific subject line.

lincroft1710

I've had a spark plug fall out whilst driving but this was due to it being too loose! 2 miles further along pulled into a filling station which had the correct plug in stock, took plug spanner from toolkit, fitted new plug and was on my way again.

philip1976

user1977 said:

philip1976 said:

Thanks for putting in correct forum

Almost everybody here is asking for advice, so it may be helpful to use a more specific subject line.

Changed it now 

paul_c123

Do you have evidence there was no contamination of the oil with metal filings, before this issue? If not, then the AA report has no value here.

In any case, all work performed by a garage must be warranted for 3 months so there should be no further charges.

If they tried to re-cut the thread for the spark plug with the head on, the metal shavings wouldn't have gone into the oil anyway, they would have gone into the cylinder or perhaps around the engine bay area. With them being in the oil, it sounds like poor workshop hygiene during the job. But I'm only guessing based on limited evidence.

The claim really ought to be with whoever put in the spark plug wrongly in the first place though.

Mildly_Miffed

paul_c123 said:

If they tried to re-cut the thread for the spark plug with the head on, the metal shavings wouldn't have gone into the oil anyway, they would have gone into the cylinder or perhaps around the engine bay area. 

A helicoil can be installed with the head on - plenty of grease on the tap, to trap the swarf.

If the swarf was in the combustion chamber, though, it's not going to get into the oil. It's just going to scratch the living wossit out of the cylinder walls and pistons.

philip1976

paul_c123 said:

Do you have evidence there was no contamination of the oil with metal filings, before this issue? If not, then the AA report has no value here.

In any case, all work performed by a garage must be warranted for 3 months so there should be no further charges.

If they tried to re-cut the thread for the spark plug with the head on, the metal shavings wouldn't have gone into the oil anyway, they would have gone into the cylinder or perhaps around the engine bay area. With them being in the oil, it sounds like poor workshop hygiene during the job. But I'm only guessing based on limited evidence.

The claim really ought to be with whoever put in the spark plug wrongly in the first place though.

The garage did say they would check for any engine damage or contamination in the oil before they start the job,so oil must’ve been fine and car was running fine before spark plug problem.The recovery driver who first came said the spark plug problem could’ve been caused by old age,the car is 21 years old! 

philip1976

What causes metal filings to get in the oil? The engine still sounds sweet as well 😕