Boradori Automotive

Consumer states that at this time they have decided not to accept the business offer and will not go forward in releasing any liability for the repairs needed. The check sent to the customer will either be destroyed or sent back to the business.

Consumer states that at this time  they have decided not to accept the business offer and will not go forward in releasing any liability for the repairs needed. The check sent to the customer will either be destroyed or sent back to the business.

[redacted] states in her complaint that her car was running fine when she drove it to the shop. The estimate (printed when she dropped it off and signed by [redacted]) states that [redacted]'s 1989 Cressida with 189,086 miles on it was running rough. Jack drove [redacted] home in her so that he could feel the rough...

running condition that she was describing. When a customer drives a vehicle in and complains of a rough running condition one of the FIRST things we do is test drive the vehicle. This was a unique opportunity to drive the vehicle with the customer in the car so that we could get a better idea about when it acts-up (such as the type of acceleration, waiting at lights, deceleration, cruising etc.) While on the way back from taking the customer home, which was only a few blocks away, the radiator blew. Upon returning to the shop, we removed the radiator and replaced it without consent. The reason why we did this was so that we could test run the engine in the service bay without overheating the vehicle. We assumed that the radiator just happened to blow under our watch (if the customer was not willing to authorize the replacement of the radiator, we were willing to take it back out). Upon further testing we found that the spark plugs needed to be replaced because they were swimming in oil due to the valve cover gaskets leaking -- this condition was likely causing misfires of the spark plugs. We called [redacted] and let her know about the radiator and the need for spark plugs and valve cover gasket. [redacted] authorized the estimated cost of about $1,000.00 for the radiator, spark plugs, ignition wires and valve cover gasket and fresh coolant. Upon completion of the repairs we took the vehicle for a test drive and noticed that there was still coolant loss. Upon further inspection we were able to determine that the head gasket had been blown. We called [redacted] to let her know about the situation an what had happened. We recommended not doing the repairs because the cost of repairs exceeded the value of the vehicle. We put her old radiator back in the vehicle and did not charge her any labor for removing and replacing the radiator. She still wanted the valve cover gasket and spark plugs replaced so that it could still be moved - this totaled $314.74 It is impossible to tell when head gasket blew. It is also impossible for us to know to test for this ahead of time because the vehicle was in for a rough running condition, not an overheating condition. It is not correct to think that the head gasket blew as a result of the radiator blowing because the customer only lived a couple of blocks away and it never got the chance to overheat. It is possible, but not probable that the radiator blew and the head gasket blew at the same time. It is also possible that the head gasket blew all on its own - this would cause the cooing system to be filled with excessive pressure due to exhaust gasses being pumped into the cooling system. The excess pressure would then cause the radiator to blow. It is not the customers fault that the head gasket blew; however, it is not ours either. In conclusion, I do not feel that [redacted]'s 1989 Toyota Cressida having blown the radiator and head gasket is our fault. If the customer feels that we should be held responsible ANYWAY due to the fact that the vehicle broke under our roof on our watch so be it. We will not pay for another shop to do the repairs, nor will we pay for the parts and labor to do the repairs ourselves. The cost of repairs exceed the value of the vehicle. It is so old and has so many miles that it is very likely something else major will go wrong with it in the near future. It is very unfortunate that this happened. We are not admitting responsibility; however, we do feel bad about the circumstances that this happened under. Therefore, it is our decision to act as an insurance agency and pay for the "Total" amount of the vehicle. If a Revdex.com agent is willing to assess the vehicle as an unbiased third party, we will pay what an insurance agency would pay if they were to "Total" this vehicle. We believe this is more than fair and exceeds our responsibility as an automotive repair shop.

Review: My car was running fine when I drove it to the shop. It was still running fine when the employee drove me home in my car! I had to have it towed home. They destroyed the radiator. They over heated the car and blew the head gasket. First they replaced the valve cover gasket, that was necessary. New plugs were not. I was told that there was a hole blown out of the top of my radiator and it had over heated when the employee returned to the shop with it, having taken me home in it. It was not hot when he left my home. When they had finished putting in a new? radiator, valve cover gasket, plugs, wires etc. They then announced the head gasket was blown and it would be an additional $2,000.00 above the current $950.00 owed. Because my car was old they said not to do it and then removed the new? radiator, put the old one back in and told me I could drive it home. I had it towed. When I looked at the radiator I found no hole or chunk but I did find that it was not even put in right and the bottom fan shroud was stuck behind and through the fan. Having cleared the fan, bolted the radiator in place I filled it and started it to discover that water poured out of the entire length of the top of the radiator. The bill was $317.00. The first time I went to get the car, the bill was supposed to have been paid, It was not. The info had been lost. The second time , I discussed my issues over the front counter with the owner, as well as the manager and the employee involved. The only compensation offered was my 'award' points to cover the cost of a pre purchase inspection on the car I test drove that afternoon. They did not even call me to tell me about the inspection and when I called the shop, the owner didnt have the report at hand but would have it when I got there. The owner of the car had them smog it and they gave him the inspection report My car would have been torn apart, the employee who filled the radiator badly hurt, if I had listened to them and 'driven' it home.Desired Settlement: The only thing wrong with my car when I signed the work order for a diagnostic was the leaking valve cover gasket. It was running great the employee stated when he drove me home in it. Boradori Automotive should pay for a new radiator and the repair of the head, milling and flux for cracks, as well as the head gasket, by a shop of my choice.

Business

Response:

[redacted] states in her complaint that her car was running fine when she drove it to the shop. The estimate (printed when she dropped it off and signed by [redacted]) states that [redacted]'s 1989 Cressida with 189,086 miles on it was running rough. Jack drove [redacted] home in her so that he could feel the rough running condition that she was describing. When a customer drives a vehicle in and complains of a rough running condition one of the FIRST things we do is test drive the vehicle. This was a unique opportunity to drive the vehicle with the customer in the car so that we could get a better idea about when it acts-up (such as the type of acceleration, waiting at lights, deceleration, cruising etc.) While on the way back from taking the customer home, which was only a few blocks away, the radiator blew. Upon returning to the shop, we removed the radiator and replaced it without consent. The reason why we did this was so that we could test run the engine in the service bay without overheating the vehicle. We assumed that the radiator just happened to blow under our watch (if the customer was not willing to authorize the replacement of the radiator, we were willing to take it back out). Upon further testing we found that the spark plugs needed to be replaced because they were swimming in oil due to the valve cover gaskets leaking -- this condition was likely causing misfires of the spark plugs. We called [redacted] and let her know about the radiator and the need for spark plugs and valve cover gasket. [redacted] authorized the estimated cost of about $1,000.00 for the radiator, spark plugs, ignition wires and valve cover gasket and fresh coolant. Upon completion of the repairs we took the vehicle for a test drive and noticed that there was still coolant loss. Upon further inspection we were able to determine that the head gasket had been blown. We called [redacted] to let her know about the situation an what had happened. We recommended not doing the repairs because the cost of repairs exceeded the value of the vehicle. We put her old radiator back in the vehicle and did not charge her any labor for removing and replacing the radiator. She still wanted the valve cover gasket and spark plugs replaced so that it could still be moved - this totaled $314.74 It is impossible to tell when head gasket blew. It is also impossible for us to know to test for this ahead of time because the vehicle was in for a rough running condition, not an overheating condition. It is not correct to think that the head gasket blew as a result of the radiator blowing because the customer only lived a couple of blocks away and it never got the chance to overheat. It is possible, but not probable that the radiator blew and the head gasket blew at the same time. It is also possible that the head gasket blew all on its own - this would cause the cooing system to be filled with excessive pressure due to exhaust gasses being pumped into the cooling system. The excess pressure would then cause the radiator to blow. It is not the customers fault that the head gasket blew; however, it is not ours either. In conclusion, I do not feel that [redacted]'s 1989 Toyota Cressida having blown the radiator and head gasket is our fault. If the customer feels that we should be held responsible ANYWAY due to the fact that the vehicle broke under our roof on our watch so be it. We will not pay for another shop to do the repairs, nor will we pay for the parts and labor to do the repairs ourselves. The cost of repairs exceed the value of the vehicle. It is so old and has so many miles that it is very likely something else major will go wrong with it in the near future. It is very unfortunate that this happened. We are not admitting responsibility; however, we do feel bad about the circumstances that this happened under. Therefore, it is our decision to act as an insurance agency and pay for the "Total" amount of the vehicle. If a Revdex.com agent is willing to assess the vehicle as an unbiased third party, we will pay what an insurance agency would pay if they were to "Total" this vehicle. We believe this is more than fair and exceeds our responsibility as an automotive repair shop.

Consumer

Response:

Consumer states that at this time they have decided not to accept the business offer and will not go forward in releasing any liability for the repairs needed. The check sent to the customer will either be destroyed or sent back to the business.