Answers readers’ auto questions
QUESTION
My vehicle is a 2009 GMC ½ ton truck. About two months, ago the engine started to knock and I looked around for someone to fix the truck for me. I ended up at this small garage and they told me that they could find a good used engine for my truck, which I agreed to have them install. The first engine that they installed was no better than the one that they took out of my truck. They gave me a discount on the installation of the second engine. The place where they purchased the engine replaced it with another one. The installation of the second engine ended up burning oil so badly that it now needs to be replaced. The auto wreckers are going to again replace this engine but the garage is now telling me that they are going to charge me the full cost to replace the second engine. I have replaced two engines in this truck and now need to replace it with a third engine. My opinion is that the garage should have done their due-diligence in making sure that the engines were in good condition before they installed them in my truck. The garage basically told me that they will no longer work on my truck and that I should have someone else do the repairs. They are basically feeding me to the wolves! Bob from North Dumfries
ANSWER
There is always the chance that whenever anything used, such as an engine or transmission is purchased, that the one installed might not be any better than the one being removed. Most garages, because of this, will make sure that the owner of the vehicle is fully aware of the fact that any used parts installed will not have any guarantee on the labour of that installation nor do they guarantee the part. Most auto recyclers will replace the part if a regular garage installs it and in your case, the auto recyclers have replaced the engine twice and both engines failed. I spoke to the garage and they have shown me proof in writing with your signature that you were fully aware that there wasn’t any guarantee on the engine installation. They replaced the second engine for you for half the labour cost but are not willing to do that for you again. There is nothing more that I can get this garage to do for you. All is not lost however. I spoke to the auto recyclers and they feel bad about the two failed engines but have told me that they have another engine for you that is still in the vehicle and running, so they know that it is a good engine. If you get the truck towed to them, they will install this engine for you free of charge. I would take that offer and let them install the engine for you.
QUESTION
I was up North the other weekend and stopped at a gas station to get gas. The attendant asked if I wanted the oil to be checked and I said yes. He also filled up my washer fluid, which he charged me for. The oil was fine but he told me that my belt was in need of replacement. I told him that I would get it replaced at my regular garage when I arrive home. I thought nothing of that, until about sixty kilometres down the road, I started to here a clicking sound coming from the engine area. It was dark outside so I continued to drive home. There weren’t any lights on in the dash so I did not worry but by the time that I arrived home, the clicking noise was very loud. The next day, I took the car into my regular garage and they found that the belt was definitely in need of replacement. I was upset when they informed me that the belt appeared to have been cut. Keep in mind that I did not hear any noise on the way up North but did hear the noise about sixty kilometres after I left the gas station. I am letting you know about this because women, such as myself, could have been put into a dangerous situation if the belt broke on my way home in the dark. Do not let anyone look under the hood of your car unless you know the garage and trust him or her. May from Dundas
ANSWER
There are many things on the road such as sharp stones or pieces of metal that could have done damage to your car’s belt. I have however, seen videos where the attendant at a certain gas station had been caught cutting a belt but I think that your garage was reaching when they told you that the belt was intentionally cut without giving you other possibilities of how the belt could have been damaged. I thought that I would dig a little deeper so I called the station, which I was able to reach from your gas bill and this is what I found: There would not be any financial reason for this gas attendant to damage your car’s belt because they were only a gas station and did not do any automotive repairs. I then called your garage and they told me that the belt was in shreds and the only reason that they suspected the belt was cut was because you told them that the gas attendant told you that you needed a belt. This is not a solid reason to accuse someone of damaging your car’s belt. To my readers: Please indicate the town, city or village that you live in. Be advised that not all emails can be answered. Send your questions (including address) by email to:: dennis.osullivan@cogeco.ca