General Help! my multi...

[chattoyalater]

Hi everyone,

I was the rather proud owner of a nosejob multi (1.9 diesel)... anyway, I took it to DA motors in Essex, asking for the following to be done:

new brakes, front & rear (shoes, discs, pads); handbrake cable, brake fluid
A major service (including all filters & coolant flush)
New cambelt

I was in no rush, so they had the car for 2 weeks- mainly as I work & can't drop off/collect at the drop of a hat.. plus I thought it would give them a chance to do a proper job.

They were very good & kept me up to date with costs, etc.

I collected this morning, they started her up & she sounded ok...paid the £750 invoice...however...

The car was sluggish & I parked it up when I got home... the next time I started her, the oil message came up: oil level too high, then the engine management light came on, saying notify garage... she sounds really rough idling.

I opened the engine bay to see if I could find anything... noticed the coolant is sitting at minimum... there was a wire unplugged which I re-attached... but she still sounds really rough - with an almost 'sucking noise' & the error messages are still there.

I'm going to take it back & complain... but do I want cowboys working on this car again? I found their details on the forum & thought they'd be ok!

 

[slobo]

You should really give them a chance to sort it out before you start slating them here.

If they can't or won't, then feel free.

 

[chattoyalater]

I'm sorry but after 2 weeks & 750 quid, I'd thought I'm paying for a professional service... different story if it's a backyard mechanic...

but then maybe that's just me...

 

[nuddmann]

You should really give them a chance to sort it out before you start slating them here.

If they can't or won't, then feel free.

Would echo that, I've used DA for spares from the breaker side of it and they've been fine.

If you can't get them to sort it, and it's not too far to drive, I've been using Crownlands Garage in High Ongar, right on the A 414 for the last 15 years, they've been servicing etc my multipla since it was out of warranty (bout 6 years) and they've always done a spot on job, old fashioned mechanic, etc etc. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them.

 

[chattoyalater]

UPDATE!

Following a phone conversation, I dropped off the car on Sunday with a list of stuff wrong with it:

Engine Management light on
Engine idling rough ( so much so that even the neighbour across the road came over to say it sounded bad)
Coolant level under minimum
Oil warning saying it's over filled
Low power

I got a call from them & we talked through the problems. He reset the error messages; installed a new pulley (?) that was making a noise (?); added coolant,etc, etc. Apparently, the pulley is rubber over metal & can make lots of noise.

I picked her up tonight & she's running sweet!Very pleased & thankful that's she's running ok. Well, fingers crossed it's all plain sailing for now.

My only gripe - I remember the engine sounding bad when I collected, but thought it just needed a drive... I had to travel there & back in 2 cars 3 times in total (at least £30 in fuel) to get it sorted. Thankfully, it's sorted.

 

[chattoyalater]

UPDATE:

I've had to return the car yet again. One of the rear wheels binding (sounds like the whole axle is coming off!).

 

[varesecrazy]

UPDATE:

I've had to return the car yet again. One of the rear wheels binding (sounds like the whole axle is coming off!).

is this at all related to their previous work??,
Charlie

 

[Alpitlum]

Possibly related, they have just changed the shoes and handbrake cables.
Give em a chance to put it right, see how they get on.

 

[chattoyalater]

well, after complaining that I had to return it yet again, I was told: "I have attitude"... How many times do you have to take a car back & give them another chance? (this problem, in my view quite dangerous)

I've had to return the car for every piece of work they'e done- at huge expense & time. I have no confidence in the work they've completed.

And their guy is on hols, so the car will be out of action for at least a week- until they get a chance to look at it.

Question: I know most people have used them as a scrappy, but have they actually undertaken any servicing/ repair work for anyone?

 

[slobo]

I've never used them, they are starting to sound like w4nkers though.