head gasket just been repaired...problems

[carol8242]

I have just paid to have the head gasket repaired on my Tacuma. Now when I am driving it there is smoke coming off the exhaust. The garage had said this was normal and it was just oil being burned off. they have taken it back in twice and flushed the car to try to improve it. However smoke still coming off the exhaust. anyone know if this is related or if i have another problem with the car.

thanks

[TWR]

I take it that the car overheated causing the gasket to go!! If that's the case they should have had the head skimmed & pressure tested to make sure the head was right, in other words the head did not have hair line cracks in the casting which you cannot see by the eye to some degree, Check your receipt did it say anything to the effect of a Skim? If not I would take this to be the cause of your smoke problem, is it WHITE smoke? how long does it last? is it there all the time? or is it light blue smoke? Check your coolant Reservoir is it down on water? do not ever fill or attempt to fill this whilst the ENGINE IS HOT, Have you added water to the System since the head gasket was fixed? Is your heater running OK? Is there heat coming out? Is your Temp Gauge stopping in the Middle of the dial? keep your eyes on these as if it starts to raise above normal STOP you have a problem.

[cazzz1975]

I would take it back, it does not sound like its been done properly, it only takes 20 seconds for the oil to burn off, he sounds a real charmer your mechanic. get an independant opinion via the AA or RAC

[Postdog]

I've just had mine done too because it was smoking every now and then.

Since then nothing, so if you ask me, they haven't sorted it at all

[carol8242]

Thanks everyone. I dont think they have checked it right and I will get an independent check done. The car did overheat. The smoke is white and last constantly while I am driving but does die down a bit. Everything else seems to be okay. Thanks again for all your help

[TWR]

Just to add to Cazzz's comment, the problem here Cazzz its going to cost Carol money for the check, the way I would o about this with respect to your answer Crazzz Is to take it up with the Garage that done the Job & then insist if the problem is not put right by them, them advise them that you will be taking it elsewhere & be sending them the bill, as they cannot seem to solve the problem, also Carol there is an Issue here of Transport!! I would ask the Garage for a loan of a car whilst they sort yours out, as it was them that cocked up the job & put you into inconvenience I again would insist on this.

[carol8242]

Thanks TWR I think your right, their problem so they should fix it instead of dismissing it as nothing more they can do. I paid over �300 for then to sort it. I never thought about the transport either as I need the car for my job, so again thanks very much

[TWR]

No Problem Carol, If they try it on with extra cost tell them to ps off ( Or words to that effect) but be aware of the car, check your coolant regular for water, DO NOT FILL WITH THE ENGINE HOT, your indication of water loss in the cooling system is the heater, if the controls are in the HOT area of the dial & there is no heat coming out, You have a problem, Its either a Air Lock or loss of fluid.

[carol8242]

thanks again.