Need advice on the situation

[00bmwguy]

Hey there guys, I need your guys advice on the current situation

Topic

[college man]

sounds like the machine shop is at fault for not checking the head right the first time. The mechanic sounds stuck
in the middle. I don’t think the additional labor to keep sending it out and getting it back should fall on the customer.C8-)

[00bmwguy]

thanks for the reply college man

[johnzcarz]

I completely agree with college man. It sounds to me like someone didn’t do their due diligence on this one.
A machine shop should check a head for cracks and whatnot before they start machining it because they may be machining something that is garbage to begin with.
And the mechanic should specify to the machine shop to check it before they start working on it to eliminate this situation.

The thing here is the repair shop did legitimately do some work, I think you will have to pay for some part of the repair. Maybe you can negotiate something?

[00bmwguy]

thanks for the advice john

[00bmwguy]

Here’s a little better clarification:

yea sorry about not being to the point on the first post but the situation was:
-brought car to indy shop to get misfire cylinder 4 fix to pass deq
-did a compression test on cyl 4 and it turn out to be 0
-he said it would take 1 week from start to finish
-sent head to head rebuilder to shave 0.011 off the head
-mech received it back, assemble the head to the block (Note: receives head and pass all test, and no hair line crack)
-fire up the engine and then CEL pops up
-misfire in cyl 1, mech did compression test and result was 0
-mech said he probably bent a valve when assembling the head
-mech sent it back to head rebuilders (Notice 2nd Time)
-mech receives call from head builders that they found a hair line crack in the head
-now its been over a month since I drop it off at the shop
-and now he wants $2500 to finish the job
Note that with the hair line crack on the head it has the chance leak coolant once the engine overheats its first time.

[twiggy]

Is the 2500 the total amount that you will spend to get your car back to good running condition? If it is then I would think that would be a fair price.

[00bmwguy]

yea the $2500 is for the car running but the head can still fail after getting it back

[Rick]

Well, I would assume that means you have a new/ reman head to replace the cracked one, no? If they’re charging you for the machine-shop work on the cracked head, I think that’s just wrong (other than cost to test it) b/c they dropped the ball. In a perfectly fair world, the machine shop should pay the mechanic for the first re-installation of the head, but I doubt that will happen. On the other hand, it’s probably not the mechanic’s fault that he had to do the installation twice. Honestly the price doesn’t strike me as a crazy price for what was done since you are paying for a new/reman head in addition to the installation. You can ask if he’s making you pay his time for the two installs– if so, maybe he should give you a break on that. (It’s not your fault either.) How much time is on the invoice? What other charges are there?

[00bmwguy]

Hey Rick, thanks for replying. As of right now the mech is just going to put the head with the crack on and not a new or reman one.
The mech is not charging the labor for assembling the head the second time. As for the how much time is on the invoice, its up in the air right now since the mech hasn’t told me yet.

What are the specific items that he is charging you 2500 for?

Labor for taking off the head and putting it back on, the cost of the head getting shaved 11th thousands, replacing head bolts, head gasket, extra bolts and vcg.

[igdlt]

I think that the amount they are charging you is a little steep but it depends on what was done and what parts did they use. Remember that parts and labor are not cheap.Ask them to give you a work order from the machine shop and the car shop, to see what was done at both shops.

[00bmwguy]

thanks for the heads up igdlt

[Rick]

Why on earth would he put the cracked head back on? If you’re not getting a fixed car for that price it is a rip-off. I’m changing my tune because I think as between you and him it’s his responsibility to deal with a competent machine shop and deliver on his promise to fix the car. He should either give it back with no charge or fix it for the cost of one install and a new/reman head. If he won’t agree I’d go to small claims court on that.

[celticbhoy]

This sounds like a load of shite to me. He bent the valve, didn’t actually repair the head or the problem, and is charging you 2500 and you’re getting the old damaged head back? Rick is right. Either he puts the new head on or go to small claims court.

[twiggy]

I don’t think its fair that you have to pay $2500 unless everything is restored to decent condition meaning no cracked head. Your mechanic picked the machine shop not you so their screw ups are not your problem. You should easily win in court

[00bmwguy]

Thanks for the response guys. So the current situation is that on Monday he’s going to call the head rebuilder place and talk to them about the crack head and what they’re going to do about it.

[Author]

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