Stuck in France - need advice

[Booster]

The garage mechanic basically told the RAC that he has no interest in attempting to repair it. (good on him , I say). The RAC are trying to find a Toyota garage somewhere nearby that would be prepared to do the job. If not then we should be on our way home and the car will be repatriated.

I am interested in the comments members are making about liability for this breakdown. I have sent 2 emails to the company and have had no response so far. I am getting the RAC to take the car to them regardless. However, if I take this down the legal route then perhaps I should get the car sent to another garage for a second opinion?

[tonigmr2]

Chap I honestly think 4 years after the event you'd be on a hiding to nothing with legal action. Better to chat to whoever did the engine and try to come to a compromise agreement.

[Tiamat]

The garage mechanic basically told the RAC that he has no interest in attempting to repair it. (good on him , I say). The RAC are trying to find a Toyota garage somewhere nearby that would be prepared to do the job. If not then we should be on our way home and the car will be repatriated.

I am interested in the comments members are making about liability for this breakdown. I have sent 2 emails to the company and have had no response so far. I am getting the RAC to take the car to them regardless. However, if I take this down the legal route then perhaps I should get the car sent to another garage for a second opinion?

You will be on a hiding to nothing with the legal action. The rebuild was done four years ago and whilst you may have only driven it 1000 miles, thats your decision to drive it that little. The courts would deem that any guarantee period had expired.

Also you could no tprove that they did the silicone sealant bodge job. The car has been away from that garage for four years now, so in the eyes of the court it could be anyone. yOu would get into a very big he said/she said situation.

It'd be cheaper to repair the car than go down that route.

[Booster]

Yeah, that's pretty much what I thought to be honest. Not worth the hassle.

However........

The car has been kept in a climate controlled, dehumidified environment almost entirely since the work was carried out (alongside classic Ferrari's and Lamborghini's) so there is absolutely no question over whether the environment could have caused the number and extent of the problems. The company keep a log of all cars movements and they will show that the car has not been out of the garage or accessed by anyone in that time.

I'm going to take advice first though. I do think there is a case and I will be discussing it with Trading Standards. Thanks for your input folks, I appreciate it.

[tonigmr2]

Have you actually spoken to the builders about this?

[Booster]

Yes. They say pretty much what you have in that as the car is out of warranty that we are on our own.

[tonigmr2]

Hmmn, well good luck chap, though I fear your pursuit will not go well!

[Lauren]

I think I'd just accept that I'd be footing the bill. Just get the car home and sort it out then.

If you can get a hire car and salvage your holiday, do that.

[Booster]

I know, I know.

But my pride, a ruined holiday, lots of wasted money and a very bitter taste is getting in the way of me seeing common sense at this time. The Supply of Goods and services act 1982 covers shoddy workmanship for a period of 6 years and that is my starting point. It isn't reasonable to have an engine breakdown after so few miles and such a short time (relatively speaking.

Who knows, when I eventually get home I may have calmed down a bit but as I sit here and write this the red mist is definitely down.

[elbon50]

I'd be upset & angry too in your position Booster

So there will be no repairs (even temporary) done in France ?

Will the RAC transport the car back to UK

You can't really assess the extent of the shoddy workmanship till the head is off of course

[Booster]

I'd be upset & angry too in your position Booster

So there will be no repairs (even temporary) done in France ?

Will the RAC transport the car back to UK

You can't really assess the extent of the shoddy workmanship till the head is off of course

No repairs are being done. The garage basically think the engine is too complicated and there are no other garages within 100kms that are prepared to look at it either. I actually don't think the garage have even tested it to see if it is the HG. RAC are sending it back on a truck in the next 3 weeks or so.

There is already concrete evidence of shoddy workmanship (thermostat) I will investigate the level of block corrosion or other uncorrected issues at the time of the rebuild when the car is returned.

[elbon50]

Yes I'm aware of the stat seal bodge

You say concrete evidence but that particular issue will be impossible to prove

A coroded block or distorted head with no sign of them having been decked/skimmed that will be concrete

Try to put this to the back of your mind & enjoy the rest of your holiday

I know it's easier said than done

What's the weather like there ?

[BIGBOBO]

I broke down in France couple of years ago. Car still drove but used way to much petrol, 200km on a full tank.

Had it towed to from the highway to the nearest (Citroen/Peugot/Renault) garage but they wouldn't look at it. Nearest toyota dealers were 50 and 100km away, both didn't want to look at it either.

Car got towed back home and I got first class tickets for the TGV and a taxi ride back home from the train station.

Luckily this was on the way home, so I got to spend another 2 days in france while they took care of everything. Sucks to be stuck with no car in a rural area though :p.

In the end it was just the metal pipe to the MAP sensor that broke, could have been fixed with a piece of duct tape

[Booster]

Ultimately it boils down (pun intended) as to whether a stuck thermostat can cause a blown HG.
I am now back in the UK. RAC were great in the end. Once they knew the car couldn't be repaired they couldn't do enough to help us. So well done RAC.

[Tsia]

If my friend's car is anything to go by, yes it can. He had a stuck thermostat aaaand a short while later, head gasket has gone. But hey, I'm no mechanic

[Booster]

I have finally decided to get the engine checked out properly and HG replaced (if that is the problem). Can someone please recommend a specialist garage that can do this? Thanks

[toxo]

http://www.imoc.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=102170