Possible Autoshop problem scenario

[jhan]

Let's say that your car (used, no warranty) just died on you on the road.
You get CAA truck to take your car to a nearby autoshop.

Mechanic "thinks" the problem is #1, and orders parts and repairs it.
However, it turns out that that wasn't the problem.

Now, mechanic examines other parts of the car (without any part replacement) and after an hour or so decides that the problem is #2.

He orders parts for #2, repairs that part but car still won't start.

This happens during the duration of 2 days.

How much am I supposed to pay the mechanic? I obviously don't want to pay for anything, but mechanic is obviously trying to squeeze every dollar he can.

What would be the best solution here? Thanks.

[BladeX]

That sucks, depending how much in total those parts were =S. Whats wrong with your car?

[ab20]

holy..get a new mechanic..
he thinks so much and ur gonna have to pay for it..;)

[gq_fuzion]

your mechanic thinks too much
if he thinks anymore... you'll of bought the car all over again
bring it to another shop where the mechanic knows... not thinks

[jhan]

Well, my car just died on me.

I'm definitely finding a new place if it doesn't get fixed tomorrow, but question is, how much do I pay him? What is a fair price for both?

[dasaylay]

I don't really think you have a choice but to suck it up and pay the cost of the parts + whatever labour he slaps on top of it. Do what others say and just take it to another mechanic.

Did he provide you atleast a list of what he's done?

[seftonm]

Your mechanic isn't going to work for free, you will have to pay him whatever his rate is. What is your car and what are the symptoms?

[DragonZealot]

but question is, how much do I pay him? What is a fair price for both?

You mechanic has the right to keep you car if you don't pay for all the work he did on your car. You have to pay both. However if you complain he MAY give you a discoount on #1.

He should have told you up front if the part is only likely (not 100%) to fix the problem. You could ask for 2nd opinion here or take it to another mechanic for diagnosis.

[kleptodathief]

lose that incompetant mechanic! op: u mite wanna specify ur car and problems so 'xperts' here can further help u diagnose the problem online..also always get 2nd mechanics opinion too...course when ur car just dies u want it fix asap, i know that feeling!

[jhan]

I drive Toyota Celica '01 GT Auto.
I change my oil every 4-5K and I just had filled up gas a night before.

I wake up from Oakville and drive to Mississauga to pick up something.
I come back 20 mins after and car starts fine, then after about 15 seconds I can feel the car slowly losing power, and it felts like car was becoming stiff.. car just slowed down and I'm forced to stop on the roadside.

First, I think of it as a simple battery issue and call up a taxi. No luck. I get CAA to tow me to a nearby autoshop, and after examining the car mechanic pulls out a "spark plug - i think?" from the engine and says "see? this is bad, gotta replace this and you are good to go". He replaces it and it's still not starting. I can hear engine going but it just won't start.

Mechanic now checks ignitions and that's not it. He now checks alarm system because it would be altering some electrical system.. alarm is fine, although it could be a problem later. Everything about the car is fine.

Now he's going from front of the car towards the back. He now says it must be a fuel pump being broken, not supplying gas to the engine. He's working on it right now but it looks like we have another failure.. >:(

[bizzmanager]

The proper way to handle this is to ask for a written estimate for the issue including parts and labor. By law the garage cannot go above the written estimate by any more than 10%.
Then, take the estimate to another mechanic and shop the issue. Considering that your car cannot be driven makes this difficult but not impossible. Most garages do not want to do this because it backs them into a corner.
In my opinion, without a referral to someone you trust, you should go to the franchise store. They have the proper equipment to diagnose the issue quickly and have allot more to lose from bad publicity.

PM me if you need someone to trust.
Good Luck,
Felix.

[woodstock827]

slowly losing power and he thinks it's the spark plugs??
Is he even a mechanic?? just tow your car to another place.

[DragonZealot]

There are diagnostic procedures to deal with no starts. To check sparks he should use a spark tester or use a screw driver and hold it near a HT boot. To check fuel pump you hook up a fuel pressure guage at the fuel supply rail. You don't just do wild guess.

Yea your mechanic is thinking too much.

[ES_Revenge]

Cut your losses and pay the shop, and get your car out of there before they get anymore money out of you.

The trial and error monkey business are marques of either a scam operation or just incompetent mechanics.

Unfortunately you are probably going to have to pay them for the work they did (be sure they did actually do work, lol--ask for the old parts back if they replaced anything). But I would just pay them, post their business name up here and say what they did/didn't do and how your car wasn't repaired, etc. Then take your car somewhere that will be able to fix it, not clown around or rip you off.