Technical Mechanic messed up my engine

[kelevra]

Hi all,

I'm new hear and would like some info/advice.

My headgasket recently blew, I sent it to a mechanic I haven't used before because they are right across the road.

When I got my car back they hadn't even cleaned the engine (outside) or fixed the coolant leak that caused the head gasket to blow. The car was idling with a funny noise.

The next day while driving to work I heard a high pitched noise from the engine and the car died, I couldn't start it any more.

I took it to another mechanic (one I've know for years which is a further away) he has now come to the conclusion that the head gasket was put on incorrectly and that it block oil moving to the cam shaft and my cam shaft seized. Now my whole engine needs to be practically redone, I've bent valves and all...

My original mechanic is arguing that it's impossible to put the head gasket on the wrong way around...

Can anyone substantiate or deny this? I'm looking at a big bill that I don't think I should pay.

 

[Ffoxy]

Hi all,

I'm new hear and would like some info/advice.

My headgasket recently blew, I sent it to a mechanic I haven't used before because they are right across the road.

When I got my car back they hadn't even cleaned the engine (outside) or fixed the coolant leak that caused the head gasket to blow. The car was idling with a funny noise.

The next day while driving to work I heard a high pitched noise from the engine and the car died, I couldn't start it any more.

I took it to another mechanic (one I've know for years which is a further away) he has now come to the conclusion that the head gasket was put on incorrectly and that it block oil moving to the cam shaft and my cam shaft seized. Now my whole engine needs to be practically redone, I've bent valves and all...

My original mechanic is arguing that it's impossible to put the head gasket on the wrong way around...

Can anyone substantiate or deny this? I'm looking at a big bill that I don't think I should pay.

Your "normal" mechanic is best placed to help you there, I know it is VERY easy to put a Punto HG on upside down which blocks off the camshaft oil-way. You have to look for the word "Alto" (Top) & obviously that goes on face upwards.

 

[kelevra]

Your "normal" mechanic is best placed to help you there, I know it is VERY easy to put a Punto HG on upside down which blocks off the camshaft oil-way. You have to look for the word "Alto" (Top) & obviously that goes on face upwards.

I'm just looking for a third party to give some info that isn't biased at all... Not sure if I can trust either of them at this point.

 

[EssexUno]

At the end of the day mate, you paid to get your car fixed and they have caused your engine to seize up. They have the responsibility to put it right and you should definately argue that it's their fault. Look up what legal rights you have.

Dan

 

[jo0lz]

Take it back to the original Mech and tell him you expect him to fix your car for nowt on the basis of his poor workmanship

If you get no joy first point of call should be the local Citizens Advice Bureau for consumer rights legal advice for nowt and then also report your grievance with the Mech to the Local Trading Standards Officer

Any chance you are a member of the AA or RAC?
As you could ask them for an independant report on the cars current condition to help your case

 

[Ffoxy]

Take it back to the original Mech and tell him you expect him to fix your car for nowt on the basis of his poor workmanship

If you get no joy first point of call should be the local Citizens Advice Bureau for consumer rights legal advice for nowt and then also report your grievance with the Mech to the Local Trading Standards Officer

Any chance you are a member of the AA or RAC?
As you could ask them for an independant report on the cars current condition to help your case

In South Africa?

 

[EssexUno]

Oh lol, didn't realize you lived in SA.

Dan

 

[SeanW]

I'm just looking for a third party to give some info that isn't biased at all... Not sure if I can trust either of them at this point.

If you're in SA, might be worth contacting your local equivalent of Trading Standards or Consumer Direct? Worth a shot lol

Worst comes to the worst, just pass on your experiences of the bad mechanic...

 

[kelevra]

If you're in SA, might be worth contacting your local equivalent of Trading Standards or Consumer Direct? Worth a shot lol

Worst comes to the worst, just pass on your experiences of the bad mechanic...

Thanks for all your answers... The car seized up on my to work on Monday, I got it toed directly to the old mech (now on known as asshole) at 8AM, the following day (Tuesday) at 2PM I get a call and he tells me the engine does not have compression, he doesn't know why. To add insult to injury when I first got my car back it was idling funny (strange noise from engine) and they didn't even clean my engine nor the leak in the cooling system that caused the fault in the first place.

By this time I had, had it so I phoned him and told him I don't confidence that he can fix my car and that I want to collect it NOW - he didn't defend himself or saying any thing at all - obviously a man without any honour.

I took it to my new mechanic, while I waited he tested and saw the engine had no compression within 5 min literally! The same job too 'asshole' one and a half days!! 2 hours later I got a call saying the cam had seized and that the head had been sent back to engineering.

I don't see how I could have left my car with 'asshole' as clearly he is so stupid and incapable he surely can't even tie his own shoe laces!

Yesterday I went past the new mech and he showed me easily you could put the head gasket on the wrong way around and block the oil channel leading to the cam - something 'asshole' has told me is IMPOSSIBLE after which he claims he has fixed many UNOs, odd he doesn't even know you can put it on incorrectly.

At this point I think I've blown my own head gasket!! I'm completely irate and I'll make sure that what ever I pay to fix this he will pay much more!

How do you choose a good mechanic?

 

[rawill]

Thanks for all your answers... The car seized up on my to work on Monday,

How do you choose a good mechanic?

Only by reputation - worth of mouth, so all you can do is ask around people you know.

A number of people I know, usually females have been ripped off by unscrupulous car repairers!

But any mechanic who makes a mistake should make sure the job is fixed properly and discuss it with the customer.