Well its been 1 week now and nothing! Garage hasn't rang me or nothing. I wonder what they are doing? If anything! I hope they aren't fixing it then presenting me with the bill!? Or fitting a new engine.
I will of course keep anyone who's interested posted of new (if any) developments.
I wonder what they are doing? If anything! I hope they aren't fixing it then presenting me with the bill!? Or fitting a new engine.
Well they shouldnt be do anything without your consent and dont forget to ask for a written estimate, still at least you dont have London prices for labour charges I thought a local Volvo dealership at £105 an hour was excessive but the local Renault dealership has taken over the No 1 spot with £110 per hour, I hasten to add I have no need of either just what workmates have had to endure.
Cheers
Kevin
Lovejoy 1968 Smoke Grey Traveller (gone to a new home after13 years)
Hope the 'garage' is not charging you storage at £20 per night!! It happens. Get down there and insist they get on with it - or take it to someone who cares about providing a service.
(re:kevin) Very true regarding the hourly rate for some garages. While i appreciate London prices, here in this part prices come very close to that figure. I drive an expensive rare Lexus and have to take it to the Nottingham dealership should a problem arise or i require a service or part etc. Anyway, there labour charge is £89.50 per hour. This is the most expensive hourly rate when compared with ALL other franchises.
The only good thing about Lexus is that there customer service is outstanding as they immediately offer you a drink and snacks and if they as much as touch your vehicle with there finger the give it a FULL valet inside and out. They have also won the security title for the last 5 years (maybe 6).
Anyway enough about Lexus as this is a Morris forum. Thanks for your input Kevin again highly appreciated.....
make sure you contact the garage and find out what going on. If they have not done anything get it out of there and find someone else. They've had it too long not to have done anything!
On the engine front, just because it fires and runs doesn't mean its not dead. If the pump has failed things are likely to start seizing fairly soon and that means things getting very expensive.
In this day and age of selling data to marketing companies, it's more likely they've binned the Minor and sold the number...
I'd be down to see just what thy're playing at - Chances are they've either been too busy, too clueless or simply lost your number and are wondering why you haven't been in touch...
About 18 months' ago my 1098cc engine sounded sick. Local Servive/MOT place agreed they could do the work, but at about £600 for an exchange engine (check out the links on this website for suppliers), with about £150 labour, it's cheaper than employing them to dismantle, sort & re-build.
While the engine is out, get a new clutch plate fitted! - it shouldn't cost much more than the parts & you'll know it's ok.
Colinp,
Thank you Colin for your input, Much appreciated. While i appreciate i know nothing about Morris Minors it makes perfect sense in what you are saying regarding cost effectiveness by replacing the engine rather than spending x amount on the existing one.
I keep saying it but the engine has only done 47,000 with no prior problems. Has been serviced regulary too. Weird how things end up.
I haven't told you what the garage has said because they haven't said anything. I visited them and they said they are busy. I am tempted to buy a replacement engine and take it to the garage and tell them to swap it over.
Oh and as for the releif valve they said 'What and where is it'?
The relief valve sits alongside the dizzy - just above the starter - and to check it is a 5 minute job. These people obviously don't have a clue - find someone who does. I say again - a Mini specialist would be ideal - there's plenty up your way.
The relief valve is at the rear of the block behind the dizzy and just below
the oil pipe which leads to the filter. It is a large DOMED nut and,if your chosen garage don't know about it I would follow BMCs advice and get that
car out of there pronto.
Well i have totally given up with this garage now!
I have just bought a reconditioned engine and gearbox and i am going to collect it tommorrow evening.
I will then take them both to the garage so they can swap them both over. I hope this is something they can do. I only owe them for transporting the Minor to the garage.
If i had known i would end up replacing the engine in the 1st place i could of avoided this cost too.
Lets see what they charge for this and change over eh? I wonder if it takes them 3 weeks too?
It's from a chap off EBay. Initially he had just the engine, but when i mentioned my predicament he said he had the gearbox that was attached to the same engine, so for a few pounds more i could have them both.
He has a good selling/buying background and telephoned me twice for a considerable amount of time and the price for both in my opinion is very reasonable.
He has some paperwork for it and states that a vast amount of money was spent on it when it was in the vehicle. Also the head is unleaded. Sadly the car was rotten hence it was broken.
I am going to pick it up from Warwick tonight (31/7/06) and will supply the garage with both parts 1st thing tommorrow morning.
I have already visited the garage informing them of what my intentions are and they replied "Thats the best course of action"