Date: Wed, 18 Aug 1999 09:04:00 -0700
Reply-To: jimkim <jimkim@INTERGATE.BC.CA>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: jimkim <jimkim@INTERGATE.BC.CA>
Subject: Re: bad mechanic???
If I took it in for a tune up and it was blown up I'd be some choked. Don't
know what course of action you have against this guy , you bring something
in for a hot start problem it stands to reason he's got to warm it up to
check it. If you had told him to check it for over heating and he blew it
up you might have a leg to stand on. If the head gasket went idling in a
shop it seems reasonable to assume it was about due to pack it in when you
were in stop and go traffic on a hot day. Thats the argument that will be
made. While I do think this could have been avoided if he had taken a peek
at the temp gauge once in awhile, I believe if legal action is taken you'll
be told to buzz off and be saddled with the added cost of litigation. Sorry
for the lack of support but s%#t happens, remember when it comes to vanagons
trust no one! My sincerest sympathy to you on this most unfortunate of
occurrences. Jim
----- Original Message -----
From: Westy Woes <traveling@DOGS-LIFE.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: August 18, 1999 8:26 AM
Subject: bad mechanic???
> Hello list,
> Dropped off my 84 westy at the mechanic for a tune up and because it
was
> sometimes difficult to start when engine was warm.
> He calls and says he left it idling in the shop for 30 minutes (to
warm
> it up good before checking for hot start problem), and the head gaskets
blew
> out on him. I seem to remember the owners manual saying something about
> never leaving this vehicle running unless you are behind the wheel or
> driving it, but he says no, he *tests* westies like this all the time,
he's
> a factory trained VW guy.
> All I know is it was running when I brought it in to him, now I'm
facing
> at least $1100 for head gaskets, which he says really aren't enough, I
> should replace the heads too, since the head gaskets were replaced before,
> and for that cost I could replace the whole engine.
> I'll be calling my lawyer today just to see if there is any legal
> recourse I can take against this guy. Seems like for a VW *expert* he
> shouldn't have just let the vehicle run unattended for so long and
> subsequently blow up on a hot summer day. Especially if it says right in
the
> owners manual not to do that. Or am I wrong? I sure would appreciate any
> input you fellow westy owners may have to share with me.
> Many thanks.
> Stranded in Pacific NW...:(
>
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