Gateway Auto Repair

On February 19th we repaired *** ***'s *** ***The vehicle was brought to the shop for an over heating problem as well as an oil leakAt that time we replaced a valve cover gasket set, repaired the electric problem at the radiator fan circuit also replaced the
oil filter housing "O" ring. On May 7th we replaced the water pump, timing belt kit, power steering belt, A/C belt and balance shaft sealOn May 12th we replaced two engine oil cooler hosesOn May 27th around Pm *** contacted me and told me that his car had caught fire and wanted to have it towed to the shopThat evening the car did arrive at the shopA couple of days later he then sent ma a copy of the City of *** County Fire Department official reportThe fire incident number is : 2***In this report Lieutenant *** has concluded that the "investigation revealed a fire that started in the engine compartment and spread slightly into the passenger compartmentThe fire appeared to have started near where the fuel lines enter the engine on the rear half/top of the motor" Included in the same document is the police incident number which is :***-***-*** The cause was listed as most likely accidental ***'s *** *** was built in and is twenty years oldWe did not change the fuel filter nor was it a necessity to disturb the fuel lines in order to complete our jobThe fuel lines are located close to the fire wall on the driver side under the hood, however the timing belt and other components are located on the right side of the engine close to the right fender We also feel it's relevant to mention that *** has written and given us two bad checksCheck number dated 05/14/and check number dated 06/05/drawn at *** Credit UnionHe is currently being prosecuted for writing two fraudulent checksGateway Auto Repair is a proud member of the Revdex.com and has been serving the community since April,We explained to *** that we would have no problem repairing his vehicle or even paying for it in the event that we were responsible for the damagesHowever that is not the case and the police report clearly states that the cause of fire is in fact accidental If there are any other questions please feel free to contact me at ###-###-#### or on my cell phone ###-###-####

Review: I took my car in to a mechanic (Gateway Auto Repair) multiple times for overheating issues. Each time I picked up the car, I was assured the problem had been fixed, and I paid the bills. After the third time of returning to the mechanic due to continued overheating of the vehicle, he again assured me that the car was fixed, and HAD EVEN PUT A NEW INSPECTION STICKER ON IT, stating in turn that "the car would last me another 10 years." I thought this odd since the check engine light was still on in the vehicle, but since the vehicle appeared to finally be working properly, I didn't question him. Two weeks later, while driving on [redacted] Road in [redacted], my car BURST INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE MARSHALL STATED THE FIRE APPEARED TO HAVE STARTED FROM THE FUEL LINES, NEAR THE AREA WHERE WORK HAD BEEN DONE ON THE CAR (water pump replacement, timing belt, hose-change up). I had the car towed from [redacted] back to the mechanic, where he claimed no responsibility for the vehicle, and said there was nothing he could do. The car was totaled, and I pleaded with him to reimburse me for the worth of the car (about $2,000-$2,500), as the Fire Marshall & [redacted] PD seemed to think the mechanic was at fault, and the car SHOULD NOT have passed inspection. He refused, and is now harassing me for the remaining balance due for vehicle repairs.Desired Settlement: I would like to receive compensation for the worth of the car, about $2,000/$2500, or minimally, reimbursement for the repair fee, and for him to STOP CONTACTING ME for the remaining balance due for repairs.

Business

Response:

On February 19th 2014 we repaired [redacted]'s 1994 [redacted]. The vehicle was brought to the shop for an over heating problem as well as an oil leak. At that time we replaced a valve cover gasket set, repaired the electric problem at the radiator fan circuit also replaced the oil filter housing "O" ring. On May 7th 2014 we replaced the water pump, timing belt kit, power steering belt, A/C belt and balance shaft seal.