UPDATE: In response to Rob's delightfully snide reply that my "Mr. Childs 25 year old 1989 Mercury Tracer was repaired each time as he requested. We had no way of knowing the age of any parts on his car or their current condition, and we replaced only what was needed." Why did I pay for diagnostics if not for that reason? Why not mention this well into the process?! It wasn't as if this was my first, second, third, fourth fifth, or tenth visit. I was loyal because I trusted their assurances they could help keep my car running. It had less than a 100,000 miles. It wasn't as if I demanded they fix it, but collaboratively asked what it would take and IF it was worth it. And I was repeatedly assured that yes it was. Why else would I keep coming back and spend thousands of dollars on what became a money pit? I would've moved on to another car. Overheated to the point of melting my radiator? I driven for 15 minutes on my commute to loveland, and yet of course it had nothing to do with the coolant issues, only to be stranded. Backstory: I had multiple issues with my car which ended with an overheating which left me stranded on I-25, and a permanently dead car. Why? Well the piecemeal fixing of my car. It started well back with brake overhaul. Starter. I had a the waterpump replaced. Fine. I had the radiator replaced. Fine. But why none of the coolant hoses? One burst. Fine. But did they replace both? No, just one. So I am stranded and overheated off the side of the freeway missing work. Again, another bursts, I am stranded again and another coolant hose was replaced. I used all my Triple-A tows within several months because of this. A year's worth. And like an idiot I kept coming back. I had previously had belt issues, which were not properly adjusted, leaving my battery dead in the heart of winter. I had them replace the valve covers of my engine, oil changes, water pump, brake work beyond pads and a mystery acceleration issues. I had literally spent thousands there under the assurance that the little 1989 Tracer, which had not seen 100,000 miles, would see another. All from October 2013, to now. I trusted them. In for penny, in for a pound, ya know? This resultant overheating, and replacement piecemeal, of my car's radiator and coolant hoses caused my engine to die. Rather than admit any culpability when again it overheated and coolant smoke was pouring out of my car, and again I was stranded? They forced me to pay for my tow and informed me my car was now functionally dead. They were almost antagonistic. It wasn't as if I was a stranger. They'd seen me quite regularly. They even admitted the heat stress likely caused it to die. I will never do business with them and encourage you not to as well. Cheaper is not always better and if my car had been fixed initially, or even on the second visit, likely the head gasket which cracked would be in better shape. I am beyond disappointed in their behavior towards me, especially when I, and my sister, spent thousands (on the same car) only to have the car last a few months. Thankfully social media will allow me to share this opinion.
From the work order of 12/12/13: "Any repair to the cooling system such as water pump, radiator,or hose leaks can result in low water pressure becoming a normal higher pressure. The resulting normal pressure can cause existing weak spots which may have not leaked before to start leaking". Mr. Childs experienced a leak to his radiator subsequent to the water pump being replaced , then the upper radiator hose and then and a then a heater hose. Repeated overheating and/or normal pressures can then lead to a head gasket leak. Mr. Childs 25 year old 1989 Mercury Tracer was repaired each time as he requested. We had no way of knowing the age of any parts on his car or their current condition, and we replaced only what was needed. Mr. Childs neglects to mention that the car had been over heated to such a degree that the new radiator installed three months earlier had partially melted due to being massively over heated. The age and quality of the vehicle are not Performance Tune's fault and Mr. Childs was informed, in writing, that there was the possibility of additional repairs. Things happen to very old vehicles due to age and we are unable to predict them. If we fail in a repair or install a substandard part we own up to it. That was not the case for this 25 year old car. Mr. Childs states: "cheaper is not always better". He bought an old inexpensive car and it needed many repairs. Whose fault was that?
- All Tech Automotive West