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T5 van was geting a whiff of fumes in the cab. I do most things but after googling possible causes etc decide not a job for me so make an appointment with a local VAG indy specialist nearby, who do seem to have good reviews on-line. I tell them the symptoms and they agree to stick it up on the ramp, tell me to come back a bit later. I agree to pay 1/2 hour labour for their full inspection and report (£35).I come back and they tell me the manifold is mullered with holes, exhaust paste and snapped off studs - previous owner had obviously bodged it. I ask how much to fix it, they quote £450 for the manifold, various gaskets, several hours labour + vat= £1200, but say it might be more as some specialist drilling might be needed to get the broken studs out of the block. I said thanks for looking, I'll go and have a think as it is quite a bit more than I was thinking/hoping just wanted to get a second opinion and quote if it was going to be that much).
I get recommended another VW specialist from the nearby place who convert T5's. Go and see the bloke there, he has a look there and then, shows me, and says the manifold is fine, should be as it's a later model, no busted studs and then does a reverse smoke test to find the leak (very impressive btw). He finds a small gasket leaking the exhaust/turbo side of the manifold. Quotes 2 hours labour plus the £8 gasket. I agree plus an oil & all filters change whilst he's at it as due anyway. Booked in and all done for £200. It's fine now, no smells any more.
Which I guess leads to the original title question. I'm happy with the result now and most of the time I can't be arsed to do anything following poor service, just don't use again but for this I almost feel a duty to warn others or report this first garage for such bullshitting. And I suspect if I had used them they would have sold on a perfectly good used manifold to get even more money, but that bit's just conjecture. Thoughts?
I would suggest a photo of the manifold in its fine state and ask the garage owner if he can identify the holes/gum etc. Then trading standards. Sadly your word against theirs.
Do you ever think they just didn't want to do it?
(currently looking for a T5 camper!)
That kind of thing is the same as ripping vulnerable house owners off for
fake roof repairs.
You could if you wanted to help them out , offer them the opportunity to tell you a fib about how they got your van mixed up with another that came in the same day.
Just post a review - somebody has to otherwise they will keep doing it.
****ing scumbags, savage them online as much as you're able.
They deserve to go out of business.
Tell everyone, including Trading Standards.
What is the name of the garage that has told a bucket full of lies to you about your T5 ?
Too right name and shame, leave a review, in this day and age traders should know that consumers have these tools at our disposal. Do they know where you live?
h4muf - Member
Do you ever think they just didn't want to do it?
(currently looking for a T5 camper!)
I'm selling one if you want.
I agree to pay 1/2 hour labour for their full inspection and report (£35)
Did you have the report in writing ?
I'd certainly want my £35 back pretty quick.
Gut feeling is that I don't particularly want any dealings or any potential confrontation with them now I have found a good garage and all is well, just leave a review and send details or call local trading standards to tell them what happened. Let's just say it's an indy vw Audi specialist in Christchurch, Dorset. Yes have their report / estimate.
You have the report then go to trading standards. Tell the garage you are going to aswell.
The effing bastrds
Alternatively, be thankful it only cost you £200, let it go and move on. Pick your battles carefully.
Are you 100% sure that the second garage has done all of the work that was needed . Some garages are just more picky about fixing thing than others .
At the very least name the garage that found and fixed the fault....currently looking for a VW van specialist
Is there a known common fault with the manifold studs failing?
The 1st guys might be covering themselves in case one or two shear on removal of the manifold , and a simple job becomes an very expensive one.
Or they are just theiving gits who know if you can afford £9k for a T5 you have deep pockets and their mrs has just booked 2 weeks in villa in Tuscany, which you are paying for.
Trading Standards +1
Think of the next poor pensioner that they steal from and imo it is theft.
Most definitely need to give them a bad review where you read the original good reviews. Inc a pic of the report if possible. These reviews are what a lot of people use for unknowns - its what you used!
I'd probably put a photo of the report on my FB page as well and a description of what you described above. I wouldnt want anyone else getting stung by the same BS.
Thats a truly shocking pack of lies they have told you, and it needs to be known.
- Assuming all you tell has been correct of course!
Trading Standards, on-line review and share details of the good guys.
I'm pretty sure if your manifold was full of holes or not attached properly, you'd hear it, it would sound like a dragster, plus it would run horrendously.
Whatever the reason for them telling you that, they were lying through thier teeth.
^ Exactly. Just left a couple of (fair) reviews of my experience. Interestingly the most recent other review showing up is poor too and suggests this particular place has gone downhill rapidly since a change in boss. Also submitted the trading standards / CAB form. I'm glad I never actually used them for the work and by reviewing/reporting, it might save others from doing so. I will of course leave a positive review for the other place for any VAG users out there in the Hants/Dorset area.