Merseyside Garages that will do an Import

[pip170]

OK, it would seem that I am the only member from Merseyside, and in all honesty, once I have my bus up and running again, it is unlikely I will find much time to come and visit.
That said, those who have posted against my head gasket/crack problem have been very helpful and much appreciated.

The problem I have had has highlighted that it is very hard to track down a mechanic who is willing to take on the bigger jobs, such as fixing a cracked head (no not mine, the one on the car  )

So to start the ball rolling if you find or know any reliable mechanics in the Merseyside area, please list them here along with your experience of them.

Currently my bus (Emina) is with Car Logix to have the head checked to see if it is gasket or crack that is causing the problem.

They initially diagnosed the problem as radiator, but that was because they did not have any problem starting the engine, however today they did and now agree it is as described above.
I have been given a ball park cost of £1300.00 which seems steep to me, but unless I start ringing around every garage in Liverpool, and even then, I wouldn't know whether they are decent mechanics or not.

Any way Car Logix's details are:

http://www.liverpoolmot.co.uk/

Unit 1
Victoria Business Park
Woodend Avenue
Liverpool
L24 9JE
0151 486 3456

I will update this when the job is done with a report.

[Gary (not GT Gary)]

It's unfortunate, but we're still a small group and as you say, don't have many members from Merseyside who have any experience with mechanics in that area. Our aim is to support the owners of mpvs by giving advice and tutorials on jobs.

Hopefully someone will come along with what you need, but be aware that the cheapest sort of price for a head change, which is the most likely outcome isn't going to give you any change from £1300 and likely more even though the cars aren't any more difficult to work on than a lot, the import nature seems to scare off a lot of garages.

[sarahjaneking]

I'm afraid I don't know of any good mechanics in liverpool, however if your car can make it there is a very reliable garage in Bury which specialises in these and other imports, I've personally used them on several occasions and have received good reports from people I have recommended him to, hope our car is sorted soon

sarah

[pip170]

I'm afraid I don't know of any good mechanics in liverpool, however if your car can make it there is a very reliable garage in Bury which specialises in these and other imports, I've personally used them on several occasions and have received good reports from people I have recommended him to, hope our car is sorted soon

sarah

Sarah, thanks - this garage (Car Logix) seems to know what they are doing, it's just that I found them by chance more than anything.
Why don't you put the details of this garage in Bury on too, especially if he has a few good recommendations; I am sure anyone else in your area who is looking for a reliable mechanic would be made up 

[pip170]

Well, overall impression of Car Logix was good.

The mechanic was open and frank, telling me that the 2 of the glow plugs were knackered and had been replaced with 2nd hand ones.  He asked me to keep an eye on how the bus starts until I bring it back for a requested safety check - which is included in the overall price.
Some places might suggest you come back if you suspect anything, whereas Car Logix made me book in for about a week later, so I was pleased with that.

I did try and contact them a couple of times whilst they were working on the bus; email (via their web site) was a waste of time, but calling on the phone got you through to a receptionist who was very helpful.

Here is the breakdown of the costs:
Labour was £32.50 per hour to supply and fit a new cylinder head (the original had 4 cracks and k-seal had been used).
New cylinder head - £450.00
Head gasket - £48.46
Inlet manifold gasket - £4.49
Exhaust manifold gasket - £43.65
Oil Filter - £9.90
Oil - £21.50
Thermostat - £11.80
Anti-freeze - £5.00
Radiator - £135.00
Total labour - £325.00

Total Cost - £1213.02

If you are planning to use them, please note, they only accept cash!    I didn't find this out until the said the bus was ready, and it meant I had to wait another day until I had the cash ready.
The door to the reception does indicate they take card payment but they do not 
I know many garages might operate on a cash only basis, but this outfit looks quite big and professional - it's not a back street garage if you know what I mean.

One note of caution, I went to take the car out in the evening and felt something under the carpet right under the accelerator, it turned out to be this bolt head...



I pulled the carpet back but could not spot where it came from.  As it doesn't seem to be affecting the car, I haven't rushed back to complain...

I must admit, finding it was cash only at the last moment and then this bolt has dampened an otherwise good impression, but I have to say, I am pleased overall with the repair - ahem, let's see how long it lasts - and the overall service provided.

[pip170]

Dang, can't upload the image of the bolt to this site and I don't have any web space to link it to.

[mjltigger]

Pip, the way of attaching an image you have used is for adding images you have already uploaded to a message... the best way to add an image is to click additional options on the advanced posting page then browse for the image on your computer. Once you save or post the message it will upload the image for you.

[pip170]

Pip, the way of attaching an image you have used is for adding images you have already uploaded to a message... the best way to add an image is to click additional options on the advanced posting page then browse for the image on your computer. Once you save or post the message it will upload the image for you.

Where's the advanced posting page?  Can't spot any immediate links on the thread or the post reply page 
Do you add photos to your profile and then link them to the posts?

Anyway, think I might have it sussed another way, I have MSN account and it let me upload a photo.



- Nah that didn't work either...  here's the address

http://cid-d535cda3cff8020b.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/My%20Emina/Photo-0119.jpg

[mjltigger]

when I say advanced I mean the normal posting etc rather than using quick reply at the bottom of a thread.. like this:

[mr mince]

Only one, you should see my collection of extras after doing the head

[Gary (not GT Gary)]

Here you are, I just downloaded a copy of the pic, then used the Additional options attatchment in the full reply window to directly upload it to here.

Bear in mind, no matter how good a mechanic is, he or she WILL make the odd mistake, it's human nature.
 
You don't mention a cam belt, but that's one item I would have replaced as a matter of course.

[pip170]

Yeah, cam belt...

It was changed on 98KM, car now at 106KM...

I will speak to them about it when I take the bus back for it's safety check.

[Gary (not GT Gary)]

It should be ok then. Only problem with belts and head swaps is the chance of damaging it on removal/refit. As long as they were careful, you'll have no bother. If it goes within the year of fitting the head, you should be able to claim of them for any repairs necessary, as they inspected it as part of the job and deemed it fit enough for use.

[pip170]

Took the car back for it's safety check and all was clear.

Asked about the loose bolt, mechanic said he checked thoroughly and couldn't find any missing, so it was just a left over!

So final conclusion - very happy with this garage, would recommend them.

[mr mince]

I recognise the bolt. This thread just occurred to me today as I was dismantling mines again.

Holds the wheel at the end of the cam shaft on

[mr mince]

Can't find a decent pic but does that look familiar

[Kernowman]

If that's where it came from... then it needs to be fitted asap. As the cam has a tapered end ,with a woodruf key to hold the pulley in position for timing.
The pull of the belt will hold it until belt stretches.. then it can easily pop off the end of the cam...  then it could be a new head again if you're licky.. 

[mr mince]

then it could be a new head again if you're licky.. 

Head doesn't come with pulley, has to be changed from one to the other

[pip170]

A final update on this garage - I used them a few times for servicing and the likes.

Never had any problems so to speak (aside from spare bolts!).

The bus runs OK since having had the work done, except it does seem to burn up the oil.  I have taken it back on a number of occasions but it has never been fixed.  At the same time though, no actual fault has ever been found...

I have stopped using them for general service as they were not too cheap, so my old local mechanics now do the basics for me again.
I have told them about the oil issue and they could not find anything wrong either.

A mystery!

Any way Car Logix are fine for Estimas and Lucidas - in my opinion - but maybe not the cheapest garage in the world!

[Kernowman]

Thankyou for the heads up about the garage.. always great to get first hand experience and knowledge from members about garages/mechanics they have used.  

To help save your hard earnt pennies, we stock service kits for estimas.. check out shop for info.
PM me if you'd like a kit/s sent out... I'll reply with payment details.

Cheapest way is t collect from a meet  

[Gary (not GT Gary)]

Oil usage tends to be either a leak, worn valve seals, or the turbo. If you take the hoses off from the inlet to the manifold, you may see in the throttle butterfly housing a lot of oil, or even dried up shale type stuff. That will indicate it's turbo related, and the hoses and intercooler are also oil contaminated.