So I my mid 90's mid engine car had an oil leak issues. My parents recommended this shop cause their friends suggested. I called them, they said they open at 8AM, just bring it by, they'll look at it. Ok, I even dropped off the car, and went to work with my second car. Around 1PM that day, they finally called. The guy claimed it was my oil pump seal that is failing. Ok, how much is that to replace? $1000, plus parts. Well, I already have the seal at home, so I told him that I will bring it by the shop after work in a brown box. I also have the water pump, can they throw that on there for additional charge as well? The guy said, "yea, I can do that". Monday around 5PM, I dropped off the oil pump seal and water pump. The guy said it will be done the next day, and he'll call me. Well, I finally got a call on Friday morning around 10AM. Alright, left work early in the afternoon to pick up my car. It seems okay. He didn't charge me for the water pump install because he did not put it on. So I told him about it. Now he claims that we never had that conversation, it would be another $1000 to replace the water pump. Fine, forget it. When I took the car to my parent's house, it started to dripping oil on the driveway, in front of their garage. I am a bit upset. I called him, he said, bring it back next week, he'll look at it because he is busy.
Dropped it off Tuesday morning, he called around 11AM, and he said it's all done and ready for pick up. When I got there that afternoon, he said it's the valve cover seal. So he tighten the valve cover bolts. Well, I know my valve cover gasket is fine cause there is not a speck of oil near or around it. Bone dry. Took it home, and it started to drip oil, again. I called him back, and he stated that I need a valve cover gasket replacement, quoted me $250 for the job. No thanks. I can do that myself.
That same night, I took the car. I noticed my battery gauge was near the middle, that is odd. My headlights are rather dim. I was lucky enough to make it home. I thought maybe it's the battery. I tested the battery, it's fine. Ok, it is a 4 years old battery, so the next morning, I went to pep boys and bought a new one, dropped into the car at the parking lot. The needle is still stuck at mid range on the gauge. I thought it might be the alternator. I drove it home. About 6 hours later, I needed a grocery run. When I was leaving the supermarket, wow, the car feels like it's going to stall. I lost power steering, brakes are getting tight, and barely got home. The car stalled right in front of my house, couldn't even make it up to the driveway. Had a neighbor's help to push it close to the curb on the street. I was really upset. This car only had oil drip problem when I took it in, now I have all these other issues.
I took the battery out and charged in the garage overnight, then at crack of dawn, before this shop even open, I drove it to them. Along the way, the car almost shutdown on me at I695, near exit 31b. I had to pullover. Good thing, this car have nothing under the hood, since the motor is in the back. So I plugged a battery jump pack to the battery and drove it to this seminary shop. The guy was there at 6:30AM. Of course, he said he'll look at it and get back to me. A couple hours later, he called and said my alternator went out. Funny, it never had any symptoms before I took it to them, now it goes out? Most likely he took out the alternator when he replaced the oil pump seal, probably dropped or something, or even shorted. Any case, now my car is stuck there, and can't go anywhere. How much is it to replace the alternator? $550! Fine. That was the last of it.
A week later, I took it to another shop. The oil was still leaking and more then ever now. This shop believes it's the cam seal that went out, which seminary shop should have noticed when they replaced the oil pump seal. And they said it is definitely not coming the valve cover gasket, which I suspected all along. And I had a friend, who is a full time mechanic for over 16 years, he lift up the car, and came to the same conclusion it's the cam seal all along. So this seminary exxon never fixed the problem of my oil leak for $1000, wasted my time, and cost me an alternator for $550. They have no idea what they're doing. I highly do not recommend them to anyone, stay away from them. Unless you only need oil change and brakes, which anybody can do that at home. read more
