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Kes
New User
Feb 14, 2008, 4:09 PM
Post #1 of 4
(1631 views)
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New Engine Scam?? help!
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Help! My 1993 Camry is in for a service and they found $2500 worth of things to fix...camseal, O rings, valve cover, water pump, CV boots, plugs etc etc...they just called to tell me that after they have done all the work they 'discovered' that only 3 cyls are working and I need a new engine?! So I pay $2500 to service an engine they have to take out and replace? is this legit? Should I have to pay to service an engine they discover at the end of service needs replacing? I have to call them back...help anyone?
Kes :(
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Double J
Veteran
/ Moderator
Feb 14, 2008, 4:28 PM
Post #2 of 4
(1626 views)
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Re: New Engine Scam?? help!
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Where is the car...Independent shop or dealer?
What did you bring it in for?...I would think if 3 cylinders were bad you brought it in for running rough..
If so ,what did they say was wrong with it?what was needed to correct it?..I see plugs were replaced but if your complaint was for running badly ,that should have been addressed...being a 93 especially...compression test should have been done....
I am a firm believer that you need to address and be able to correct a customers main concern before trying to up sell any additional needed repairs or maintenance...
post back ....
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Kes
New User
Feb 14, 2008, 4:48 PM
Post #3 of 4
(1622 views)
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Re: New Engine Scam?? help!
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Hi Jim!
On a recent oil change from a quick lube place, the tech advised that it had a rear/front seal leak, and that the passenger axle boot was torn. Took it to a Toyota Dealer repair shop to have them verify that, and repair. They called me later and advised that the timing belt was gone, and it needed a cam seal, O-ring, valve cover...it had one open CV boot on the right and the left was cracked...it also needed new spark plugs, and while we were at it he recommned I replace the water pump 'just in case'.
Other than that the car was running fine, no problems. It has 150,000 kilometers on it.
He called back this afternoon to say that after fixing everything they have now noticed the rear main seal was leaking (which was one of the things they should have been looking at as I listed that in writing to them) and they would have to pull the transmission to fix it...for another $500...but also one engine cyl does not work and I need a new engine.
What options are left to me now? Should they not have checked to see if the engine was worth fixing first? I feel just sick about it.
Kes
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Double J
Veteran
/ Moderator
Feb 15, 2008, 12:45 PM
Post #4 of 4
(1607 views)
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Re: New Engine Scam?? help!
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WOW...tough one but this is what I think...
You brought in in to have them check for oil leaks, they should have noticed the rear main seal leak as well...if it was too oily underneath to determine the extent of the leaks, then it should have been cleaned off and a dye added into the engine and run/driven first then reinspected to make sure all leaks were addressed...I would assume they know the quirks of their engines.....especially at this mileage...
As far as the timing belt issue...recommendation ,again based on mileage, I agree with the water pump recommendation,not sure of the set up but some timing belts drive the pump.some pumps have to be removed for access....
Cv boot issue...needs to be fixed...ok...
But....the mechanic I would think should have noticed the engine running rough while pulling it in to his stall....I realize now its a 4 cylinder ,I don't know why I thought it was a 6 ..but anyway..a 4 cylinder losing one cylinder is usually easy to detect a rough running condition...I would think that should been addressed...I would think that you would have noted that as well...
But I'm not there..
So....first...ask them what exactly is wrong with the engine that a new one is recommended....
Definitely get the service manager involved in this....lets see who dropped the ball here......
This could not be a mechanic only problem here...what I mean is this....most service advisors/writers/consultants whatever there going by at this shop, are on commission...most are reputable but there are many who aren't...they will up sell as needed based on time and mileage of the vehicle....thats what their supposed to do...they get higher bonuses based on higher parts and labor sales....
but some will upsell before taking care of the original concerns... am i making sense here?..he /she may have up sold a timing belt /tune up with out first knowing the running condition of the vehicle...and if it is running badly,should have at first recommended performing a diagnostics test to determine the failures...before doing any other work....
from what you describe,it sounds like you have a legit concern....get the manager involved...
post back...
JIM
just my thoughts.....
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