Technical Can't get a quote

[LMM]

Hi, I can't find a garage that will even give me a quote to fix my leaking head gasket. I've been promised quotes but they're not forthcoming. Does anyone know if there's anyone in the Fife/Edinburgh area that will actually do this kind of thing? Happy to hand it over to an experienced enthusiast, I just need it fixed!

 

[Jockstrap]

Hi, I can't find a garage that will even give me a quote to fix my leaking head gasket. I've been promised quotes but they're not forthcoming. Does anyone know if there's anyone in the Fife/Edinburgh area that will actually do this kind of thing? Happy to hand it over to an experienced enthusiast, I just need it fixed!

Morning.

You've duplicate threads running. Delete one as you'll confuse rather than increase response.

Would benefit as a new member to introduce your car and a tad more information. Lots of help on here if you give a bit.

First question is why you have a 2017 car and no experience of a local garage?

 

[portland_bill]

@Pugglt Auld Jock has a favourite garage that is Fiat friendly. Perhaps he might share. It is on lots of his other posts, but would take a bit of time to find.

As said above, more details would be useful.
You seem to have decided on a necessary repair, so some diagnosis may be assumed. So why can the diagnoser not fix it? Are you sure that is the problem? Is it just a gasket failure due to age, or is it a victim to a cause? That could be a good reason why no-one will quote. They need to confirm the diagnosis and cause. If they just replace the gasket, and it fails again, you are likely to hold them liable, which is unfair. From my time in the trade, we would never take a customer's word, we would want to know why. Frequently the cause was not addressed, and often the requested repair was not necessary.
Rather than "can you fix my head gasket", perhaps, "I think my head gasket is leaking, can you look at the cause and advise on the correct repair".

Share your diagnosis path here.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

@Pugglt Auld Jock has a favourite garage that is Fiat friendly. Perhaps he might share. It is on lots of his other posts, but would take a bit of time to find.

As said above, more details would be useful.
You seem to have decided on a necessary repair, so some diagnosis may be assumed. So why can the diagnoser not fix it? Are you sure that is the problem? Is it just a gasket failure due to age, or is it a victim to a cause? That could be a good reason why no-one will quote. They need to confirm the diagnosis and cause. If they just replace the gasket, and it fails again, you are likely to hold them liable, which is unfair. From my time in the trade, we would never take a customer's word, we would want to know why. Frequently the cause was not addressed, and often the requested repair was not necessary.
Rather than "can you fix my head gasket", perhaps, "I think my head gasket is leaking, can you look at the cause and advise on the correct repair".

Share your diagnosis path here.

Thanks and good morning PB. I completely agree with the points you make above and is how I myself would approach the problem. Even if definitely a blown head gasket it can turn out to be a relatively simple job or a nightmare depending on the degree of overheating - or other - which the engine underwent. might be simply a head off, clean up and reassemble with new gaskets as needed or, at the other end of the spectrum a dramatically "cooked" engine where a good used unit replacement could be the best way to go. I'd definitely want to asses it myself before touching it. Any info the OP might like to give would be helpful. Also doing a gasket on a FIRE engine is a bit of a different prospect to a Twin air for instance. Best to consider a new timing belt if the FIRE engine?

Regarding the garages PB mentions above. Although I've enjoyed many days out north of the Forth, it's "Indian Country" for me as far as being familiar with anyone over there - The Border country is much more my "stomping grounds". Not far from me down here in Leith is Kenny Harrison's garage Harrison Motors 74 Jane Street Leith EH6 5HG Tel no. 0131 555 4443 They've done several larger jobs for me when I've either been in a big hurry or just haven't had time (clutches etc) and all have been completed to a good standard. They're on the trading estate near the bottom of Leith Walk. I'd include a link but they don't seem to have a website. They specialise in Fiats but, like most small family garages, will tackle almost anything which ends up on their doorstep. Just south of the city is another https://www.mclennansgarage.com/ which might actually be better for you to reach from Fife as you could go round the bypass and not have to go through the city. I don't know them personally but they have a good name and, like Harrison's, is owned by a dyed in the wool Italian car specialist - Ex Fishers (who were the Alfa garage main dealer who closed years ago).

As a matter of general info, on the off chance that anyone is wanting a recommendation for a Japanese car specialist? then I can recommend these people: https://www.bonningtonmillgarage.com/ I haven't used them for a wee while but got to know them well when my daughter in law was running a Jazz I mostly had contact with one of the owners - Steven - who is very approachable and friendly, in fact his son has now also joined the business and is also very friendly and approachable. Steven and his partner, a quieter man, are ex Honda main dealer trained and everything they did for my daughter in law was to a high standard and at very reasonable cost. I was especially impressed by Steven who was/is very happy to give out info and data when I was doing "stuff" to the Jazz myself but was unsure about something - he always had the time to speak on the phone or advise in person if I poked my head round the workshop door.

Hope that's of help LMM? Please do tell us more about the car and keep us updated on progress won't you?