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Hi There

For about a year our car (1999 Diahatsu Chaade 1.3l manual hatchback) has had the shudders and about 3 weeks ago we took it to a garage and they stated that the air compressor needed replacing so we took it to an air conditioning specialists and they advised us that we did not have an air compressor in our car but they would take a look and find out what was causing the problem.

The next day they rang us and advised that 2 cylinders were not working so we needed the engine replaced. They told us that the engine replacement would cost $2008 so we debated very hard since its an old car but we decided to go ahead with it. After 8 days they rang and said ohh you need your cv joints done now as well. That will be additional $300 we thought ohh bugger so had to get them done. When we went to pick up the car they said the bill is now $2406 so even more. In the invoice it states the engine and water pump is covered under warranty for 3 months nut all other aspects are expressly excluded from the warranty and the strange thing was they put an automatic engine in a manual car. They told us to come back in a weeks time get it checked again.

When we got it home it started making a sqealing noise when it was running and starting was an issue it would take a couple of times to start and also the thermostate was all over the place. We kept monitoring the car for the next 6 days since we were going to take it back to them on the 7th day but on the 6th we were driving the car and a red light appeared on the dashboard. So we pulled over and ran AA breakdown service since we are members and they came out and told us that the alternator needs replacing. We thought bugger more expense car, we had our alternator replaced about 3 years ago and it was working fine previously before the engine change.

We had to get car towed to the air conditioning place and they said we will look at it and they rang us and said its the alternator that has to be replaced, we will replace it but we will not charge frieght or labour... seems to me they are feeling guilty about something.... Then when we went back to pick up the car we are advised now there is a slight oil leak can you come back in a weeks time and get it checked..... I have a feeling we really got the run around, now my question is when you get an engine replaced what sort of things should be changed on it in the cost of the engine replacement, we got charged for water pump, thermostat, timing belts, drive belts. I have been advised by a number of people when an engine gets replaced the alternator should be replaced to as thats a component of the engine is this correct? And since now its got an oil leak and the squealing is still there I am debating the workmanship is there any way we can get it checked to make sure the job was done properly? Also I now thing its very strange an air conditioning specialists taking on an engine replacement. Any help would be much appreciated.

Regards Sue and Duane

Fitting a second hand engine has its risks as you do not know the history of the engine being fitted. The oil leak is one of these examples and it is most likely not the fault of the engine fitter. The workshop has done the right thing by changing the cambelt, water pump, thermostat and drive belts on the second hand engine but the alternator is definitely one of those things that do not get replaced (without reason) when carrying out this type of repair. The alternator would have been swopped over from the original engine. If you do not feel at ease you could, at your cost, take the vehicle to another workshop to check over.