Bad luck or garage avoiding blame for overheated engine, blown head gasket.

My 2006 C3 Desire, went to a garage for two rear tires, timing belts and a water pump. This was following a successful MOT and service. Advisory notices.
I drove 18 miles home without issue, next morning, almost immediately I head a "clicking/rattling" sound, the car didn't quite feel right. 18 miles later I began losing power before the dashboard lit up and the car cut out. Dead nothing. The bonnet was too hot for me to lift. When I was able to raise the bonnet I noticed the coolant container was empty.
Car towed to my local garage, they identify and empty water pump, overheated engine, blown head gasket.
The garage that did belts and pump say they aren't to blame- no way no how because I was able to drive almost 40 miles before it died.
I am not technical so please keep reply's simple. I also appreciate no-one can know without seeing my car.
Are they correct? What could have gone wrong? What do you suggest I do with my dead car? Scrap?

Thanks for any help you offer.

Hi Chris262

My advice would be to seek help from an independent engineer, if you're a member of the AA or RAC they can usually help.

As you say, without seeing the car it's impossible to know but I'd be suspicious that just after the cooling system was worked on you ran out of coolant.

It could be coincidence but it could also be an error by the garage.

Chris262 wrote:What could have gone wrong? What do you suggest I do with my dead car? Scrap?

Loss of coolant or not enough coolant added after the work. A failed head gasket can be repaired, the loss of coolant investigated and repaired.

The water pump should inspected to see that is is sealing correctly (look for evidence of a leak) and the cooling system checked for leaks and I don't see why the car won't run again after the work.

Thanks for your responses people. Not an RAC or AA member the C3 currently SORN and on private land.
Ultimately I feel the garage should have offered to check their work. They did not. Anyone know what an independent engineer would cost to review the work? Also how much to get it fixed?
My car was lovely and I'd taken care of it. Panoramic sun roof, electric everything.

Chris262 wrote:Not an RAC or AA member the C3 currently SORN and on private land.

The RAC have a dedicated page to vehicle inspections (click here for the page to RAC Inspections) and you can call them for a quote.

With the report from the independent inspection it may be enough to get the garage to settle out of court of the inspection goes that way?

Chris262 wrote:Also how much to get it fixed?

The head gasket costs about £20 (click here for details)
A set of new head bolts - its best to change them - is also about £20 (check engine details)
6 to 7 litres of new coolant -depending on engine - is about £25 (Use only this coolant )
New oil and filter may be needed if there is contamination (Use Total 7000 in a petrol engine)


On top of the work of removing the head and refitting it there needs to be a contingency fund of around £100 to have the head skimmed if its warped. You can't tell if it needs this extra work until the head is removed and the inlet and exhaust manifolds will also need to be removed and new gaskets fitted if the head needs a skim by a local engineering firm. There are also companies that can pick up your head, skim and return it for a price - by clicking here.

It is also advised to fit a new timing belt kit available in this link for about £80. You may not want to do this because your belt is new anyway, but for anyone else, while the head is off, fit a new timing belt kit.

The water pump is about £30 but (check here) for your correct engine.

Plus the six or so hours to strip it down and rebuild. It may take more if the cam belt and water pump are changed and be ready to buy any other parts that can be see to be worn while the head is off. This can save money in the long term.

I recommend buying a copy of the C3 Haynes manual (from this link) because it has a step-by-step guide to changing the head gasket and it allows you to see what is involved - if you do it yourself or if you are paying someone to do the job you will know what needs to be done.