Mechanic Problem, HELP!

[strictbiz]

Hi guys just want's some advice here, I got my vehicle repaired at a shop where I bought it. It needed gasket, lines, and covers, basically it was an full engine rebuild. Paid 2k, when I came to pick it up it they said it had a misfiring problem. So they had to fix it, took about 4 days for some reason, now the job is finished, to my surprise he is invoicing me for the repair on the misfiring. Initially I had no problem with misfiring, he told me it was a faulty injector because it "dried out". First of all I took it to another shop to have a quote on the job the full job required 11 hours (for the first job). Keep in mind the injector was out for those 2 days or so during the 4 days after the engine rebuild job was done. I asked him why would I have to pay for his mistake of taking out the injector for 2 days in result of "drying out" when the most mechanic jobs already have a standard quoted time for repairs. He didn't reply and told me he would call back Please help!! :(

[CARLiTO_]

I think the misfiring problem is BS. An injector can't really dry out, it can either be clogged or it can leak.

Did you actually visit the shop to see that it was misfiring? If not, how do u even know that there was actually a misfiring problem?

[Squashy]

I think the misfiring problem is BS. An injector can't really dry out, it can either be clogged or it can leak.

Did you actually visit the shop to see that it was misfiring? If not, how do u even know that there was actually a misfiring problem?

I agree BS. I have had injectors out for a few weeks, popped them back in and they worked fine. Only thing that may happen is the o-ring on the injector could have dried out, but then that would have been seen during assembly and usually does not cause a misfire.

[MameXP]

Freak! another BS from a shady garage.

This is one of the reason why i'm always affraid of having cars repaired. No offense but from my experience, the auto repairs industry is full of crooks.

I dont know what to tell you but i think you should stick with the original bill and pay no more than that. Be ready to file a letter to BBB and a written notice to the shop just in case you need to take it to court.

[mau108]

Also try to get the car outta there ASAP, the more time its in the garage, the more damage he can do to the car and against you ;)

What you could do is have the car parked outside his garage, lock all doors take the key and ask him to park one of his other cars behind yours as a protection against him if he refuses to let you take the car home without paying for the extra labour.

[strictbiz]

Thanks for all the advice guys! I had told him about how I didn't authorized that repair and how it needed to be on paper for me too see what I am getting charge for before he did anything. He understood his mistake and we made a deal (through an hour of discussion) I didn't get charge for the labour and paid only 50% of the parts. But for one thing, I never going back there again!

[strictbiz]

I think the misfiring problem is BS. An injector can't really dry out, it can either be clogged or it can leak.

Did you actually visit the shop to see that it was misfiring? If not, how do u even know that there was actually a misfiring problem?

there was a misfiring problem, check engine was flashing and I can tell by the sound of the muffler...

[strictbiz]

Freak! another BS from a shady garage.

This is one of the reason why i'm always affraid of having cars repaired. No offense but from my experience, the auto repairs industry is full of crooks.

I dont know what to tell you but i think you should stick with the original bill and pay no more than that. Be ready to file a letter to BBB and a written notice to the shop just in case you need to take it to court.

I agree with the auto repairs industry being crooks!

[ah802]

I agree with the auto repairs industry being crooks!

I guess that's why we are in this forum.. we had to find out for ourselves the hardway. Basically the industry is set-up for people to buy NEW and support the huge auto sector... (car dealerships, banks, etc.) and when you are out of warranty.. heaven help you or at least a good shop.

In this guys case... he has to pay the bill or face the possibilty of a mechanics lein (he get's ownership unless you pay the bill). Garages for the most part (in cities) run $60 hour.... it takes 10 hours or more to re&re an engine. To buy a brand new engine costs $6-7K, factory rebuilt 5k, garage or off brand rebuilt 3-4k, wreckers certified 2k, wreckers uncertified 1k... most of these options are not given to the customer. So for the most part, you get the uncertified version and everyone pays for the clean-up and there's finger crossing for 3 months while you break-in the new iron.

I can't stress enough.. the process of building loyalty with a local garage. Get to know him... give him your small jobs. When it comes to the big whopper at least you will have the privilage of looking him in the eye as a loyal customer.

This doesn't protect you from the rip-off garage which there are plenty, you can always look in these forums for recommended garages. Most cars give some of warning before they die (unless it's electrical which should cost much) so you have time to shop. I'll never accept the tow-trucks deliver garage...

[arahaman]

common guys....shouldnt be generalizing your comments like that. My dad is a mechanic himself at a Chrysler dealership and is a very honest person at that, a lot of my friends get their cars fixed by him and I havent heard one of them complain at all. Yes there are some people who try and scam some money out of your pockets but....I guess its true when they say one persons slip up can really ruin it for the rest...