I had my tranny replaced under warrany back in November of 2008. Quick recap of the overheating problem. Basically the tech forgot to replace the radiator cap (my Mugen cap) and I made it about 4 miles before coolant started spewing all over my engine. I got it cooled down and took it back, and of course they played dumb and even accused me of messing with it. Anyway, they took it back topped off the coolant and put on an OEM cap on. I made it 3 miles and the temp gage spiked, so I took it right back. While I was waiting in the service drive I was checking things out and the director of service happened by. I told him what happened and he got pissed and drove it in himself. He brought it back a bit later and appologized saying that they (tech) should have bled the system. Oh, and he found my Mugen cap sitting near the front motor mount.

About a week later I notice an oil leak, so I took it back in and when I was told it was the rear main, I asked why they don't check that during a tranny replace. He said the tech do and I said so this was the same tech that forgot to replace my radiator cap and then forgot to bleed the system? You can imagine the dumb look I got. Anyway, they pleaded ignorant and refused to work with me on getting it fixed and I wasn't about to pay them for it and just added oil about every other week or so.

About a year later I blow a radiator hose . . I'm pretty sure the overheating problem was a major factor as I don't know too many hoses that blow much anymore. For me it's the first time out of 5 other cars I've owned and drove for more than 8 years.

That brings us to today. I've had a bunch of maintenance planned (struts, ball joints, brakes, timing belt, etc. and decided to replace the rear main while much of what is needed to be removed was already done. Well . . I got the tranny out and found out there was more wrong that just a leaking rear main seal. There's an 'O' ring that goes on the torque converter that needs the be replaced, besides the rear main seal . . . well, there was no 'O' ring! The idiots at David McDavid Plano not only left the radiator cap off when they replaced the tranny under warranty, they forgot to put the 'O' ring on.


Note sure what I'm going to do about that, but a law suit is coming to mind.

Ruf

 

nope you can't blame that on them hoses can and do fail at any time

 

ive always had good luck with david mcdavid. There is a guy there i always call if i have questions

 

Wow, that sucks.

How would you prove that they forgot the O ring, especially 2 years ago? Sounds like your words against theirs.

 

Some what true that hoses can fail. But it's not near as prevalent as it used to be. While it could never be proved, there's no question that subjecting the hose to the extreme pressure and heat would have weakend it.

Ruf

 

Yep, and that's why one almost always loses out to them in this sort of case. Had there been a problem and I took it to a different service shop and they discoved the problem then I'd have a good shot.

Ruf

 

Yeah, I was pretty happy with them the few times I used them and Bob's always been accommodating, but then he just wouldn't return calls. They missed a couple of things the last time I had a tranny replaced and the cruise control didn't work after that one. Oh well.

Ruf

 

not buying it as it is extremely unlikely that a hose would croak from overheat damgae before the HG would........now if he said he blew a hg then he would have a case......

 

hoses get old...have seen them blow on cars that never got hot

very few people bother to replace them with the 105 service
the cost already being high, most service writers wont try to add another 30 (plus labor 50-100$) for a few needed ones, to 100$ for all the hoses you could find to replace

Some techs are lazy and hoses can be a pita to remove and replace. So they dont report them as weak and you end up with a problem

soft spots, or overall softness- and a hose can explode/burst or collapse under suction pressures and cut of flow of coolant!

everyone should ck their coolant hoses for soft area or overall feel
Its like cking rad cap seal and pressure test--easy to do and prevents major issues

 

You are certainly entitled to your opinion, but I have personally fixed a blown hose on a Prelude and on a Civic. Both overheated and had blown hoses and neither has had a head gasket problem and a still running. The Prelude I owned and the Civic is a friend's that I fixed . . and oh by the way, I fixed it after the Honda dealer replaced the radiator, hoses, thermostat and fan switch. It would still over heat and I told him I would look at it . . knock on wood, it's staying below the halfway mark . . . even in 100+ deg temps we've had for 3 weeks running.

Oh, I started working on cars at 14, became a tech until I changed to an IT profession and have been working on cars for over 36 years, so I think I know at least a little bit about much of this. Oh, I've also fixed 3 other cars that people took to dealers and fixed the real problem or rest of the problem . . not bragging, just making a point.

'nuff said . . .

Ruf

 

Hi RUF87 :

While I only have a small taste of what you're experienced, going to court can be rewarding, but only if you've done lots of homework. You need to understand clearly that it's up to you to PROVE damages, not just tell a good story and damages only apply when you have been financially impaired.

So you need to start collecting evidence now including getting statements from the person who discovered the no "O" ring and the rad cap inside the engine bay. The hose issue is a bigger stretch unless you have the old part with an obvious cut in the rubber. Start a log of dates and times that specific events occurred and who said what. You'll be surprised at how much more detail will come out if you write it down.

You may find techs are reluctant to provide evidence against another shop, keep in mind they may some day apply for a job there. If they won't, you're literally sunk. It just one person's word against another. Also, although it can be challenged, taping and recording conversations is becoming more acceptable to Judges, especially if it's backing up your verbal testimony.

As you call tell, I have previously sued a car dealership and won. Good luck.

smartypants

 

It is a challenge case like said above, but I truly believe the problem started with the overheating issue.