after the initial excitement I think I've got a bit of a lemon.

It's now also lost a full header tank of water over 30 miles. No obvious leaks on the pipes, system pressurises fine.

Can't see any white steam/smoke out of the back but I'm thinking head gasket problem.

Is it worht asking the garage to repair it or should I just ask for a refund?

If the engine is toast, how much for a new engine?

ta

take it back refund all the way once a problem car always a problem car imo

take it back refund all the way once a problem car always a problem car imo

+1: run, run, run!!!

Age old adage: If it seems too good to be true......

A dealer selling a car £2K less than all other similar cars has got to raise alarm bells.

Before you take it back to the dealer & demand your money back why dont you get the leak checked? you have put in another post that you hit flood water @ 30mph recently...........maybe you have damaged your radiator or a coolant pipe?

Check the oil on the dip stick. If you have a head gasket leak the oil will be milky in colour a bit like very milky coffee. If it's normal then it's not a head gasket.

Edited 1 November, 201015 yr by K1W1

Before assuming you you'll get a refund, we need to consider a few basic facts:

How old is the car and how many miles

How long have you had it

How many miles have you done

Did you purchase from a trader and how did you pay inc deposit

Have you given him resonable chance to fix it

Before assuming you you'll get a refund, we need to consider a few basic facts:

How old is the car and how many miles

How long have you had it

How many miles have you done

Did you purchase from a trader and how did you pay inc deposit

Have you given him resonable chance to fix it

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/178912-new-scout-a-few-niggles-and-questions/

I know this trader and he's been in business a long time, he will have known exactly what the car was worth - trust me on that. There is no way he 'didn't know what he had'. TBH the price looks about right to me given its mileage and colour *grey cars always worth a bit less). Its a trustworthy outfit though, so unlikely that they knowingly sold you a bum steer.

Before jumping to conclusions about the coolant loss you really to methodically check for faults.

1. Any sign of overheating (temp guage needle should be rock steady when the car is hot)?

2. Take it to local garage/MoT station and ask them to 'sniff test' the header tank for hydrocarbons using their 4-gas probe. Expect to pay £10 for this. If it comes up positive to HC then back to the dealer for a refund. If negative then you have a leak somewhere (thermoswitch is a favourite). Ask them to pressure test the cooling system to uncover the leak.

Check the oil on the dip stick. If you have a head gasket leak the oil will be milky in colour a bit like very milky coffee. If it's normal then it's not a head gasket.

This is by no means a reliable check for HGF. In fact most times the HG fails the oil won't be contaminated.

Take it back to him and ask them to top it up and check the coolant system, if it drops again then take it back for it to be fixed. Given the mileage and price you must take this into account. You can't have your cake and eat it!

You can't have your cake and eat it!

Yes you can when you've had the car less that a week.

Take it back and ask them to fix all of the faults.

If they are unable to do so you can ask for your money back.

It might not be HGF, but could be a cracked head! :(

If the engine is cold when doing the pressure test it may not show a fault in the radiator because the thermostat is closed. Also the fault may only be present with the engine running, and something like the water pump bearing can leak water when in use but be perfectly sealed when not running.

Right,

To give the garage their due, they've been very good about this so far. They've got it booked in for the work at the end of the week (I can't get it there any sooner) and they're going to do a head gasket/block leak test and repair as necessary.

Feeling less pessimistic now as I'm still happy with the rest of the car.

Just need to sit back and wait now...

Yes you can when you've had the car less that a week.

Take it back and ask them to fix all of the faults.

If they are unable to do so you can ask for your money back.

Another forum lawyer, read the SOGA, if the car was a 6month old with 2k on the clock maybe. The OP is chuffed he got a cheap high miler but then it all changed when a few faults showed up. If the car is fit for purpose then that's all fine. Fixing other faults like window switches or whatever is down to the dealer. The cost and condition of the car is always taken into account as to what is deemed "resonable".

BTW, I have asked the mods to merge these two threads.

Another forum lawyer, read the SOGA.

Wow, a smart arse

If goods do not conform to contract at the time of sale, purchasers can request their money back within a reasonable time.

The majority of the faults were present at the time of sale.

Despite this a week, by any standards is reasonable.

The OP has done the right thing and returned the car to the seller. Aware of their obligations it appears that they have agreed to remedy the faults.

Another forum lawyer, read the SOGA, if the car was a 6month old with 2k on the clock maybe. The OP is chuffed he got a cheap high miler but then it all changed when a few faults showed up. If the car is fit for purpose then that's all fine. Fixing other faults like window switches or whatever is down to the dealer. The cost and condition of the car is always taken into account as to what is deemed "resonable".

BTW, I have asked the mods to merge these two threads.

The other niggles (windows, lack of sump guard) I have accepted as it's a good price and I've factored in the cost of replacing/repairing these into the purchase price. Added to which they do not affect the ability of the car to perform its function.

However the head gasket is a different kettle of fish. If it's a cracked head/block then it's a serious problem that means the car is definitely not fit for purpose. Willing to give the garage a chance to sort it, the repair shop they're sending to to has had good reviews by people my in-laws know in the area and the original garage appears to be doing everyhing they can to sort the problem.

Will keep the forum posted...

Good luck, the short term pain will be worth it for the long term gain

If the engine is cold when doing the pressure test it may not show a fault in the radiator because the thermostat is closed. Also the fault may only be present with the engine running, and something like the water pump bearing can leak water when in use but be perfectly sealed when not running.

Thermostat position will not affect pressure testing. Thermostats don't seal particularly well and in any case the thermostat is only in the top hose outlet so any pressure applied is transferred through bottom hose to rad.

Fair point about leaks which change with temp., but in 30 years working in trade I never failed to find a leak. Cooling system normally set to pressurise at about 13psi (around 1 Atm) - easy to add a little bit of over-pressure which should reveal a leak. Bit of hunting around with car on ramps and a good lamp will chase them out. Losing a header full of water in 30 miles is a fair old leak.

Not being a smart arse as it used to be my job if the garage has agreed to look at the head gasket then one has to wonder why this thread was started.

Not being a smart arse as it used to be my job.

What, accusing others of being forum lawyers?

If the garage has agreed to look at the head gasket then one has to wonder why this thread was started.

Because when the thread was started the garage hadn't agreed to look at the head gasket.

Is it worht asking the garage to repair it or should I just ask for a refund?

Edited 1 November, 201015 yr by m0bov

Strange how you find it necessary to laugh at another members misfortune.

It's a public forum, people come here for advice, clearly not everyone is as knowledgeable as you.

Thermostat position will not affect pressure testing. Thermostats don't seal particularly well and in any case the thermostat is only in the top hose outlet so any pressure applied is transferred through bottom hose to rad.

Fair point about leaks which change with temp., but in 30 years working in trade I never failed to find a leak. Cooling system normally set to pressurise at about 13psi (around 1 Atm) - easy to add a little bit of over-pressure which should reveal a leak. Bit of hunting around with car on ramps and a good lamp will chase them out. Losing a header full of water in 30 miles is a fair old leak.

Yep, Sound advice