Garage oil change - engine knackered

sk3lph

sk3lph

sk3lph

Associate
Joined
16 May 2007
Posts
887
Basically asking here for advice on the best course of action.

My wifes car was booked into the local garage for a service on Thursday this week and it was picked up at the end of Thursday with £90 paid for the job.

About 1/2 mile into the journey on the way to the next destination from the garage the oil light came on therefore my wife stopped and phoned the garage to explain this and they said they would come out to the car. Wife arranged to meet them about a mile away, however the car broke down 1/4 mile further down the road.

The mechanics arrived with oil and said the seal had not been removed and put oil in the car - then my wife followed them back to the garage and my wife noticed it was now making a clattering noise. Car was left with them where they said they would sort it and drop the car off at the house today.

Upshot is that the car is back with us and its still making the clattering noise which is loud on startup and no explanation has been provided by the garage.

So, garage is now closed until Monday and I reckon with conversations to various people that the engine is now knackered and the garage is liable for putting this problem right.

So I'm thinking I need to get an independent inspection (which I see is about £130) and get another inspection after the work is done to confirm that it has been done properly.

Is this the best thing to do or does anyone have any advice on what we should do? Presumably I should get the inspection done before we let them loose on it again as the inspection takes up to 3 days to be done? We have the original receipt for the service.

The other thing is my wife is now without a car so this is causing us a lot of hassle.

Advice hugely welcome :(:(:(
 
That sounds like they have drained the oil, gone for a cup of tea, re-fitted the sump plug and sent you on your way oil less!

The mechanics arrived with oil and said the seal had not been removed and put oil in the car

In other words, *remembers not putting oil in*

That would be my guess anyhow
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Thanks for the replies - I pretty much think the engine is a goner - my main question is what is the best course of action with the garage? What would you do?
 
I would try and resolve this amicably with the garage and tell them what i expect (a new engine), however i wouldn't want the same garage to do the work, how old and what car is it?

Whilst you speak to the garage phone up CAB and ask why your rights are.
 
Firestar_3x said:
I would try and resolve this amicably with the garage and tell them what i expect (a new engine), however i wouldn't want the same garage to do the work, how old and what car is it?

Whilst you speak to the garage phone up CAB and ask why your rights are.
Click to expand...

Yeah good point this, I mean if they can't even do an oil change...
 
Name and shame, get engineers report, take them to court.

Don't let them fit the new engine, get someone more competent to do it and send them the bill.
 
Biohazard said:
Leave it with them and tell them to replace engine. Someone will have a load of good advice on this shortly..
Click to expand...

My worry is that they either bodge the existing engine to get it working as cheaply as they can (and it therefore runs crap) or replace it with an engine thats in a worse condition than the one it replaced. Should I trust them? (its a 93 Pajero 4x4 2.8 turbo diesel and is often used to tow a horse)
 
sk3lph said:
My worry is that they either bodge the existing engine to get it working as cheaply as they can (and it therefore runs crap) or replace it with an engine thats in a worse condition than the one it replaced. Should I trust them? (its a 93 Pajero 4x4 2.8 turbo diesel and is often used to tow a horse)
Click to expand...

I'd be inclined to say no since they borked the bottom end in the first place..

there was a thread on here not that long ago about what to do/advice if your not happy with garage work / or they break things..

I'll go see if I can find it..
 
From what they said to your missus, it sounds like the seal off the oil filter has stuck behind after they've removed the filter itself...had this happen on a Pajero myself funnily enough. Fit new filter, run up vehicle and it spews oil everywhere :(, deffo sounds like new engine time...
 
Thanks for all the replies.

I think we'll give them the chance to put it right when we see them on Monday and get them to provide written details on the mileage, where they have sourced the new engine and provide some sort of guarantee period that this engine will last for at least 12 months. If we are still not happy after we have it back then it'll be time for a vehicle inspection and legal proceedings.

I'm just also annoyed that they dropped the car off even though it clearly was not running well, probably hoping we'd just go away.
 
stulid said:
Name and shame, get engineers report, take them to court.

Don't let them fit the new engine, get someone more competent to do it and send them the bill.
Click to expand...

Don't do this I did similar took them to court and lost even though I had AA backing and many other forms of proof .In court you at the mercy of some stupid fat women (in my case).
 
You need a new engine really to be sure you are back to what you had before. You need to go see the garage and explain what happened. Be firm but calm. Prepare some notes on what you will say and responses to probable things they will say etc. Be ready to threaten them with court action etc.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom