Anyone know a lot about cars? I need help!!!?

Question

I took my car in for a service (1999 Vauxhall Tigra) and I cannot believe the quote they have given me to carry out repairs. Are there any mechanics out there who can tell me whether a) they are completely overcharging me and b) whether someone who fixes cars would buy this from me with these faults and how much for!

OK this is the list of things they said was wrong;
1) Excessive shudder whe moving from standstill possible clutch. advised strip for investigation.
2) Car excessively smoking when revved, requires cylinder head gasket.
3) Advised timing belt and spark plugs due to age and mileage if not been done.
4) Back box baffles ex loose.
5) 2 rear shockers leaking
6) Excessive leak at power steering rack and power steering pump leaking.
7) Excessive oil leak at sump gasket.
Their quote for INVESTIGATING the gasket and gearbox, replacing the spark plugs, changing the timing belt and blackbox, 2 new rear shock absorbers, steering rack and pump and sump gasket was
£1948.

Answer 1

ok lets look at each pooint in detail here and see if we can help.
3. The engine in your car is called an ECOTEC engine, it is absoloutley critical that you have the timing belt changed at least every 30,000 miles. Why you ask, the ECOTEC is called an interferance engine which means that if the timing belt breaks or wears the pistons and the valves will collide and break the worse case scenario for that is it will totally wreck your engine ( on my cavalier i changed the belt, tensioner and idlers every 25,000). SPark plugs on these engines should be a dual tipped type and need to be changed 12,000 miles or if you want improved performance and economy 6 months.
5. Rear shock leaking- nothing can be done if thety are leaking i suggest you wipe them clean then check them again after a week if there is fluid then change them as they are a critical component for handling and safety.
4. Back box can be bought cheap at kwik fit etc and fitted cheaply.
6. there is a product you can buy that actually does work here, i dont normally advocate these wonder products as they normally dont work however i have seen this one used many times and it helps the seals on the pump swell up again as they shrink over time. (this one is made by wynns)
7. excessive oil leak at sump - tricky as you need to have it steamed cleaned it could be a simple gasket or it could actually be coming from somewhere else, the engine needs claening off to locate the leak.
2. Excessive smoking when reved- not a symptom of a head gasket ! it could actually be worse ! from cold start the engine and see what comes out of the exhaust, there are three main typess of smoke - Black = excess fuel (possible air filter blocked or injectors need cleaning) Blue- excessive oil comsumption this could be engine wear or valve stem seals. White - this is water been turned in to steam in the engine this can be a head gasket but there are kits to check this by cheking in the coolant tank to see if combusion gases are present.

1. it is pissoble that the clutch is worn or it could be that dust has got trapped on the gearbox shaft the cluthc moves on, check the adjustment of the cluthc there should be approx 1" free play at the pedal and 1/8" at the operating end.
A lot of garages tend to be vauge when quoting as some "mechanic" out there dont have proper diagnostic training and so they go for the "cure all scenario" , shop around and if possible find a small independant garage that has been around for years or go to a dealer (expensive i know). Hope that has helped you a bit anymore questions feel free to message me

Answer 2

hi think your quote is well over the top the clutch if its cable operated can be adjusted, look in your service history log ,see when the timing belt and plugs were last replaced,go to somewhere like national tyres or quick fit for the shocks and exhaust, a good local garage will sort your fluid leaks and excessive engine smoking out alot cheaper than a main dealership and lastly get your fella or boyfriend to take the car in for repairs or quotes as they dont tend to take the piss outta blokes good luck hope this saves you some dosh

Answer 3

dear, that sounds way out of whack, take it somewhere else. They are trying to rip you off. Head gasket you will have less power a lot less is that happening? timing chain or belt, do not worry about that, some mechanics suggest every 60,000 miles. If that is still together do not worry. it may go another 60,000 miles. even if it dose break on you, it will cost the same it will not break anything else if it goes out. Do you see oil that has fallen from your car after you move it from a parking spot? if no oil then you are not leaking oil. Dose it smoke from the engine compartment? if it is then you are leaking oil on the motor and it is burning off, it should smell really bad. you should smell it when you drive your car. I would take it to another place, take a guy with you. even if he dose not know anything about cars. Good luck sweetie. Mike

Answer 4

Your car is a wreck. To repair this properly would cost many thousands of pounds eg a smokey engine can mean a new complete replacement engine.The quote you got could be viewed as cheap and could end up being 3 to 4 thousand pounds.
I would trade it in to a car supermarket who would not check the car thoroughly and would give you a standard price for a quick deal. In this way you would get a good price for what seems to me to be a neglected, far lower than average vehicle.

Answer 5

Hi

This sounds oh so familiar. As a long standing mechanic (and I still prefer the term mechanic, to automotive engineer!) I have heard some real horror stories of Garages attempting to increase thier income by conning people, they know don't have adequate knowledge of car mechanics!


To be honest, for a 1999 Tigra, this does sound like an exessive amount of wear and tear!!

Hope this helps
Here are the contact details you can use to complain, or simply get advise!

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http://www.vosa.gov.uk/

What action can I take against the garage?
We check vehicles as a means of monitoring the MOT system and road safety standards generally.
We cannot seek redress or compensation on your behalf - although it is open to you to take action in conjunction with your local trading standards department; take out proceedings personally or refer the matter to the police.
We can provide you with the inspection report listing any vehicle defects and advisory items following our check of the vehicle.
Any subsequent action which we decide to take against the testing station which tested your vehicle is at our discretion, and should have no bearing on any action you may decide to take.

Further details and contact points
The address of the local VOSA office is displayed in MOT testing stations or can be obtained from our general enquiry unit on 0845 600 5977 (local rate).

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if you give these people a ring, they will be able to help you!

Answer 6

You need to get a male friend (sounds sexist) to take your car for quote as some garages charge women extra cause they think most women no nothing about the workings of a car,
Sounds to me like you would be better off investing in a new car maybe part ex yours some places give £1000 min trade in.
Good luck

Answer 7

Check it out elsewhere. The power steering and sump gasket problems will probably need sorting anyway

Answer 8

I suggest you get a second opinion. Sounds to me that they saw you coming. For the price thay quoted you can go out and buy another decent second hand car for that. Good luck

Answer 9

the person who you bought it off is the rip off,u could do it yourself with it needing a clutch and a head gasket for about 500 hundred,after a college course,think that price aint far off for a main garage,sorry

Answer 10

call the scrap yard and tell them to come and get it.the car has served you well and I think it is time to put it out of it's misery.take the money that you would spend on fixing the old one and make a down payment on a different car.