I need help!!

[ugame]

To chime in, I'd say the thing to do now is get that car back on a tow truck, take it to Leo at Chileberti's, and get THEM to establish if in fact, there is anything wrong.

This is like a cancer diagnosis right now. What you want is a "2nd opinion" from a trusted doctor.

For the record, I've never dealt with Auto Delta myself.

[Citroënbender]

The damage could have occurred a number of places. Tilt tray operator unlocking the steering, accidentally bumps the starter unless the starter relay was disabled, for one. Or if it's a manual, someone accidentally pushing or rolling the car whilst in gear.

You need to think about what matters to you the most in real terms, and let that guide your actions.  Is it your own car particularly which is special to you, or just the type generally?  If it was suddenly lost, what would you replace it with? 

If interference has occurred inside the motor, it is going to cost a good sum to repair.  If you're basically wanting to get that done for nil cost to yourself, it's imperative upon the person tasked with this to get it done quickly and cheaply as possible so their loss is mitigated. This doesn't help you as there's further risk from a comparatively low care factor.

I've never understood the reluctance of people to put in writing, an opinion they're qualified to have. To me, it's cowardice. I have qualifications in a trade, current registration and insurance for that, and I'm not afraid to submit a PDF to a client explaining what I think, and why I think it - nor do I fear it being tested in a legal domain.

A civil claim will get you something, they're frequently settled in court-ordered mediation so you don't usually even need a legal practitioner, but if the other party is financially tight you may have to accept a longer timeframe for payment in the final agreement.  I've gone toe-to-toe with irrational aerosols in mediation, and it can be pretty draining - but it's still a faster outcome than putting the claim right through a courtroom.

In the immediate term I suggest acquiring a cheap 147, so you can keep wearing the Alfa Grin.

I had a 4x4 specialist once who nearly killed a car I had as they didn't lock tight the nut holding on the harmonic balancer., which then came off (fortunately during startup on our driveway)

In his words he said "I'll understand if you never want me to touch your car again, but I want the opportunity to make this right."
And he did, at no cost to me.

Now there's a mensch, what a genuinely good tale. 

[ugame]

I had a 4x4 specialist once who nearly killed a car I had as they didn't lock tight the nut holding on the harmonic balancer., which then came off (fortunately during startup on our driveway)

In his words he said "I'll understand if you never want me to touch your car again, but I want the opportunity to make this right."
And he did, at no cost to me.

Now there's a mensch, what a genuinely good tale. 

It's a rare tale.

It was a well known 4x4 specialist in 4x4 circles. Clearly he suffered staff issues on that occasion. My incident being the nail in the coffin for the staff member in question apparently.

He also worked on some of my non 4x4's at the time. Did the clutch job on my 350Z. Slave cylinder had failed. He researched and purchased the exact clutch kit I would have purchased, and did the job flawlessly.

I then also got him to do a service on my Chrysler 300C. Picked it up, drove it around the block and straight back, with a grinding noise from the brakes. He jokingly said "What have you done?"
I laughed and said "I was about to ask you the same thing".

A couple of issues from them doing the brakes on a type of car they'd never worked on before. Again, apologies and fixed everything without even hinting at charging me again.

They're out there. The good ones. But you have to look, and when you find one, you keep it.

SO back on topic, Cileberti Motors are in that category. I'd rather pay a little more, but know I'm only paying once.

EDIT: Incase the above is ambigiouse, I'm saying Cileberti Motors are a good mechanic workshop who stand by their work.

[alfaromeo8c]

Hi guys,

The workshop finally fixed the front cylinder head at their own cost and the front head gasket was pretty bad. So, I had the rear
head gasket replaced at my own cost. Thanks to you guys' advice, everything was settled.

Thanks again.

[poohbah]

Good outcome, and good that the shop came to the party too. Happy motoring.

[ugame]

Great outcome!

Thanks for taking the time to come back and update us all.

I was actually thinking about this thread the other day and was going to ask how it was going.