car shops, ugh Options

[Legit94GT]

So i sent my car into to get the clutch, timing belt, new spark plugs and water pump replaced. They called me back to say that my CV boots were cracked, my valve cover, distributor ring, ??"spark plug seals"?? were leaking, and that someone replaced my distributor cap and wires with aftermarket ones and when they took the wires off they broke them, and i have to foot the bill for new ones, ugh.

I'd rather pay someone to work on my car than fight it myself but why does EVERY shop have to try and swindle you? I mean come on, my spark plug seal!? WTH

Anybody else feel the same way?

end of rant

[CelicaST_CALI]

Hahahha i think tehy mean the gasket on the plug itself...


DIY FTMFW

[richee3]

Wow, that's crappy! I'm sorry to hear about all of that. And you know since it's a Celica and isn't a common car like a Taurus or something, they will probably tell you that cost of repair is higher and charge you more. I know, I have firsthand experience with that. My dad went to school with the resident mechanic of Galatia, and trusts him with his life. The guy is an alright mechanic... On anything made before 1975. But I don't trust him at all with my car. I had a '99 Dodge Ram with a leaking heater core, spilling all kinds of crap into my passenger floorboard. Dad took the truck to him. He did something, I can't remember what, then checked the heater core two hours later and said it still had pressure. (I can't remember exactly what it was, it's been so long.) But regardless of what it was, it only leaked when the truck was running. No crap, it never lost pressure! He left it sitting there. So he tells us it's the water pump and replaces it without asking. The water pump was behind the driver's side headlight, not next to the passenger floorboard... But hey, he's gotta be right, he's the mechanic... -_- Parents. Psh. No offense to other parents, but mine can be a joke sometimes.

End long pointless story that nobody will read./

Anyway, the point is, I feel your pain.

[dgbldr]

I'd rather pay someone to work on my car than fight it myself

That statement implies that you are knowledgeable enough to do the work yourself.

So why not simply go there and have them show you all those things they claim are bad?

Then if they're not bad, take the car elsewhere. I wouldn't want somebody working on my car after they lied to me.

[hurley97]

I'd rather pay someone to work on my car than fight it myself but why does EVERY shop have to try and swindle you? I mean come on, my spark plug seal!? WTH

The spark plug tubes are sealed at the bottom, they do occasionally need to be pulled out and resealed.

A shop's job is to upsell work. They're going to find other things wrong. It's up to you to filter out what you think is important and what can wait. Ask to have them show you the issues and decide which ones you feel are legitimate problems. If they don't want to show you or you go down there and you just don't feel like you trust them, go somewhere else or do it yourself.

I work at a dealership, I'm the person that would have called you and told you all that stuff, and sometimes I feel bad and feel like people don't trust what I say. All I can do is relay what the tech tells me. Depending on the tech and how much I trust him I'll usually look at the issues myself to better get an idea of the severity and how to tell the customer. The best way to do it is to just present the facts, answer any questions honestly, show the customer, and let them make their own decision.

I have heard stories about dishonest dealerships, for example, they'll sell brake jobs when the pads are only half worn, crap like that gives dealerships a bad name. It all depends on the kind of people you're dealing with.

This post has been edited by hurley97: Jan 1, 2009 - 2:56 PM

[lagos]

personally, i noticed that most shops will be truthful about what needs replacing, however the cost of that repair will normally be whats blown out of proportion.

the distributor o-ring is like a 2$ part and takes 10min to replace.
as for the spark plug seal, they are probably talking about the inner part of the valve cover gasket.
these are two simple things that you should be able to replace on your own.

cv boots are also a very likely thing to go bad. if you think the shop is lying, ask them to show the boots too you. if they are damaged and you keep driving on them then there is a good chance youll get stuck calling a tow truck in the near future.

[96bluevert]

I have heard stories about dishonest dealerships, for example, they'll sell brake jobs when the pads are only half worn, crap like that gives dealerships a bad name. It all depends on the kind of people you're dealing with.

Sometimes shops do the same thing...

One place I'd NEVER recommend is Waltz. Mabey for an oil change, but nothing bigger than that.

[hurley97]

as for the spark plug seal, they are probably talking about the inner part of the valve cover gasket.

Art, I think you've had a 3S for too long.

[presure2]

as for the spark plug seal, they are probably talking about the inner part of the valve cover gasket.

Art, I think you've had a 3S for too long.

[Legit94GT]

So i finally got my baby back yesterday:) But i feel like a rookie driving a stick because my clutch is so different now!!!! hahahahaha it'll just take time to get use to it, but it is SO SO nice to not have it slipping on me going up hills now

They replaced my valve cover gasket, which i told them not to do, so i got that part and labor for free... Thats about the only good news though.

My right cv boot is throwing oil:( but i can get that done for cheaper else where, so i will;) just not today

[D-Man]

OP; It's for reasons like this, that most of us have learned to do this stuff ourselves. Between that fact (cost) and a genuine interest in cars and working with our own hands.

as for the spark plug seal, they are probably talking about the inner part of the valve cover gasket.

Art, I think you've had a 3S for too long.

my altima's KA24DE has those too... But it's crap really, 2 seals? WTF?

Secondly, If OP pays to have his spark plug gaskets changed.... ... I'm gunna hurt myself...Laughing. (can you even buy that separate? )

So i finally got my baby back yesterday:) But i feel like a rookie driving a stick because my clutch is so different now!!!! hahahahaha it'll just take time to get use to it, but it is SO SO nice to not have it slipping on me going up hills now

They replaced my valve cover gasket, which i told them not to do, so i got that part and labor for free... Thats about the only good news though.

And probably only paid 3x as much for the part itself!