HELP have I been ripped off

I bought my Freelander GS 1796 Y reg in April 05 privately sale. In November 05 it was overheating so I took it to a garage near to where I work as I know the owner (they normally only work on HGV's etc) but said they could fix it. They said I needed as follows:- new cylinder head gasket and timing belt, timming belt, oil filter, cyl gasket, gasket, thermostat and eng oil. The mechanic started working on it on day 1 but on day 2 he was sent on a course so a 2nd mechanic took over the work and seemed to be taking a long time fixing it. They admitted the 2nd mech put it back wrong so a one of the mechanics sons was brought into put it back together. I eventually had it back and it cost £755.

Since then it never seemed the same it was sluggish, had a knocking noise and generally not as it should be. In April 06 I took it to Stratstone for a diagnostic check and it came back saying :- Car is rattling badly top end. Possible tappets. Checked valve timing - timing out 1 tooth. Please note that the belt tensioner has been adjusted the wrong way and also the car has been overfilled with oil. Cost £54.

In April 06 Stratstone did the following work:- replaced faulty tappets, replace water pump, cam belt & tensioner, replace oil & filter (RECOMMEND NEW ENGINE). They replaced new belt-timin-eng, belt-engine timing, gasket cam cover, engine oil, filter assy oil, tenioner-t/belt, antifreeze, washer aluminium, tappet-hydraulic, pump assy-coolantcap-tiller neck. Total cost £1004.55

Over the weekend I checked the oil/water and noticed the water was quite low so I topped it up. On my way to work on Wed it seriously overheated and I got towed into Stratstone garage. I have just been told it needs a new engine. Cost £2932.32 re-conditioned.

So, I paid £8000 for the heap of junk last April and have spent £4747.26 in repairs so far.

Can anyone tell me if the original garage caused any of this damage by not putting it back together properly. HELP....

Suzi

I would say that the original garage could have caused damage by putting it back together wrong. Have you got grounds for compensation? Not sure to be honest. If the second garage can confirm in writting that the timing belt was put on 1 tooth out then you may be able to claim against them for damages.
Good luck!

You sure it's a 1796 Freelander? If it is then she's lasted well

Yes I have a copy of the technicians report saying this. I shall try approaching the original garage to see what they say.

oops typing error !!

soory I forgot, thanks !!
suzi

That's ok Suzi, you have more important things to worry about.
When the Freelander goes well, do you like it?

I did love it but I think I'll have to try and love it all over again. No, seriously its been great fun just a little bit disappointed a the mo thats all.
Suzy

Sorry to hear about your woes, but fear you may have to rely on any goodwill you can get out of original garage as the second garage did so much work on the car. Guess you would have to prove (in legal negligence terms) that the first garage's efforts actually damaged engine. Sounds like second garage covered themselves by recommending new engine before going ahead with repairs. Might have more of a chance with second garage as if there was already permanent damage they should have advised that a sound repair/rebuild not possible. Could it be that that second garage did not rebuild/repair properly causing hg (presumably) to go.

Guess spending anymore money is not what you want to hear but it could be worth getting someone truly independent of the 2 garages to take a look before you shell out too much more cash.

why did you wait 6 month between the first garage giving you back a sluggish car with a rattle and taking it to garage two?i think the first garage will ask why you didn't say something at the time and if there was something wrong why did you carry on driving it.
much as i hope you get some recompense i doubt very much that you will get any thing from either place. garage 1 will deny any wrong doing, because it took you so long to say anything, and garage 2 will blame garage 1.

suzi said:

I did love it but I think I'll have to try and love it all over again. No, seriously its been great fun just a little bit disappointed a the mo thats all.
Suzy

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Aaww bless ! get yer spanners out Suzi and av a go yerself.
Lets face it your not going to do any worse than the last 2 clowns