Thread: Not sure where to put this, help again please!

Hello all

My girlfriend had an alternator put on her MR2 in february, along with other works carried out. The reason it was replaced is because an oil leak above it caused oil to drip onto it and kill it.

This has now repeated itself. conservative estimate for repairs is £250.

Does anybody know what recourse is possible against the garage, for works rendered? As this simply wont do. I would happily visit them but she is in Cheshire and I am in Leicestershire

I asked my mum (lol) and she seems to think that 12months warranty on new parts and labour is the "going rate", she also mentioned that you can expect up to 6 years of implied warranty for new parts (though I am not sure if it is applicable, i guess this depends on the paperwork and what it says?)

She has the receipt for the work, I will ask her if there are any T&C's on the reverse, but any help in the meantime would be ace

Many thanks, have a happy sunday all 8-)

Steve

You need to find the root cause of the issue. I'm in Cheshire as well and an automotive engineer ( not a mechanic, though was years ago!!). It sounds as though the immediate problem was fixed, the initial cause wasn't.

Proving liability will be difficult. What you need is the problem fixed once and for all. From what I remember about the layout of the MR2 powertrain, it's likely the rocker cover gasket is leaking. It might be able to rescue the alternator by cleaning with a special fluid IF that is the problem.

Scott, many thanks

Originally Posted by heliosuk

You need to find the root cause of the issue. I'm in Cheshire as well and an automotive engineer ( not a mechanic, though was years ago!!). It sounds as though the immediate problem was fixed, the initial cause wasn't.

Proving liability will be difficult. What you need is the problem fixed once and for all. From what I remember about the layout of the MR2 powertrain, it's likely the rocker cover gasket is leaking. It might be able to rescue the alternator by cleaning with a special fluid IF that is the problem.

The root cause the first time wasn't determined, although the alternator packed up and the rocker gasket was leaking.

iirc, the MOT station changed the alternator, and another garage changed the rocker gasket, I have no idea why.

I spotted the leak during a quick visual check over recently, and found every single one of the rocker bolts to be finger tight at best. Also they are cross headed bolts (for a screwdriver!) not the normal M6, six sided 10mm nuts you normally find! No wonder they cant be done up tight enough!!

Naturally, the gasket was leaking oil profusely which was most proliferant on the OSR of the engine, directly above the alternator (which was full of oil) and has subsequently failed. It is yet to be tested but I will recover the vehicle to Leicester this weekend and have it sent directly to my engineers for inspection, and written reports.

Armed with this, I plan to then take action against the garage responsible for the gasket being changed, should this be determined as the sole cause of the altenator failing.

Steve

Not sure who Scott is but glad I got it right in one!! For it to be cross headed bolts, something is seroiuosly wrong as you point out. Hate to ask this but how long between buying it and the initial fault apperaring. If the garage replacing the gasket dis like for like then ehhhhhhhhhh, not sure where to go with it. You should have been told that it wasn't right though.

Let me know how you got on!!!