Answers to your car questions
QUESTION
I just recently purchased a used car from a dealer in Burlington and I have never had as many problems as I am having with this car. The car did not have many kilometres on it and it was in really good shape but I think that the used car dealer knew that the car was a lemon. I did not have it more than six weeks when the transmission started to leak. The alternator failed while on a trip up north. Next, the power window on the passenger’s side was not working and finally this week, the radiator started to leak. I have had the car just over five months and I have spent over two thousand dollars on it to date. The dealer will not do anything for me about this lemon that I have purchased. My lawyer told me that there is not much that he can do without taking the used car dealer to court. I went to a paralegal who told me that I would have a good case against the used car dealer. I would like your opinion as to what I should do. Thank you Marlene from Waterdown
ANSWER
I certainly do see your plight but I do not know what the paralegal case would be if they took the dealer to court. As I see it, the dealer would not have had any idea that the transmission was going to leak in six weeks no more than he/she would have been aware of the failing window; the leaking radiator or the failed alternator. I cannot give you any legal advice but be very careful before you spend any money on legal fees until you have a very clear idea just what they are going to accuse the used car dealer of. Maybe they have seen an error in the bill of sale or the mileage was not correct but other than that, I do not see that the dealer did anything wrong.
QUESTION
I have a question for you. Is the alignment supposed to be done on a new car? I picked up my car from the dealer about two weeks ago and took the car back because it was not steering straight. I told the dealer that I had a small accident to the left front of my car where the front fender was dented and the repair was under eight hundred dollars. This accident had nothing to do with the alignment but the dealer is claiming that it did and will not pay to have the car aligned. I called the factory and they told me that it is up to the dealer to determine if the alignment is under warranty. You helped my dad get the dealer to help him about two years ago and he told me to contact you to see if you could get the dealer to do the alignment on my new car under warranty. Bob from Oakville
ANSWER
I called the dealer for you and found out a little more than you were telling us in your email. First you did not tell the dealer about the accident. They noticed it because the paint was not the best match and they asked you about it. That is when you told them about the accident. The dealer was also concerned about the chip in the wheel rim and you told them that the chip had nothing to do with the accident but the dealer suggested that that could have altered the alignment. I asked the dealer if they knew the name of the body shop and they told me who had done the repairs to your car. I found out that the insurance company had paid for a new rim and you decided not to replace it but took the three hundred and forty dollars instead. That is certainly enough money to pay for an alignment. Also, if the chip in the wheel rim was actually from the accident, the insurance company should pay for the alignment but they may also want you to replace the new wheel rim that they had paid for, on the car as well.
QUESTION
I have an eighty-eight Chevrolet half-ton truck that is giving me problems by overheating. I can drive around town and no problem but when I go on the highway, it starts to overheat. It does not get to the red line but close. The coolant is up to the proper mark and the oil is up to the proper level. I spoke to a mechanic and he told me that it is most likely that the radiator is plugged but I had that replaced about two years ago and had the system flushed out. Any ideas would be helpful. Thanks Dave from Simcoe
ANSWER
First, check to make sure that the belt tensioner on the serpentine belt is keeping the belt properly tightened. I suspect that the vehicle is equipped with a clutch fan so make sure that it is working properly and I suggest that you ask your mechanic to do the test on the clutch fan. While he is checking the clutch fan, ask him or her to check the upper and lower radiator hoses for any signs of bulging or collapsing. If all these parts are fine then I suggest that you are having a problem with the water pump itself.
PS: To my readers: If possible, it would be appreciated if your emails would indicate the town, city or village that you live in. Please be advised that not all emails can be answered. Send your questions (be sure to include your address) by email to:: dennis.osullivan@cogeco.ca