Technical Buying a 500 which had it's head replaced - should I avoid?

[jlhdasMorahd]

Would love your input on this.

I met with a seller. 500, 1.2, Manual, 2010, only 85,000 KM.

Seller was honest and told me engine got hot, and car was towed to Fiat dealer.

Head needed "fixing" (he's not a car guy nor am I so jargon might be off).

Engine Head was fixed by Fiat dealer (costly) (not sure what's the official name for this procedure).

Since then he says engine is fine.

Is it best practice to avoid? Or nothing to worry about if done correctly?

Car did heat up though, which might have caused something permanent?

Thank you!

 

[steveras57]

Would love your input on this.

I met with a seller. 500, 1.2, Manual, 2010, only 85,000 KM.

Seller was honest and told me engine got hot, and car was towed to Fiat dealer.

Head needed "fixing" (he's not a car guy nor am I so jargon might be off).

Engine Head was fixed by Fiat dealer (costly) (not sure what's the official name for this procedure).

Since then he says engine is fine.

Is it best practice to avoid? Or nothing to worry about if done correctly?

Car did heat up though, which might have caused something permanent?

Thank you!

two questions is there a receipt to PROVE the head was replaced?- i would want to see in writing EXACTLY what was replaced!& was the work warrantied?.

Also Is there evidence that CAUSE was investigated and repaired as needed? If it was me i would want to see that both the water pump and thermostat was replaced at the same time as the head was repaired! ( bear in mind that the head "repair" might just have been a head gasket replacement! )that being the case i would also want to see evidence that the head and block were checked and if needed skimmed to insure a flat surface and prevent the same thing happening again in the future!.

If that was done then i would think a timing belt change might have been done as well as it all has to come off anyway! if thats not been done then its a false economy and might give you some insight into the sellers way of thinking!?.

And of course there is always "why is he selling it then?" after all this expense!- to consider!.

If in doubt dont buy it! literally hundreds more out there and you dont want to be picking up someone else problems do you!- It may be cheep ?,but fixing someone else's skimped repairs most certainly is not! .
take care!.
good luck!.

 

[jlhdasMorahd]

two questions is there a receipt to PROVE the head was replaced?- i would want to see in writing EXACTLY what was replaced!& was the work warrantied?.

Also Is there evidence that CAUSE was investigated and repaired as needed? If it was me i would want to see that both the water pump and thermostat was replaced at the same time as the head was repaired! ( bear in mind that the head "repair" might just have been a head gasket replacement! )that being the case i would also want to see evidence that the head and block were checked and if needed skimmed to insure a flat surface and prevent the same thing happening again in the future!.

If that was done then i would think a timing belt change might have been done as well as it all has to come off anyway! if thats not been done then its a false economy and might give you some insight into the sellers way of thinking!?.

And of course there is always "why is he selling it then?" after all this expense!- to consider!.

If in doubt dont buy it! literally hundreds more out there and you dont want to be picking up someone else problems do you!- It may be cheep ?,but fixing someone else's skimped repairs most certainly is not! .
take care!.
good luck!.

This is the best answer I've ever gotten on the internet
Thank you so much!

 

[steveras57]

This is the best answer I've ever gotten on the internet
Thank you so much!

your very welcome! good luck with your decisions!