1996 Chevy Astro Service problem

WOODSMITH

MEMBER
1996 CHEVROLET ASTRO

Engine Cooling problem
1996 Chevy Astro 6 cyl All Wheel Drive 200000 miles

Hello

I need your honest professional opinion. On Fri. Jan. 23 I took my van into a local repair depot to get a coolant leak repaired. After they checked out the van they found a leak by the left rear part of the manifold. New one to me. Anyhow I was quoted $900.00 + CAN. And 6 hours of time to repair it. I OK'd the quote.

Now early the next week, 6 hours seems to have been a miss quote, I was told by the service manager that the mechanic screwed things up so badly that they decided to replace my engine with a new one. How could that be?

Here is one of the many points I am trying to make. They still want to charge me the $900.00. (No, I don't have my van back yet.) They did not complete the work I was quoted on successfully or satisfactorily. They only screwed things up. Why should I still be charged for work that was not actually done irrespective of what was done to correct the problems they caused?

Regards
Glenn

1 Reply

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,716 POSTS

Glen:
Honestly, the intake maniflod may have been leaking. But 900 dollars + 6 hours labor really seems hi. New gaskets should have been around 200. So I don't know what they were replacing.

Next problem. I have no idea what the mechanic could have done to justify replacing the entire engine. However, if they are replacing it with a new or remanufactured engine, I would say pay them the money from their est as long as they are willing to provide a warranty you are happy with.

If they would have cause a problem and wanted you to pay extra for the repair, I would say no, but you should get a vehicle without a coolant leak and that is what you wanted. Plus, if the engine is new, you are talking thousands.

That is my opinion. Let me know if I'm missing something.

Joe