Dranesville Auto

Review: The general details are that I spent $2000 on engine repairs. They caused further damage to the engine during the repair. They admitted to this fact and as a result of the repair, I still have a severe oil leak with the vehicle. They are refusing to finish the repair. During the last attempt they performed an unauthorized service unrelated and I was forced to pay this.Desired Settlement: I have other estimates between $700-$1000 to complete the job. I would like another shop to perform these repairs and have Dranesville Auto to pay for it.

Business

Response:

December 8, 2013

In response to complaint # [redacted], I am not sure of the complaint, We worked on the customers car in April 2012. At the time we performed work on the timing chain, timing chain tensioners and water pump, probably for noise since when we put it back together the tensioner did not pump up to take slack out of timing chain letting it jump teeth which resulted in 2 bent valves in the rear head. We then removed the oil pan to find it sludged up from either lack of maintenance or poor oil flow through block. We cleaned out the sludge and removed the rear head to repair the bent valves. On the bill we charged the customer for the timing chain labor (6.2 hours ) and removing the oil pan and cleaning it out (1.8 hrs) but not for the 12.5 hours to remove the rear head and do valves, It was not our fault that the engine had not been maintained causing oil sludging but I have been in business myself since 1975 and my father before me since 1946 at the same location and have remained in business because we try to work by the rule of always help the customer. The bill was already high and I was trying to contain costs for him. We did charge him for the parts to do the repairs but nowhere near the labor.

The customer came back a month later and told us [redacted] would not change oil because of oil plug leak., see attached repair order. Came back a month later said was still getting a leak, we replaced what looked like a seeping front crank seal.. no charge.. 2 months later said was still leaking so we cleaned off engine with GUNK and resealed threads on oil pressure switch, asked him to keep a eye and see what happens. We did not hear from the customer again until April of 2013, 8 months later and was still having a few drips. This time we found to trans pan gasket leak, which we serviced. Replaced the oil sender under warranty because it had starting leaking and replaced oil drain plug.

The customer came back 8 months later and said still had leak, this time seeping from the front crank seal, when we pulled off that harmonic balancer there was rust built up around front of crankshaft where seal goes, theorized that perhaps rust had damaged the surfaced the sealing rubber of the seal, we buffed rust off of crank and replaced the seal, drove it 3 different times and observed no other leaks.

We had done all this before getting any notice from Revdex.com , trying to make customer happy and car right, unfortunately when engines get a lot of age on them and they sit for extended periods, things dry up, seals never set and when there is evidence of lack of maintenance in the past that can effect lubrication, excessive wear can occur that may create extra oil pressure hitting seals , i.e. bearing wear not retaining oil around bearing and blowing against seals with more force than intended. A 12 year old car may never be leak free.

I feel we have done everything we could for the customer the times he has brought the car in, at no cost to him for work that was related to the original work and the fact that it was gone beyond warranty (6 months ) 2 times , meaning he has waited more than 6 months to come back, regardless of the original complaint if he goes beyond the warranty period., which I have still honored.. I feel I have gone above and beyond.

Thank you for your consideration in this , complaints are never good and it is good there is a process to go through, but there are 2 sides to most stories and I feel we have honored our side... Talked to the customer after last repair and he was at that time not sure if the leak was stopped , supposed to let me know. It seems the car sits way more than driven.

Please see the enclosed dated repair orders to better understand timeline.