car service

crested10

Hi
Does anyone know if can challenge a mechanic for poor workmanship?

My sparkplug blew out of my engine and caused a dent on the inside of my car as well as sheering the threads in the engine block. I brought it back to the mechanic who last serviced it (full service and NCT check) and told him what happened. He rethreaded the socket where the plug came out of and afterwards he checked the receipt for the service and said since he hadn't charged for plugs that he didn't change them and that he checked them with a computer he has so didn't need to remove them to check them.
He explained to me that the last mechanic that checked the plugs mustn't have tightened them when he put them back so they vibrated out.
I argued that he should have changed them regardless if they were ok or not as part of a full service but he said as they are long life plugs he doesn't. He didn't charge me to recoil the socket. But i still have a dent on my bonnet, bills for taxi's and for car rental.

Anyone know how i can find out if i have any legal ground to stand on?

Mr.Diagnostic

Hi,

If he had changed the plugs then he would be responsible. As he didnt then there is no way he could be at fault. He is quite correct that if plugs are not being changed then there is no need to remove them in a normal service. It is also true that a lot of cars have long life plugs which often are not part of the service schedule. You have not said what type of car, mileage etc so I dont know if it was due plugs or not.

As an aside, plugs cannot be checked by computer or by taking them out to look at them. The best anyone can do is check with an oscilloscope (which is specialist) but this just tells if they are right at that time. Plugs are designed to last a period of time and should be changed acording to schedule to prevent breakdown.

From what you have said I dont think the mechanic has done anything wrong.

HTH

Lex Luthor

sounds logical enough. You never mentioned how long after you got the car serviced did the plug blow out? or when the plugs were even last changed?

but if the mechanic who last serviced it didn't touch them, then I can't see how he is liable.

Mr.D, I hope you have your diagnostic equipment up & running. I'll be sending the wife down next week with the BMW to get that air bag light reset.

Mr.Diagnostic

Lex Luthor wrote:

Mr.D, I hope you have your diagnostic equipment up & running. I'll be sending the wife down next week with the BMW to get that air bag light reset.

Mr. O'S I assume.........

The BMW gear never gets a chance to cool down

crested10

i get my car serviced every 6000 miles. the last time i got it done i specifically requested a full service. Doesn't this include changing plugs normally. especially as i paid for full NCT prep. Car is a Toyota Corolla. plug blew out after 3000 miles since service. Does this problem often occur?

Mr.Diagnostic

Hi,

There are a lot of models of corrolla from various years so without details of your car it is impossible to answer your questions.
Same goes for the question of if a full service includes plugs or not. That depends on the age of the car, but off the top of my head, most corollas use a long life plug since early 90's.
No, it is not a common problem.

HTH

crested10

car made in 98. They are long life plugs!
how does a mechanic know if they need to be changed? when they stop working?