Oh NO head gasket

[mikesndbs]

Hi and thanks, sorry about the file, lets try this link instead.
Been for a bit of a drive around, the car feels different and sounds sweeter! not so diesel as she is a petrol that is good.
Maybe this will have sorted out a few things for me!

http://www.mediafire.com/?xy9u9dylhe1mdcg

Thanks

Mike

 

[mikesndbs]

Hi

OK a bit of an update for you.
I have about 90 miles left of the first 500 to go and then I can take her up past 50mph.
I have been concerned about a slight but noticeable water loss on the expansion tank.
Since I have had her back I would say I have had to put in about a pint to keep it up at the mark.
I called the garage and they said that I should keep an eye on it, that it could be filling up an air lock etc.
I am on holiday this week and have a few trips planned but I have mailed th garage to have her in for a check over and to get them to 'sniff' the coolant for leaking HG again.
Surely it can't be that can it?

I am of course very worried.

I also wrote and emailed the MD of Seat about this car and its endless stream of issues.
No reply at all!

Cheers

 

[Rauer]

Taken you a while to rack up nearly 500 mile! Seat won't care about it, the fact is you bought a 5 year old car! U or seat don't know how it's been treated,we already know it been messed about with by the previous owner by the fact the speakers have been changed, I wouldnt be supprised if you do get a letter it goes something along the lines of , nevermind better luck next time it's a 6 year old car that's worth about 3k , they have more bigger things to worry about like vags 5 year turnaround

 

[mikesndbs]

Taken you a while to rack up nearly 500 mile! Seat won't care about it, the fact is you bought a 5 year old car! U or seat don't know how it's been treated,we already know it been messed about with by the previous owner by the fact the speakers have been changed, I wouldnt be supprised if you do get a letter it goes something along the lines of , nevermind better luck next time it's a 6 year old car that's worth about 3k , they have more bigger things to worry about like vags 5 year turnaround

Yeah, too scared to use the damn thing LOL.
I use my wife's little car to go to work in as its only a 4 mile round trip and I don't think the Leon would like that.
It sits there for 4 days or so then I go to see dad and sister about 20 miles each way, plus any longer trips.
I have been reading various threads on here about coolant loss and I hope this is one of the simple ones like a hose clip or something.
I have looked for leaks and signs of them but never found anything.
Sometimes after a run I catch a whiff of coolant so its getting out somewhere.

Does that fact discount more head gasket troubles? surely it can't be after all its had done.

Yeah I know we can't say how its been treated in the past, fair point but as I have almost replaced everything I do wonder why I am still having troubles :-(

 

[Rauer]

I don't know why your still having trouble with the block maybe a damaged hose or a rad problem or a mistake on the rebuild by the mechanic , were only human after all

 

[mikesndbs]

Rad is new, well was a few months back. Hope they can see it this week

 

[CupraRmark]

foooook me kiddda just read your thread...... for a start £1000 for a head gasket and head skim wtf ???? you running a rs4 under that bonnet....
And then you buy a new block and you still got problems feel sorry for you bud but when a simple job like a headgasket comes to £1000 id be asking how good and how competant these robbing t@{ts are they certainly seen you walk through the door didnt they.....
1.8t engine could of been found for around £500 so wheres £1000 come from for a piece of tin and carboard and a rubber belt

 

[mikesndbs]

Hi mate yeah its kind of crap, no matter what anyone says I have really gone off SEAT and all VW based cars to be honest.
I love the look and the rare moments when its running, but the cost per mile is madness!
The cost is all down to labour charges, stripping down the engine etc.
At the time I was looking for options and I contacted loads of companies and not one could supply a 2nd hand engine for me.
The only offer was a recondition of mine.
So I went for the new block as I was told that would be like having a brand new engine, I really thought that would be an end to my troubles.

I hope and pray really that this leak is nothing more than a hose type issue, the fact that I can smell coolant when I shut her down after a long run gives me a bit of hope for this.

Its a sad tale really, don't know what I must have done wrong in my last life but the punishment keeps coming in this one. LOL

 

[mikesndbs]

Well it did a good job yesterday, wound in 170 miles and I can now go over 50 mph! thank god for that.
It did lose some more coolant, I had topped it up just above the line and its now just below.
Garage are supposed to call to have her in for a check up.
I am going to try and grab all the likely leak points from here and let them have it to check

 

[mikesndbs]

Hi, garage found one of the clips at the back of the block was not properly on and was without doubt leaking a little.
Its been fixed.

 

[mikesndbs]

Hi guys, bit of an update for you.

Presented the car for its MOT today and 1000 mile oil change since the new engine block etc.
Passed MOT but go an advisory that the front brake balance was 20% out, said not to worry at this stage and deal with it next service???

But, and this is a very big but!

They discovered an oil leak, and they think its from the head gasket!!!!! FFS

Got to go back tomorrow and they are going to check and torque the bolts up??

No cost to me but bloody hell this cars luck!

I have not noticed any oil on the drive or the level dropping and I have checked often but they said they did not want to take any chances with it as they had fitted it all.
Guess that is fair.

Oh and one last slap in the face from its past life, discovered that the spare wheel is wrong!
Should be a 15'' and not 16 so I am now on the look out for a cheap 15'' five bolt steel if anyone knows of one close to me here in West Sussex?

Cheers

Mike

 

[Toledo Widow]

Oh dear.

At least they are going to sort it without any cost to you. Hopefully the fact they have caught it, means that you won't be forking out for the problem in the future.

All the best with sorting the wheel issue out.

 

[mikesndbs]

Oh dear.

At least they are going to sort it without any cost to you. Hopefully the fact they have caught it, means that you won't be forking out for the problem in the future.

All the best with sorting the wheel issue out.

Thanks bud, yes I guess you are right.

I alwaus thought you needed to go for a tighten up after a head gasket was done anyway so maybe that is all it is (prob me being well out of date LOL)

The car has been great to drive of late, fun and giving me 36mpg as well!

Cheers

 

[Toledo Widow]

Thanks bud, yes I guess you are right.

I alwaus thought you needed to go for a tighten up after a head gasket was done anyway so maybe that is all it is (prob me being well out of date LOL)

The car has been great to drive of late, fun and giving me 36mpg as well!

Cheers

Fun when driving is what its all about, and you've been getting 36mpg when having fun - I'm jealous. Even the book says I'd only get 24 mpg!

 

[LEE69]

Whatever the outcome surely the garage is liable now.

 

[mikesndbs]

Whatever the outcome surely the garage is liable now.

Yep no doubt about that now, just a pain that more in this area is needed!

 

[mikesndbs]

Fun when driving is what its all about, and you've been getting 36mpg when having fun - I'm jealous. Even the book says I'd only get 24 mpg!

LOL well I guess she can't be that sick then

 

[mikesndbs]

OK got it back (at last) Says they took it apart and torqued the bolts down a bit.
Wants to see it next week to check over, if not fixed will need new gasket which will be done free.
Just checking in the engine room at home, looks OK but I can smell coolant very slightly so I hope that is not leaking now!!! This bloody car I tell yer

 

[dooy1181]

I would buy a lottery ticket mate your luck has got to change soon!

 

[mikesndbs]

LOL OK I will, it is astounding for sure! if they have to do that it will be £1k in value!!!!!

Hope not