Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
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Stories of INCOMPETENT MECHANICS - post yours!
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I decide that the transmission needs a fluid change and "checkout". Take it to their service facility. When I come to pick up, a person is there to tell me that they found metal shavings in the bottom of the pan. Recommend a new rebuilt unit be installed. I choose not to have the work performed. I continue to drive the car for many years without any "event".
This has happened to me twice. I have only traded with this chain twice. It has taught me that, sadly, the franchise(who specializes) seems to be eager to perform jobs that may not be required. It has also taught me that my gut feelings have a high percentage of "correctness".
This is not isolated to automobiles, I see this in alot in different specialized services.
tboner1965: Your suggestions could make for a great research project. I wish that I had the time and a place to publish something so intriguing!
sugardog: I'm finding that I must stay in touch with my car just as much as possible. I've bought a real good jack. Good car ramps. Tools galore (comein handy everywhere). Books. Visit places like this. Etc. I'm tired of incompetence. I'm trying to do alot myself. If I screw up then...I screw up and learn somemore things. Good luck.
" There are metal filings in your pan...you need a transmission overhaul"
sugardog,
It's also easy to get too cynical. Most shops are honest and honest shops get problems blamed on them everyday that they didn't cause.
" My transmission never leaked until you worked on my brakes...you must have done something!"
Ask any honest repair shop about this. Most shops will decline working on a customer's car if they suspect they are dealing with a person like that.
Years ago, a friend brought his car into a national retailer. The car had difficulty going above 50. The shop diagnosed the problem, and wanted to replace the transmission ... for somewhat over $1,000.
Being poor graduate students in the early 1980s, living on an annual stipend of $6,400 a year, $1000-plus is a lot of money. Knowing I worked on cars some, my friend asked me what to do.
So, before agreeing to the work, we brought the car to another shop.
The mechanic drove around the block with us, and concluded, "I'm not sure exactly what it is. But, there is one thing I can tell you: It definitely is not your transmission." He thought that the car might not be breathing well. He asked that we drive the car up the road to his friend at a local garage, and ask that he back off the exhaust manifold bolts.
As soon as he loosened the bolts, the car started running great. As it was a high mileage car, the catalytic converter had collapsed, and the engine could not pass the exhaust. All it needed was a replacement converter.
So, here's an example of both the "good" and the "bad." I guess that makes my friend and me the "ugly."
Yet, there is atleast one service provider out there who likes to send you some book cupons. Oil change, $6.95, "Free" safety inspection, Brakes, $39.95*, Tirerotation, A/C tuneup....you know the hype.
Every time that I have used this one "national" tire chain store,...everytime..., half-way thru the service they contact me with "Mr Wil., there is something that we need to show you...". They always seem to cook-up more business. And, their 'extra work' is absolutely sky-high!
Now, seeing how they have your vehicle up on the rack, they want you to make a split second decision...and...if you answer no, they can quickly tell you all the terrible things that will happen to you if you don't buy it right NOW! No telling how many people fall for this stuff....
If they come to you with the bit about "lookie here"...I suggest that you make them do the estimate and then say no thanks. Take the estimate and go shopping elswhere...save about half....easy....they'll burn you a new one if you let em.
Went in shopping and returned to pick-up. They were pretty quick, car was ready in an hour and fifteen minutes.
Invoice read 6 quarts of oil. I said "..car only holds 5 quarts...". Clerk/tech said, "..don't worry it's alright...just the computer print, happens all the time...". I go out and check the level. Too much oil according to dip stick. A quart too much! Also, they had forgot(neglicted) to perform check and vac. services.
I've changed my oil ever since. Tired of relying on other providers whose "help" changes monthly. Like to save money and time. I enjoy changing the oil. I take my used oil over to their place and leave it there for them.....haha...and have the satisfaction knowing that service was done "right".
Most anyone who has a "place" can do this....
wil
Have fun.
And thanks for some of your informative posts, observations, and ideas here in the Maintenance Topics...I have enjoyed them.
wil
Harry
I'll bet there was smoke coming out of the air cleaner box when you were trying to start it?
About 70% of no starts that are seen,that just happen are caused by either a plugged fuel filter or a plugged catalytic converter.But,I hate to give you bad news.If the catalytic converter plugged at 25,000 miles,you have another problem and if it does not get squared away,you will have another plugged cat in another 25,000 miles.You either have a rich running condition or a spark problem.Something to think about.
Harry
I've learned a lot over the course of this mess- #1 it's not the local dealership that was our problem, it was the GM rep who wouldn't authorize anything to be done. #2 The BBB everyone goes thru is a crock. They work for the manufacturer. They're paid for by them. The object is to wear you down with the whole process. #3 Document everything!
Keep all repair orders,make them put the complaint in writing on the repair orders and keep all copies.If you have a problem,get names of the people you talked to on phone calls to them and the manufacturer and log all of the calls.Some people think this is a little extreme,but it is in your best interest.
The new transmission worked fine for me and the problem was solved. On a later trip to the dealer I was chatting with the Service Manager and asked if they determined the problem with the transmission they took out of my car. I could not believe what he said. "The person who bought the car with your transmission has not had any complaints". They sold that new car that had my 10,000 mile transmission to someone as a new car. Unbelievable!
while getting my car inspected, they found that i needed rear brakes, along with "brake hardware" and a drum turning. i refused the service and decided to have my girlfriends dad fix it. Sure enough i needed new brake shoes. but! only one on one side was damaged. If that one wasnt damaged, the brakes could have passed for new. i didnt need any other hardware, and the drums still had the lubricant on them from the previous turning. Luckily im only 7 bucks in the hole instead of Monro's $100+. They also gave me a $300+ estimate for new pipes from the converter back. that is somewhat reasonable, considering i have dual exhaust and single exhaust for my other car cost $130
When I called to see when to pick up the car and find out if all had been done. When I asked about the noisy engine, the service guy (Mike) said it was normal and the Winstar has a loud engine. When I said it was getting louder and didn't seem right, he dismissed my concern and said it was normal and not to worry about it.
I picked up the car and over the next couple of days noticed a strong oil smell. I called the service dept. and was told it was probably grease, because they had to fix the power door. When I said it didn't smell like grease I was again told not to worry about it
Two weeks after having the car serviced it became undrivable and had to be towed to the dealer. Turns out the engine needs to be replaced because of blown gaskets. It is not repairable.
The treatment I have received from Koon's is deplorable. They said at first that I had to rent a car, and wouldn't give me a loaner. Many calls later they said they would reimbursement me $28/day for a rental and I had to pay the difference(what can you rent for $28/day. I have a van for a reason!!) Finally, many hours and many, many calls later I was told I could have a loaner of a Taurus.
They never call me even when I am told the service guy will call me right back. I always have to call them and then am given the run around. I was told I would have my van back in a week. A week later, no courtesy call to say it wasn't ready. I had to call repeatedly until Mike told me, after 2 weeks, it is not ready and they don't know when it will be. Today they told me I am on the waiting list for an engine.
The loaner manager want's the Taurus back and said I could rent a van and they would reimburse me. I said I wasn't paying anything out of my pocket and if they want the Taurus they have to bring me a van that THEY have rented! We are at a stalemate. I am still waiting to hear from them.
This is no way to do business. This is such a shame, because we are in the market to replace my husband's car and they will never get our business again.
Sorry this is so long.
Rear wheel drive and 4X4,
1 Rears straight forward, cross the fronts to the back.
2 X the tires
Front drive,
Fronts straight back, cross the rears to the front.
All vehicles,
Front to rear, rear to front, same side.
Shops often use rear drive pattern on front drive or front drive pattern on rear drive if it will correct an unusual wear pattern on tread.
Harry