michele Posted February 8, 2007 Share Posted February 8, 2007 So after finding out that my Local fiat dealer can now not take the van for it's first service due to the fact that they can now no longer fit it in the garage. Apparently they have had a major rebuild an cannot accomodate the bigger M/H's . I have managed to go back to where we have the VW caravell serviced,. This guy has the contract for the big shifting vehicles at Stanstead Airport. He said he can do it and has pointed out before that as long as they use genuine Fiat parts and stamp the book it is all above board. Q Do I trust them they have been very good with the VW but then its old and I ,m not worried about that . I am worried that I invalidate my service requirement's I mentioned the heater and according to him that comes under warranty work and should be taken to a Fiat Garage ... Would you all think that this was a suitable option as travelling far is not an option for us ...(children ) are not permitting.. Any advice one way or the other would be gratefully received. just wnt to get it right. Cheers Michele Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tina Posted February 9, 2007 Share Posted February 9, 2007 Hi Michelle, Under new rules (well not that new) any garage can carry out vehicle servicing as long as genuine parts are used, your garage chap is correct it will not invalidate your warranty. My cousin does a lot of our stuff after a huge service bill from a nissan garage sent us reeling. As for the heater or anything in the habitation area, that has to be done by a specialist in that area, so caravan dealers or your motorhome dealer should be able to do this or recommend someone who can. Most ordinary garages wouldn't have a clue where or what to check. Tina Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted February 9, 2007 Share Posted February 9, 2007 Work done on a motorhome under warranty needs to conform to the terms of that warranty. So, if you want the heater of your motorhome's Fiat 'chassis' attended to under warranty (ie. free of charge), you'll need to have the work carried out by a Fiat agent. (I'm assuming you are referring to the cab heater that you've complained about before.) Normal servicing of the vehicle during the warranty period has different rules and: "He said he can do it and has pointed out before that as long as they use genuine Fiat parts and stamp the book it is all above board." is a fair summary of the present situation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michele Posted February 9, 2007 Author Share Posted February 9, 2007 Derek, you are quite correct . Thank you for the info. I will be phoning the Fiat dealer today although they can not fit it in under the roof because of buildings I will endever to find out if thge Heater /Matrix whatever can be looked at in the yard or outside. I cannot go all the way to brownhills just for this. Tina thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Kirby Posted February 9, 2007 Share Posted February 9, 2007 michele - 2007-02-09 11:36 AM Derek, you are quite correct . Thank you for the info. I will be phoning the Fiat dealer today although they can not fit it in under the roof because of buildings I will endever to find out if thge Heater /Matrix whatever can be looked at in the yard or outside. I cannot go all the way to brownhills just for this. Tina thank you. MicheleYou should have, with your motorhome, a Fiat handbook, and with that a book of approved Fiat commercial service centres. Look for that and you should find all the Fiat authorised service centres near where you live. Phone them one by one and ask about fixing the heater problem. Tell them you have a motorhome and ask if they can accommodate it. If not, try the next. However, you may find they are a bit more cooperative of you offer them the service work as well! Most dealerships complain the labour rates they get for warranty work show a loss, so a bit of actual income may be what is needed to sweeten the pill.However, all that said, won't you have to go to Brownhills (or some other motorhome dealership) for your habitation check, to keep your Bessacarr warranty up to date? Some, and I know Brownhills do, also have, or can arrange for, Fiat servicing at/near their premises. Two birds with one stone? (Like the routemaster: proper buses, them) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michele Posted February 9, 2007 Author Share Posted February 9, 2007 I have managed to find another Garage that has agreed to look at the Heater at 4 pm this was given to me by Fiat . they will do the warranty work but apparently I have to pay them direct because they are sick of waiting for Fiats to pay them. How do I go about claiming my money back for the work (if any) on the heater warranty part . Do I get in touch with brownhills or Fiat direct head office and send thm the invoice . ? any idea's. Regards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Kirby Posted February 9, 2007 Share Posted February 9, 2007 michele - 2007-02-09 12:04 PM I have managed to find another Garage that has agreed to look at the Heater at 4 pm this was given to me by Fiat . they will do the warranty work but apparently I have to pay them direct because they are sick of waiting for Fiats to pay them. How do I go about claiming my money back for the work (if any) on the heater warranty part . Do I get in touch with brownhills or Fiat direct head office and send thm the invoice . ? any idea's. Regards MicheleThe Fiat warranty comes from Fiat. Speak to them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michele Posted February 9, 2007 Author Share Posted February 9, 2007 Yes the old Route Master Long. Loved them to drive could swing them anywhere. It was the passengers I had a problem with (only Joking) Brian , have done all the Fiat Garages in this area . Habitation never had before why did Brownhills never tell us of this. we never even heard of it until I logged on this site and saw Carols old posting of ingress which she had to have done. No one ever has mentioned this to us. When I gave the last one back to Brownhills they never asked us if we had had it done? is this because we get rid of them two quickly usually a years worth? I have found a Garage whitin distance that can do class 7 so they say and apparently on making queries thgis is where Fiat have sent me. They are willing to do the service and at 4 pm today I have to go for the heater problem . BUT if it costs and he can do it there and then apparently I have to pay cash. I don't mind because it seems we are stuck between a rock & a stone all the garages seem to be in London . I can not fit the camper down a street in London . There is nothing up here in essex for miles .I get stuck because I have a time limit with the school bus have to be at home . So how do I get the money back when its done or do I just suffer it . Not going to worry about habitation at the moment as I feel it will be going again soon swopped for another with proper seat belts . hope I make sense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michele Posted February 9, 2007 Author Share Posted February 9, 2007 The bad news is £350 needs a heater matrix ? somehow i did not believe this young man .He said there nothing wrong with that it's hot air. Me being me told him young man it feels hot to you because you have been cold all day. I left not booking it in I will take it up with Fiat. On the same Road is our Volvo dealer whom I have used for years so I stopped he opened the bonnet let the air out of a tank? turned it on said you have an air lock hey presto hot air. Amazing when you know a man that can. all mended. Off to France nice & hot well hot as a Fiat gets. Thaks for all your help everyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flicka Posted February 9, 2007 Share Posted February 9, 2007 Great result Michele It's like you say, but it clever bit is finding the Man Who Can, well done you. And well done the Man Who Can. Nurture him, as I guess you may want to call on him in the future. Have a good warm trip. Flicka Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest peter Posted February 9, 2007 Share Posted February 9, 2007 Glad you got it sorted Michele, and saved £350 as well. Cheaky barstewards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Kirby Posted February 10, 2007 Share Posted February 10, 2007 michele - 2007-02-09 4:43 PM The bad news is £350 needs a heater matrix ? somehow i did not believe this young man .He said there nothing wrong with that it's hot air. Me being me told him young man it feels hot to you because you have been cold all day. I left not booking it in I will take it up with Fiat. On the same Road is our Volvo dealer whom I have used for years so I stopped he opened the bonnet let the air out of a tank? turned it on said you have an air lock hey presto hot air. Amazing when you know a man that can. all mended. Off to France nice & hot well hot as a Fiat gets. Thaks for all your help everyone. Now all you have to do isa) go back to the Fiat garage and stuff your matrix where it makes their eyes water (actually get P C Hubby to go round, preferably in uniform, if he has one, to complain to the MD!), and two,b) contact Fiat customer services and tell them their Fiat agent local to you is a rip off merchant and you want the complaint formally registered.Trying to get £350 for a heater matrix, where all that was wrong was an air-lock, is not commercial practice, it is fraudulent. Outrageous: please name said concern for the protecton of the innocent! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dickyc2 Posted February 10, 2007 Share Posted February 10, 2007 service requirements for all new vehicles(since the government got rid of block exemption) is, any vat registered garage can carry out the work, as for genuine parts,not needed, as long as the parts conform to european standards and are to manufacturers spec they can be used, so servicing works out cheaper hurray!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Kirby Posted February 10, 2007 Share Posted February 10, 2007 dickyc2 - 2007-02-10 4:50 PM service requirements for all new vehicles(since the government got rid of block exemption) is, any vat registered garage can carry out the work, as for genuine parts,not needed, as long as the parts conform to european standards and are to manufacturers spec they can be used, so servicing works out cheaper hurray!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D True Richard, but Michele's 'van is still under warranty so any non consumable parts should be replaced by Fiat, and that can only be done at a Fiat authorised service centre.Imagine, you replace the brake pads, and then find out your discs are warped (can happen). Non Fiat pads may be cheaper, but I'd far sooner have the agrument with the Fiat authorised service manager who fitted the Fiat pads, than argue with the same manager about whether the non Fiat pads fitted by the other, cheaper, service garage had caused the problem!You may have the law on your side, but you'll probably still want your van back all repaired this year! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michele Posted February 21, 2007 Author Share Posted February 21, 2007 Brian just read your post due to going to France then lots getting lost in the crash. They are in Harlow Essex . Firstly I called Fiat Harlow who cannot do commercial. They told me of DBS which I have used before and very curtious polite no problem no rip off. They are the ones who cannot accomodate anymore due to the work. Went back to Fiat Harlow and they recommended Adams Coachworks Harlow. The man said when I asked if it was free on warranty no we are independant it's just that Fiat cannot handle the work load and we have a cat 7 ? so we can do it for you. Come at 4 oclock you know the rest never ever again will I attend there and I will make sure I take bob a bottle or two. I did mention independant didn't I nothing to do with Fiat although wouldn't take Fiats recomendations again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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