sigh...

1909 Views 28 Replies 10 Participants Last post by smth_hckr, Dec 7, 2005

LacyTheLegend

Discussion Starter · Nov 17, 2005

My legend has ISSUES...

I picked it up from the shop today after a weeklong visit to repair a BHG. While driving it home the check engine light comes on. I also notice that it is idling hard...every few seconds it will shake a bit. I also notice this happens when I begin accelerating, and when coming to a stop. When accelerating, there is white smoke from the exhaust too.

When we arrive home I notice that it is overheating!!! I called the shop and tell him I am bringing the car back...it overheats twice on the way to the shop, and we finally leave it at a gas station. This afternoon the mechanic calls me and said I'll have to wait until thursday to find out why the check engine light is still on. He said the overheating was either the thermostat or radiator. He replaced the thermostat, for free, and said after he drove it, the temp gauge was not rising even to the halfway point. He said that the smoke is from either coolant (I think), or oil.
Here is what throws me for a loop...the hard idling is MOST LIKELY a cyclinder not firing. Does this have anything to do with the BHG repair?? The car NEVER did this before going to the shop. Also, shouldn't I worry that the new head gasket could now be blown? The mechanic said that it would not be blown from overheating once or twice, but I have read differently on this forum. I have a 30 day warranty on the labor. What do you guys think??

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LacyTheLegend

Discussion Starter · #21 · Nov 19, 2005

yeah, I thought I'd just let the shop tow it on monday to stay on the safe side

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LacyTheLegend

Discussion Starter · #22 · Dec 6, 2005 (Edited)

I FINALLY picked up the Legend up today. The mechanic had put the head gasket on backwards. (spare me lee!

) With the HG replacement the mechanic changed the spark plugs, but not spark plug wires, the car is still misfiring and the mechanic has told me to take the car to another shop that can 1. find out which cyclinder is misfiring, 2. why my check engine light is still coming on. If these issues are related to the HG, the shop will pick up the bill. I am just thinking that since the cyclinder issue began after the spark plugs were replaced, that this problem is not a random. Also, it seems like the exhaust is expelling a little too much white smoke when I accelerate. There is just a little white smoke when the car is idling. How do I determine what is normal compared to what is too much?

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sleeprlegendcp

· #23 · Dec 6, 2005

LacyTheLegend said:
I FINALLY picked up the Legend up today. The mechanic had put the head gasket on backwards. (spare me lee! ) With the HG replacement the mechanic changed the spark plugs, but not spark plug wires, the car is still misfiring and the mechanic has told me to take the car to another shop that can 1. find out which cyclender is misfiring, 2. why my check engine light is still coming on. If these issues are related to the HG, the shop will pick up the bill. I am just thinking that since the cyclinder issue began after the spark plugs were replaced, that this problem is not a random. Also, it seems like the exhaust is expelling a little too much white smoke when I accelerate. There is just a little white smoke when the car is idling. How do I determine what is normal compared to what is too much?

Since you did not listen to me before then listen to me now.

Bring that car to Atlanta!

If you can not do that then at the least let me locate an adequate shop for you in the Birmingham-Taladega area. I know a few mechanics in there that will give me great recomendations.

I bet that mechanic will never accept another Legend again!

No one realizes how hard it is until it is too late!

Later!
Lee

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LacyTheLegend

Discussion Starter · #24 · Dec 6, 2005 (Edited)

IT OVERHEATED AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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LacyTheLegend

Discussion Starter · #25 · Dec 6, 2005

just tried to call you lee, I dont have your number on my caller id anymore

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Herb

· #26 · Dec 6, 2005

LacyTheLegend said:
IT OVERHEATED AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How should I ask for my money back??? I suppose all I can do is tell them how unsatisfactory their work has been, and even though they have taken a loss, SO HAVE I! Any other suggestions would be great! I'm dreading this!

You need to go to that shop and raise hell. File a complaint with the BBB if they are a member. Complain directly the owner of the shop, document everything youve been through. Take it back and show them that the problem is still not fixed after several thousand dollars and you want compensation AND your car fixed.

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sleeprlegendcp

· #27 · Dec 7, 2005

I talked to Lacy last night and this is what we have come up with.

First, She is sending them a letter explaining the whole situation in detail. In the letter she will request for her money to be refunded and the shop to pay for another HG and any other problems found that can be connected to thier work. Also they will have to cover any transportation costs for the vehicle since it can not be driven.

Second, They will negotiate and she will not settle for anything less than them signing a contract agreeing to cover the costs for the repairs associated to thier work, another HG, and at least $400 in cash. Yeah they are loosing big, but they screwed up big. Also in a town like where she lives bad word of mouth can destroy a company.

Finally, I am going to roll up there with a trailer and snatch up that Legend and bring her to Atlanta to get HG, WP, Timing Belt, Coil, etc. With the way the contract is worked she will at least break even. So basically they will be paying for her WP/Timing Belt job in exchange for her problems.

Can you imagine getting all this work done for $900 and only a bit over a month without your car! That is almost the price of just the parts!

Later!
Lee

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SBLEGENDS

· #28 · Dec 7, 2005

I got around $4,500 done to my car in repairs and i spent $250.

His insurance covered the rest.

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smth_hckr

· #29 · Dec 7, 2005

Lee, props to you for taking the initiative to help out another forum member (again)! :bowdown: :2cool:

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