Technical Little Help

[Argonought]

What to do?

I have to say the guy is genuine and really wants to sort the problem out. He has a good reputation for his after sales and the quality of work his garage produces. He talked me through about changing the head and pressure testing it.

I'd be inclined to demand a 6 months warranty instead of just 3 (at the very least on the engine)

Also, make sure the cam belt is changed and most importantly fitted properly. Check the garage will use genuine Fiat parts too. When you get the car back then make sure it drives AT LEAST as good as when you first drove it (if not then the belts been fitted wrong )

 

[sixpotman]

Are they changing the head or the gasket, if it's the gasket
the head will need skimming as well as pressure testing.
Check if they will also be grinding the valves in or not.

Also make sure they do an immission test (as for an mot)
as well as antifreeze can damage the lambda sensor if it's
going through the exhaust.

As said ask for an extended warranty on their repair.
If the job is done right you should get a few years
running out of it. Just make sure you regularly check
the water and oil levels.

John

 

[DoIbuyit]

Thanks for the advice guys. I will be asking for extended warrenty on the engine and 12 months on the head gasket. He did mention the possibility of skimming (Don't know the difference) so I would think it is the second one.

Will ask about the emmission test. Handy piece of advice

I think we have decided to give it a second chance, but I will be looking round aswell.

 

[sixpotman]

Head gasket normally fails through loss of water
or water flow, the ignited gas attacking a weak point
on the seal ring or head material or an existing
manufacturing fault in the head from new.

When an aluminum head goes it can also warp
as well, so if there is enough left on the head
to allow it to be skimmed I personally would
do so. It's a more work depending on machinery
used to do the job. Some companies require
removal of the valves prior to doing the job.

My sons W reg 1.2 punto had quite a deep fissure
which went under the HG sealing ring and was still
visible past the ring when skimmed.



John