Dodgy Car Cooling System Replacement Work

Ozzie15 on 25/11/2020 - 11:33

So I had my car cooling system repair done in late June this year. I had it done because the coolant was leaking. The workshop is one of the big car workshop chains and even gave 6 months/100K warranty on the work done.

They replaced coolant housing $250, Coolant change $20 and for labour charged me $150. I have the tax invoice in which the mentioned they tested every bit of the coolant system which all tested OK.

Last week I noticed coolant started leaking again, opened hood to find out its the same part which they replaced. Called the workshop and left the car this Monday. The workshop called me yesterday saying they will replace the part for free but few other hoses need to be replaced and I have to pay for those.

My question is, shouldn't it all be covered under warranty? given the fact they tested everything and it was all ok. What if the other parts broke because the housing they replaced failed? I have only driven the car less than 3000 Kms since its replaced

Automotive

Comments

  • ShannonN on 25/11/2020 - 11:41
    +2

    Hoses can go at almost any time while a pressure test and visual inspection may not have shown any probs with a new cooling system, radiator cap etc perhaps the increased normal pressure over 3k just pushed old hoses to start leaking like hoses are not that exe and its peace of mind they are new with new clamps etc

    Just make sure they don't charge you additional labour to fit them negotiate

    • Ozzie15 on 25/11/2020 - 11:56

      Point noted on labour charge

  • pegaxs on 25/11/2020 - 11:48
    +3

    My question is, shouldn't it all be covered under warranty?

    No. Only the part that is replaced is covered or any resulting damaged caused by the replacement part failing.

    • Ozzie15 on 25/11/2020 - 12:00

      Thanks, but how can I convince them the other parts failed because of that leak?
      The fan was running non-stop because there was no coolant. The temperature gauge was stuck on "C" for some reason.

      • Nugs on 25/11/2020 - 12:53
        +2

        Temp gauge measures coolant temperature, not engine temp. No coolant= no reading
        .

      • pegaxs on 25/11/2020 - 13:48

        how can I convince them the other parts failed because of that leak?

        What other parts have failed? Why do you think these other parts failed based on the initial part that was replaced?

        How do ytou convince them??

        You can go to TAFE and do your automotive trade course, go out and buy all the special tools required to test cooling systems, hire experts in the fields of rubber hose reliability and buy yourself a nice, big crystal ball.

        Alternatively, you can take it to another cooling system specialist and have them inspect it and do a report on the damage. Lawyer up and take your case back to the place that installed the initial repair.

        • Ozzie15 on 25/11/2020 - 14:05

          That's what I am planning to do, get a second opinion, and contact them. The same general advice is given on the consumer affairs website.
          The reason I believe the other parts failed because, first of all, the same part is leaking and secondly car shows the same symptoms as before, heating up, fan blowing and temperature gauge stuck on "C"

          I don't know a lot about cars but I find it hard to believe the whole cooling system failed since the housing started leaking.

          Thanks, everyone for your inputs.

  • bobbified on 25/11/2020 - 11:54
    +1

    …shouldn't it all be covered under warranty? given the fact they tested everything and it was all ok.

    It's not a case of "you touch it, you own it!"
    Going by your logic, they should actually replace your whole car. LOL

    • Ozzie15 on 25/11/2020 - 11:58

      No of course not the whole car, but anything to do with the coolant system. I know these things break but only less than 3000 Kms when I had it comprehensively checked for 48 hours.

      • bobbified on 25/11/2020 - 12:14
        +1

        I know these things break but only less than 3000 Kms

        It could've just been a faulty part that they got their hands on from the wholesaler/manufacturer. No different from when we buy things from a shop.
        If they installed it wrong and or did something dodgey, then you've got every right to be annoyed. But there's nothing to suggest that they didn't install it correctly.

        The cooling system normally operates under pressure. It could well be that your previous leaky housing prolonged the life of the hoses by not allowing the normal pressure to build up.

        • Ozzie15 on 25/11/2020 - 12:35

          Thanks for your input. See my reply to another member.

          All of these tests passed and I have the report from them

          Pressure tested
          Drained coolant
          Flushed cooling system including heater core
          Refilled cooling system
          Bled cooling system including heater
          Pressure tested cooling system for leaks
          Checked cooling fan operation
          Road tested vehicle

          • bobbified on 25/11/2020 - 12:47
            +3

            @Ozzie15: The hoses are made of rubber. Rubber degrades. It may withstand a single pressure test right now, but you're forgetting that when it's attached to the car, it's exposed to cycles of hot and cold, pressure and no pressure. Every cycle wears it a little more until it fails.

            It's like squeezing balloon. The first few times, it's fine. Then you do it a few more times and it suddenly bursts!

            • pegaxs on 25/11/2020 - 13:41
              -1

              @bobbified: Hold on… Balloons are rubber…. and radiator hoses are rubber… does that mean that the warranty covers all balloons?

              • brendanm on 25/11/2020 - 15:14
                -1

                @pegaxs: Only ones that were in the car at the time they replaced the housing.

                • pegaxs on 25/11/2020 - 16:44
                  -1

                  @brendanm: I owned some, but they were at home, but I did own them at the time of the hose being replaced, doesn't count?

  • brendanm on 25/11/2020 - 12:21

    The warranty applies to the part that was deemed faulty and replaced at the time. It's just life that your old dodgy cooling system now has other issues as well. Nothing lasts forever.

    More than likely, if they had suggested replacing the hoses at the time, you would have complained on here that they were trying to rip you off, as the hoses aren't leaking.

    • Ozzie15 on 25/11/2020 - 12:28

      Trust me I would have replaced those parts.

      All of these tests passed and I have the report from them

      Pressure tested
      Drained coolant
      Flushed cooling system including heater core
      Refilled cooling system
      Bled cooling system including heater
      Pressure tested cooling system for leaks
      Checked cooling fan operation
      Road tested vehicle

      • brendanm on 25/11/2020 - 12:43
        +3

        Yep, and at the time they were tested they obviously weren't leaking.

        Unfortunately, at this point in time, predicting the future isn't easy.

  • Hithere on 25/11/2020 - 12:25
    +1

    Get them to just replace the faulty hose first and take the car somewhere else and get a second opinion.

  • Muzeeb on 25/11/2020 - 12:40

    Wait until your other cooling system fails. AC failures are expensive and frustrating.

  • Brian McGee on 25/11/2020 - 13:01
    +2

    I had a leak from my laundry basin and the plumber came and replaced a tap, 6 months later the toilet started leaking, shouldn't it be covered under warranty?

    the hoses may have swollen or dont seal properly after being disturbed and have taker 6 months to develop a leak. Pay for the hoses as labour and coolant should be covered under the warranty.

  • Summoner on 25/11/2020 - 13:18
    +1

    I had similar experience with one of those chain workshop. My issue was the engine oil gasket. They advised me about a leak, replaced it and gave me 1 year warranty. 6 months later, revisited and they pointed out engine oil is leaking from the gasket, and need replacement. I asked if they are sure if it needs a replacement, they confirmed it. Then I mentioned about the warranty, their story changed. They wanted me to come back in another 2 weeks, to check if engine oil is leaking from the gasket.
    From that day, I only go to the manufacturers brand workshops for my car repairs. I may pay more for standard services, but haven't felt i am being deceived yet.
    Your issue might be genuine, but if you have a doubt, try going to other workshop for second opinion as others advised.
    Anyway, If your coolant is leaking from different hose, it should not be covered under warranty.

    • bobbified on 25/11/2020 - 13:33
      +1

      I asked if they are sure if it needs a replacement, they confirmed it. Then I mentioned about the warranty, their story changed.

      I wish I was there to see the look on their faces! haha

      • [Deactivated] on 25/11/2020 - 17:39

        Managed to get people to dig their own holes a few times.

        They tend to be very very pissed about it as if it were my fault I didn't alert them to the fact they were criticising their own work.

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