Are my garage trying to shaft me?
Discussion
In early March I had my clutch replaced on my 1987 911 turbo, when this was done the garage said they replaced the fly wheel and the crankshaft seal.
This weekend my engine started leaking oil, after taking the car in to the garage I have been told that it looks like the rear crankshaft seal is the cause of the leak. I've probably done about 1500 miles since getting the work done and the garage are saying they will do the repair at a discounted rate.
does it sound like they are trying to make me pay twice for a job they made a mistake with first time?
This weekend my engine started leaking oil, after taking the car in to the garage I have been told that it looks like the rear crankshaft seal is the cause of the leak. I've probably done about 1500 miles since getting the work done and the garage are saying they will do the repair at a discounted rate.
does it sound like they are trying to make me pay twice for a job they made a mistake with first time?
It is always difficult to say. It could have been an unfortunate parts failure, simply because the car has not been driven enough/overdriven or whatever. You will always be suspicious of them and them of you and no-one can really say. It's one of those things. A discount is very reasonable in the circumstances and if you feel you can't trust them maybe go elsewhere after the work is finished.
Just my 10p worth.
Domster
Just my 10p worth.
Domster
Was in similar situation myself recently, you can't prove anything and maybe it is just coincidence. At the back of my mind I thought I was being done but I swallowed it becasue the problem needed fixing and the garage offered a discounted rate (cost of parts) that I couldn't better elsewhere. I've only every found one garage I trusted 100% and that was a bloke who worked out of his garden shed!
Presumably there must be an implicit warranty with the work that they did 6 months ago. It seems that the part that has failed is a new one that they fitted, so I'd consider that they have to do the work for "free".
The cost of the parts for the job will be bugger all assuming that the clutch plate hasn't been polluted, so it's all the labour, i.e. disconnect the drive shafts, drop the gear box, replace the seal, reassemble and then redo the geometry (I assume - has to be done on a 993 after such a job).
Just what sort of discounted price are they proposing?
The cost of the parts for the job will be bugger all assuming that the clutch plate hasn't been polluted, so it's all the labour, i.e. disconnect the drive shafts, drop the gear box, replace the seal, reassemble and then redo the geometry (I assume - has to be done on a 993 after such a job).
Just what sort of discounted price are they proposing?
They have a stock answer delivered in a variety of amusing configurations, but based on the badge displayed on the bonnet.
However, it goes roughly;
"Well sir, the work on the modulation hammerrite was completed to your satisfaction over, what
(intake of breath) Five minutes ago, and you were happy collecting the car then so....
Anyway the renticularpace assembly, has probably become erratic, as a result of the new hammerite bedding in, and anyway,
you've probably been around a bend in the road since last time, dislodging further ashburton build-up,
I mean, it was bound to happen"
that'll be (quick mental calculation) another safari
-I mean £1200 mate cheers
However, it goes roughly;
"Well sir, the work on the modulation hammerrite was completed to your satisfaction over, what
(intake of breath) Five minutes ago, and you were happy collecting the car then so....
Anyway the renticularpace assembly, has probably become erratic, as a result of the new hammerite bedding in, and anyway,
you've probably been around a bend in the road since last time, dislodging further ashburton build-up,
I mean, it was bound to happen"
that'll be (quick mental calculation) another safari
-I mean £1200 mate cheers
car mechanics must be one of the few professions that I can think of where they don't actually have to successfully complete their labours to issue an invoice. The times I have had someone NOT fix a problem and still bill me is ridiculous. At least plumbers tend to fix the leak before they rip you off!!
Second opinion, might be practical, although not mention the clutch relacement, to start with,
see if they notice ro not that work has been carried out.
(tip)
Some garages, put their intials on the gearbox itself, in chalk/tippex, as a refference, to themselves, others,
that its been removed for work at some point.
see if they notice ro not that work has been carried out.
(tip)
Some garages, put their intials on the gearbox itself, in chalk/tippex, as a refference, to themselves, others,
that its been removed for work at some point.
Normally all genuine new parts fitted in a "reputable" workshop will have a 12 month parts and labour warranty.
If it is the seal that failed prematurely, the workshop should be able to make a parts claim to the part supplier for the whole cost of the repair amount.
If the seal was damaged during fitting, then it is up to the workshop to take the cost.
In this case, if it is the new seal leaking, I cannot imagine why you would need to contribute anything.
I have been handling such cases for Volvo truck and bus for 20 years, we would certainly class this as a parts claim......so in my opinion YES you are receiving a jolly good rogering!!!!
If it is the seal that failed prematurely, the workshop should be able to make a parts claim to the part supplier for the whole cost of the repair amount.
If the seal was damaged during fitting, then it is up to the workshop to take the cost.
In this case, if it is the new seal leaking, I cannot imagine why you would need to contribute anything.
I have been handling such cases for Volvo truck and bus for 20 years, we would certainly class this as a parts claim......so in my opinion YES you are receiving a jolly good rogering!!!!
A very similar thing has happened to me recently. I had a new clutch fitted and full service carried out on my 993. Drove it for about 1000 miles when the clutch pedal disappeared into the floor. The car was some 150 miles from home when it happened. Told the so called specialist what happened and they told me to take the car back to them at a £400 cost for recovery no help offered. I didnt trust them as they could have told me anything and billed me to duplicate the work so I had a reputable specialist have a look and compile a report as to the cause. Turned out the drive flanges werent even torqued down and were only fingure tight so could have come apart at any time (potentially fatal) and when they looked into the bell house it turned out that the clutch shaft wasnt even secured in properly (3 parts were missing). This all lead to snapping off the lug and damaging my gearbox and knackering the new clutch. It cost me twice the amount to get it rectified and no response from the original specialist. Now that trading standards are onto them they have responded denying everything. Looks like a court settlement for me.
Its a shame that we cant trust some of these people with our pride and joy.
Its a shame that we cant trust some of these people with our pride and joy.
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