Suffolk shooter Posted January 4, 2007 Report Share Posted January 4, 2007 Well booked my car in for a service this morning, Honda CRV and to have a couple of bulbs and wipers done at the local registered dealer. £450 for full service and bits. Expensive but that's main dealers for you. Anyway 20 mins ago the girl phoned me up saying that they needed to replace the clutch fluid £35.00, ok not a problem, hard to change gear without a clutch. Next she says, we have a bigger problem. They have done everything and tried to adjust the timing on the engine only to find that the car is running on three cylinders and that upon further investigation the Cylinder Head has burnt out and needs to be replaced. It will cost £3,000.00 to do. The bloody things only worth that, so whilst it's terminal albeit not immediately. I have to either find the money or get another car, both of which costs money. :( SS Edit: My boss has just come down and told me I can have a 3 series BMW Estate as a company car Bad news is the P11D value is £28,500 meaning I'd lose money from my Salary each month, and the car apparently so he told me won't go offroad :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catamong Posted January 4, 2007 Report Share Posted January 4, 2007 SS, Surely you realised there was something wrong..?? If you were only running on 3 cylinders it would feel like you were towing a 10 ton truck, you'd also be guzzling the juice. I'd also work out the tax carefully on the company car, unless you're a high business mileage user it may not be worth it. Cat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted January 4, 2007 Report Share Posted January 4, 2007 These days people don't 'engineer' like they used to, the chances are that head will clean up with a skim on a vertical mill if they had the knowledge or inclination to do it. And as Cat says watch company car tax unless you do masses of company milage. I gave my company motor back and opted out, bought a banger, and pocket the allowance every month - thank you very much Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted January 4, 2007 Report Share Posted January 4, 2007 I'd double check a few things if you can find the right forum. Its rare to adjust the timing on an engine these days what with them running on cam belts with auto tensioners etc the story sounds like pulling the wool over your eyes. If the cylinder head gasket has gone thats one thing but you really should have experienced either coolant loss, oil loss and a lack of power if it had gone. I'd get it to a local honda specialist if you can and see what they say Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mungler Posted January 4, 2007 Report Share Posted January 4, 2007 Those Honda engines are bomb proof. On Top Gear they said that there had not been a single reported failure of the Honda V-tec engine - I didn't believe it when I heard it, but I do know they don't break easy or often. Tell the garage the boys are coming round Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul in North Lincs. Posted January 4, 2007 Report Share Posted January 4, 2007 I woudl get a second opinion mate.............main dea;erships are renown for scanking inocent folk .....it has been well documented on several occasions! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highlander Posted January 4, 2007 Report Share Posted January 4, 2007 SS what I don't understand is why when the cars only worth £3000 you'd take it to a main dealer? Nowadays under EU laws even with a new car you can have it serviced by any garage with the necessary certificate and not negate any warranties. I use a local family garage for all our vehicles and not only do they charge sensible prices they are 'mechanical engineers' not just fitters so there's a lot of jobs thay can do that a main dealer hasn't the experienced labour to do. They also have BRAINS! If you live anywhere near Wickham Market I'll give you their number just PM me. Friend of mine specialises in Mercedes repairs and servicing but is not a main dealer and when Mercedes were restoring an early gull wing sports model that they'd had from new Joe was the only man they could find who knew enough to refit the wiring loom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suffolk shooter Posted January 4, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 4, 2007 This was done at the Main Honda Dealers in Colchester, so I think they know what they're talking about. There was a slight loss of topend pull, but this was only noticable 1-2 weeks before xmas and so I though at least get it booked in for a service as the engine idling was fluctuating, but not to the extent that it felt like it was struggling. The car has done 123,500 miles of which 90,000 i have done in the last 2.5 years due to my job. I agree with the comment about lack of engineering done these days, but they did say that when checking with the main honda guys that this apparently was common on make, model of engine for the mileage done, although this garage had never encountered it before. Two choices: - 1 I accept the fault and remedy given by Honda and pay for a new cylinder head £3000. (Not gonna happen as the vehicles only worth that value, and I don't have it 2 I source an alternative cylinder, either 2nd hand or re-conditioned. Lot of Heart ache and agony in getting the right one and then fitting it just to see if it works and cures the problem. The other alternative is that I take the Company car but accept I lose my car allowance and incur the Car tax. Given that I have done 90,000 miles in the last 2.5 years I think this is the better option as I don't have to worry about insurance, Car tax, MOT, Servicing, Tyres etc. I already get a fuel card anyway so don't have to worry about that at least. Whilst this is going on I think I'll give it to my Father-in-law, who is a mechanic of sorts, and let him give me his explanation to see if it makes any difference. If not do it up and sell to some unsuspecting albanian or Lithuanian refugee. Cheers for the comment sthough guys. SS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webber Posted January 4, 2007 Report Share Posted January 4, 2007 Most items have already been covered, but dont let the Honda dealer rempove the head. Take the vehicle either to a local Honda specialist or engine remanufacturers, there are a number of possibilities. but a complete new head is an absolute long shot. Pity you dont live closer. webber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNAKEBITE Posted January 4, 2007 Report Share Posted January 4, 2007 These days people don't 'engineer' like they used to, the chances are that head will clean up with a skim on a vertical mill if they had the knowledge or inclination to do it. Piece of the preverbial my old china. However It probably won't need skimming unless it overheated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandersj89 Posted January 4, 2007 Report Share Posted January 4, 2007 When working out the cost of a company car have a look at this website: http://www.cartax.co.uk/ Jerry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gully Posted January 4, 2007 Report Share Posted January 4, 2007 If the car's not showing any symptoms, sell it on ebay... "just had a full service"etc. Naughty I know but caveat emptor. Mileage doesn't affect co. car tax any more. Its all on the emissions. Check the CO2 level for the car and look at the percentage of its value that you'll pay tax on. You used to get a discount for doing over 18k business miles per year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highlander Posted January 4, 2007 Report Share Posted January 4, 2007 If the car's not showing any symptoms, sell it on ebay... "just had a full service"etc. Naughty I know but caveat emptor. Gully I have to say...that's a **** piece of advice as it's now illegal to sell a vehicle knowing it to be faulty (and that doesn't just apply to traders) and of course we all now know what's wrong with it We live in a PC world now and that old ce get out just doesn't work any more everything is geared to looking out for those who can't look out for themselves. The meek shall inherit the earth (unfortunately) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benelli 1 Posted January 4, 2007 Report Share Posted January 4, 2007 Main dealers are a RIP OFF! I would always try to source a good reliable garage over a dealership anyday. I am lucky as growing up on a farm and working with machinery from a young age gave me the skills to do jobs for myself, and i also have the pleasure of knowing that it has been done correctly and to a high standard ....Not so long ago my dad took his landcruiser to the dealership he bought it from for a new timing belt and a service. A young lad no more than about 17 did the work. When he got it back i had a little peek in the bay. First thing i noticed was that he haden't dated the belt cover and worse of all he had left a set of snap-on allan keys in there :( which could of easily went through the radiator if i haden't found them! Father was not best pleased But at least i got meself a set of snap-ons :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
naddan28 Posted January 4, 2007 Report Share Posted January 4, 2007 Mine has just beaten yours, just got a call saying my 13 yr old cocker has had to be put down due to a discovered tumour. I have had her since I was about 5, so have grown up with her all my life really. Such a shock dont know what to do. Have not been home yet as at my girlfriend's and in the end they had to call her as my phone was lost shooting yesterday. That makes this probably the worst week ever, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benelli 1 Posted January 4, 2007 Report Share Posted January 4, 2007 Mine has just beaten yours, just got a call saying my 13 yr old cocker has had to be put down due to a discovered tumour. I have had her since I was about 5, so have grown up with her all my life really. Such a shock dont know what to do. Have not been home yet as at my girlfriend's and in the end they had to call her as my phone was lost shooting yesterday. That makes this probably the worst week ever, :( Sorry to here about that mate :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lurcherboy Posted January 4, 2007 Report Share Posted January 4, 2007 Well booked my car in for a service this morning, Honda CRV and to have a couple of bulbs and wipers done at the local registered dealer. £450 for full service and bits. Expensive but that's main dealers for you. Anyway 20 mins ago the girl phoned me up saying that they needed to replace the clutch fluid £35.00, ok not a problem, hard to change gear without a clutch. Next she says, we have a bigger problem. They have done everything and tried to adjust the timing on the engine only to find that the car is running on three cylinders and that upon further investigation the Cylinder Head has burnt out and needs to be replaced. It will cost £3,000.00 to do. The bloody things only worth that, so whilst it's terminal albeit not immediately. I have to either find the money or get another car, both of which costs money. :( SS Edit: My boss has just come down and told me I can have a 3 series BMW Estate as a company car Bad news is the P11D value is £28,500 meaning I'd lose money from my Salary each month, and the car apparently so he told me won't go offroad :( Stick it on a lowloader and send it to me SS. I will halve that bill at least Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC Posted January 4, 2007 Report Share Posted January 4, 2007 LB, You're all heart Surely it can't cost that much for a new head? Unless you happen to have the one Honda that was handcrafted by a lost tribe of japanese red indians who now reside on an island in the middle of the pacific that can only be reached by a rare sort of carrier pigeon. (I would go on but I am bored now) Get a price of someone reputable (Screw the main dealers they only now how to unbolt old parts and bolt new ones on) get a price of them and them give the ole boy from kent a ring. I have his number if you need it he keeps sending me jokes :( :( naddan, sorry to hear about your loss mate. you must be gutted, I know I would be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jonrms Posted January 4, 2007 Report Share Posted January 4, 2007 I am sorry for this... but that dealership is having you over!!!! if the car was on 3 cylinders... you would have noticed / heard massive problems.. including smoke comming from the exhaust.. if they as a dealership.... took the car.. from its parked space..into the servicing area.. they would have also known there was a fault right away.. and would NOT have touched it!!!! did you record your milage when you brought it in??? I guarentee you that someone has done it there ... or they are having you over! a simple compression test before hand would have been in order! I have friends who work at a honda dealership... and I know most of the **** they do! on a regular basis they abuse the cars ... and take them well over 100mph. I have seen this first hand! if you need any help bud... pm me.. with tel num etc... I do not believe for one second this is a real problem.. or not yours at least.. I would have told them this The car was ok when I brought it in! what have you done? it was only due for a service.... etc... I am not satisified! then I would arrange a tow truck/recovery truck... to remove it.. and bring it to another garage..... ie one of hondas rivals!!!!! they will give you a honest assesment of the car.... but it will cost you. dont pay!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkey Posted January 4, 2007 Report Share Posted January 4, 2007 As a qualified mechanic all be it a ford one i would have to say that sound a lot of money i would also argue the servicing costs as any one will tell you if a car comes in with a problem like a miss fire and a slight running problem only the plugs,ht leads and coil/coils should be first port of call not spend customers money on full service then investigate. sounds fishy to me mate get some one n to do a cylinder leak test and compression test these should shed some light. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jonrms Posted January 4, 2007 Report Share Posted January 4, 2007 As a qualified mechanic all be it a ford one i would have to say that sound a lot of money i would also argue the servicing costs as any one will tell you if a car comes in with a problem like a miss fire and a slight running problem only the plugs,ht leads and coil/coils should be first port of call not spend customers money on full service then investigate. sounds fishy to me mate get some one n to do a cylinder leak test and compression test these should shed some light. I bet it too late as well.. no doubt they would have stripped it and its now unable to drive!!!! whats your bets? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gully Posted January 4, 2007 Report Share Posted January 4, 2007 Gully I have to say...that's a **** piece of advice as it's now illegal to sell a vehicle knowing it to be faulty (and that doesn't just apply to traders) and of course we all now know what's wrong with it We live in a PC world now and that old ce get out just doesn't work any more everything is geared to looking out for those who can't look out for themselves. The meek shall inherit the earth (unfortunately) :( I'm not saying that it would be the morally right thing to do but it is an option. Another hobby of mine is classic cars and it goes on all the time. It is illegal to sell a car in an unroadworthy (dangerous) condition but trading standards will only take action against dealers and this car wouldn't be covered by this part of the Road Traffic Act. I've helped a few people out who've bought classics riddled with rust etc. You have no comeback at all unless the vendor has blatently lied in their written of the car. Its a sad state of affairs and I've learned the hard way and have the solicitors letters to prove it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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