Argh, not happy.

[b2tf]

Well for the 3rd time in the space of 2 weeks, the Focus was at Ford again today. The reason? Well, as we FINALLY found out today, the thermostat housing is cracked and leaking, allbeit at a minute rate, but still needs to be fixed.

I'm not a happy camper, it originally went in for its 45k service, they then found a gasket leaking so that had to be replaced. Fair enough. Ordered the part in - oh, turns out to the wrong one, sorry you'll have to come back another day - that's ok, everybody makes mistakes, but a call would have been nice instead of me waiting for them to call me and come and get the car.

So today was that particular day, got my loaner XR6T: and left the car with them, expecting a call at 2pm. 3pm comes, no call and Im getting worried, so I head back to the dealership to be greeted by the service manager who I had asked to have removed from my car (in other words I didnt want him or his mechs working on it). Sorted THAT little issue out (have made it very clear to all service staff that he is not to touch my car, ive seen him in action before), only to be told the 3 things that were scheduled to be fixed (seatbelt on front RHS is sagging and not staying taut - the winder mechanism in the pillar needs replacing, noisy drive belt and this leak) have not been done.

Why not? Well, turns out the gasket was stuffed, so it was replaced, but the other 2 times they had it and supposedly checked it, they failed to see the crack in the thermostat housing. So now I have to take it back AGAIN and hope that this time they open their eyes and address any other little issues that have been going on in that bay of mine for god knows how long because they havent found it beforehand! Not happy!

And to top it all off, my engine bay is FILTHY. Took that back and told them if it comes back to me like that after a service again I won't be coming back full stop. Absolutely tired of incompetent mechanics and lazy service advisors who think they cant shaft me cos Im not some 50yr old. And to think these are the same people I worked with not that long ago, and am now working with to organise the All Ford Day. What a joke.

I know I probably sound like a whinger, but when the car goes in, i do expect a certain standard of service, and for the job to be done properly. On this occasion that hasnt happened and it is costing me time and money. The only real positive of it all is borrowing that XR6T all the time!