Head Gasket cost?

[Anonymous]

Think I've bought a wrong 'un!

Only had the car about 3 months, and not driven it that much as I've been working away from home and using a hire car.

Car has been sat in the dealers for a couple of months and then outside my house for the last 4 weeks. Notice a bit of white smoke earlier when I took it out, so had a look at the oil cap. Not much to see, but there's definately a bit of mayonaise.

Car is a 2011 200 and only has 24K on the clock !

So, just how expense a job is it, and is it worth a call to the dealer? I was so keen to buy I didn't ask about the warantee terms, although I'm hoping there a legal minimum??

 

[tianorth]

The mayonnaise is probably from the cold weather and short journeys.
Take it for a decent run where oil can get upto proper temperature and sustainable to allow any water vapour to be "burnt off".

If your not losing any coolant or oil I doubt it's head gasket.

 

[2retro]

Sounds hopeful! :thumbup:

 

[Anonymous]

I was thinking the same Chris, until I saw some horror stories on here!

I'll clean it off and take it for a run tomorrow. I'll also go and check the coolant levels right now !

The mayonnaise is probably from the cold weather and short journeys.
Take it for a decent run where oil can get upto proper temperature and sustainable to allow any water vapour to be "burnt off".

If your not losing any coolant or oil I doubt it's head gasket.

 

[DKZ5745]

I agree with Chris, but I would also be making that call to the dealer and voicing your concerns. Look at the warranty paperwork, or ask the dealer - it's the kind of thing that should be covered, but as we all know, if there is a way out, most companies will try to find it.

 

[CircuitMonkey]

It was my understanding that if the car is under 6 months old any problems that occur in this time are deemed an to be a problem with the car when it was sold and the onus is on the dealer to refund, repair or replace the vehicle regardless of the warranty.

 

[pete.garratt]

It was my understanding that if the car is under 6 months old any problems that occur in this time are deemed an to be a problem with the car when it was sold and the onus is on the dealer to refund, repair or replace the vehicle regardless of the warranty.

The 6 months is true for goods and services sold as new. For used items, the 6 months does not apply. Each claim will be treated on its merits with diminishing degrees of recompense as time goes by. I think the Sale of Goods and Services Act puts a time limit of 6 years for making claims under its arrangements.