Hi everyone,
Would really appreciate your advice.
I have a diesel 1.3 Grande Punto dynamic (75hp).
I recently brought my car in to an independent garage to check a problem: it was slow to start, and there was white smoke on cold start. I suspected it could be glow plugs, and the garage said there may be other things causing it, and they will check and let me know.
Next day garage calls to confirm it was glowplugs and tell me they have ordered new and started replacing (surprised they did not contact me to confirm this move). 2 came off easily, 1 snapped off at the head, 1 holds hard and they are afraid to break it. They told me they would try drilling but if that goes bad the engine head would need to come off and the repair would be expensive. I told them I cannot afford a really expensive repair. They checked everything over and called back to say they put 2 new plugs in, the stuck one was operational, and the broken one (which was dead in the first place) could be left broken as it is: it holds firm.
Now advice I am asking is:
1. Is it ok to leave things as they are now? Any dangers in driving around with a glowplug snapped at the head? (could fall off in motion and cause damage? long-term effects of leaving it?)
2. Would the garage be justified in putting expensive labour bill for several hours (they broke it, while the job should take 30 min?) What would be a fair bill in this case?
3. Anything else you would advise/warn in this case?
This is my first car, and I am not very familiar with technical issues, so help would be greatly welcome!
Would really appreciate your advice.
I have a diesel 1.3 Grande Punto dynamic (75hp).
I recently brought my car in to an independent garage to check a problem: it was slow to start, and there was white smoke on cold start. I suspected it could be glow plugs, and the garage said there may be other things causing it, and they will check and let me know.
Next day garage calls to confirm it was glowplugs and tell me they have ordered new and started replacing (surprised they did not contact me to confirm this move). 2 came off easily, 1 snapped off at the head, 1 holds hard and they are afraid to break it. They told me they would try drilling but if that goes bad the engine head would need to come off and the repair would be expensive. I told them I cannot afford a really expensive repair. They checked everything over and called back to say they put 2 new plugs in, the stuck one was operational, and the broken one (which was dead in the first place) could be left broken as it is: it holds firm.
Now advice I am asking is:
1. Is it ok to leave things as they are now? Any dangers in driving around with a glowplug snapped at the head? (could fall off in motion and cause damage? long-term effects of leaving it?)
2. Would the garage be justified in putting expensive labour bill for several hours (they broke it, while the job should take 30 min?) What would be a fair bill in this case?
3. Anything else you would advise/warn in this case?
This is my first car, and I am not very familiar with technical issues, so help would be greatly welcome!
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