Mechanic Scam ??
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,922
Likes: 9
Not saying this guy wasn't a jerk or didn't try to pull one over on you BUT you might be giving him too much credit. You certainly don't ever have to go back to this guy but there could be some coincedences that explain the breakdown. You might also check with the Better Business Bureau and see if anyone else has lodged any complaints.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,354
Likes: 31
From: Winnipeg
This guy was a ahole from the begginning. definetly trying to make money. He says he can do what I requested at the beginning... after looking at exhaust he mentions i have a flat piece of exhaust between cats and muffler that shouldn't be like that... I say ok and ask how much total to do both...he says 100. He prints up a bill or summary for 90 and then starts talking me out of fixing the leak I originally came in for...kept telling me it wasn't a leak ( he couldn't feel it with his hand) I tell him I sea foamed it and saw smoke billowing out of the flared fitting he said he could replace.. he basically refuses to believe it has a leak and When I said I want it fixed regardless he tells me he can't do it because its stainless steal ( Its freaking corroded with rust - i could be delusional ill confirm in the morning but I never knew I had any stainless under there!) apparrently its too difficult. His then surprised when I tell him Im leaving.
Car starts right up ( he mentioned my battery is dead ) I drive away....and Im stranded less than 10 minutes later.
Car starts right up ( he mentioned my battery is dead ) I drive away....and Im stranded less than 10 minutes later.
Old School Hot Rodder
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 6,472
Likes: 11
From: Exmore, VA
CRES, AKA stainless steel has several varieties, the commonly used exhaust is a 400 series which will "rust" to a brownish color then stay that way (my truck still has the original muffler and tailpipe after 27 years, part of the exhaust pipes were replaced when the extension section gaskets failed and the bolts would have to have been cut).
On the overheating, real quick question, did the van feel like it had a whole lot less power than before? If so, he probably crimped the exhaust, the restriction will make it overheat rather fast.
On the overheating, real quick question, did the van feel like it had a whole lot less power than before? If so, he probably crimped the exhaust, the restriction will make it overheat rather fast.
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New User
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
So which part is shady. He tells you you have a dent in the exhaust and for a price will fix it. He says he can't find the leak you mention and doesn't charge you. He says he can't weld stainless. Maybe his shop isn't set up for it. He'll sell you a battery. Did he have to boost the car? The battery may take enough of a charge to allow a next start but may not hold the charge for long. How old is the battery? It was your decision not to buy the battery from him which is fine. If your gut feeling says stay away, stay away. In the mean time if your vehicle hasn't had a thermostat, and it reads like you never changed it with the last overheat, it might be wise to change it. Good luck.
I mentioned in reply I changed the water pump, thermostate, and both sensors after my overheat 1000 miles ago.
I came in and asked for one thing.. to weld a new flared downpipe. (this is a muffler service shop) I have smoke billowing out of it. He said yes ' i can weld a new piece on for you' granted....stainless is a difficult.... instead of trying to talk me out of what I came in for because ' he couldn't feel it' he should of told me he couldn't handle welding stainless the moment he relized what he was working with. I had to literally say ' so can you weld that piece for me or not? ' he then mentioned stainless for the first time.
I have a load tester. the battery is perfect.
Sorry if my posts was unclear.
I haven't even thought about this vehicle since it happened. Wednesday or Thursday I'll have an update.
Im guessing there are no known tricks, which is very reassuring. Im not slamming anybody. I was pissed but Im not overreacting. Just giving you guys the facts incase somebody knows what could be the problem.
Ill let you guys know
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
CRES, AKA stainless steel has several varieties, the commonly used exhaust is a 400 series which will "rust" to a brownish color then stay that way (my truck still has the original muffler and tailpipe after 27 years, part of the exhaust pipes were replaced when the extension section gaskets failed and the bolts would have to have been cut).
On the overheating, real quick question, did the van feel like it had a whole lot less power than before? If so, he probably crimped the exhaust, the restriction will make it overheat rather fast.
On the overheating, real quick question, did the van feel like it had a whole lot less power than before? If so, he probably crimped the exhaust, the restriction will make it overheat rather fast.
Wow. you know. That was the first thing in my mind when i pulled out....but I didn't think much of it as I need spark plugs. hmmmmmm....Im wondering if he crimped the section he tried to sell me??
There would be definte evidence of something like that being done...am I correct?
Ill look at that tomorrow.
thanks.
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 22,436
Likes: 17
From: Louisville,Ky.
Perhaps sealing up the exhaust system increased the backpressure which is normal. This may cause a weak head gasket/cracked head to leak even worse causing it to overheat as compression gets into the cooling system.
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 401
Likes: 20
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Elder User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 627
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From: NY, NY
So the Mechanic tells you that you say is a problem, is not a problem? And he quotes $ 90 to do a couple of things on your exhaust. To me, that don't sound like a guy that is trying to rip off anyone.
Having malice and breaking something else? That sounds definitely a stretch. Mechanics can barely do the minimum you pay them to do, let alone doing more.
Having malice and breaking something else? That sounds definitely a stretch. Mechanics can barely do the minimum you pay them to do, let alone doing more.
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