Car Issue - Advice Needed

helimachoptor · 14-03-2012 8:00pm #1

Folks, would appreciate some advice.

Bought a car about 5 weeks ago.. and have had nothing but problems since.
A couple of days after collecting it the heating stopped working which was due to a coolant running low, that was topped up by the garage.
A week or so later was driving and got a warning alert to say the engine temp was critical, took a look and there was no coolant at all left.

Topped it up and dropped it into the garage for them to take a look.
They had it for a week and I picked up it up off them last Wednesday and they said they had fixed x,y and z.

This morning driving along and massive bang and white smoke started pouring out of the exhaust and some from the engine bay.
Pulled over and turned it a couple of times and heard a grinding noise and again lots of smoke.

I've only had the car 5 or so weeks but it's beset by problems.
At this stage I just want my money back.

Any advice?

14-03-2012 8:02pm

Sounds like you were losing coolant, they may or may not have fixed it but the critical engine temp cooked the head and you suffered head gasket failure today.

Pre existing issue that they didn't fix, they are entitled to repair it now not refund you I would think.

Sounds like a modern car?

helimachoptor · 14-03-2012 8:07pm

08 diesel, Rover.
I'm just worried that i'm going to encounter more of this problems once the warranty is out

14-03-2012 8:10pm

Well if they sort it properly it should be fine.

Bigus · 14-03-2012 8:12pm

RoverJames wrote: »

Sounds like you were losing coolant, they may or may not have fixed it but the critical engine temp cooked the head and you suffered head gasket failure today.

Pre existing issue that they didn't fix, they are entitled to repair it now not refund you I would think.

Sounds like a modern car?

Correct head gasket failure caused by the first time it was driven without coolant .
Unfortunely they dont have to refund you yet but repair it, as the law stands.

helimachoptor · 14-03-2012 8:13pm

Thanks lads!

2qk4u · 14-03-2012 8:26pm

Am I right that all cars sold are legally covered with a 3 month warranty ?

Ded_Zebra · 14-03-2012 9:01pm

2qk4u wrote: »

Am I right that all cars sold are legally covered with a 3 month warranty ?

Yes I think so, But engine and transmission only I think ?????

Nissan doctor · 14-03-2012 9:04pm

What's the 'x,y,z' that they are supposed to have fixed?

Someone_Else · 14-03-2012 9:16pm

Ded_Zebra wrote: »

Yes I think so, But engine and transmission only I think ?????

Question : With regards to the "engine" warranty, could anyone confirm whether only 'moving' engine parts are covered or should this warranty include cylinder head gasket, valve cover gasket ... ?

Thank you for your help.

helimachoptor · 14-03-2012 9:35pm

Nissan doctor wrote: »

What's the 'x,y,z' that they are supposed to have fixed?

done something with the coolant reservoir, tightened turbo pipe and a couple of other pipe tightening.
Not a whole lot tbh from the way they described it.

Bigus · 14-03-2012 9:46pm

2qk4u wrote: »

Am I right that all cars sold are legally covered with a 3 month warranty ?

No absolutely not. Consumer legislation only states they have to be fit for purpose,when bought from a dealer, fit for purpose is of course is open to interpretation .

NedKinsella · 15-03-2012 10:43am

I would suspect that this car had a head gasket problem when you bought it which caused the loss of coolant within 2 days. I would look for a refund as you dont know what damage has been done by overheating etc and you cant be sure of a proper repair.

Big Nasty · 15-03-2012 10:48am

Nissan doctor wrote: »

What's the 'x,y,z' that they are supposed to have fixed?

Apologies for OT post but love the sig ND!

coco_lola · 15-03-2012 11:26am

I had the same problem, but thankfully didn't get to a head gasket failure. Coolant was leaking extremely fast due to a severely cracked and damaged water pump. Once this was fixed all was fine. That's definitely a head gasket failure though OP.

Out of interest, what did they say they fixed?

helimachoptor · 15-03-2012 11:29am

coco_lola wrote: »

I had the same problem, but thankfully didn't get to a head gasket failure. Coolant was leaking extremely fast due to a severely cracked and damaged water pump. Once this was fixed all was fine. That's definitely a head gasket failure though OP.

Out of interest, what did they say they fixed?

They tightened a few pipes thats about all they said

coco_lola · 15-03-2012 11:37am

helimachoptor wrote: »

They tightened a few pipes thats about all they said

I'd definitely go back to them and ask exactly what they did. Did they cover you under the standard SIMI 3 month engine/gearbox warranty? If so, I think you should be covered for a full repair on this? I'm not sure if they are obliged to give you a refund unless the issues with the car currently will cause problems down the line. Other posters feel free to correct me if I'm wrong?

helimachoptor · 22-03-2012 8:19pm

Just an update on this folks, the car is still with the garage.
They have discovered part of the turbo broke off and basically was eaten by the rest of the turbo.
This is normally caused by a lack of oil, but there is more than enough oil in the car.

So they engine is essentially sitting stripped in the garage with a resolution no closer as they cant figure out why no oil is getting to the turbo,
However.. i have no idea if oil should even be near the turbo!

Any advice appreciated.. it seems if the above is all true then the engine has a fairly serious problem.

166man · 22-03-2012 8:25pm

helimachoptor wrote: »

Just an update on this folks, the car is still with the garage.
They have discovered part of the turbo broke off and basically was eaten by the rest of the turbo.
This is normally caused by a lack of oil, but there is more than enough oil in the car.

So they engine is essentially sitting stripped in the garage with a resolution no closer as they cant figure out why no oil is getting to the turbo,
However.. i have no idea if oil should even be near the turbo!

Any advice appreciated.. it seems if the above is all true then the engine has a fairly serious problem.

Can I ask what car it is that has these problems? Just out of curiosity?

AzureAuto · 22-03-2012 8:26pm

The turbo would take a fed of oil to lubricate the impeller bearings. If carbon deposits in this inlet pipe blocked the oil from this, even for a few seconds, catastrophic damage would be done to the turbo. I believe there is also a coolant feed to the turbo, the two may be related, but it sounds like you may unfortunately have a lemon on your hands given the damage done. i would pursue the avenue of getting your money back...

mondeo · 22-03-2012 9:01pm

What model Rover diesal is it?

helimachoptor · 22-03-2012 9:03pm

mondeo wrote: »

What model Rover diesal is it?

Its not a Rover, that was my reply to the poster Rover

helimachoptor · 10-05-2012 10:25am

Hi folks.. would appreciate some more advice!

The garage had my car for 5 weeks and the turbo was replaced.

About 10 days after getting the car back the engine overheated again.
This is twice now the engine has been cooked, the garage has the car back now since Saturday.

The car is not fit for purpose at this point and would prefer just to get my money back.
Thoughts/advice?

copeyhagen · 10-05-2012 10:28am

did you tell them you tink the head gasket is gone?!

helimachoptor · 10-05-2012 10:43am

No but i would presume he would know that

It'll be part of the conversation we have once he's had a chance to look at the car

pablo21 · 10-05-2012 12:15pm

What make of car is it? You have bought a lemon I'm afraid. Sounds like they did nothing the first time other than top up coolant and check pipes. The white smoke was your turbo failing. There's no way I'd accept that car back from the dealer with anything less than a replacement engine.

Car Issue - Advice Needed

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