Auto Repair

[Andrew54365]

What is the name of your state? PA

I had a recycled engine put in my vehicle. After it was done, the mechanic pointed out that no coolant was flowing to the heater. I said it was flowing before he put in the engine. He said, " well I do not know that." At that point, it was decided we would worry about it in the fall, when it was due for inspection.

Come fall, I took my car in to get inspected and asked the mechanic to take care of the heater problem. He ran a hose thru the heater core to make sure it was not clogged. Then he recommended putting in a new thermostat. The part cost me $40 and $140 labor. Inaddition, he ripped the gaskets for the manifold, so he had to buy new ones for $60. I asked him about this and he said, "you expect me to pay for them [the gaskets]?"

Regardless, that still did not fix the problem. We agreed to make another appointment so he could look under the dash for the "coolant control valve" which is around the heater core area. Fine, I called the dealer. The technician said there is no "coolant control valve" in my model and that it sound like the hoses were not hooked up properly.

I took it back to the mechanic and told him this. He switched the top two coolant hoses and said to see if that works and to come back Saturday (12/9). It did not work and I came back Saturday (was there before it opened). He said he did not have time to do it that time. Fine, I took it to the dealer. They looked at it and switched the hoses around for $164. Probably a ten minute job.

Question is, I payed top dollar to have the engine installed. The mechanic did not cut me any breaks and assured me at the time he knew how to do it. Can I recoop my $164 from him? I would think I should also be able to recoop the cost of the thrermosat also, but the answer is why I am here. Also, if I can, how should I go about doing so?

ThanksWhat is the name of your state?

 

[pullinmyhairout]

Need a bit more information:

What type of vehicle do you have?

When you say recycled engine, do you mean one that came from a wrecking yard, or a rebuilt engine with a guarantee?

When you originally took your vehicle to have the engine replaced, was the vehicle in running order. I mean, were you able to drive the vehicle to the technician, or did you have to have it towed?

Why did the engine need to be replaced?

On the last visit to the dealer, did their technician just switch back the same hoses that your original technician switched around on their advice?

And, after the dealer switched the hoses, did the heater work?

I'm not entirely sure I followed the sequence of events either - it looks like you were bouncing between your original technician and the dealership - would it be possible to review your receipts and repost with date of visit, what was done on that visit and which repairing shop performed the work?

I'm not an attorney so I wouldn't be looking for legal advice from me, but I've been in the auto industry for 20 years and can maybe help you through the situation with the repairs - I'll do my best, anyway.

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No, I'm not an attorney, but I do have a bit of common sense and the ability to use it!

 

[phad23]

As long as you can get something documented from the dealer of what the problem was and what they did and if that fixed the problem, you can sue him for labor charges that you had to pay the dealership to fix his mistake. Give him the opportunity to make good on the deal first. Send a certified letter.

 

[BelizeBreeze]

From the fact stipulated in your post, the ONLY recovery you have at this time is the cost for the manifold gaskets which were the fault of the mechanic.

 

[Andrew54365]

I have a 1994 Saab 900s v6. The engine came from the wreck yard...it had a 90 day guarantee.

The Vehicle was in running order. The Serpentine belt went. I took it to Pep Boys. They put in a new serpentine belt and water pump. That was not the cause of the problem though. Then the timing belt went within 2-3 days. I got it towed to the mechanic. Who then said I need a new engine.

The the Dealer Technician switched around hoses which allowed the coolant to flow to the heater core. After my mechanic had switched the hoses prior, no coolant would still not flow to the heater core.

*note: coolant flowed to my heater core before the the engine went and while it was going.

Receipts:

4/8/2006
REMOVE AND REPLACE ENGINE, TRANSFER ALL COMPONENTS NEEDED REPLACE SPARK PLUGS, OIL AND FILTER, INSTALL TIMING BELT, AND PULLEYS (CUSTOMER SUPPLIED)

(hand written) "Car has no heat possible heater core or heater control valve"

charge: $2441.11

11/17/2006
inspected he mounted 2 new front tires for me and replaced parking brake shoes.
At this time he told me that he ran a garden hose through the heater core and that there was no blockage. He recommended that I/we replace the thermostat next.

11/29/2006
REPLACE THERMOSTAT AND GASKETS LISTED (i provided the thermostat)

Labor $140
Gasket pup60854 13.69
Gasket 19.69
Gasket 23.69

~12/6/06 I called dealership and talked to a technician. He said it sounded like the hoses were not hooked up properly. And that there was no heater control valve in my model.

~12/7/06 I stopped by the mechanic and told him this. He said his diagram said there is a heater control valve and switched connections of two hoses. No coolant would not flow to my heater core after this. We agreed to bring it in Saturday (12/9) so he could pull apart the dash to look at the heater core

12/9/2006 I got to mechanic shop before it opened and before he arrived. He arrived at 8am when it opened and said he cannot do it today and pointed out all the work he had lined up.

12/9/2006 (receipt from the Saab dealership)
A CHECK NO COOLANT IN SYSTEM
12 DIAG INSTALL COOLANT HOSE CORRECTLY

charge: 164.83