Dodgy Work On My Gtr And Now The Engine Is Toast.

[doutsis]

Hi all,

Bought an R33 GTR about 6 months ago with a genuine 85,000km on the clock. Had a 100,000km service done early just before 90,000km; all fluids, water pump, timing belt, tensioner, adjustable cams, hi flow cat and more. This was done at a reputable workshop but for an oil change, to drive 1.5 hours wasn't an option to take it back every few months. I took it to my local high performance workshop for a run of the mill oil + filter change. Up she went on the hoist and my "hi flow cat" was a stock cat that had been gutted. More poking around, 2 and 2 didn't add up and what I paid for I didn't get. Hardly any of the fluids were changed, the handbrake cover was swapped for a worn one and more.

Monday the engine just died, peak hour, middle lane and on a major toll way in Melbourne... awesome stuff! People think beeping their horn would get the car started and off the road; needless to say I just beeped back.

Today the cam cover came off and literally bits fell off with it. The timing belt couldn't be picked up with a spoon and all due to bolts being done up hand tight. Wrapping up my sob story, a shite load of money needs to be dropped into getting it fixed.

So, what would you do? I'm planning to give the workshop the opportunity to fix their mistake, and if they don't play nice off to the small claims tribunal. Is this reasonable? Anyone been in this position before?

Also, if you had a GTR in near working order in your driveway with internals that need replacing... how far would you go? Anyone been down this path before and has some words of wisdom and a ball park $ figure?

Cheers,

James

[Swiper the Fox]

pull the engine...send it up...and we will send them the bill.

seriously...if thats what they did from a service...there's no way id let them near it again.

all the best with getting it sorted...let me know if i can help in any way...my advice on here costs you nothing.

Edited October 23, 2008 by DiRTgarage

[doutsis]

I never want them to touch the car again.... Reading over the small claims tribunal website I need to give them the chance to fix it, if they don't then I can then take "legal" action. Needless to say, I'm never going back there again. Getting the donk sent to Newcastle is a bit far, but if I were local!

4 out of 5 mechanics I have been to have screwed me over one way or another, and the one that didn't retired.

Do you, or anyone, know someone in Melbourne? If I remember the forum rules, I can't name the workshop... is that right?

pull the engine...send it up...and we will send them the bill.

seriously...if thats what they did from a service...there's no way id let them near it again.

[(B1) MR_fanny]

thats a horror story if I ever heard of one. I would definitly persue it to the ends of the earth if it were me. Get another reputable workshop like MR DIRTgarage or someone local to go through it and write up a detailed report of the mess possibly sighting their professional opinion as to why everything went pair shaped. Is it even the same motor thats in the car? If they were dodge enough to give you a gutted cat and replace your boot thinking you were non the wiser to notice i wouldnt be surprised.

document everything, you have their reciept of all the work and parts supposedlty done to your car so thats a start. and finaly, can you pm me the workshop that did this to you out of personal interest.

good luck with it all.

[Swiper the Fox]

I never want them to touch the car again.... Reading over the small claims tribunal website I need to give them the chance to fix it, if they don't then I can then take "legal" action. Needless to say, I'm never going back there again. Getting the donk sent to Newcastle is a bit far, but if I were local!

4 out of 5 mechanics I have been to have screwed me over one way or another, and the one that didn't retired.

Do you, or anyone, know someone in Melbourne? If I remember the forum rules, I can't name the workshop... is that right?

Its quite easy to strap it to a pallet and send it up...ive done engines for guys from the ACT, QLD and even far as WA.

If i was in Melb. i wouldn't use anyone but Ben at Racepace...the best in Vic.

PM me the workshop's details please.

Edited October 23, 2008 by DiRTgarage

[doutsis]

I need some luck, cheers! (c:)

I'm hesitant to say the workshop's name publicly or in a PM, a lot of people on this forum take their car there. In all honesty, it was because of word of mouth and the rave reviews from this forum as to why I took it there....

I'm not here to tarnish their name, I'm sure they do good work on everyone else's cars!

thats a horror story if I ever heard of one. I would definitly persue it to the ends of the earth if it were me. Get another reputable workshop like MR DIRTgarage or someone local to go through it and write up a detailed report of the mess possibly sighting their professional opinion as to why everything went pair shaped. Is it even the same motor thats in the car? If they were dodge enough to give you a gutted cat and replace your boot thinking you were non the wiser to notice i wouldnt be surprised.

document everything, you have their reciept of all the work and parts supposedlty done to your car so thats a start. and finaly, can you pm me the workshop that did this to you out of personal interest.

good luck with it all.

[GTR-32U]

I never want them to touch the car again.... Reading over the small claims tribunal website I need to give them the chance to fix it, if they don't then I can then take "legal" action. Needless to say, I'm never going back there again. Getting the donk sent to Newcastle is a bit far, but if I were local!

4 out of 5 mechanics I have been to have screwed me over one way or another, and the one that didn't retired.

Do you, or anyone, know someone in Melbourne? If I remember the forum rules, I can't name the workshop... is that right?

Man to be honest I feel your pain....However if sending the motor up to Newcastle meant that you had a motor built that made you happy ( In this case I think so ) and also some mechanical support for diagnosis of what caused the failure in support of a legal fight then I would certainly be making arrangements for freight of dead engine to Newcastle to get things done properly...my 2 cents

[R31Nismoid]

^ As above, its Ben or no-one for me... been that way for 4 years and never unhappy

Your best of talking to the workshop first, and find out their view on it.

To get any money back i believe the Gov't bodys will require you to give them another shot?

But definately follow it up FIRST before taking the car elsewhere

[doutsis]

The mechanic I've taken it to does high performance Jap imports. I'm so far happy with his work, he even let me watch (yes, stand over his shoulder breaking every new OH&S rule) while he works on the car.

He is prepared to write a letter and stand in front of the small claims tribunal; even he was shocked at what has happened.

Although I'm happy with this mechanic changing the oil and exhaust gaskets, do I let him crack the engine open? There has to be someone local that can do it properly... sorry DiRTgarage, I really want someone local.

Man to be honest I feel your pain....However if sending the motor up to Newcastle meant that you had a motor built that made you happy ( In this case I think so ) and also some mechanical support for diagnosis of what caused the failure in support of a legal fight then I would certainly be making arrangements for freight of dead engine to Newcastle to get things done properly...my 2 cents

[GTR-32U]

The mechanic I've taken it to does high performance Jap imports. I'm so far happy with his work, he even let me watch (yes, stand over his shoulder breaking every new OH&S rule) while he works on the car.

He is prepared to write a letter and stand in front of the small claims tribunal; even he was shocked at what has happened.

Although I'm happy with this mechanic changing the oil and exhaust gaskets, do I let him crack the engine open? There has to be someone local that can do it properly... sorry DiRTgarage, I really want someone local.

Fair enough...your mechanic sounds pretty honest and helpful if he is willing to do all that for you

[MP_R33]

WTF! Can you please PM me the workshop as i have had a mate who has had a similar thing happen to him from a VERY reputable workshop in Melbourne??

If its the same one i will pass you on his details

[WYTSKY]

Horrible story mate, small claims sounds the way...

I hope you get what you deserve and THEY rot...

please pm me too about who did the work.... I hope its not the guys I am thinking of...

Adam

[MANWHORE]

The mechanic I've taken it to does high performance Jap imports. I'm so far happy with his work, he even let me watch (yes, stand over his shoulder breaking every new OH&S rule) while he works on the car.

He is prepared to write a letter and stand in front of the small claims tribunal; even he was shocked at what has happened.

Although I'm happy with this mechanic changing the oil and exhaust gaskets, do I let him crack the engine open? There has to be someone local that can do it properly... sorry DiRTgarage, I really want someone local.

For me, I refuse to use a workshop that won't let me watch.

I'm sure someone will comment and say that some workshops will refuse to work on my car, but that's ok for me because I have established a network of workshops for the various 'difficult things' I might need that will let me watch.

I try and do all of my own work on my car for this particular reason. I don't trust anyone to treat my car as I treat it myself.

My car is black, with almost perfect paint and hardly any swirlies etc. Anyone else who has good paint will realise that you should try not to touch your paint at all if possible and i'm not interested in a mechanic that will just lean over the side guards without a guard protector or put his greasy hands on my guard etc.

Before I trust a workshop, I take my paddockbasher wagon there and I actually let them know that I have another car that I'm contemplating taking there, treat my wagon like they will treat my other car.

[ashr32]

can you please PM me the name of the shop too. i just got a major service done by...... in melb and it resulted in the accelerator peddle sticking and i nearly killed myself. unbelievable. we need to work together guys cause there are some mechanics out there that honestly dont give a crap and im sic of it.

[doutsis]

Called the mechanic today. I was pleased to hear that they will look at it and reubild it for free if they are at fault. I just hope it doesn't end up in a shit fight with them saying it isn't their fault. Knowing I have done the right thing I don't need to be about $5k out of pocket for this....

Also, two things:

1 - Thanks for the PMs and messages with good luck. Nice to know there is a community that cares. THANK YOU

2 - I'm not going to say the workshop's name in this thread or a PM. These guys are good at what they do and have a reputation that precedes them. I'm in no position to tarnish their name.

Will let you know how it goes getting the motor fixed!

Cheers,

James

[Guilt-Toy]

i hate getting people to work on my car. Because it has to be re-done EVERY time.

Now i would just rather take the big risk, do the job myself. That way if stuffs up then then I dont have to get pissed off about trying to get someone to fix it for free when they refuse responsibility.

If i wreck it then its my own fault and i learn from my mistake. Fix it and move on.

[ashr32]

i hate getting people to work on my car. Because it has to be re-done EVERY time.

Now i would just rather take the big risk, do the job myself. That way if stuffs up then then I dont have to get pissed off about trying to get someone to fix it for free when they refuse responsibility.

If i wreck it then its my own fault and i learn from my mistake. Fix it and move on.

i 100% agree mate. im over it, i only take it to someone when i cant do somthing and everytime i feel like im in the waiting room at the hospital.

from now on ill spend the labor money on more tools and do it myself. like you said if o stuff it, its my problem

[unique1]

i agree 100% with guilt toy, i try to do every bit of work myself if i can, i have allowed workshops to do a few minor things like setting up shims on a rb26 head because it would save me the hassle and i know its right, well guess what, they stuffed it up and set them to wrong clearances and i had to rebuy $200 of shims and do it all again myself. I have made a fair few mistakes over the years and cost me alot but i know now how to do it and am doing my own engine builds etc without problems Most workshops u have the apprentice kid working on the car which im not a fan of, though i know alot of them do a good job. Even at my own house workin on my car i dont let any of my mates help me do any work or install anything as i need to double check anyway and i want it done my way, im pretty damn fussy haha.

The only thing i cant do is tuning (yet lol) so if i use a workshop i make sure i can be there for any dyno work i dont want to recieve a call that my engine is stuffed and some stupid story they make up to sound like its the motors fault.

Edited October 23, 2008 by unique1

[Guilt-Toy]

There is only a few mechanics that i would trust with my engine. I am not going to mention names. But there are only 2. I am not talking about WORKSHOPS. The workshop has nothing to do with the work done my car. Its the mechanic tgere are only 2 i would trust, they are very expensive (one is a good mate of mine) and the other is a good mate of mine as well... Ohhhh i would probly let Dirt touch my engine but that will never happen cos id be doing it myself and get him to help for free

[dano4127]

Good luck with your problem mate,

If they really are as good as they are supposed to be I would take it back and let them have a crack at rebuilding it for you but have a third party do a check of the motor before it goes back in the car...

Best type of mechanic is the sort who make you pour their scotch and run for sockets while they work on your car!

Edited October 24, 2008 by dano4127