Head Gasket Repair Gone Sour -Advice???

[John M]

Howdy from NC. Newbie here.

My 03 P5 started running rough at start up a bit and bubbling in the coolant overflow tank when hot. I figured it was the head gasket, sure enough popped the 2 and 3 plugs, coolant in 3. Normally I'd dig in and get it done but I'm super busy at work and it's been close to 100 degrees for weeks.

I broke down and took to a local shop. 600-800 and it would take a week. Cool with that.

Forward 2.5 weeks later and many phone calls. They got it done but it wouldn't fire. Another week, the tech tells me they reversed the cams when the machine shop decked the head, he'd have it done in the am. Another 2 days of nothing, I go by the shop. Now it's running but he says no oil is getting to the head it may need an oil pump or send unit.

Your thoughts? (besides the obvious that I picked a dud shop) Could he have reversed the gasket and blocked the oil holes? I've done US V6/8's but never a Japanese 4. My little wagon is growing roots at this place!

Thanks in advance, JM

 

[Keno1542]

Get the car away from them as fast as you can and take it to a better shop, I would not be paying them the full rate either. Get it out of there before they do more damage than they already have.

 

[mp5la]

You may need to cut your losses and tow the car to another shop. I've had to learn that lesson the hard way myself in the past, but sometimes it's better in the long run.

I would say that you probably don't need an oil pump or anything of that nature. If the car was working well before the headgasket went, I can't imagine it would have gone bad sitting at their shop. The X factor in this whole situation is their work on the car.

 

[ReginaldWagon]

Years ago had a shop rebuild an older Mazda truck engine. Everything was going smoothly until one of the mechanics didn't properly clean and install the new spark plugs and ran the engine with metal shards in there -- completely destroying the engine. They attempted to get more money to fix their screw up, thinking women don't know much about vehicles. Fortunately in this situation after a few phone calls they realized they couldn't pull a fast one over us and replaced what they damaged.

You need to immediately retrieve your vehicle from this shop and have it taken to a mechanic you can trust -- have the new mechanic document everything that is now wrong with the car and any incompetent/shoddy work he notices. I often find this is a common situation where shops get mechanics lien for failure to pay for repairs -- even if they were negligent. Make sure to look over the shops bill and see what they charged you for -- parts included. If the parts are on your vehicle those you should pay for but make them provide you with the old parts. No old parts to show, no payment for "new parts". If they can't justify that the item needed replacement because of the issue for which you brought the vehicle into you are not responsible for payment, but you may have to pay up front until another mechanic finds out what these people did and write them a sternly worded demand letter -- as generally required for small claims.

Start documenting now, you'll need it if you decide to seek reimbursement through the court.

 

[John M]

Thanks guys, that was my plan. Flatbed on Monday am. I'll think about paying once we figure out what he's jacked up. I also doubt the pump went bad sitting at the shop, not possible it sucked up metal. I wouldn't be surprised if he used the incorrect gasket blocking an oil passage or left a rag stuck in somewhere. It's a major shop with lots of good reviews.

I guess you never know! I appreciate your prompt responses.

 

[ReginaldWagon]

You can't "think" about paying. You either pay this man and sue him later to recoup the costs, or negotiate with him over the bill then. You do not want a mechanics lien placed on the vehicle. If you take the vehicle without paying, and it's not agreed upon, is illegal and he may call the cops. He can keep the vehicle if you do not pay for authorized repairs. If you authorized the repairs, then you're on the hook for the bill at least right now. Welcome to to adulthood! It sucks, I know.

 

[John M]

Thanks, good point. Technically, he still hasn't "fixed" the vehicle. A simple two day head gasket job has turned into a pain in my butt. Fortunately, I have a company vehicle for daily commuting. He knows he did something incorrectly and doesn't want to invest the time to make it right. My reviews of the shop will be painful once this mess is behind.