Scary car problem, waiting for the garage to call tomorrow.... Could be EXPENSIVE!

dancingfairy

Oh I hope it works out allright for you. Try not to worry too much about it as there is nothing you can do at the moment. Fingers Crossed.

Lucy1982_2

I know it's really pathetic, but I really want to cry, I feel sick and have a headache.

I know it's only a car and one way or another something will sort itself out, but I'm not sure I can cope with all this stress.

chevalier

Lucy
It is not the car you are stressing about really, it is the stress of realising how close to the line all the other debt is taking you to. It is easy when you have started to control your debts as you have to sort of ignore the 'what if I have a big unplanned spend' because you are working so hard to pay everything off.

Take heart, it will get sorted, and once this is done, you shouldn't need another one on this car for many thousands of miles.

But I do know what you mean, I have an old laguna. It is a lovely workhorse of a car, but worth nowt. I am just hoping it keeps going until we emigrate, and then we can retire it! (ps I whispered the last bit so he didn't hear!)

chev

Lucy1982_2

I think mine only did it, because it heard us discussing the car wash!

Lucy1982_2

Car isn't looking so good, the garage have actually only had a 'quick' look at it, not done any tests and still haven't tried a cam belt in it. It looks like they have literally looked at the valves.

I'm going to get them to speak to OH when they call as I don't understand and I am getting really stressed by it all.

HeadInSand_2

Lucy1982 wrote: »

Car isn't looking so good, the garage have actually only had a 'quick' look at it, not done any tests and still haven't tried a cam belt in it. It looks like they have literally looked at the valves.

I'm going to get them to speak to OH when they call as I don't understand and I am getting really stressed by it all.

If they've only had a 'quick look' then there is no chance they know what state the valves are in (valves are in the head and not visible without a large amount of disassembly) - they can't even do a compression test without a cambelt fitted so I'd be asking them how they know the valves are ok, seems strange they'd tell you that, I guess they'll put the new belt on and cross their fingers, not really the best way of doing things but if the valves *are* ok then it's the cheapest way for you to find out. If not then it's pretty much £300 down the drain (a large percentage of that will be labour cost) - then they'd need to remove the head, replace valve(s), fit new headgasket and re-assemble. That's where the +£1000 bills come into things, can sometimes be cheaper to source a 2nd hand engine from a breaker and do a straight swap.
Again, I really do hope Lady Luck is smiling on you and that engine.

ZTD

kizzykizzywizzy wrote: »

Good luck :T I had the cambelt go on my car, but didn't move it & the engine was fine afterwards.
I agree £225 is quite a lot for the actual part, I think they may have bumped a bit on there, but I suppose it evens out if labour costs are only £40, a friend fitted mine & they are a b*gger to fit apparently!!

When they've gone, then you need to do realignments and things like that. If it's just a routine swap, you can pull the old one out, put the new one in, and provided you haven't moved anything, that's all you need to do.

I think my last one cost about £80 to have done. But that was a while ago.

Shineyhappy

Let me know when you hear what the garage say when you know! I have been keeping my fingers crossed for you and remember if they offer to fit the cambelt to test it, they will probably still charge you 300 for the pleasure, even if it doesnt work.

Head in the sand is pretty much saying what OH said earlier, except quoting normal garage prices. Except he said cylinder head, I dont know if thats the same as head gasket and hes not here to ask- so I pinched his laptop whilst I await my new charger.

Hope you arent stressing about it tonight!

immoral_angeluk

Any news lucy??

red74

Fingers crossed for you Lucy, cars can be such a worry. Just reading this thread has given me the jitters, I've had my car for 9 1/2 years and I'd be devastated if she packed in. The last time I was debt-free was the week before I bought this car, so now I'm nearly there again I'm convined she's going to konk out on me. The cost of replacing her is one thing, but I just don't want to have to find another car - I love this one to bits!