What is the name of your state? NJ
Hi everyone, and thanks in advance for any advice!
I had the water pump and timing belt replaced as part of routine maintenance on my 1998 Acura CL. It was done at a small local shop of which I was a regular, long-time customer. They started the job late and told me they rushed to get me out in time. The job required them disconnecting and reconnecting hoses and wires on the steering pump in order to get to the water pump. When I picked it up they told me it was making a noise but that it should go away within 200 miles. Well it did not. When the car is cold and I turn the wheel it makes a terribly loud whining noise. It subsides when the car is warm but when it sits for a couple hours it is embarrassingly loud. My brother and nephew, both mechanics, think the pump is shot. There is no way to prove the shop did it, it is possible it was going anyway and they exacerbated it, but they admitted they did not bleed the system, and so it is also likely that air got in the system from the work they did and ruined the pump. There was no noise ever before I picked it up that day.
At first they were being nice and trying little fixes (bleeding the system finally after 1000 miles had gone by, putting a screen in it, etc). They never properly diagnosed as they do not have the proper equipment to do this (usually only dealerships do). Now, 2 months later, they have stopped returning my calls.
I should add that because there is no way for anyone to know for certain that they caused it, I never asked them to pay for the entire repair, but to split it with me. I was always very nice and patient about all their small "fixes" as well. I had my car there half a dozen times in 4 weeks time.
I want to go to small claims court now since they have washed their hands of it, but have a few questions:
1. Should I pay myself to have the car diagnosed and fixed, and sue afterward (if so, should I ask for half or the whole thing?). I really don't want to wait too long to have it fixed as the pump could go totally before then and I commute 120 miles a day.
2.My brother and nephew, both mechanics, offered to diagnose it if I buy a pressure-testing tool, but if I take them up on it, will their diagnoses carry any weight because they are relatives? (Acura wants $90/hour)
3. If I get it fixed before court, should I videotape the car making the noise in order to prove it existed?
Anything I am missing or should know/do?
I apologize for the length and appreciate any help you can provide!
Hi everyone, and thanks in advance for any advice!
I had the water pump and timing belt replaced as part of routine maintenance on my 1998 Acura CL. It was done at a small local shop of which I was a regular, long-time customer. They started the job late and told me they rushed to get me out in time. The job required them disconnecting and reconnecting hoses and wires on the steering pump in order to get to the water pump. When I picked it up they told me it was making a noise but that it should go away within 200 miles. Well it did not. When the car is cold and I turn the wheel it makes a terribly loud whining noise. It subsides when the car is warm but when it sits for a couple hours it is embarrassingly loud. My brother and nephew, both mechanics, think the pump is shot. There is no way to prove the shop did it, it is possible it was going anyway and they exacerbated it, but they admitted they did not bleed the system, and so it is also likely that air got in the system from the work they did and ruined the pump. There was no noise ever before I picked it up that day.
At first they were being nice and trying little fixes (bleeding the system finally after 1000 miles had gone by, putting a screen in it, etc). They never properly diagnosed as they do not have the proper equipment to do this (usually only dealerships do). Now, 2 months later, they have stopped returning my calls.
I should add that because there is no way for anyone to know for certain that they caused it, I never asked them to pay for the entire repair, but to split it with me. I was always very nice and patient about all their small "fixes" as well. I had my car there half a dozen times in 4 weeks time.
I want to go to small claims court now since they have washed their hands of it, but have a few questions:
1. Should I pay myself to have the car diagnosed and fixed, and sue afterward (if so, should I ask for half or the whole thing?). I really don't want to wait too long to have it fixed as the pump could go totally before then and I commute 120 miles a day.
2.My brother and nephew, both mechanics, offered to diagnose it if I buy a pressure-testing tool, but if I take them up on it, will their diagnoses carry any weight because they are relatives? (Acura wants $90/hour)
3. If I get it fixed before court, should I videotape the car making the noise in order to prove it existed?
Anything I am missing or should know/do?
I apologize for the length and appreciate any help you can provide!
