Friendly reminder to check your radiator cap...
09-28-19, 01:05 AM
#1
Friendly reminder to check your radiator cap...
I picked up my car from a shop today that had no business messing with my coolant (or anything under the hood). Unfortunately it came to my attention a mile down the road that they left my radiator cap unsecured, and by the time I smelled the situation the coolant gauge had already moved to the f***ed position.
Motor is wrecked, coolant seals are gone.
Anytime someone else has your car, check your caps people. I normally do and I did not this time because this shop was on my trusted list. It takes 60 seconds and it's a lot less stress than watching your motor die on the side of the road while you wait for a tow truck.
Motor is wrecked, coolant seals are gone.
Anytime someone else has your car, check your caps people. I normally do and I did not this time because this shop was on my trusted list. It takes 60 seconds and it's a lot less stress than watching your motor die on the side of the road while you wait for a tow truck.
09-28-19, 01:25 AM
#2
I picked up my car from a shop today that had no business messing with my coolant (or anything under the hood). Unfortunately it came to my attention a mile down the road that they left my radiator cap unsecured, and by the time I smelled the situation the coolant gauge had already moved to the f***ed position.
Motor is wrecked, coolant seals are gone.
Anytime someone else has your car, check your caps people. I normally do and I did not this time because this shop was on my trusted list. It takes 60 seconds and it's a lot less stress than watching your motor die on the side of the road while you wait for a tow truck.
Motor is wrecked, coolant seals are gone.
Anytime someone else has your car, check your caps people. I normally do and I did not this time because this shop was on my trusted list. It takes 60 seconds and it's a lot less stress than watching your motor die on the side of the road while you wait for a tow truck.
09-28-19, 01:29 AM
#3
I picked it up around closing time, so I haven't spoken to them yet (which is why I'm leaving out a lot of specifics). I'll be pursuing it to the extent I can, because there is a lot of other, comparatively minor, thing they damaged on my vehicle.
It was a paint shop, so I cannot think of any legit reason. They had the car for several weeks. All I know is that the cap was on tight when I dropped it off and the car had no history of coolant issues/leaks.
It was a paint shop, so I cannot think of any legit reason. They had the car for several weeks. All I know is that the cap was on tight when I dropped it off and the car had no history of coolant issues/leaks.
09-28-19, 03:06 AM
#4
I picked it up around closing time, so I haven't spoken to them yet (which is why I'm leaving out a lot of specifics). I'll be pursuing it to the extent I can, because there is a lot of other, comparatively minor, thing they damaged on my vehicle.
It was a paint shop, so I cannot think of any legit reason. They had the car for several weeks. All I know is that the cap was on tight when I dropped it off and the car had no history of coolant issues/leaks.
It was a paint shop, so I cannot think of any legit reason. They had the car for several weeks. All I know is that the cap was on tight when I dropped it off and the car had no history of coolant issues/leaks.
09-28-19, 03:30 AM
#5
I have the reading from in, but unfortunately the gauge cluster is one of the things that was broken when I got the vehicle back. It doesn't even display the mileage anymore. I know the gauge clusters can be finicky, but it just seems like a crazy coincidence.
09-28-19, 04:58 PM
#6
My experience is probably not typical, my cluster had some broken traces that needed repairing. Anyway, that tangent aside, They can fix your cluster, but just expect it to sit there the day it gets delivered until the next business day. (which they said that part, but I figured since mine got there at nine am and I paid for early am delivery, it might have helped, guess not.)
I'd get the cluster repaired so you can see the Mileage. If the car has been driven more than a mile ish, I'd say that would reinforce the fact something is afoot. They shouldn't need to road test a car for paint work. Might have to take this one to small claims court if they don't cooperate, but all of that will help in building a case.
09-28-19, 05:45 PM
#7
I agree. I took my car to one of our local rotary shops (he met me at his shop at midnight, so when this is all resolved I'm going to give some major kudos there), and they are going through everything and writing it all up. I know he has someone he works with for electronic repairs if that's what ends up being needed.
Regarding the cluster, I did some work on mine about a year ago and it was in pretty good shape. I'll be curious to see what they end up finding. I'm uncertain if it was counting miles in the state it is in, but I'll be comparing the numbers when its back up and running.
Its a bummer. I spent the last couple of years and a fair amount of money restoring everything myself. The paint was the final stop. I left it with an expert this time because I do plan to take this up with the shop that had it, and honestly the prospect of tearing everything back out after I just got it back together was a little nauseating.
Regarding the cluster, I did some work on mine about a year ago and it was in pretty good shape. I'll be curious to see what they end up finding. I'm uncertain if it was counting miles in the state it is in, but I'll be comparing the numbers when its back up and running.
Its a bummer. I spent the last couple of years and a fair amount of money restoring everything myself. The paint was the final stop. I left it with an expert this time because I do plan to take this up with the shop that had it, and honestly the prospect of tearing everything back out after I just got it back together was a little nauseating.
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09-28-19, 08:24 PM
#8
Its pretty demotivating, I imagine. My cluster had a dead odo (no light), speedo, and tach were broken as well. But I'm sure you know all of that goes through the speedo board. But like I said, if you send the cluster to circuit board medics, plan on it sitting there for an entire day before they get to it. Your cluster probably won't take nearly as long as mine, though. I think I was a unique case. I do all my own work for the most part as well, the cluster and internal engine parts are the exception. Looking at your car in a state of disrepair is upsetting, for sure.
Are you going to have to shell out the cost for repairs in the meantime?
Are you going to have to shell out the cost for repairs in the meantime?
I agree. I took my car to one of our local rotary shops (he met me at his shop at midnight, so when this is all resolved I'm going to give some major kudos there), and they are going through everything and writing it all up. I know he has someone he works with for electronic repairs if that's what ends up being needed.
Regarding the cluster, I did some work on mine about a year ago and it was in pretty good shape. I'll be curious to see what they end up finding. I'm uncertain if it was counting miles in the state it is in, but I'll be comparing the numbers when its back up and running.
Its a bummer. I spent the last couple of years and a fair amount of money restoring everything myself. The paint was the final stop. I left it with an expert this time because I do plan to take this up with the shop that had it, and honestly the prospect of tearing everything back out after I just got it back together was a little nauseating.
Regarding the cluster, I did some work on mine about a year ago and it was in pretty good shape. I'll be curious to see what they end up finding. I'm uncertain if it was counting miles in the state it is in, but I'll be comparing the numbers when its back up and running.
Its a bummer. I spent the last couple of years and a fair amount of money restoring everything myself. The paint was the final stop. I left it with an expert this time because I do plan to take this up with the shop that had it, and honestly the prospect of tearing everything back out after I just got it back together was a little nauseating.
09-28-19, 08:42 PM
#9
Yeah, Agreed. I'm not sure if he uses circuit board medics, but he does have a shop he uses for the gauges, PFC repairs, etc. Since he has the car now, I'll see what he comes back with on that.
It's a possibility. I have a good relationship with the shop I towed the car to, and generally they just bill me after the work is done. However, this is a lot more work than I have ever used them for because I mostly do all of my own work so I'm not sure. I don't mind fronting the cost, but I'll be making some calls Monday to get the ball moving on trying to get that out of the paint shop.
I'm sure I will have more information come Monday, but I imagine it's going to be a long haul getting everything sorted out (mechanically, and otherwise)
It's a possibility. I have a good relationship with the shop I towed the car to, and generally they just bill me after the work is done. However, this is a lot more work than I have ever used them for because I mostly do all of my own work so I'm not sure. I don't mind fronting the cost, but I'll be making some calls Monday to get the ball moving on trying to get that out of the paint shop.
I'm sure I will have more information come Monday, but I imagine it's going to be a long haul getting everything sorted out (mechanically, and otherwise)
09-29-19, 11:21 PM
#14
I'd like to say if the shop is truly at fault, they would just own up to it and pay for the cost of repairs, because it is the right thing to do. However, if I had to guess, even if they are completely guilty of this, they will fight you all the way to the courtroom just to avoid paying.
Yeah, Agreed. I'm not sure if he uses circuit board medics, but he does have a shop he uses for the gauges, PFC repairs, etc. Since he has the car now, I'll see what he comes back with on that.
It's a possibility. I have a good relationship with the shop I towed the car to, and generally they just bill me after the work is done. However, this is a lot more work than I have ever used them for because I mostly do all of my own work so I'm not sure. I don't mind fronting the cost, but I'll be making some calls Monday to get the ball moving on trying to get that out of the paint shop.
I'm sure I will have more information come Monday, but I imagine it's going to be a long haul getting everything sorted out (mechanically, and otherwise)
It's a possibility. I have a good relationship with the shop I towed the car to, and generally they just bill me after the work is done. However, this is a lot more work than I have ever used them for because I mostly do all of my own work so I'm not sure. I don't mind fronting the cost, but I'll be making some calls Monday to get the ball moving on trying to get that out of the paint shop.
I'm sure I will have more information come Monday, but I imagine it's going to be a long haul getting everything sorted out (mechanically, and otherwise)
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