At SP300 Car Garage in Chesterfield, we recently worked on a job that really tested our skills – but the outcome was a happy one for both us and the customer.
This week we received a 2016 VW Polo that had overheated on the motorway. The recovery service told the owner that the head gasket had gone, and advised that it might mean very costly repairs. Understandably, the customer wanted us to investigate properly and see what had really happened inside the engine.
When the Polo arrived at our Chesterfield garage, things didn’t look good. The engine struggled to tick over, it sounded very rough, and we could see a clear coolant leak under the car. Overheating engines are always worrying because the extreme heat can damage many expensive parts.
Finding the Real Problem
After carefully dismantling parts of the engine, we discovered the true cause of the problem. The plastic inlet manifold had warped badly due to the heat. This meant it wasn’t sealing correctly, which explained why the engine was running so poorly.
We also found that the water pump had failed and was leaking heavily. Once these parts were replaced, along with a few other minor components, the engine ran beautifully again. In fact, it turned out to be one of the quietest VW Polo engines we’ve ever worked on!
The customer was relieved that the repair was not as serious as the recovery service had suggested. While the bill was still a sizeable one, it was far less than the cost of replacing an entire engine.
This job shows that an overheating car doesn’t always mean a blown head gasket. If your vehicle overheats, don’t panic – bring it to SP300 in Chesterfield and we’ll carry out a full inspection to find the real cause.
Looking for Car Repairs in Chesterfield?
At SP300 Car Garage, we specialise in engine repairs, overheating problems, coolant leaks, and full diagnostics. If you need car repair services in Chesterfield, get in touch today – we’ll make sure your car is back on the road as quickly and safely as possible.