Waiting for My Bongo

Big E · Post by **Big E** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 8:08 pm

My Head Gasket blew in mid April and my Bongo went into my local garage. I was first promised it would be ready by the end of May, then the end of June, then mid July and finally for the beginning of August. I had planned in using it form 11th August for my holidays. Has you may guess, I am still waiting for it to be fixed, and been told I won't get it until now the 23rd August.
Does anybody know where I stand, legally? I can not get it has it is not driveable.
I am one very frustrated Bongo Owner.

Peg leg Pete · Post by **Peg leg Pete** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 8:12 pm

You must be very patient ________
Big E

That is a long stay in the garage, hope you have registered it off the road with the D.V.L.A or is the garage going to reimburse you for your wasted road tax

Not sure why it is taking them so long to do, have you asked?

Big E · Post by **Big E** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 8:15 pm

The excuses have been people been away, awaiting parts etc.........
Because I have another vehicle, I think it keeps being pushed to the back of the jobs to do

bigdaddycain · Post by **bigdaddycain** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 8:18 pm

Hi Big E... is this the same garage that diagnosed the problem as a blown head gasket? If they cant even fix the problem,then how sure can you be that the head has actually blown?

Just out of curiosity, what excuses have they been giving to explain the delay?

Big E · Post by **Big E** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 8:27 pm

The Head was taken to a specialist and pressure tested.
They are just dragging their feet.

bigdaddycain · Post by **bigdaddycain** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 8:28 pm

Oh right! you answered before i asked!

The bongo engine isn't exactly rocket science,it should take no longer than a week to slap on a new head (and thats pushing it), the old "cant get parts" excuse is no longer valid with the bongo...

Have you actually laid eyes on your bongo since it went in?

Tell them you have to retreive something from it,and have a quick nosey at the progress,you should see the top of the cylinders if the head has been removed.

bigdaddycain · Post by **bigdaddycain** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 8:30 pm

They'll be wanting their money a bit quicker than the repair has taken though big e....

Big E · Post by **Big E** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 8:31 pm

I know. I am going to try and get money off, as I have had to change holiday plans.

bigdaddycain · Post by **bigdaddycain** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 8:34 pm

I dont blame you big. Apart from the delay's, what do you think of the garage? Have you had any experience of them before?

Big E · Post by **Big E** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 8:45 pm

They are a good garage normally, and have helped me out alot before, but I think 4 months is a bit much.

bigdaddycain · Post by **bigdaddycain** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 8:50 pm

Have they sympathised with your frustration though?

If one of the specialists they use,on their recommendation is below par, then it can look bad for the garage.. i'm wondering why they haven't badgered them on your behalf...( the cylinder head outfit that is)

Big E · Post by **Big E** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 9:06 pm

They have the parts, but have just kept putting it off.

bigdaddycain · Post by **bigdaddycain** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 9:16 pm

Suggest that you expect a tenner per week you've waited to be knocked off the bill... that should speed things up a bit

Can you imagine if the job HAD been done promptly, and to your satisfaction,and you kept the payment waiting for this long, you'd have had a summons through the letterbox by now

smartmonkey · Post by **smartmonkey** » Tue Aug 07, 2007 11:17 am

Utterly ridiculous, a cylinder head job on a Bongo cant be as much as a days easy work. I reckon on two hours for taking it to bits and three putting back together absolute tops. You could argue on two days in-between to allow the head to be checked/skimmed. You have lost one third of your MOT, insurance and tax. That has got to be about £200 plus the inconvenience.