Hi, just a quickie. My 95 2ct townie overheated about 2 weeks ago and i had to get the head replaced. This was done by a local engine shop for £540. The day I picked it up it overheated again, so I took it back and they checked the rad and said there was an airlock somewhere. £100. Picked it 2 days later and it had a slight washing machine ticking noise as I drove. This got louder the next day. It's the exhaust manifold this time as the side of the engine under my seat is covered in soot. I returned to the engine shop again and they said it'll probably need a gasket or something. I've read everything on Ace Answers (Very helpful! thank you) so I know what I think should need to be done. Any ideas as to telling them and trying to keep the final price down a little? I know it’s not a question directly relating to the Townace but it would be helpful if and experienced owners could give me their views as I’m only 19 and haven’t had to deal with mechanics often before.
Thanks
Al
- (#11152) Alan, 27 May 04 02:44
Hi alan, if the head gasket has been done the exhaust manifold gasket should have been replaced at the same time,was the head pressure tested or skimmed before it was refitted? if yes the manifold would definatly been removed and should have been replaced, also i think £100 is extortionate to get rid of an airlock, this should have been done before you collected the car, i am a mechanic from the bristol area and i have done a head gasket on my own townace 1990 2ct diesel so i do know a little about it, i am sad to say that some garages/mechanics are rip off merchants but not all of us, please feel free to email me cgibbs@blueyonder.co.uk for any other advise, i think this time you may have to put this down to experience.
regards colin
- (#11152) colin, 27 May 04 03:45
thanks for the advice colin, much welcomed. First time it broke down, after owning it for 8 days i was 370km away from home. Having taken out the AA parts and labour cover upto £475 i wasn't that bothered how much it cost for the head. As i'm aware, the head was replaced, the cylinder was presure tested and a surface grind was done- thats what was on the invoice. I've left the car with them today while i'm at college and just need to phone at 3.30pm to see how it's going. I've got a bit of overdraft left to spend but i don't know how much it'll come to of course. Is there any phases or things that i can say to them so they might treat me with a bit more respect.?
Thanks again and great site. Also sad to miss the jams. Last weekend car was broke, then it's my girlfriends 18th on the 2nd of july but i will be at southport in Aug.
Thanks gain.
al
- (#11152) Alan, 27 May 04 06:46
Well you could say - "it says here on your invoice that you had the head off and skimmed. Therefore you must have had the exhaust manifold off and Toyota tell me that you should always replace the manifold gasket when stripping down. Of course being a reputable garage you did do this didn't you? If that's the case then I'm guessing you've fitted the wrong or faulty gasket. So why should I have to pay for faulty workmanship?"
No doubt you will get some curt reply but you may be in a better position to negotiate the price down.
Good luck!
- (#11152) Ian Dunse (Derbs), 27 May 04 08:58
First thing first the car over heated after you the garage fixed it(an air lock they said ) and then they had the nerve to charge you £100 pounds for it !! this is an utter disgrace to the trade, if i had let a car go back to the customer and that happend i would be totaly emmbarrased and would never dream of charging for it, it's not difficult to do and wouldn't take much time, the likleyhood is they probably didn't change the thermostat and it was jammed closed, this often happens after overheating as the wax in it goes hard, the temp sender will do the same, this would make it overheat again but that still would not cost £100, Second the exhaust manifold is now blowing, probably because the bolts are loose or the gasket was not changed,your options are simple, you can argue that you've had a bum deal and even threaten legal action or as i said before you can take it on the chin and put it down to experience, you my want to get it checked out by another garage, maybe you have a friend or family member who can recomend one. don't be put off usung a garage we're not all total asses, best of luck,
colin
- (#11152) colin , 27 May 04 10:05