I still can't think about this garage without getting upset.
While driving on the highway my timing belt broke and I have a "No tolerance" or "Interference Engine".
I will say that now....and then I will explain what I knew at the time.
I had everything I owned in my car and small trailer. I had just left my job and was on the first day of a 3 day drive. While driving my gas pedal stopped making the car accelerate. I pulled over on the side of the highway and turned off the car to look expecting pouring fluids or something...nothing, but the car would not turn over.
Sunday before Memorial Day. I had to find a tow truck that would also take my camper. And also a car shop. The driver recommended Stones and me not knowing the area or how much they would try to scam me I said okay. I should have known when the guy who took my keys spend at least 3-5 minutes trying to convince me that I put Diesel in my gas tank. (I did NOT do this, just so you know. Because I am not a complete idiot)
Through no fault of theirs it had to sit for 2 days. Sunday as they were closed and also Monday as it was Memorial Day. Tuesday morning comes and the man at the shop calls me and says Good news, Its the timing belt. The tensioners locked up can broke the belt. Unfortunately, I will also have to replace the water pump as they are a package deal. However, they could have it done by later that same day and I could be on the road. It would cost $875. So on day 3 in Oak Grove Kentucky I said! Yes if it means I can get going, it is what I have to do! And then stupid me THANKED them!
Then I called my boss who was already holding my job for me that I would be on the road first thing in the morning!
Somewhere around 3pm I got a call back. And the mechanic starts using technical terms for a few minutes. Then he says it "Needs a rebuild" and I said what does that mean and that is when he came out and said the broken belt caused my pistons and such to slam into my cylinders and it caused them to lose compression. They would have to rebuild my engine. And it would be at least another $2000. Then they proceeded to tell me my car is only worth $2,900-3,500 trade in value working and it is not worth it to fix it. When I asked why they couldn't tell the damage had been done the man literally told me there was "No way to know until after they had replaced the timing belt and everything else"
I was a mess after I got off the phone with him. I was broke down in the middle of Kentucky with everything I own, my dog, in a hotel and I had no way to get out of there. I posted about what happened (Not knowing I was being screwed still!) on Facebook to my friends. Instantly 2 mechanic friends called me! They filled me in. If you are going over like 40 MPH and your timing belt breaks on an interference engine, any mechanic should know that the engine is pretty much hamburger. Chewed up and damaged. They fact that they didn't even check it from other mechanics is "INSANE" and "They are taking advantage of you!".
By the way, at this point the mechanic still wanted full payment for the $875 in work that shouldn't have even been done because they should have looked at the engine FIRST!
After multiple phone calls and the agreement of me GIVING them my car, I still had to pay them $200 so I could get my belongings out of my car.
I was a woman who went to an unfamiliar shop in a HUGE time of need and all they saw were DOLLAR SIGNS! DO NOT GO HERE AS A SINGLE WOMAN!!! I was STRANDED, Unfamiliar with the area and STILL I wish I had paid more money for the tow truck driver to have taken me ANYWHERE ELSE!
These guys are SCAM ARTISTS!
