Mechanic diagnosed and repaired and THEN called with new diagnosis of blown head gasket!

[Afpen]

What is the name of your state? Missouri
Took my 2000 Jeep Cherokee to a local garage and left it with mechanic. Mechanic calls with diagnosis of water pump, belt and hose. With labor $360. Do it. He orders parts, makes repairs and then calls to tell me the head gasket is blown and I'm looking at another $1500 and I need to come pay him the $360 for repairs. The vehicle has been in his possession since his original diagnosis. It's almost twenty years old and I don't really want to invest another $1500. had the mechanic included the blown gasket with the original diagnosis, I would have said no to all and junked it. Do I have to pay for repairs he did that I would not have authorized had he provided an accurate diagnosis to begin with?

 

[Zigner]

Why don't you think his original diagnosis was accurate?

 

[TheOldGuy]

This is not an uncommon scenario. Your water pump fails and your car overheats. When your car overheats, it can cause a blown gasket, which often is not diagnosed until the system is under pressure, which occurs after your water pump is replaced.

 

[Afpen]

Thank you! That's what I didn't know - I understand the steps to get to the diagnosis of blown head gasket now. I very much appreciate your taking the time to help me withy question.