Ok, remeber a month or so back when my car overheated on the highway and I had it towed to a shop where they did the hoses and clamps?

Biggest freaking mistake of my life.

NEVER UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE USE MANLIUS MOTOR WORKS IN MANLIUS NY

They totally destroyed my cooling system.

First they put the new hoses and clamps in, and clamped the clamps so tight- it CRUSHED the radiator and heater core pipes/connectors, the water pump is leaking, the radiator is leaking, the heater core pipes are obviously leaking.

They told me they pressure tested the system, and charged me $300 for the whole jump.

Now I'm looking at $800 in repairs because the last shop f_cked up.

I'm keeping the old parts in case I gotta sue them.

What should I do?

 

Ok, I just got off the phone with the old shop.

They said that they don't know how its possible to do that kinda damage with clamps since the clamps will strip before they break stuff.

They also said they want to see the car again, but I dont want to bring the car back to them, so I will have to bring the old parts back.

He did say they use the airwrenches or screwdrivers to do the clamps, so maybe someone did it too tight?

Either way the pressure test should have caught that something was still wrong!

 

We'll I agree, they're definitely on the hook if they say they pressure tested the system and it's now leaking everywhere.

Have you had the new shop fix what the old shop screwed up on? If not, I'd take it back and give them ONE chance to fix it (and it had BETTER be at no cost to you). Once they claim they've fixed the problem, take it to a different mechanic and have him or her make sure the colling system is okay. If it is, then you're good. If not, to court ya go.

 

I will have to agree with the guy above. I had a similiar problem with both my old Dakota R/T and with my Z3. Always take it back to the shop that did the damage because they have to fix it at no cost. Thats why they buy insurance for this type of ****. After that never do business with them again.

 

Update, the shop called- the car is done.

New radiator, water pump, tstat, fluid, clamps, hoses, and they put on a new fitting the old heater core...,

Came to $460 and change. So, MUCH cheaper than it was thought to be- so I may just eat it all and live with the fact its fixed.

But, as usual, my bad luck came back yet AGAIN.

The shop said that it was leaking trans fluid VERY badly and could barely move the car, SO THEY PUT DEXCRON IN IT. :bashhead:

Sooooo, I get the car back and get to do a trans flush on it and find where the leak is, oh joy. But it could be worse, and since it will only have abt 20 miles of use with dexcrap in it (the drive home), I'm thinking I'm pretty safe.

 

And this is why I always say...

If you can't do it yourself... LEARN!

 

I would do most this stuff myself, only I didn't have much of a choice at the time (road trip, didnt have my tools with me, etc) and its not like I can do anything this time of year- my health problems prohibiting me from working outside in the snow (garage has only the Saab in it- otherwise full and cant fit a car in there to work on it).

 

Sounds like someone needs to have a garage sale ;-)

 

LOL, no, but an other garage bay wouldn't hurt!

The saab stays in there 360 days a year, sometimes more- and it being the rare car, takes priority in terms of storage.

If the weather were nice I could put its tires back on, drive it out and put the other car in.

 

Get one of those portable garages. basically a car sized tent and a bullet heater As for not having tools with you... WHAT were you THINKING?!?!?! I actually have a small emergency kit with the jumper cables, hazard triangle, compressor, flashlight, first aid kit, tow rope and whatnot and I keep a small basic tool kit in there too (Pliers, screwdrivers, hex set, cresent wrench you know the basics). Might think about getting one next time you go to take a road trip