Complaints

• Initial Complaint

  04/17/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  Car was puffing white smoke. Had taken car to another shop who said it was probably a head gasket but were very busy and didnt have the time to fix it in a timely manner. Then took the car to fix it auto for repair. Fix it replaced the head gasket but car was still puffing white smoke, fix it said they didnt do a diagnostic Stating that they didnt do it because we told them it was a head gasket (we never told them not to do a diagnostic only what the other mechanic had said, and WE are not mechanics lol) The miscommunication was discussed with fix it, and they apologized and we were very forgiving of the miscommunication. Fix it then said that the turbo needed to be replaced. We asked them if they were sure that was the problem. They (******) were sure that was the problem. Then the car was still puffing white smoke, Then fix it said the problem was a cylinder head which they also replaced. The car was still puffing white smoke was running very very rough and not drivable. Took the car back to fix it and then fix it said It was because coolant went into the catalytic converter and destroyed the catalytic converter and that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced at this point, we decided to take our car back from fix it after spending $7313.22 for a car that was still not fixed and not drivable. At Home, we discovered that the catalytic converter in the car was fine. And we had The catalytic converter replaced, and that still did not fix the problem. Then when we were looking in the engine ourselves, we discovered that there was a sliver/hole in the piston in cylinder number one. We then had to replace the entire engine of the car. Spending thousands for a replacement engine from a private party. We then took the car to a different shop for the engine replacement, where they also advised us that we should call you to file a complaint and Possibly get monetary compensation for getting ripped off by these people and paying thousands of dollars for a car that still didnt work.

  Business response

  05/02/2024

  See attached invoice#*** dated 5/12/23. Received call for a head gasket quote for 2016 **** Focus ST. Gave quote for head gasket. They chose to do the quote we provided for the head gasket. They did not want a diagnosis because another mechanic diagnosed the head gasket and they were calling around to get the best quote. We replaced the head gasket and the car had the same issues. We talked to them and reported the head gasket did not fix the issue. We replaced the turbocharger after approval from customer-he talked to his racing team mechanics and said that is what they would have done. We did not charge any labor to replace the turbocharger and gave the customer old turbocharger because they requested to keep the old turbocharger. The vehicle had the same issue and we proceeded to tear down to the cylinder head and found cylinder head was cracked in exhaust port to coolant jacket causing coolant to leak into exhaust causing excessive smoke. We spoke to the customer and reported the issues and showed him the video of the cylinder head crack and pouring coolant into exhaust port. ******** stated he spoke to his mechanic colleague and said that he agreed and was impressed with the findings. They approved to replace the cylinder head. The vehicle was fixed after replacing cylinder head. Verified vehicle was not smoking any more.  Customer paid and took the vehicle home. 

  See attached invoice835 dated 6/22/23 out 7/6/23. Received complaint check engine light on. Found multiple misfires, running rough, and catalytic converters clogged falling apart. Recommend catalytic converters. Reported to customer and they declined work quoted and said they would do it themselves.  Customer took the vehicle back with no charge.

  There is no refund due to customer approved all work that was done. Vehicle was in operating condition. 

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