This all started back in September of 2021. My car overheated as I was pulling into work, so I took…read moreit to the closest mechanic, Gray's Service, to avoid causing further damage.
They quoted me around $1,200 to replace the water pump, and I agreed. While the work was being done, they called and said that since the timing chain was already off, they recommended replacing it as well--for an additional $1,200. I did not have that kind of money. I was upset and called my dad, who went to the shop himself and told them to put the timing chain back as it was.
When the job was finished, I was told my bill was $2,000, which was not what I had been quoted. I had to walk back to work to get the Post-it note where I had written down the original quote. After that, they honored the $1,200 price.
Fast forward to December 2025, and my car began losing coolant rapidly. I took it to my regular mechanic, who confirmed that the issue was again the water pump. He suggested I call Gray's Service to see if the repair was under warranty.
When I called, I was told they would need to inspect it, and if it was the water pump, it would be covered under warranty. I specifically asked when the water pump had been installed, and I was told September 2021. I was scheduled to bring the car in the next day.
They confirmed it was the water pump--but then told me it was not covered under warranty because it had been four years. On top of that, they strongly pushed replacing the timing chain and quoted me $4,700 total. This directly contradicted what I had been told on the phone the day before.
I declined the work. My mechanic quoted me $3,000 and advised me not to deal with Gray's Service again.
I went in one last time hoping they would do the right thing based on what I had been told--but the outcome was exactly what I expected.
My advice: go anywhere else. This is a horrible way to run a business. I gave them a first chance, I gave them a second chance, and I would never give them a third. Extremely disappointed.
