OK I Need Some Advice??

[Beemerboy]

I brought at 1999...540i BMW recently the car is in mint condition for its year...but since it was used I decided to have a complete tune-up done on the car...I used a local German shop that was located next to the dealer that I got the car from...During the inspection he noticed that the value covers where leaking and recommended replacement, and that a water hose on the car was starting to leak a little....I asked on a BMW forum about this and based on my mileage it wasn`t uncommon, for the valve cover gaskets and water hoses that`s just cars..So I had all the work done on the car....I got the car back and with in a week I could see a small spot of coolant under the car....call the mechanic and he said maybe there was a secondary leak they missed.....I was looking at doing some up grades on the suspension since I knew the shocks and struts where getting bad or wearing out....Asking around to other BMW owners I was told that GS Tuning was the best in the area, they are performance specialist.....I stopped in at there place and immediately could tell this was the place for me...they have two divisions one for racing and the other for guys with regular drivers like me....I asked them to have a look at the car and they put it up on the rack and the mechanic came back and said he could see the leak...same hose but the bracket wasn`t installed right so they fixed it FREE....then he said your valve covers are leaking...WHAT!!!!!!He also said that who ever worked on the car before really did sloppy work and they where rough on some areas under the hood something about injector clips being broken and missing

So here is the dilemma...I do not want the first shop to work on the car again but now I`m wondering if they really did replace the gaskets....how can they be leaking so quick...the guy at GS said that they are going to have a look at the car on Monday and from that they MIGHT be able to determine if the gaskets are replaced or not......If they can prove I have to go back to the first shop for a refund.

I really don`t know what to do???? call the first shop and have him look at the car again....I really don`t trust him at this point or belly up and have GS do the job again..what do you guys think?

Thanks Alot

[GregCavi]

If the first shop did the work wrong, or damaged stuff, then I would request a refund or a significantly cheaper bill. If they just slopped over over the valve covers and didnt replace them, then obviously you shoudlnt pay.

keep us updated.

Greg

[Beemerboy]

If the first shop did the work wrong, or damaged stuff, then I would request a refund or a significantly cheaper bill. If they just slopped over over the valve covers and didnt replace them, then obviously you shoudlnt pay.

keep us updated.

Greg

Thanks for the quick come back Greg but I have already paid for this work I have all the paper work on it with part number and all

[JaredPointer]

Ouch Dave. Sorry to hear that. If it turns out that the other guy didn`t do the work, could you maybe report him to the Better Business Bureau or anything? Maybe file some sort of claim against him - maybe in small claims court?? I don`t know too much about all of that. Seems like Jngr would know for sure. I would definitely let the other guy know if it turns out he really didn`t replace the valve cover gaskets. I don`t know that I would let him touch it again.

It`s sad that bad mechanincs give the whole bunch a bad name. Also sad that it`s not just mechanics, but any trade seems to have it`s hacks that give the field a bad name.

[Beemerboy]

Ouch Dave. Sorry to hear that. If it turns out that the other guy didn`t do the work, could you maybe report him to the Better Business Bureau or anything? Maybe file some sort of claim against him - maybe in small claims court?? I don`t know too much about all of that. Seems like Jngr would know for sure. I would definitely let the other guy know if it turns out he really didn`t replace the valve cover gaskets. I don`t know that I would let him touch it again.

It`s sad that bad mechanincs give the whole bunch a bad name. Also sad that it`s not just mechanics, but any trade seems to have it`s hacks that give the field a bad name.

I think how this will play out is have shop B look at shop A work and see if they can determine the replacement or not....then call shop A and confront them for a refund if not then a certified letter for the refund with a time line on it, and if not reply then small claims court

[GearHead_1]

I would have shop B fix the problem. They will be able to tell in the blink of an eye if the gasket was replaced or installed incorrectly. If it wasn`t replaced have shop B save what they can of the valve cover gasket (old gaskets become hard and brittle whether they are cork or plastic). You would have little trouble taking this to small claims court. Now here`s another consideration. Were the injector connections removed to take the cover off? Is it required? On some vehicles it is and some it isn`t. If they are required to remove them as part of the repair they are responsible for this also and chances are that they did replace the gasket If not there is always the possibility that someone else was under the hood prior to your purchase. On occasion I`ve seen valve covers installed improperly when you`re talking about a tight fit with little working room, not intentionally but a legitimate mistake. The gasket actually misses the mating surface on the head and isn`t even between the cover and the head. In this situation it`s usually a pretty good oil leak at this point.

If the valve cover gaskets are still leaking they obviously have to be replaced. Get this taken care of at shop B and then approach shop A in a kind manner. You might be surprised what they are willing to do if it`s an honest mistake. They`ll likely come back with a reply such as: but you didn`t give us a chance to repair our mistake. Just remind them that you are under no obligation to give them a second try. Be kind but be firm, if they realize that they are heading to small claims court they may just take the easy way out.

I tell you this with a little experience under my belt. I`ve been certified as an ASE Master Automotive Technician for over 20 years and also had the opportunity to manage 2 districts of automotive repair shops for a major retailer. Most shops aren`t really out to get in your pocket but the few that are really make it tough for those who try to do a good job and make an honest living.