I Paid $1,000 For Professionals To Fu@k Up My Car?

[agnesx]

here's the story...

early last week i been notice some coolant drips on my driveway, and it got progressively worse, by thursday it was literally "pooling" the coolant overnight - strange thing is, it only drips/leaks when i leave it overnight and its cold, during the day when i park at work (on flat surface, same as at home), it does not leak 1 drop?

anyway i hate seeing my car 'bleed' so i took it to a local radiator specialist, and took mum's 86 to work... before i left i told them about leaking in the cold, and that i suspect its a hose/fitting issue that was brought on by the cold temperature at night, expecting a simple fix...

I got a call from them hours later and told me my thermostat was not working (although to me it was and had been working fine), also that the water pump wasn't working right so they have gone ahead and replaced both for me - i was a bit shocked... i didn't ask for this.... but i assumed they were the professionals and went along with it... when i went to pick up the car at night (paid $400 for the whole job), i did ask him about hoses.. he goes no fault found in hoses... i took it and drove it home (5min away).. and found something wasn't quite right... but it was late and i thought leave it til morning...

the next day, saturday, i had it booked at my usual mechanics for a major service and to put new rotors and pad on the front breaks... took them 4hrs and $600, but its was to be expected at this price... when i came to pick up after service, i was shocked when they told me faults found...

1. radiator isn't working properly, they tested the thermo stat and found it was working, but the reading isn't being fed properly, so the car thinks the engine is still 'cold' and runs very rich constantly.

2. the engine or radiator (can't remember) fan is ALWAYS on when the car is on... supposed to be on/off depend on temp?

I took it for a spin with the mechanic (nice guy) sitting next to me while i wore in the new break rotor and pads... but found i've lost about 1/2 of my power!!!

so **** ****** at that time... even on flat road... the torque runs out at 3,000rpm and refuses to push the car.. the revs will keep on going to 6~7000 but no acceleration or change in speed... only way is to shift up gear, and the same thing would happen... pulls up until 3000rpm then stops accelerating... i was confused and ******...

on some local hills where i can usually do in 4th i have to go up in 2nd??

i took it back to the radiator guy and he was being cool about it and said he's done what he needed to do with the problem, what happened after it left is my business and none of his concerns - basically being a !Removed! and said if i want him to take a look will charge me for the time spent?!

so i am at a total loss now... the car has lost 1/2 of its economy.. 1/4 tank down now and i have only travelled 85km, usually i can double that...

i've given up on getting refund out of the !Removed! radiator guy and booked in to be fixed at a different place on the weekend

i am a scientist by occupation so i have nfi what could be causing this drop in power, all i can do is watch in pain as i get pwned by every noob driver in their mazda 121 or *****ter cars beating me at the lights... sigh...

moral of the story? bring a gun with you when you go pick up your car after anywork has been done, test drive on the spot and if things aren't right, shoot the !Removed!.....

PS - thanks for reading the whole thing.... if you have recommendations on what could be causing or how to fix my problem would be great too.... many thanks...

Anthony

[riko666]

take the radiator, and shove it down the *******'s throat

[paseoGT4]

the revving issue sounds like your clutch has gone... cant see it beign anything to do with your temperature issue, maybe just unlucky to have it go at the same time

[agnesx]

the revving issue sounds like your clutch has gone... cant see it beign anything to do with your temperature issue, maybe just unlucky to have it go at the same time

←

i certainly hope it isn't the clutch... otherwise i'd be forced to get rid of my precious.. sigh... the cost of repairs is just no longer worth it...

bit more information on the issue before it goes to the shop on sat to have inspected again...

the engine no longer idles stable.. revs jump up and down a bit.. esp if i tap on the accele a lil, when the revs drop back down, it will drop so much the car shudders and almost stalls (if i dont push the clutch back in)...

Power still cuts out prematurely,

Fuel Eco really sucks hard now, 1/2 a tank down and i am doing 80km less then what i would get usually

Exhaust fumes smells like the petrol pump, i reckon i could light it! hahaha

:censor: :censor: :censor:

thanks for the suggestions so far though... if only i could ram radiator up his *****.... haha

[paseoGT4]

yeah sounds even more like the clutch, i wouldnt blame the guys at the shop cos this could just be one of those wear and tear things.