On Thursday August 13th, my son called to say that when he started up "his" car (it's actually mine), it made a terrible grumbling noise. He asked if I would look at it. I came over and noticed it was making a sound like a tin can was in the motor. I suspected a water pump. I found the NEAREST mechanic to his apartment. One was right around the corner. I drove the car there.
I went in the shop and told "Michelle" to check it. I clearly stated that if the engine itself was seized, I would probably scrap the car. I said if it was something as simple as the water pump, I would probably go ahead with the repairs.
On Friday, August 14th, she called to say it was indeed the water pump, and that she would also replace the timing belt and another component when she did the pump (said it was necessary to replace the other items). She said it would be $985. I thought that was high for a water pump, but if it would fix the problem, go ahead with the repairs.
On Monday, August 17th, I called Michelle to find out what was going on. She said they were "having trouble getting the belt on" and that it would be another day.
We were called late in the day on Tuesday, August 18th, and told the car was done. I was traveling on business, so I paid for the repairs over the phone with a CC. My son went and picked the car up. When he got home (again, right around the corner). He called and said the car was much worse. He said it did not drive properly now. I told him to take the car back immediately. He said they were closing for the night, but he would take it back the next day . He took it back and the shop said they would "look" at it (This was Wed August 19th).
On August 20th, I was called at noon and told they had done a "compression" test. One of the rods was probably bent, or a valve was bad, or BASICALLY THE ENGINE WAS SEIZED. I asked why, even though I asked right up front, they hadn't checked the engine to start with. They said they couldn't. They contended the engine was already seized when they did the $985 of repairs. This sounded WAY wrong to me.
I called another mechanic, and explained the basics of the story, leaving out the part about them having trouble putting on the timing belt. He laughed, and said they PUT THE BELT ON WRONG, AND TRIED TO START THE ENGINE WITH IT ON WRONG. THEY in effect, SEIZED THE ENGINE. Then they tried to cover it by saying things about the clutch and oil leaks.
This car made a racket when we brought it into them. It also overheated. BUT IT DROVE FINE, and the engine could be heard SEPERATELY from the rattle of the pump. It purred along just FINE. Now, $985 later, it's a pile of junk. These people destroyed my car.
Todd's Complete Auto Care Reviews
On Thursday August 13th, my son called to say that when he started up "his" car (it's actually mine), it made a terrible grumbling noise. He asked if I would look at it. I came over and noticed it was making a sound like a tin can was in the motor. I suspected a water pump. I found the NEAREST mechanic to his apartment. One was right around the corner. I drove the car there.
I went in the shop and told "Michelle" to check it. I clearly stated that if the engine itself was seized, I would probably scrap the car. I said if it was something as simple as the water pump, I would probably go ahead with the repairs.
On Friday, August 14th, she called to say it was indeed the water pump, and that she would also replace the timing belt and another component when she did the pump (said it was necessary to replace the other items). She said it would be $985. I thought that was high for a water pump, but if it would fix the problem, go ahead with the repairs.
On Monday, August 17th, I called Michelle to find out what was going on. She said they were "having trouble getting the belt on" and that it would be another day.
We were called late in the day on Tuesday, August 18th, and told the car was done. I was traveling on business, so I paid for the repairs over the phone with a CC. My son went and picked the car up. When he got home (again, right around the corner). He called and said the car was much worse. He said it did not drive properly now. I told him to take the car back immediately. He said they were closing for the night, but he would take it back the next day . He took it back and the shop said they would "look" at it (This was Wed August 19th).
On August 20th, I was called at noon and told they had done a "compression" test. One of the rods was probably bent, or a valve was bad, or BASICALLY THE ENGINE WAS SEIZED. I asked why, even though I asked right up front, they hadn't checked the engine to start with. They said they couldn't. They contended the engine was already seized when they did the $985 of repairs. This sounded WAY wrong to me.
I called another mechanic, and explained the basics of the story, leaving out the part about them having trouble putting on the timing belt. He laughed, and said they PUT THE BELT ON WRONG, AND TRIED TO START THE ENGINE WITH IT ON WRONG. THEY in effect, SEIZED THE ENGINE. Then they tried to cover it by saying things about the clutch and oil leaks.
This car made a racket when we brought it into them. It also overheated. BUT IT DROVE FINE, and the engine could be heard SEPERATELY from the rattle of the pump. It purred along just FINE. Now, $985 later, it's a pile of junk. These people destroyed my car.