Jim's Auto Clinic

Tell us why here... This customer brought us a transmission torque coverter that he purchased and wanted us to install .  He informed us that he had recently had the engine rebuilt 200 miles ago.  He assured us that he purchased the correct high performance converter...

for his vehicle. This is a routine procedure that we have performed countless times in 35 years of business.  The technician the did the install has 35 years experience and has been with us 14 years and is ASE Master Certified.  He has personally performed this service hundreds of times without incedent.  The customer claims we installed the part incorrectly and his engine was damaged as a result.  This is not true.  We explained to the customer why this could not have happened due to the install.  The converter must be seated in the transmission oil pump during install otherwise, at the very minimum three things will happen.#1 If not seated in the transmission oil pump, the transmission will not operate!#2 If not seated it will also break off the shear pins on the pump#3 If not seated , when the transmission is bolted to the engine the converter would be jammed up against the flywheel and would not be able to be rotated to line up and install the attachment bolts.This is common knowledge to any professional technician !The customer is clearly trying to place blame where it doesn't belong. When we completed the service we roadtested the vehicle.  And that same day the customer returned to tell us how well it worked.I can only speculate as to the reason the engine was damaged#1 Something wrong in the "rebuild engine process#2 Wrong or defective torque converter ( we always inform the customer that we do not warranty customer purchased parts)

Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
 Today, 10-16-15 I went to Jims Auto Clinic with my rebuilt engine to show the owner and his mechanic what happened to cause the bearings in engine to fail and wear excessively after the torque converter was installed by them. It was not a result of failure to seat the converter as I believed, but a failure of them to make sure the required clearance between the torque converter and flex plate were there before the converter was tightened up. I asked them if they knew what Fords required clearance was between the flex plate and torque converter and they had no idea that Ford had such clearance requirement. I also told them I tried seating the converter against the flex plate after I had pulled the engine out and it would not seat into the crankshaft flush with the flex plate. It was over a quarter inch out. I asked the mechanic if he had a hard time tightening the 4 torque converter bolts to flush the flex plate to it, he said nothing. I showed him the old flex plate and you can clearly see a lot of metal scratched away by the force of the bolts bending the flex plate to take up the quarter inch of gap . This should tell any mechanic that there is a problem with fitment. But instead he forced it together and it was not what a master mechanic would do. Yes I supplied the torque converter, but it did not fit according to the specifications of Ford or any seasoned mechanic that has knowledge of Ford c-4 transmissions. These are from the 1960 to 1980 era. After asking the owner and mechanic a few specific questions today about Fords recommended clearances and installation requirements for the c-4 , which they did NOT know the answer to or even know there was a specific clearance for the flex plate to torque, I doubt if they have ever had any training on the transmission I brought in. If they did have training they did not apply it. They did not correctly install the converter. This was my fault, I should have gone to a transmission shop. After talking to them I realize this was not a job they were knowledgeable about. I will settle for a refund of my 454.30.
Regards,
[redacted]

The customer supplied either the wrong torque converter or had a crankshaft other then stock in his engine. This was very evident when he came in and showed us the engine and the torque converter.  There were no notes or special instructions or warnings supplied with the customers torque converter. Also the customer did not inform us of any non-stock modifications to his newly rebuilt engine.  Like I have said, we have installed hundreds of torque converters and have never encountered such a problem. There were no installation issues whatsoever evident during the installation.  We will not be held responsible for what is clearly the customers issue for not purchashing the correct parts for his vehicle. When someone orders high performance parts for a non-stock engine/transmission, they at the very least, need to know what modifications have been done to the engine.  This customer did not.

Ms [redacted] came to us for a lube oil and filter service on her 1994 Nissan pick up . She also wanted to inspect left front door window for noise rolling up and down and she wanted a brake inspection.  We inspected the brakes and found no issues.  She also told us about...

the check engine light issue and wanted our opinion.  We explained to her that our charge for diagnosis for the check engine light issue was $110.00. It was made very clear to her that this was for diagnosis only.  She claims she was not told that this was for diag. only, This is not true. We do these types of services every day and they are handled all in the same way. Once diag. is performed, we will call customer with the cost of repair.  In this case Ms [redacted] was at our facility and spoke directly with the service advisor. The repair needed was performed at her request fot $55.00.  We also removed the door panel for the window issue and lubed components as necessary for which we chared $55.00. This charges were fully explained to her before the work was performed and she clearly requested that we proceed. The next day she called us to inform us that the check engine light was back on .  We told her to come over and we would diagnose it for no charge and that the light could come on for many reasons.  She declined.  She also claimed that I was not there when she was at the counter. Not only was I there but I clearly heard the conversations between my service advisor and her. Her mechanic in WA gave her bad advice by telling her that it wasn't anything to worry about.[redacted]
Jim's Auto Clinic

Tell us why here... This customer brought us a transmission torque coverter that he purchased and wanted us to install .  He informed us that he had recently had the engine rebuilt 200 miles ago.  He assured us that he purchased the correct high performance converter...

for his vehicle. This is a routine procedure that we have performed countless times in 35 years of business.  The technician the did the install has 35 years experience and has been with us 14 years and is ASE Master Certified.  He has personally performed this service hundreds of times without incedent.  The customer claims we installed the part incorrectly and his engine was damaged as a result.  This is not true.  We explained to the customer why this could not have happened due to the install.  The converter must be seated in the transmission oil pump during install otherwise, at the very minimum three things will happen.#1 If not seated in the transmission oil pump, the transmission will not operate!#2 If not seated it will also break off the shear pins on the pump#3 If not seated , when the transmission is bolted to the engine the converter would be jammed up against the flywheel and would not be able to be rotated to line up and install the attachment bolts.This is common knowledge to any professional technician !The customer is clearly trying to place blame where it doesn't belong. When we completed the service we roadtested the vehicle.  And that same day the customer returned to tell us how well it worked.I can only speculate as to the reason the engine was damaged#1 Something wrong in the "rebuild engine process#2 Wrong or defective torque converter ( we always inform the customer that we do not warranty customer purchased parts)

The customer supplied either the wrong torque converter or had a crankshaft other then stock in his engine. This was very evident when he came in and showed us the engine and the torque converter.  There were no notes or special instructions or warnings supplied with the customers torque converter. Also the customer did not inform us of any non-stock modifications to his newly rebuilt engine.  Like I have said, we have installed hundreds of torque converters and have never encountered such a problem. There were no installation issues whatsoever evident during the installation.  We will not be held responsible for what is clearly the customers issue for not purchashing the correct parts for his vehicle. When someone orders high performance parts for a non-stock engine/transmission, they at the very least, need to know what modifications have been done to the engine.  This customer did not.

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below. Today, 10-16-15 I went to Jims Auto Clinic with my rebuilt engine to show the owner and his mechanic what happened to cause the bearings in engine to fail and wear excessively after the torque converter was installed by them. It was not a result of failure to seat the converter as I believed, but a failure of them to make sure the required clearance between the torque converter and flex plate were there before the converter was tightened up. I asked them if they knew what Fords required clearance was between the flex plate and torque converter and they had no idea that Ford had such clearance requirement. I also told them I tried seating the converter against the flex plate after I had pulled the engine out and it would not seat into the crankshaft flush with the flex plate. It was over a quarter inch out. I asked the mechanic if he had a hard time tightening the 4 torque converter bolts to flush the flex plate to it, he said nothing. I showed him the old flex plate and you can clearly see a lot of metal scratched away by the force of the bolts bending the flex plate to take up the quarter inch of gap . This should tell any mechanic that there is a problem with fitment. But instead he forced it together and it was not what a master mechanic would do. Yes I supplied the torque converter, but it did not fit according to the specifications of Ford or any seasoned mechanic that has knowledge of Ford c-4 transmissions. These are from the 1960 to 1980 era. After asking the owner and mechanic a few specific questions today about Fords recommended clearances and installation requirements for the c-4 , which they did NOT know the answer to or even know there was a specific clearance for the flex plate to torque, I doubt if they have ever had any training on the transmission I brought in. If they did have training they did not apply it. They did not correctly install the converter. This was my fault, I should have gone to a transmission shop. After talking to them I realize this was not a job they were knowledgeable about. I will settle for a refund of my 454.30.

Regards,

Took my [redacted] in for a repair of electric window, the battery was the cause, it needed to be changed out. I requested a battery that [redacted] uses (the [redacted]), they put in a [redacted]

battery, thinking I would not notice. I did notice and ordered the [redacted] battery. They argued with me. I was very dissatisfied with how they treat their customers. They charged me 73.00 for labor, .7 of an hour. I could have done it in 3 minutes. Which I will do in the future.

I have been going to them for 12 years. Not any more. They do not value what you tell them to do specifically about the battery I requested. They argued with me, and tried to make me believe I was wrong.

They lost a good customer. This is a small town, word will get around.

Review: Brought a 1964 Ford Falcon to Jims to change a Torque converter out for a different one I supplied. This is on a car with a professionally built new engine with less than 500 miles on it built by [redacted] in Show Low Az. The engine had been broke in with break-in oil and driven for over 200 miles. The oil was then changed and checked for any possible wear issues and there were none. after another 2 months of use with no issues I brought the car to Jims Auto Clinic where they were hired to change out the torque converter for a brand new hi-performance unit from Edge Converters. After driving the car for 20 miles I noticed I was losing oil pressure. I immediately drained the oil and it was full of bearing material. The torque converter MUST be fully seated when installed. It was not and the evidence it wasn't is in the bearing commonly called the thrust bearing on the crankshaft. [redacted] in Show Low has my engine and the proof of my compliant. Their number is ###-###-#### and the owner is [redacted]. Please call them. I went to Jims Auto today and he takes no responsibility, but when he explained how they installed the torque converter on the transmission I realized they did not fully seat it because I took the new torque converter and transmission to [redacted] in Show Low . They showed me it had to be spun to fully get it to seat the final quarter inch. Their number is ###-###-####, just talked to them and they confirmed spinning the converted is a must if you want it fully seated.Desired Settlement: I was charged 450.00 for a repair that is costing me pulling my engine out ,having [redacted] rebuild it with new bearings and a new oil pump. Luckily I caught it soon enough it did no damage to the crankshaft or the rest of the engine. I am not asking for the labor of my time or all the traveling of 800 miles to Show Low to resolve this issue. The cost of bearings and oil pump and [redacted] expenses with another gasket kit I am asking for.

Business

Response:

Tell us why here... This customer brought us a transmission torque coverter that he purchased and wanted us to install . He informed us that he had recently had the engine rebuilt 200 miles ago. He assured us that he purchased the correct high performance converter for his vehicle. This is a routine procedure that we have performed countless times in 35 years of business. The technician the did the install has 35 years experience and has been with us 14 years and is ASE Master Certified. He has personally performed this service hundreds of times without incedent. The customer claims we installed the part incorrectly and his engine was damaged as a result. This is not true. We explained to the customer why this could not have happened due to the install. The converter must be seated in the transmission oil pump during install otherwise, at the very minimum three things will happen.#1 If not seated in the transmission oil pump, the transmission will not operate!#2 If not seated it will also break off the shear pins on the pump#3 If not seated , when the transmission is bolted to the engine the converter would be jammed up against the flywheel and would not be able to be rotated to line up and install the attachment bolts.This is common knowledge to any professional technician !The customer is clearly trying to place blame where it doesn't belong. When we completed the service we roadtested the vehicle. And that same day the customer returned to tell us how well it worked.I can only speculate as to the reason the engine was damaged#1 Something wrong in the "rebuild engine process#2 Wrong or defective torque converter ( we always inform the customer that we do not warranty customer purchased parts)

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint. For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.

Today, 10-16-15 I went to Jims Auto Clinic with my rebuilt engine to show the owner and his mechanic what happened to cause the bearings in engine to fail and wear excessively after the torque converter was installed by them. It was not a result of failure to seat the converter as I believed, but a failure of them to make sure the required clearance between the torque converter and flex plate were there before the converter was tightened up. I asked them if they knew what Fords required clearance was between the flex plate and torque converter and they had no idea that Ford had such clearance requirement. I also told them I tried seating the converter against the flex plate after I had pulled the engine out and it would not seat into the crankshaft flush with the flex plate. It was over a quarter inch out. I asked the mechanic if he had a hard time tightening the 4 torque converter bolts to flush the flex plate to it, he said nothing. I showed him the old flex plate and you can clearly see a lot of metal scratched away by the force of the bolts bending the flex plate to take up the quarter inch of gap . This should tell any mechanic that there is a problem with fitment. But instead he forced it together and it was not what a master mechanic would do. Yes I supplied the torque converter, but it did not fit according to the specifications of Ford or any seasoned mechanic that has knowledge of Ford c-4 transmissions. These are from the 1960 to 1980 era. After asking the owner and mechanic a few specific questions today about Fords recommended clearances and installation requirements for the c-4 , which they did NOT know the answer to or even know there was a specific clearance for the flex plate to torque, I doubt if they have ever had any training on the transmission I brought in. If they did have training they did not apply it. They did not correctly install the converter. This was my fault, I should have gone to a transmission shop. After talking to them I realize this was not a job they were knowledgeable about. I will settle for a refund of my 454.30.

Regards,

Business

Response:

The customer supplied either the wrong torque converter or had a crankshaft other then stock in his engine. This was very evident when he came in and showed us the engine and the torque converter. There were no notes or special instructions or warnings supplied with the customers torque converter. Also the customer did not inform us of any non-stock modifications to his newly rebuilt engine. Like I have said, we have installed hundreds of torque converters and have never encountered such a problem. There were no installation issues whatsoever evident during the installation. We will not be held responsible for what is clearly the customers issue for not purchashing the correct parts for his vehicle. When someone orders high performance parts for a non-stock engine/transmission, they at the very least, need to know what modifications have been done to the engine. This customer did not.

Took my [redacted] in for a repair of electric window, the battery was the cause, it needed to be changed out. I requested a battery that [redacted] uses (the [redacted]), they put in a [redacted]

battery, thinking I would not notice. I did notice and ordered the [redacted] battery. They argued with me. I was very dissatisfied with how they treat their customers. They charged me 73.00 for labor, .7 of an hour. I could have done it in 3 minutes. Which I will do in the future.

I have been going to them for 12 years. Not any more. They do not value what you tell them to do specifically about the battery I requested. They argued with me, and tried to make me believe I was wrong.

They lost a good customer. This is a small town, word will get around.