Last night as I parked on our drive I noticed a large dark patch. I reversed back and confirmed I wasn't seeing things. I then parked up and took a look underneath. I could see 1 fresh patch, 1 older/drier patch. I believe the older patch is actually quite new, as I've never noticed any marking before last night. Both patches were probably around/at least 1' in diameter. New patch was fresh, wet, clean oil and had a noticable smell when sniffed. It seemed like new oil (as opposed to used engine oil).
The car is a 1998 Pug 306 which had both front wishbones replaced on Monday and an MOT retest.
Taking a second look under the car last night, it looks as if the oil is coming from the near side driveshaft as it exits the gearbox. Whilst fresh oil appears all around the area, it seems that it's coming from around the driveshaft.
I dropped the car into a garage this morning (NOT the one which did the wishbones). He said it was suspicious that it happened so soon after the wishbones, and wondered whether they'd disturbed the driveshaft when doing it. He asked what they could spend before they needed to contact me and said their hour rate was £56 + VAT, and was an hour okay. Sounded fine to me. They called be back within the hour (actually just now, whilst I was writing this) with a diagnosis and cost. Apparently the oil seal has gone, they've ordered one in for me, total cost £60 to replace, should be done today. To me this sounds fair. I need the car tomorrow - hence wanting it looked at and fixed ASAP.
I'm quite pleased with their turnaround (for an unbooked drive in for a small garage which often seems very busy during the day).
Depending on what they say - I *may* try getting the cost back from the original garage - but I don't hold much hope. When I've queried things with them recently, I've had a not terribly helpful result (eg. was told replacing wishbones was marginally easier than just bushes, and the 1.5 hours the last time would be the same this time - it's a book time, not an actual time - actually turned out at 2 hours - no explanation why the increase in time. Similarly, when I asked how the examiner would check for 'broken/cracked bushes' and how could I confirm it - was just told "that's what the examiner said was wrong".)
The last time they did the bushes (2 years ago), they stripped the bolt and I had to bring it back in (after trying to convince them that the new knocking sound which only started after they did the work was due to them). I guess I had the thought that they'd not cover this new problem under the wishbone warranty, and then charge me for the work (may be fair - but doesn't feel it!). Actually, truth be told - when I noticed the puddle of oil, I actually thought they must have deliberately done something which would cause me to take it back into them to get the work done! Call me a cynic!
Does anyone think I have any chance of getting the other garage to refund the cost of getting it fixed, or am I being unreasonable? I guess I should have taken it back to them to get it fixed (as it would only cost them time, not money) - but I expected them to wriggle out of it and still charge me, claiming it was a separate issue, completely coincidental that it was only 2-3 days after they did the work that I noticed the failure.
Thanks
David