Car serviced by Audi last week now I have a suspected Head gasket failure! PLEASE HELP

[S.O.L]

Originally Posted by MrShed

Riget - I dont think the point is that Audi "caused" this, but more that if the service was performed correctly, and as per THEIR list of checks, then the issue should have been prevented.

SOL - have you checked your warranty for "early life" exclusions? IE you cant make a claim for x days/months?

It says you can claim straight away from the day you purchase....but I have been told that they will try everything possible to avoid paying out.....mainly by trying to say that the problem must have existed before I took the cover out.

[MrShed]

So?

The gasket itself will not have been damaged. The gasket becomes damaged when its "support systems" do not function correctly. Damage to the head gasket happens in the space of a few second. Hence, the support systems were not checked correctly IMO.

[riget]

I'd say get it taken back to the audi garage by the rac, don't drive it.

[S.O.L]

Originally Posted by riget

mrshed-I'd disagree, the gasket is not checked in the service, for me the reason could only be if audi caused it.

There is no way I can prove this is there......

[MrShed]

Certainly dont drive it - but I would take it to an independent garage for an independent assessment.

[MrShed]

Originally Posted by S.O.L

There is no way I can prove this is there......

Dont worry. Riget(with respect!! ) I dont think knows the nature of head gasket faults. I unfortunately do from personal experience(cost me a fortune!). There is no requirement IMO to show that the head gasket was checked or at fault at that time.

[S.O.L]

Originally Posted by riget

I'd say get it taken back to the audi garage by the rac, don't drive it.

that's another problem. I live in London but had to drive all the way to Stafford to have this done because they had the best reviews and were over 300 quid cheaper than other quotes!!!

RAC will only Tow me 10 miles free of charge!

[riget]

why go to another garage?
it's a 4 year old audi with 16k and just had a full audi service, take it back to them.
or your nearest audi garage then.

[S.O.L]

Originally Posted by MrShed

Dont worry. Riget(with respect!! ) I dont think knows the nature of head gasket faults. I unfortunately do from personal experience(cost me a fortune!). There is no requirement IMO to show that the head gasket was checked or at fault at that time.

So you think I have a chance of getting Warranty Company (Tesco) to cough up rather than pursing Audi who will by default try and dodge the bullets?

[riget]

I'd say you've got zero chance for the warranty to pay.

[S.O.L]

Originally Posted by MrShed

Dont worry. Riget(with respect!! ) I dont think knows the nature of head gasket faults. I unfortunately do from personal experience(cost me a fortune!). There is no requirement IMO to show that the head gasket was checked or at fault at that time.

Just to pick up on this...terms and conditions on warranty do say that it does not cover any problems that THEY believe could have reasonably existed prior to me taking out the Warranty.....that is what scares me!!!!

[S.O.L]

Originally Posted by riget

I'd say you've got zero chance for the warranty to pay.

Well that is my worry!

[riget]

Have you been in touch with the audi garage who serviced it?
Give them a ring and see what they say.

[S.O.L]

Originally Posted by riget

Have you been in touch with the audi garage who serviced it?
Give them a ring and see what they say.

Not yet but I will do this afternoon and report back. Trying to get as much advice as possible before making that call.

[MrShed]

This is getting a bit muddied.

To clarify.

IMO the warranty should be your first port of call. That term is fully enforceable, but the onus would be on them to show that it was a pre-existing fault. I feel they may struggle with this, especially as a full service was performed not 100 miles before.

Failing that, you may well have a claim against the garage.

But in any event, you can go no further without an independent inspection report. Personally, I would hold off even contacting the original garage prior to getting this.

[S.O.L]

Originally Posted by MrShed

This is getting a bit muddied.

To clarify.

IMO the warranty should be your first port of call. That term is fully enforceable, but the onus would be on them to show that it was a pre-existing fault. I feel they may struggle with this, especially as a full service was performed not 100 miles before.

Failing that, you may well have a claim against the garage.

But in any event, you can go no further without an independent inspection report. Personally, I would hold off even contacting the original garage prior to getting this.

How much would it cost to have an independent inspection? Not too familiar with them.

[patdavies]

Originally Posted by MrShed

Number 5 above is key.

I think you might mean number 6

I cannot, by any stretch of the imagination see a screen washer fault relating in any way to a head gasket failure.....

[patdavies]

Originally Posted by MrShed

In addition, have you had the head gasket confirmed? Although it does sound like head gasket failure, the only way to confirm is by a hydrocarbon test through the coolant system.

Whipping the plugs out might be quicker. Finding coolant in a cylinder is a bit of a giveaway...

[patdavies]

Originally Posted by S.O.L

My concern is that the anti-freeze change was done incorrectly!....can't think of how else this could have happened as I hardly drive the car and am a fairly careful driver who doesn't like nasty surprises!

Hang on a minute. |antifreeze change is not on the list that you gave us earlier in the thread.

Are you sure this was done (separately?)?

That is key, because if the system was drained and then refilled incorrectly, an airlock could have formed leading directly to overheating and head gasket failure.

[Bookworm]

Originally Posted by patdavies

I think you might mean number 6

I cannot, by any stretch of the imagination see a screen washer fault relating in any way to a head gasket failure.....

Thank you, I have been scratching my head over that one too.

Call me cynical, but if it exonerates them from any wrongdoing, I would have thought the Audi garage would only be too happy to confirm to the warranty people that the fault could not have been detected when they did the servicing and therefore it couldn't possibly have been something that was pre-existing the taking of the insurance...