Citroen picasso 1.6 hdi - Injector seals - picasso hdi - damage by garage

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Tue 11 Aug 2015 21:59
Citroen picasso 1.6 hdi - Injector seals - picasso hdi - damage by garage - Jodie0404
Hi, I am looking for some advise, my car recently started to make a tick tick noise, we took it to the local garage who advised it was the injector seals however this can be a tricky job and quoted us £200 max may come in less depending on the work, the garage called after 2 days to say one of the injectors was stuck and they would have to smash the head in order to get the injector out, at a cost of £780 with a second hand head with 30 day warranty, after calling some other garages we were advised that there should be no reason to smash the head and to get the car removed from that garage so we asked them to put the car back together so we could take it elsewhere, they advised this would not be possible as the car no longer run, we had to tow the car to another garage as it would not even turn over, the other garage removed the injector which now need to be replaced however upon starting the car it was clear the other injectors had been damaged so all 4 needed replacing, the car drove in perfect just with a ticking noise yet came out a non runner, I am unable to prove that the garage damaged the injectors but this is very obvious, how do I stand now as I don't see what I should be out of pocket due to the incompetance of the original garage, sorry for the long post...hoping someone can advise me
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Tue 11 Aug 2015 22:56
Citroen picasso 1.6 hdi - Injector seals - picasso hdi - damage by garage - gordonbennet

Removing Diesel injectors from modern engines can be a nightmare, they often get damaged during removel, i've seen pictures of massive slide hammers welded to the injectors and big men hammering with all their might standing on the engine and the things still not budging, many garages now call in specialists with seriously expensive hydrualic equipment to pull them out, never cheap.

In my honest opinion they were looking through rose tinted glasses even giving you an estimate at all, this job had the potential for serious problems.

To put this in perspective, the same situation with an A series Merc can see the engine completely written off, my MB indy won't touch them.

Ironically before we gained CR Diesels (and you can keep them far as i'm concerned) i've removed mechanical indirect Diesel injectors many times whether clamped or threaded type, no more difficult than changing a set of spark plugs.

Anyway, realistically you are going to be hard pushed to prove unecessary damage by the first garage, i'd be hoping to find a set of refurbed injectors and just get your car back on the road, maybe others will have some better advice for you.

One thing i would say, any time you need a modern Diesel looked at, find a competent Diesel specialist workshops only, Diesels are now beyond most local garages.

edit, before getting this work done, has the car had a recent new turbo fitted? and what's t's mileage and service history.

Edited by gordonbennet on 11/08/2015 at 22:59

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Tue 11 Aug 2015 23:08
Citroen picasso 1.6 hdi - Injector seals - picasso hdi - damage by garage - Jodie0404
Hi, thank you for your reply, from what I have read online this can be a nightmare of a job however I would rather the garage had refused to do the work rather than cause more damage, the car has done around 120k, we Havnt fitted a new turbo but has had a lot of money spent in the last 12 months, flywheel clutch etc can belt change and other bits and bobs, always serviced yearly, thanks
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Tue 11 Aug 2015 22:59
Citroen picasso 1.6 hdi - Injector seals - picasso hdi - damage by garage - Railroad.
Why would they need to smash the head to get the injector out? If the head needed to be replaced because the injector was seized then why smash it?

You need to be aware that injector seals do fail in the way you have described, and the injectors can be very difficult to remove. Having said that with a careful approach they usually do come out eventually. Pintle injectors are bolted down by a clamp, but the injector body often corrodes in the cylinder head. If you can prove that your garage used excessive and unreasonable force to carry out the job then you may have a case. If the action taken was deemed to be reasonable you may have to accept it. I would say that upon undertaking the job the garage should be obliged to be suitably equipped to carry it out satisfactorily. I they clearly are not then this may be sufficient evidence of their negligence.

Edited by Railroad. on 11/08/2015 at 23:05

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Tue 11 Aug 2015 23:10
Citroen picasso 1.6 hdi - Injector seals - picasso hdi - damage by garage - Jodie0404
Thanks for your advise, the second garage had no problem removing the injector with a hydrolic system, the first garage aparently borrowed a tool from citroen and even managed to break the tool, I think it will be a hard case to fight so may have to just learn from our mistake, thanks
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