Member Since: 05 Jul 2014
Location: Essex
Posts: 236
Absolutely disgusted
I gave my disco 3 in to Hainult Landrover to get the glow plugs changed. I received a call today to tell me that they've snapped 4 and that it's going to cost me £4000 to fix.
Why am I being charged for something they broke? Why did they carry on with the work after they broke the first one instead of calling me? Why did they not call me to inform me that there is a risk of the glow plugs breaking? AND WHY AM I HAVING TO PAY FOR THEIR MISTAKE?!
Can anyone please help and advise me on how to proceed
7th Aug 2014 5:55 pm
Parallax33
Member Since: 03 Jun 2014
Location: Christchurch
Posts: 1125
Member Since: 24 Dec 2010
Location: Borders
Posts: 11027
Having had a few diesels needing glow plugs changed,I have always been warned by any garage beforehand of the risks involved....you say you were not informed of these,so personally speaking I think you should have been told before any work was suggested and agreed on.....especially as the car went in specifically for that work.....
I do understand that people who deal with these issues day-in day-out sometimes forget that the rest of us aren't always as well-informed on risks and potential pitfalls...
I think you're going to end up with a "we told you"....." No you didn't" conversation "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool,than to speak out and remove all doubt" ?.....what rubbish...
Locking rear E-diff
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Black side tubes,grill and vents
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7th Aug 2014 6:18 pm
Robbie
Member Since: 05 Feb 2006
Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Posts: 17932
Sorry but I'm not aware of any garage that will indemnify themselves from the costs incurred when glow plugs snap. They are a pig to remove and I would expect the garage to warn you where the costs fall should the break on removal. If they have not warned you then you may have some room to negotiate.
What does shock me is the price quoted and I sense that they see head removal as the only option. But there are technicians out there that specialise at removing broken plugs with everything in place. With the right equipment and the patience to succeed their labour cost will be a small fraction of the £4k quoted so far.
Please target your words carefully. It is not the garage's fault that the glow plugs are made from broken bic biros and dried spaghetti; whilst care and technique can help they really are bloody difficult to remove. This is a time for firm and polite negotiation and to seek alternative options. Work with the garage and not against them and I am sure you will find a compromise you can both live with. Clearly their opening quote of £4k is ridiculous but don't put your tanks on their lawn just yet.
Land Rover - Turning Drivers into Mechanics Since 1948
Member Since: 11 Jun 2011
Location: Hastings
Posts: 1283
Wise words from Robbie ^
Yes it's an absolute pain but It will never cost anywhere near £4k.
Go down and have a chat with the manager down there and see what alternatives they are willing to offer and hopefully for a few hundred quid, and they may even split the bill, they can find someone to get them removed in situ.
7th Aug 2014 6:38 pm
Arif
Member Since: 05 Jul 2014
Location: Essex
Posts: 236
UPDATE
After getting off the phone to the manager a few minutes ago, this is where I am at. He has clarified that the 4k quoted is if the heads have to come off.
They are going to start with taking the body off and seeing if they can take the glow plugs out with access to the engine (why can't they just take the engine out?) if this is successful then it will cost £1200 with them "contributing" 25%.
How is it fair that I am paying 80% of the cost.
The cars got full Landrover S/H but I guess this counts for nothing when it comes down to money and shifting the blame.
7th Aug 2014 6:44 pm
Arif
Member Since: 05 Jul 2014
Location: Essex
Posts: 236
Forgot to add, does anyone know of a good mechanic or firm that can take them out for me?
Could try Broadfields. LR Indie, not that far from you, very good reputation.____
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7th Aug 2014 7:07 pm
Robbie
Member Since: 05 Feb 2006
Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Posts: 17932
The labour looks too high for body removal as it is not complicated or particularly time consuming. One man and can have the body off, do the work and put the body back on in a working day.
I would still start by looking for someone who can do the work with the body in the way, but if body removal is the only option I would start negotiating for a better price on the labour.Land Rover - Turning Drivers into Mechanics Since 1948
Member Since: 10 Nov 2008
Location: Bomber County
Posts: 4547
It's quicker to remove he body than it is to try and squeeze the engine out of the bay, a large amount of dismantling is required if you don't remove the body.
My Indy gets the body off in 4 hours.
Having all 6 of my plugs changed this way about 3 years ago cost me £2k.2014 D4 XS
2005 D3 SE - Gone
7th Aug 2014 7:18 pm
Disco_Mikey
Member Since: 29 May 2007
Location: Dundee, Scotland
Posts: 20865
It will make no difference removing the body trying to drill out the plugs
The body comes off to remove the heads, as it is much easier than fiddling around with the lack of access.
Heads can be off in under a day. Allow between 12-16 hours to rebuild, replace brake pipes etc...
Pretty sure new gaskets, bolts, belts etc were around £400
At a local engineering place, they charge £460 to remove 6 broken plugs, and skim both heads.My D3 Build Thread
Member Since: 05 Feb 2006
Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Posts: 17932
So you could drive to Mikey's place, get all the work done whilst you fly to the States for a nice holiday and still have change from the £4k.Land Rover - Turning Drivers into Mechanics Since 1948
Member Since: 05 Jul 2014
Location: Essex
Posts: 236
Mikey I've packed my bags let me know when you're free to do the work and I'll book my ticket!.............on a serious note Mikey would you do the work for me if so pm me a quote and available dates please.
7th Aug 2014 8:14 pm
Disco_Mikey
Member Since: 29 May 2007
Location: Dundee, Scotland
Posts: 20865
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