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my friend has a 4 year old car - she bought it 2nd hand from a dealer just under one year ago. Apparently it has started leaking and the garage identified a faulty expansion tank which will cost her £218 to replace (excl labour I think).

She has a one year warranty on the car but apparently the guy at the garage mumbled about this particular bit not being covered by the warranty as it falls under general wear and tear. Now I've been driving for many many years and have never heard of this expansion tank (apparently the plastic tank that the excess coolant sits in to the side of the engine?); and would definitely not have considered it a part that would 'suffer' from wear and tear?

Any ideas - because I'm worried that the garage is ripping her off big time

Do you know the make, model and engine type (petrol/diesel) and size, Ria?

Expansion tanks are pretty simple devices to allow for a certain amount of over pressure in the cooling system and to help bleed air from the system. It is very rare, but they do break, and if left can stack up other problems. A lot depends on what the leak is due to. If it is a manufacturing fault then it should be under guarantee, but if it isn't the cause should be looked into - make that 'must be'.

Try to get the info and I will have a look around. It will probably be a lot cheaper to get an alternative new one and have a non-dealer repair done.

Frank, it's a Fiat 500, petrol

just heard from Julia - year is 2012 and it's a twinair (whatever that may mean)

Engine size? Reg No if poss.

Julia says thank you so much!

It's 895cc and the reg is LM 12 SXR

Julia just said that the quoted £218 includes labour but not VAT... Also, I was worried that an independent mechanic repair may void her warranty, but that expires in a few days time anyway so she's happy to go elsewhere

Fantastic. Take a look at this page £19.76+VAT.

Scroll down to the 4th item - EXPANSION TANK, COOLANT WITHOUT LID and click. It gives al the models covered. If Julia, or someone, can identify it from the picture then the garage is certainly ripping her off - BIG TIME. Also, anyone who can wield a screwdriver and a spanner should be able to do the job in no time.

Got to say, though, that the 'why' it is leaking needs to be looked at. It might only be the seal on the cap or a loose connection.....

that is a big difference - so basically charging £200 labour for what probably will be a 15 minute job!

meriad wrote:that is a big difference - so basically charging £200 labour for what probably will be a 15 minute job!

You have it in one.

Even if it needs a new cap they are only about £3 and then what, £15 labour? Rip-Off!