Im Screwed, I think?

J

Jon

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Ello all.

Been up manchester for the past 2 days working and started to hear funny noises when turnning the steering wheel, like squeeky scrape sounds.

Stopped car checked power steering fluid and it didn't even reach the min mark (although not by much) so I took it to a vauxhall garage and asked for some power steering fluid, i was given a bottle which was written in german and had transmission fluid written on it, double checked it was the right stuff.

Topped it up and the bloke said oh its leaking by the looks of it, its a common fault with vectras where the aluminium seals go, its a big job and will cost you £500!!!

Is it seriously going to cost that much to replace that little bottle?!?!

Help
 
Ok also I have some cash saved up and want the following done at vauxhall

cambelt
rollers
tensioners
gear gator thingy
clutch
full service

how much do u reckon??

over £650??

I dont mind if its done at alocal garage but I want the full checkover done byu vauxhall after the works been done.

Cheers :o)
 
YES, Well over £650 if my wifes experience is
anything to go by.

See my thread..... Expensive Lesson
 
cambelt
rollers
tensioners
gear gator thingy
clutch
full service

how much do u reckon??

over £650??

I don't mind if its done at a local garage but I want the full checkover done by Vauxhall after the works been done.
Click to expand...

Why? Go to a reputable non-franchise garage and they'll easily be able to do this work to a high standard.

Even if you do go to an independent, you'll be lucky to get much change out of £650 for this lot.
 
Jon said:
Ok also I have some cash saved up and want the following done at vauxhall

cambelt
rollers
tensioners
gear gator thingy
clutch
full service

how much do u reckon??

over £650??

I dont mind if its done at alocal garage but I want the full checkover done byu vauxhall after the works been done.

Cheers :o)
Click to expand...

I have been in the motor trade in excess of 30-years, but there are still something's which really baffle me. At the top of the list is: Why do the public distrust small businesses, and yet not the main agents? Afterall, more horror stories are bred within the confines of the latter. I have spent the last couple of days working on an ecotec Omega. The customer complained of mayonnaise in the oil and a loss of coolant. Pretty obvious as to the cause, I'm sure you'll agree. So, I'll just relay the work and cost, and you can decide if I'm fair (I'm just a typical tech). Cylinder head removed and sent for skimming. All valves removed and relapped All seals replaced Thermostat and housing replaced. Full timing belt kit fitted (even though agent serviced 8-weeks ago and they failed to noticed the cracks in the idlers) New headbolts as per spec. Fully synthetic oil and filter Antifreeze Full system scan. And the price? Take a guess then scroll. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. £330 all inclusive. Well, is this fair? If you say yes, then why do so many people shun small businesses? The best way to find a competent mechanic is by word of mouth. Ask your dad, your brother, your sister, your friends, and if enough of them are using the same guy, he's hardly likely to rip you off, because of the amount of future work he could lose. Just my 2-cents worth after hearing of the complaining in the newsgroup.
 
mike said:
good for you malc.
a very fair price indeed

mike

its

---
Click to expand...

I will agree with you, but only up to a point.
Yes the small business or one man business do give a very cost effective service. But it has been my experience that if you use the same person for any length of time, they tend to become greedy and think the customer might just be gullible to pay a few extra quid and still come back again and again.

Good workmanship and service should ALLWAYS be well
paid, but the customer should never be taken advantage of.

An example.

My cars were serviced by a good friend for years, he was my best man at my wedding, his son who I saw grow up, joined his dad in the business. One day I took the car in for pre-MOT check, the son said it wanted a new steering rack, which I disputed as I could feel no play in the rack. I asked his dad for his opinion, yes he agreed, it wanted a new steering rack. However I wasn't convinced, I suspected the son was wrong and his dad was only backing his son and not giving a honest appraisal of the steering rack. I decided the only way to find who was right was to see how it faired in the MOT.

Three years later, it was still passing MOT's on that steering rack, and I was getting someone else to look after my cars.

When money is involved you cannot trust anyone.
 
Lordy said:
Clearly a dyslexic driver picked up the wrong container in a local supermarket and dropped a jar of Hellmans into the system :)
Click to expand...

That's unlucky, he should have got the low calorie version it wouldn't have been as bad.

Fatsod
 
The customer complained of mayonnaise in the oil
Pretty obvious as to the cause, I'm sure you'll agree.
Click to expand...

Clearly a dyslexic driver picked up the wrong container in a local supermarket and dropped a jar of Hellmans into the system :)
 
Sorry malc im not implying that all local independant garages are bad, like I said I dont mind the work being carried out this way but I would like a full check done by vauxhall, this is because I havent had the car that long and had no work or checks done on it and would like a very thorough check done, im also very new to cars so this is my thinking, maybe im wrong?.

Also my first post, is it really going to cost £500 to replace that bottle?
 
"A fool and his money are easy parted"
why do some people always assume they get a superior service from main dealers, find a good reputable independent who's livelihood is built on his reputation and you will be amazed at the pounds (and I mean pounds) you will save whilst they will still be using genuine Vaux parts, it would have to be the last resort for me to go to the main dealers for them to add there nought on to the final bill,
 
Did you even read what I typed?

Diver said:
"A fool and his money are easy parted"
why do some people always assume they get a superior service from main dealers, find a good reputable independent who's livelihood is built on his reputation and you will be amazed at the pounds (and I mean pounds) you will save whilst they will still be using genuine Vaux parts, it would have to be the last resort for me to go to the main dealers for them to add there nought on to the final bill,
Click to expand...
 
Jon said:
Ello all.

Been up manchester for the past 2 days working and started to hear funny noises when turnning the steering wheel, like squeeky scrape sounds.

Stopped car checked power steering fluid and it didn't even reach the min mark (although not by much) so I took it to a vauxhall garage and asked for some power steering fluid, i was given a bottle which was written in german and had transmission fluid written on it, double checked it was the right stuff.

Topped it up and the bloke said oh its leaking by the looks of it, its a common fault with vectras where the aluminium seals go, its a big job and will cost you £500!!!

Is it seriously going to cost that much to replace that little bottle?!?!

Help
Click to expand...

Did he actually say the seals on the bottle? Its more likely he's talking about the rack.
 
Yeah he definately said the seals - I think hes talking bollock personally as Im getting cambelt rollers tensioners waterpump all brushes and the power steering bottle fixed for £350

I must have twat written on my head? :(
 
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