Took 2001 jeep 6 cyl for oil chg. Car has been well cared for and has about 125K highway. Mech said coolant was brown and needed to be changed. Coolant had been changed at same shop less than a year ago. Set up apt to have a flush done in 3 days but the next day on the way to work, engine started running hotter than usual, turned around and dropped it off at shop to have it flushed now instead of waiting. Mech flushed sys and replaced the thermastat. Picked up the car and had to take it back again the next day as it was still running hot. Now claimed the heater motor was bad. Had that replaced. Drove the car home, less than 2 miles. The next morning there was a LARGE puddle of coolant under it. Took it back to shop and now supposedly its the water pump. Its supposedly got a pin hole leak, but the mech swears its just a coincidence and nothing he did while fixing the fan. Told him I did not believe him, it was not leaking at all before he fixed the heater fan, coolant level was normal and had been before he worked on it and it was not leaking the day I dropped it off to get the fan fixed, and only drove it less than 2 miles after it was fixed. Never saw ANY coolant on the driveway prior. Told him I didn't believe him that it was a coincidence and that I would be taking it elsewhere to get the repair done. He called back a few min later and is now going to replace the pump n/c. Sound fishey? When I get it back, is there anyway to tell if it was fixed correctly or if he has now screwed something else up on purpose? Just getting a bad vibe and wondering how to protect myself. Should I take it to someone after I get it back and have them check it out? Really thinking this is a case of small blond and female looking like an easy mark. Any thoughts?
BTW, here is the damage so far:
coolant 39.95
thermastat and gasket w/ labor 96.00
heater fan, motor only 176.00
labor 55
price to r/p water pump...350Repair shop rip off or just a freakish coincidence?I had similar problems last winter and was glad I got my repairs covered under my extended warranty. They are if you buy them aftermarket. http://www.autoadviceonline.com/Warranty-Quote.htmlRepair shop rip off or just a freakish coincidence?%26quot;Heater Motor Has Nothing to do with the Engine Running Hot!!%26quot; (Coolant [50-50 Clean water %26amp; Anti-Freeze] Price Maybe OK), Thermostat %26amp; Gasket (Yes, Comes as as Kit) $12, Heater Fan $65 anywhere.
Coolant Leak the next morning, Hose Clamps Left Loose! Water Pump--Maybe! but if it was more then $75? Yes you are being Ripped off + I drought if he really knows what he's doing.Repair shop rip off or just a freakish coincidence?
HI
YES you are being riped off
I am an old guy now .when I was a kid I worked in gas stations
I was told to do stuff like that or your fired so i quit but less than
half repair shops are honest
Repair shop rip off or just a freakish coincidence?Take it to someone else if you feel at all uncomforitableRepair shop rip off or just a freakish coincidence?he loosened your radiator cap
you have been OWNEDRepair shop rip off or just a freakish coincidence?wow you should have left earlierRepair shop rip off or just a freakish coincidence?wow. well some coincidence, and probably some ignorance too. the color of coolant is irrelevant - alcohol content is what matters and after only a year I doubt it really needs changing. it's brown because you have rust forming in your radiator (that is normal over time). that should be flushed with water when you have the coolant replaced; not just drained and fresh coolant added. $40 for that is OK. He replaced the thermostat probably thinking that is why you are overheating. and that is a good guess. the thermostat has a coil inside that opens up when the coolant gets hot; it regulates coolant flow. Heater motor shouldn't have anything to do with the car overheating. That is just for your comfort. Coolant heat is transferred to air using a fan blowing over coolant/heater radiator. You then get that heat inside the car. He may be talking about an auxiliary fan to aid in cooling the radiator (if it sometimes runs when the car is off, that's probably what it is). You are probably right on the water pump. Too coincidential. He must have disturbed the gasket seal or fractured the water pump. Water pumps are surprisingly brittle. Labor charges sound OK. I don't think you should have to pay for the water pump. If he balks at that, try to work something out in terms of price - 50% off. Also, call AutoZone and tell them the make/model of your car and get a price for a water pump before you go back in. $350 sounds high. Get all the old parts when you leave. If you came to me with this story, I'd want to see that water pump to determine if it's been damaged. A pinhole leak would be caused by rust not brute force (and probably unlikely). Lastly, don't go to this guy again. In essence, he's doing trial and error with new parts to locate the problem. That's fine with him and me, because you're the one paying for all those parts. Not right. So in short, he probably isn't trying to 'take you' (at total labor of only $55) but probably a better mechanic out there for you. Good luck.
Repair shop rip off or just a freakish coincidence?He is definitely either ripping you off or just a really bad mechanic. You need to find a reputable auto shop one that others you know have gone to and trust. Take your vehicle there and tell them what has happened and ask if they would be nice enough to take a quick look for you. He should not have had to replace your thermostat or heater motor, the heater motor has nothing to do with your coolant system. If you can find a good auto shop and explain they will more than likely feel bad enough for you to look for free and they can tell you the damage he may have done. Good luck and warn others.
