Sue1962
Member
A few of you may remember my saga back in May / June when I had problems with my 1999 1.8 Freelander. There was loss of power and no acceleration at all. It was sent to a garage after having all electrics done & new fuel pump.
The garage could not solve the problem after 2mths of having the car with them and I ended up taking it back to where I had purchased it in November last year. They fixed the problem within 3 & a half hours !!!! It was the timing. They told me that the garage that had taken off the head should have realised this and sorted it.
It's finally back on the road and has been perfect. I informed the garage that originally worked on the car that it had been a minor problem of timing and they refused to believe that was all it was.
However, I have, within the last week, received the bill from the garage that was originally working on the case but failed to fix the problem. As you will see by the end statement, THEY have taken credit for finding the timing fault when they didnt.
They have billed me as follows:-
Carry out code read check & exhaust gas check
Result Lambda sensor fault
Remove exhaust supply & fit new Lambda sensor
Refit exhaust downpipe
Road test - still hesitant on acceleration
Check Cam timing - result OK
Remove Cat convertor and inspect for blockages in exhaust - none found
Refit Cat as necessary
Check fuel injection system wiring & connectors, throttle position skicth and crankshaft position sensor
Check fuel rate - OK
Suspect oil viscosity
Drain engine oil - flush system
Refill oil system with correct grade engine oil
Road test - still hesitant on acceleration
Carry out compression test - list cyclinder number 3 & 4 low
Have main landrover dealer check over vehicle.
No fault found by main dealer although they suspect head hydraulic lifters failing.
On main dealer recommendation - remove cylinder head as necessary and send for checking.
Fault found and rectified.
Refit cylinder head as necessary
Run up enginer and road test.
Still hesitant on acceleration - when warm.
Check MAP sensor operation.
Discontinue on instruction from owner.
Garage had telephone conversation with Castle Motors, where vehicle purchased from and explained procedure of trying to rectify poor acceleration problem. Garage recommended Castle Motors replaced the ECM which also houses the MAP to rectify ignition timing.
TOTAL (includes labour, parts & VAT) £1,142.20
My argument is that they didnt even sort the problem out and couldnt wait to get the vehicle off the forecourt as it was an embarrassment becuase they couldnt fix it.
Should I dispute the bill or just grin and pay it ???
The garage could not solve the problem after 2mths of having the car with them and I ended up taking it back to where I had purchased it in November last year. They fixed the problem within 3 & a half hours !!!! It was the timing. They told me that the garage that had taken off the head should have realised this and sorted it.
It's finally back on the road and has been perfect. I informed the garage that originally worked on the car that it had been a minor problem of timing and they refused to believe that was all it was.
However, I have, within the last week, received the bill from the garage that was originally working on the case but failed to fix the problem. As you will see by the end statement, THEY have taken credit for finding the timing fault when they didnt.
They have billed me as follows:-
Carry out code read check & exhaust gas check
Result Lambda sensor fault
Remove exhaust supply & fit new Lambda sensor
Refit exhaust downpipe
Road test - still hesitant on acceleration
Check Cam timing - result OK
Remove Cat convertor and inspect for blockages in exhaust - none found
Refit Cat as necessary
Check fuel injection system wiring & connectors, throttle position skicth and crankshaft position sensor
Check fuel rate - OK
Suspect oil viscosity
Drain engine oil - flush system
Refill oil system with correct grade engine oil
Road test - still hesitant on acceleration
Carry out compression test - list cyclinder number 3 & 4 low
Have main landrover dealer check over vehicle.
No fault found by main dealer although they suspect head hydraulic lifters failing.
On main dealer recommendation - remove cylinder head as necessary and send for checking.
Fault found and rectified.
Refit cylinder head as necessary
Run up enginer and road test.
Still hesitant on acceleration - when warm.
Check MAP sensor operation.
Discontinue on instruction from owner.
Garage had telephone conversation with Castle Motors, where vehicle purchased from and explained procedure of trying to rectify poor acceleration problem. Garage recommended Castle Motors replaced the ECM which also houses the MAP to rectify ignition timing.
TOTAL (includes labour, parts & VAT) £1,142.20
My argument is that they didnt even sort the problem out and couldnt wait to get the vehicle off the forecourt as it was an embarrassment becuase they couldnt fix it.
Should I dispute the bill or just grin and pay it ???
