I took my car in yesterday to have my new wheels fitted and the A/C pump changed.

When I arrived home (About 5 miles) I noticed steam coming from the bonnet and water leaking underneath.

I opened the bonnet to discover THIS fitting broken

There was no way I was driving back, so I waited for the car to cool down then removed the fitting and went back to the Garage. To me it was obvious the fitting had been off, a new hose clip where an old Fiat one had been, and glue on the fitting right where it had broken. I never said any of this but decided to listen to what they had to say. The owner swore blind that they never removed this fitting, so they couldn't have damaged it.

It was clear to me that someone there was telling fibs, either the mechanic who worked on the car, or the boss. Either way I am not happy with them at the moment, and will be keeping my distance for a while

I did though ask him to order me a new fitting. I kind of got the feeling he already knew that this item would go to back order, despite him not telling me that. With my trust diminishing I decided this morning to call Desira in bury, who told me that the part is no longer available

This led me to thinking that it can't be too hard to have one made, so off I popped to a local fabrication shop. The chap sighed a lot before telling me it would be expensive, as he would have to order the materials, also he didn't have the tool to flare the ends

He then asked me if I had tried the place a few units along, a company called Pro Alloy

I was knocking on the door to their unit when a fellow walks up and informs me they have moved he then takes me across the road to the new unit

The cap has a look at my part, and offers to make it up while I wait, it was the chap on the Right who did the job

True to his word 15 minutes later I have One of These, all for less than £18 incl VAT.

He informed me that they would be happy to do more if required

I then had a bit of a chat with the guy, he Said Hello to highwayman and also said how pleased they were with the FCCUK group buys

He's made a very nice job of that Bob

I know where I'd be taking the invoice to, and I know where I'd be inserting it if it wasn't paid in full!

Nice one Bob If you do a GB can you put me down for one please

Edit

Stan you beat me to it.

I'd give the bill to the garage that broke it in the first place

That's a lovely bit of Al work !
Can you fit that extra coolant pipe on to the earlier 20VT with the bleed screw on the coolant rail?

To be honest I am really quite upset that the guys chose to lie to me, I thought our relationship was better than that. To me honesty is woth a lot more than pound notes

The guys did a great job of fitting my tyres, and they have helped me out a lot in the past when I have been in a fix.

I am sure I will calm down, but for me the relationship is now, sadly, tainted

Bob

If you've got that sort of relationship with them then be straight with them Bob, tell them how you feel and I'm sure that they might admit their/his mistake over their pride.

If they don't then at least it only cost you £18 to find out the truth about them.

Joe.

Glad to hear you got it sorted Bob, although disappointed the garage haven't been honest with you.

On the bright side - does this mean you might be able to bring the coupe tomorrow evening???

Well yes but........

When I started it tonight, after fitting the water pipe, the car started to smoke.

It continued to smoke until I took it for a drive. After about two miles the smoke cleared, but when I parked up it started again, only slightly though.

I have just taken it for a long drive and all seems clear now, no smoke on idle. Has put the willies up me though

Anyway the car WILL be there tomorrow.

Bob

The geezer in the middle of your link photo is Bernie Fineman the chief mechanic from Bangla Bangers and Chop Shop on Discovery.

Oh, and I'd be up for a fitting if you do a GB

^ Was just about to say that. Bernie and Lepu

Not sure it is worth doing a group buy for this item but if anyone would like one send me a PM and I will get one sorted.

Price £15 + Vat + P&P

Bob

No need, the hose goes straight onto the coolant bottle, there is no pipe there on earlier 20vt's, it was just a bodge that Fiat did on later cars, supposedly a "self bleed" feature, but I've refilled the coolant in my earliest of early 20vt's several times and never had to bleed it