What can you do to a mechanic that didnt fix it and you paid him

[oVer-Boostin]

first of all, Im in Arizona, my 97 gst was towed to this shop in Scottsdale to get a new rebuilt motor in because the one that was in it was blown. i got the car back about 3 weeks later, the car smokes, runs like garbage, Check engine light is ON, doesnt rev above 2000 rpm, and finally, overheated and MELTED my fans while i was on my way to work on the freeway at 9 in the morning. Anyways they are trying to blaming it ON ME for having an aftermarket intercooler an they said that the pipe coming out of my turbo going to the intercooler wich is close to the fans is what caused the fans to melt and crumple so bad. Now i had the car towed back to them and all they did was put in other used fans and said that i was all set and that the car could still overheat. I really dont think that this is the way the car is supposed to be after paying the shop $3,000 cash but they are trying to find a way to screw me over hence blaming it on me for having the aftermarket intercooler.

Now can someone tell me what can be done to mechanics like that? he says "well the car wasnt running before and we got it to run"......what are any legal actions I can take and will it benefit me at all? will I have the the police on my side or will they be on his? PLEASE HELP.

 

[ThingyNess]

The police likely won't be on anyone's side, as it's not a criminal matter in most jurisdictions.

You will likely have to take him to small claims court if you can't resolve the matter between the two of you.

Write down and document EVERYTHING. Times, dates, what they said to you, what happened with the car, etc. The more things you can document, the better your chances will be in court, should it need to go that far.

Good luck.

 

[gdmbat85]

Make sure you document everything you can and take him to a small claims court. The law will be on your side. How is a mechanic going to argue that the car wasn't running before he got it and now it's running. You didn't pay him $3000 to get the car to run, you payed him $3000 to get the car to run RIGHT. Even though he may not have a warrantee policy, I believe that any mechanical work done to a car has to have a manditory 90 day warantee period. I'm sure the judge is going to believe that the air going into your engine was so hot that it caused your fans to MELT! You really have nothing to worry about, I see no way he could have any legitimate arguement in court.

 

[oVer-Boostin]

Thanks a alot guys. on the invoice it says that there is a 12/12 warranty HOWEVER there is no warranty if anything happenes because of abuse...and hes keeps repeating that to me wich means he is trying to say that the aftermarket parts are the cause of the problems i listed above.

 

[PieEyedPiper]

Something else is wrong. Intercooler piping or the core itself would never cause that kind of overheating.
Check your thermostat. The car overheated for a reason, find it and present it to your mechanic and explain to him why he is liable (he sold you gear that failed in 3 weeks).

 

[oVer-Boostin]

Im only 17, my knowledge about cars is very minimal. I read a lot and there are a million things that could be wrong but him and his crew are always in a hurry and not even willing to listen to everything that I have to say. I mean shit, if I owned a shop and a customers spent $3,000 cash in my shop, i would listen to them and help them in every way possible and even give them freebies. This guys would charge me for just checking on the status of my car if he could.

 

[1gcrazy]

Im only 17, my knowledge about cars is very minimal. I read a lot and there are a million things that could be wrong but him and his crew are always in a hurry and not even willing to listen to everything that I have to say. I mean shit, if I owned a shop and a customers spent $3,000 cash in my shop, i would listen to them and help them in every way possible and even give them freebies. This guys would charge me for just checking on the status of my car if he could.

Even though i'm totally on your side but would you be willing to listen to yourself if the engine and work cost YOU 2900? Even though you spent that much with the guy, doesn't mean he made that much....just trying to put you in their shoes for a mile.
Anyways, yeah take it to a mitsu dealer that gives discounts on dsmtuner members or go and check out the mechanics at the dealership. Most of them have upgraded cars. A guy I worked with at Nissan had NUMEROUS 240's with SR20DET swaps and NUMEROUS RX7's....I knew it was bad when his WIFE drove one haha. After you find THAT GUY, ask him to take a look at it.

I would recommend going up and not even acting like your car has a problem just go up and ask the service guy if he has any techs that are performance oriented. If they say they have a few guys that run DSM's then ask to speak with them. Make up some bullshit like you wont be bringing your car in but you'd like to ask about a certain part that you can acquire from MITSU....like putting in 2g pistons into a 6 bolt block. Common mod and you can still buy the parts from mitsu which benefits the service guy. Then once you're talking with the technician. Make friends. Then bring up why you're there...

 

[oVer-Boostin]

I appreciate the help but, i mean would you be dealing with ONE car for 3 weeks+ towing and spending time to make $100? I think he made at least a grand...if not more. Honostly, I dont even know if he really rebuilt the motor. Damn this sucks, you cant even trust a mechanic...he also said he worked at mitsubishi dealers for over 20 years.

 

[1gcrazy]

I appreciate the help but, i mean would you be dealing with ONE car for 3 weeks+ towing and spending time to make $100? I think he made at least a grand...if not more. Honostly, I dont even know if he really rebuilt the motor. Damn this sucks, you cant even trust a mechanic...he also said he worked at mitsubishi dealers for over 20 years.

Well... i've honestly never had to deal with this since I've always done my own work. Even with no garage i'm able to do just about anything you just need to push the limits and think outside the box a little bit.

Anyways, I would get that recommendation from the mitsu tech and then take him to court or have a lawyer friend write up a letter saying you'll meet him there if your car is not fixed PROPERLY.

 

[Bmxr152]

You can try the Buerau of Automotive repair. The same thing happened to me a long time ago and they will help you get it fixed correctly

 

[T9S1i]

hey the mechanics name wouldnt happen to be turbo would it?

If it were me, id contact my local Better Business Bureau and talk with them about the situation

 

[Ryuusei]

Most mechanics make at least $20 an hour to $50 minimum. There must be a detailed receipt of parts costs and labor. I'm assuming labor should be around a few hundred but no more than $500. Lets say the hours he spent is at least 18 hours. That includes taking the motor out. Rebuilding it and making sure it runs correctly. Reinstalling the motor and making sure the car runs correctly afterwards. Even at $20 bucks an hour you know that they are making something for there time. I would make sure to find all receipts and necessary documents. Tell the shop that you have proof (please make sure you do) and that you're ready and willing to take him to court. A trusted mechanic of course would like to make money but would never pull some type of underhanded bs to just make money of a customer. Good luck and i hope you can get back what you lost.

 

[RedTurboEclipse]

I really dont know what to suggest, but if you get it taken care of, SOMEONE FROM AZ RECOMMEND THIS GUY A REPUTABLE DSM SHOP!

 

[oVer-Boostin]

Yea, he offered to fix it if i paid him $82 an hour....right now i guess im gonna call up some dealers and ask for performance oriented techs and go on from there. Thanks a lot guys keep them coming.

 

[oVer-Boostin]

no dealers here have performance oriented techs. Im doomed.

 

[Ryuusei]

Try to find members that are close by to you. If anything the members here are skilled and more trustworthy than some mechanic. Because we all actually take care or baby our cars.

 

[PieEyedPiper]

You're not doomed. Just start checking the small things and phone the BBB and automtive BB etc.

Please check your thermostat, afterwards report back.

 

[oVer-Boostin]

well u see, i dont think my car really overheated, i just think something is wrong so it got hot under the engine bay (maybe because some how its running lean) therefore the fans melted because of my exhaust mani wich i dont have a heatshield over.

 

[xioca]

You really need a heatshield on to keep the temps down in the engine bay.

 

[1gcrazy]

no dealers here have performance oriented techs. Im doomed.

Try goin to the dealership. Drive past the parking lot and check to see if you see any moded DSM's out ther. IF you see one go in and ask who owns it.
Then the service writer can't be a dick and brush you off....

 

[srtkiller]

I live in Mesa where are you located maybe I could point you to a good shop or maybe I can help you myself. I know how you feel when I first started working on cars I was taken by shop.

 

[srtkiller]

Depending on where you live I could possibly meet with you on saturday during the day because I work all week.

 

[mitsured420]

hey man sorry about your car,im a mechanic in flag,as long as you have a receipt you should be good,take it to a different shop and get another opinion,in writing.then go back to the first shop and see what they say,if they still d!ck you around have another shop do the work and sue for the bill,most shops have insurance just for that.also i have seen VIVIDRACING's work on evo's looks good,i asume they would be familar with DSMs

 

[srtkiller]

I do not like to bad mouth other people or shops but from past experience i would not take it to VIVID unless it's new they look down on it

 

[Raph]

Hate to say it but: just about anyone in the states can call themselfs a mechanic and open a shop..

If the car didnt rev above 2000 rpm when you got it back and ran like crap..why did you even drive it off the shops parking lot????

id suggest you ask a lawyer waht to do next and see if you have a Better Business bureau(sp) where you can report this kinda stuff .

Did you sign a contract/repair contract? if so,what was excatley stated in the contract? We need more info.