Help with Disco TD5

Hi all
I am new to this site and requiring abit of advice.....
I have a Discovery TD5, 1999 T reg, automatic.
At the end of November the car was loosing water but we could not find any traces of a leak at all, 2 of my mechanics (I work at a haulage yard btw) looked and couldn't find any trace of leaks so we suspected a head gasket problem. We took the car to the garage where we purchased it as it was still under the 12 month warranty. We informed the owner that we suspected a head gasket problem and left the vehicle with them. On pick up my hubby was informed that they had found a leak on the bleed screw on the top hose and they had repaired it.
A month and a half on, last Sunday to be precise, the car suddenly lost power and the oil light came on, my hubby turned the engine off immediately and we had the car recovered. On looking it seems that the head gasket has gone. We have been in touch with the garage who sent a mechanic down to look at our car. The upshot is the mechanic has said that there is no trace of there ever being a water leak and yes it looks like the gasket has blown and we may need a new engine.
My thinking is.... and please correct me of I am wrong.....
- the work on the car was completed less than three months ago, under the Consumer Credit Act work is guaranteed for three months???
- we told the garage that the head gasket was playing up, as we had to constantly top up the water but there were no leaks, while the car was under warranty but they didn't do anything about it???

Basically, should the garage help us or are they right in saying no its all down to us. Obviously I am a little biased as I now have a Disco which still needs paying for (finance agreement) which does not work and prob needs a new engine!!!
Your comments are eagerly awaited.

ps how much are recon engines?????

hannahb16 said:

Hi all

My thinking is.... and please correct me of I am wrong.....
- the work on the car was completed less than three months ago, under the Consumer Credit Act work is guaranteed for three months???
- we told the garage that the head gasket was playing up, as we had to constantly top up the water but there were no leaks, while the car was under warranty but they didn't do anything about it???

Basically, should the garage help us or are they right in saying no its all down to us. Obviously I am a little biased as I now have a Disco which still needs paying for (finance agreement) which does not work and prob needs a new engine!!!
Your comments are eagerly awaited.

ps how much are recon engines?????

Click to expand...

Hello.

Firstly welcome to the forum.

Right lets start from the begining,
If you have had this vehicle over 12 months then any warranty will now have lapsed, So the garage that sold you it can really wipe there hands of the matter, However if you have had the vehicle for less than 12 months and have followed the warranty companies service schedule you may well be able to claim.

With regard to the repair that is alleged to have been carried out by the garage,

Under "the consumer credit act" It states that any repair which has been carried out must be of a standard to last "a reasonable amount of time", Now this is a very gray area, In most cases ive dealt with in the past with vehicles the old 3 month rule does not count, This is due to many factors such as, Type of vehicle, age, mileage covered since repair.

I think your one saving grace in all this may well be the fact that the vehicle is still subject to a finance agreement, The Discovery is still there property until paid for in full, Therefore it is in there intrest to help you to sort this matter out with the garage, Also due to you reporting the head gasket as faulty before the warranty expired i would contact the warranty provider directly and make them aware of the situation.

If you need anymore help then please let me know

Retsgom (landyzone's lawyer in chamber's)!!!!!

Hi,

Lost power and oil light came on....
sounds familiar, my 2001 td5 auto with only 120K on the clock had similar problem early last year,lost power, engine light came on, engine cut out. would not turn over.
local independent landy dealer said oil pump failure, needs replacement engine and turbo.
I searched the web and found this site......

Landrover Discovery Oil Pump Bolt Failure

I contacted Landrover UK, main agent collected my disco, confirmed problem and fitted new engine. Landrover Uk paid for engine I paid for recovery.

I wish you luck.

Thanks to both for your replies, you have given me a few avenues to explore.
Fingers crossed!!!

Just to update Dor1s....

Thanks very much for your help, my Discovery is now at Land Rover who will be looking at it today/tomorrow. They have confirmed that if the problem is what they think it is (i.e as you stated) they will replace the engine FOC.
Muchly appreciated and I owe you a beer!!