So heres the deal. My car sat for about 2 months waiting for some ignition parts, once I got those in the car the car ran fine but I needed to have the diff seal replaced and a new clutch installed so i had it towed in to a local maintenance shop and they had the car for about a week. I call them on monday to see whats taking so long and the guy goes "Oh the tech woirking on your car got the flu on saturday, itll be done tomorrow" So I get all excited to get my car back finally then all of a sudden its Friday and still no car or phone call from them. So I call about 15 minutes ago to ask what the hold up is. The guy says to me "Well your car starts but it doesnt run and we're not exactly sure why so it wont be done until we figure that out." So I asked him what some of the symptoms were and he said "well it starts but then it only runs for about half a second then dies, no matter what I do." so I asked him what he thought it was and his reply is "it seems like a huge vacuum leak"...ok...now I dont know what exactly this sounds like but I smell a scam coming on because he goes "Now if it is just a vacuum leak, that doesnt necesarily mean you will ahve to spend any money." And im thinking to myself, youre expecting me to pay for what wasnt broken when i gave it to you?? PLEASE someone attempt to shine some light on this.

 

get a friend or a lwyer that is tight with you if you have one and show up at the shop. then ask what is going on don't tell the guy anything about your friend until after he has talked to you and told you everything you want to know about the car and how much it would cost to fix what they fucked up. Thenintroduce your friend as your lawyer to the guy.

 

i just noticed your name is pip haha damn french boy j/k

 

If all they were doing is putting a seal and a clutch in, why would they be messing with anything engine-related?

 

That's a good idea.

 

Forum double-posted,sorry...

 

Oh **** sorry left out soe vital information, the car was flooded when it got to the shop so they unflooded it and told me that it was running fine and after they finished the clutch it would be all set. More than wondering what to do with legality of the situation does anyone have any clue what might be wrong with the car?

 

*bumpity bump*

 

when i had a vaccum leak i spent about 2 dollars on duck tape....and it worked fine hole was about the size of my thumb

 

Check the Air Flow sensor...see if it's been disconnected or messed with...if it has start railing on the shop...other than that...check your air filter, I let mine get too dirty once...car did exactly what I think you're talking about. Have fun!!

 

When I forgot to reattach my MAF, the car did EXACTLY that. It would start and then shut off after a second.

 

OK thanks for the ideas, im headed in there first thing tomorrow morning and if I see something out of whack im getting myself a good attorney.

 

I say take it to a different mechanic, they obviously either don't know anything about the car, or they just don't care.