The look on the guys face was priceless

[djsroknrol]

I haven't been around for long on CAC and many of you know of my fight with a auto repair company in Vegas over my engine woes. I have not, nor will I divulge the company's name; the idea to smear them crossed my mind, but I just wanted them to own up and make things right.

Every day on the phone with this guy for 2 months was getting old, so today, my son and I made a 170 mile ninja visit to the DM....you should have seen the drop jaw look on this guy's face when we walked in

When he saw the samples and the RTV he about stained his pants (he's seen all this via E-mail....I guess "outa sight, outa mind"?). "Thankfully, that mechanic is gone" he said and took us into his office where we talked further.

Best news is that I have something in writing stating what will be done and a transport coming out of Phoenix will pick the car up here late next week and deliver it to the main shop in Vegas for repair.

The punchlist now looks like this:

New Rod bearings
new main bearings
Crankshaft, if needed
blow out all oil galleys
redo intake manifold (after all this, it still leaks...lol)
new water pump (top boss broke out)
new water pump bracket (on original bill, never ordered)
new low coolant sensor (didn't install one in new radiator)

So, only 4 - 5 weeks more (trying to be very conservative) and I'll be back on the road again....WOOHOO!!

 

[boomdriver]

I haven't been around for long on CAC and many of you know of my fight with a auto repair company in Vegas over my engine woes. I have not, nor will I divulge the company's name; the idea to smear them crossed my mind, but I just wanted them to own up and make things right.

Every day on the phone with this guy for 2 months was getting old, so today, my son and I made a 170 mile ninja visit to the DM....you should have seen the drop jaw look on this guy's face when we walked in

When he saw the samples and the RTV he about stained his pants (he's seen all this via E-mail....I guess "outa sight, outa mind"?). "Thankfully, that mechanic is gone" he said and took us into his office where we talked further.

Best news is that I have something in writing stating what will be done and a transport coming out of Phoenix will pick the car up here late next week and deliver it to the main shop in Vegas for repair.

The punchlist now looks like this:

New Rod bearings
new main bearings
Crankshaft, if needed
blow out all oil galleys
redo intake manifold (after all this, it still leaks...lol)
new water pump (top boss broke out)
new water pump bracket (on original bill, never ordered)
new low coolant sensor (didn't install one in new radiator)

So, only 4 - 5 weeks more (trying to be very conservative) and I'll be back on the road again....WOOHOO!!

Good for you !

I'd glad that this situation is near resolution. A few more weeks and you can then enjoy your gift, as you should.

Not to press your luck, but I would also inquire about valve guides. Seals are cheap, offer to buy the seals if they will install them while THEY inspect the valve stems in the guides for wear and looseness..

Good Luck, it's almost over.

 

[Toms007]

I remember reading about your problems....that's been a while hasn't it? I'm glad to hear that they are finally going to do something about it. I guess it's hard to face the truth and not do something about it.

We are anxiously awaiting the final chapter.

 

[Schrade]

Is the same shop going to do this punchlist?

Maybe get them to give you the new parts, and do it yourself, or get another shop to do it.

If they do it, it should be PHOTO-DOC'ed, or video-taped.

AND, MOST IMPORTANTLY, if the same shop is gonna' do it, get the warranty on the motor, IN WRITING, before the hood goes up.

JMO here...

 

[djsroknrol]

Never ONCE thought about the warranty :W

I'm going to call and have him fax an addendum explaining the warranty on the work.

...All I wanted to see was some progress already. I didn't get to drive it on my birthday last month and we were joking about whether I'd drive it for my next birthday the way the calls were going.

They insist on doing the work there, that's why they're willing to pay for transport. No, they will be bringing it to the main shop where they have all their top wrenches.

 

[GS Diva]

Good news!!! Be sure to let us know when all is done!

Elaine

 

[John Mekisich]

The Look on this guys face.....................

Communication is a beautiful thing. Smart move on your part making an in person visit

Boomdriver and Schrade make excellent points. In my mind given the amount of work that needs to be done along with the fact that the motor will be removed from your car and completely disassembled
I would consider replacing all wear items, rings?, etc. Ask them to warranty the entire job.......................

Is the same shop going to do this punchlist?

Maybe get them to give you the new parts, and do it yourself, or get another shop to do it.

If they do it, it should be PHOTO-DOC'ed, or video-taped.

AND, MOST IMPORTANTLY, if the same shop is gonna' do it, get the warranty on the motor, IN WRITING, before the hood goes up.

JMO here...

 

[vetteboy86]

I sincerely hope this works out well for you. I've been screwed over by a shop, and they made it right.

 

[djsroknrol]

The DM was suppose to get back to me about the warranty but he never did...oh well, it is Friday. I'm sure i'll hear back on Monday.

I hope this goes well...the only thing I'm concerned about is getting it back. I don't know if they're sending it back or I have to go get it...kinda hard when they have your vehicle, huh?

 

[djsroknrol]

AN UPDATE:

The car arrived in Vegas this morning. I really blew it and forgot to bring my camera to get some pics of it leaving on the transport...sigh...sure miss her already.

Paranoid me cleaned out everything from the car and went to the police station to ask about putting the temporary plate back on for the trip up and back; I was concerned that someone might take the vanity plate. But the Mrs. brought me back to Earth...she said, "What are the chances that someone would take it when it's in the shop?...none!" Besides, once the vanity plate is issued, the temporary is marked not for road use by the MVD.

They are going to cover the work for 6 months or 3,000 miles which didn't seem too unreasonable as I couldn't put that many miles on it in 6 months. The most I do in a day is 15 miles. The DM said that he might be personally bringing the car back here, which I think is great. If something is going to happen during the break-in, let it happen to him, not me.

More updates coming soon.....

 

[WhalePirot]

Seems you got their attention..... Good on ya for persistence!

They seem to be making all the right noises.

'84s Rock, even stock!

 

[Schrade]

I still think you shoulda' mounted a cellular-PHONEY with webcam and blinking red light on the dash, just to keep them on their toes...

 

[djsroknrol]

I still think you shoulda' mounted a cellular-PHONEY with webcam and blinking red light on the dash, just to keep them on their toes...

View attachment 2268

otflotfl

 

[boomdriver]

I still think you shoulda' mounted a cellular-PHONEY with webcam and blinking red light on the dash, just to keep them on their toes...

View attachment 2268

"..mechanic-cam" ??
better yet...drop in and visit. Have some 340 lb ogre with dark shades go in and "check" on the car everyday...

 

[djsroknrol]

I want to drop by at least once while they have it...it's not easy taking a 170 mile drive whenever when they have my car....:L

 

[djsroknrol]

Another update:

They got the crankshaft out day before yesterday. The DM is trying to tell me that they miked it at 47!! He said they sent it off to the machine shop and the turn around is about 3 days, which would put it at Friday...

Is 47 even possible?...I think there's a new crankshaft in my future

 

[boomdriver]

Another update:

They got the crankshaft out day before yesterday. The DM is trying to tell me that they miked it at 47!! He said they sent it off to the machine shop and the turn around is about 3 days, which would put it at Friday...

Is 47 even possible?...I think there's a new crankshaft in my future

no way !

Thats LOOSE !
That would explain low oil pressure.. Bet there was'nt much bearing material left to remove...

Limit is 25 for inside bearings and 35 for the last, rear main.
Thats .001-.0025 for the inners acceptable range... just a little tighter than yours !

 

[Schrade]

47 on all 8?

And what is spec?

ed.:
.047??? They had to take OFF that much???

 

[djsroknrol]

no way !

Thats LOOSE !
That would explain low oil pressure.. Bet there was'nt much bearing material left to remove...

Yeah, too bad I didn't get to see them all get yanked. It would have been something interesting..

So now I understand why this happened....

 

[djsroknrol]

47 on all 8?

And what is spec?

ed.:
.047??? They had to take OFF that much???

No idea right now where the .047 was found but I'll be sure to find out on Friday...that's the turnaround time from the machine shop that they sent the crank to.

I think that is too far to fix right no matter where it was found, and I will be getting a new crank...

I still can't believe it was that far out and I could not hear it....