I purchased a 2001 STS Cadillac with approx. 170K miles from a small auto Dealer, September, 2010. About two weeks later the check engine light, and coolant light came on. I took the car back and his mechanic did something and the lights went off. Approximately a week later the lights came back on again. I took the car back several times afterwards approximately every other week. The mechanic said I needed a tune up and the cost would be around $265.00.
The car continued to have the same problems along with smoke coming out of the tail pipe. I told them both, but on different occasions that I thought it was a head gasket (drove car less than 800 miles since date of purchase, which was about three months ago). The dealer told me to bring the car in (had it towed to shop by AAA). They kept it for a week, never called me, so I decided to give them a call to find out the status. I was told that the car had ice backed-up in the tail pipes (mechanic claim to have done an engine diag. and coolant flush approx. a week previous to that, paper work to prove) and he said it was not a head gasket.
The dealer then demanded that I pick up the car only after I called him. I told him I wanted something in writing, stating what work had been performed before picking it (beginning to have reservations about their character). Finally, after going back and forth I was given a print- out stating the following diagnoses: car came in for possible head gasket leak, used blue point chemical tester, came up negative, also had skip, cylinder # 7, spark plug installed and no longer skipping. Both mufflers had ice built up inside cause plugged weep holes, thawed and cleared weep holes drive and advised. I drove the car home. About a week later same, problems. I called Dealer, vented my frustrations He totally ignored my calls.
A few days ago I took chance on driving the car to Auto Zone for diagnostic testing. The printout showed a misfire in plug # 7, obviously not replaced as mechanic claimed. Later the same day I had the car towed to, "Pep Boys", for a more through testing for the head gasket. I feel the problem was there when I purchased the car, but covered –up, because I started having problems right away and was lied to on numerous occasions and dealer and mechanic conspired to cover it up…….
Keeping in mind that the dealer /mechanic kept the car for a week prior and said the testing came up negative for a head gasket problem. The notes from technician at "Pep Boys" stated the following: Failed block test very quickly...Blown head gasket, cracked headers and or head bolts pulled out of block: may need to heli-coil head bolt holes in the block, may have damaged engine bearing w/coolant, will need to cut RF brake line to drop cradle, upper hose has an after market radiator cap section installed.
I am sending you this story hoping that it will prompt an investigation of these individuals and stop them from taking advantage of others. I paid 3400.00 for a car and did not get a total of one month of service with out problems, and taking into consideration all the other out of pocket expense, such as increase in insurance premium, anti-freeze purchased at least once a week, oil change and so call coolant flush and diagnostic testing he claim to have done that I paid him for. Most recent contact with dealer was today. Initially he claim that he was going to address the problem, but the started blowing me off and hung up the phone
. Money is tight, I am on a fixed income and times are hard for many including myself. There is a difference in trying to make a living and preying on innocent people.
Thank you,
Leila
I hope this story prompt interest
Read Next Complaint >>
