Hi Briskodians

Recently I've had a head gasket job done on my worn out but loved Octavia 1.9 TDI 2002 (160 000 miles).

It all started with prolonged coolant leak and then turbo playing up - not working with the first start up only following the engine restart. 
After about a week with the turbo trouble I've had a first incident with water boiling, going right up to 130 C.
I took it to the local garage and they have diagnosed head gasket problem. Initially priced at £550 I ended up with the bill of £980 squid.
They've included timing belt replacement and standard service bits. I have also asked the garage to clean up the turbo, I had a similar failures few years back but then it was due to the sludge buildup in turbo.

Outcome of the repair initially all looked fine, except that I almost lost the tray cover from underneath the engine whilst driving on M11 - they left it hanging on 3 screws. About a week later though I spotted that I am leaving oil spots everywhere I parked. 

Oil level, looked still ok but I couldn't get the dipstick back into the tube - as I found out following removing engine cover, tube was snapped loose at the bottom.

Shortly whilst trying to find the source of oil leak I noticed also that one of EGR valve bolt bracket has been snapped too.

I went back to the garage complaining about all the botched bits and I was told that whilst they can't vouch for not snapping the dipstick tube they assured me that upon removing the head they've never removed EGR valve, which seems strange to me as it is located fairly close to the engine head.

 

 

As for the leak itself I was told that it could come from the faulty turbo as I was complaining about turbo earlier but they would have to examine closer.
Got me booked in again for next week anyway.
In the meantime I have located the oil leak, it appears to be coming out of camshaft sprocket area - could be an oil seal on camshaft.

Now I am not a car engine expert at all, but I roughly have an idea where and what parts are on that diesel engine.
I might also be paranoid but I get the feeling that I am being told right bull***t and I can see what is coming - they will insist on charging me for repairing the repair.

Could you please advise:

Upon removing the head  - does EGR valve need to be removed or is it possible that EGR valve was never touched ?
What are my rights when dealing with the garage of cowboys ?

Forgive me that essay but I feel that I am bullied and I don't know how to deal with that situation,  I can't simply afford another repair.

All words of advice much appreciated !








 

Edited 6 June, 201511 yr by djnovak

Id say you could probably remove the head without removing the egr by just takeing the inlet manifold off with egr intact . So that's a possible, do you know the bolt and bracket was there and not snaped before? I'm not sideing with the garage but if you don't know for sure you gota give em benefit of the doubt ,the undertray could be an easy mistake or just the last half arsed job ,contact your local tradeing standards for best advice .

Jim

Thanks for advice Jim.

Bracket was there 100 % day before the morning I took it to the garage, I remember I was looking closely at Egr then and removed the pipe to see if there is any oil inside.
Unless it snapped whilst driving within the week after the repair I can't see otherwise, on the other hand I can't prove anything.

I will see tomorrow morning what they will say about the oil leak.

Cheers     

If you know 100% fight your corner .but I would contact trading see where you stand . Most honest garages would try help you out and keep the customer happy ,otherwise ask around your area and see what garage others use and go with good recomendation . There are good places but unfortnatly there are a few cowboy places that some how stay open and badly trading.

Jim

Which area of london are you from by the way? If you're south west I know a good garage or two

Cheers guys

 

I've had a bit of argument with the garage in subject but at the end they fixed the leak post warranty and replaced EGR with new one free of charge.
It seems like they prey on people who don't know much or at all about cars but if you talk their language and show a bit of knowledge they back down.
I am not sure if I will be using them in the future if needed though.

Bsman
I am based right opposite in north-west London. Thanks anyway !
 

HI if you are in the AA/RAC contact them they have a legal section who may be able to help they will at least get a engineer to look at the car and advise you good luck BARRY