Zero Time Truck Trailer Repair

In response to Mr. [redacted] claim against repairs made at Zero Time Truck Trailer Repair. I would like the opportunity to explain the complex situation surrounding Mr. [redacted] claim.  Mr. [redacted] called and asked if we could tow his tractor and trailer in for a no start problem, we...

did. Mr. [redacted] said he put a starter and changed out batteries but unit failed to crank.  We checked starter problem and found wires to starter solenoid were incorrectly installed (cross wired) we repaired wires and also found wires to starter relay were wired incorrectly as well, we repaired wires.  We tried to start unit and it would not crank.  We removed starter and tested and found starter was no good.  Mr. [redacted] was there and said he would return it from where he bought it from.  Mr. [redacted] returned with parts and said he had starter tested and found starter was no good and exchanged it for another.  We installed starter and tried to crank, found engine is locked up.  We asked Mr. [redacted] if engine overheated he said no, we returned with turning tool to engine and checked for possible bell housing damage and found none.  We then heard water in exhaust as we turned engine in reverse.  We installed pressure test equipment to coolant system and tested, found test failed, cooling system will not hold pressure.  We explained to Mr. [redacted] engine may have a blown head gasket, cracked cylinder head or cracked cylinder liners.  We explained to Mr. [redacted] that cylinder head has to be removed and inspected, Mr. [redacted] gave approval.  We then removed cylinder head and found cylinder head was full of water on intake side, we also found cylinders had excessive rust.  We explained to Mr. [redacted] engine will need full inframe.  We do not know the full extent of damages done to engine without disassembling engine.  Mr. [redacted] saw engine and cylinder head and he was also shown a video of water draining from oil pan from his truck.  We explained to Mr. [redacted] that it was excessive, the engine had to have been run very hot, Mr. [redacted] said it did not.  Mr. [redacted] said to replace cylinder head and gaskets, that it would be ok.  We explained to Mr. [redacted] that we could not warranty the repair because there is no way to know how much damage there was done to the engine, Mr. [redacted] said to replace cylinder head and gaskets only.  We then noted it on the work order and had him sign it.  We put engine back together per Caterpillar steps.  We started engine and it cranked a few times and locked up again.   We removed oil pan and inspected the bearings with Mr. [redacted] present and found worn but ok.  We then inspected pistons and found piston in cylinder #3 is purple in color, meaning it had received excessive heat.  We showed Mr. [redacted] and tried to explain to him that it was still going to need an inframe (overhaul) Mr. [redacted] still says that it will be ok, we tried to explain to him that we still don't know the extent of the damages. Mr. [redacted] says to replace the one cylinder (#3) and we explained to him again that we don't know if another cylinder will do the same.  Mr. [redacted] said to start disassembling engine and give him a price for cylinder kits.  Mr. [redacted] then had his lawyer call. We never finished repair, we asked that he pay for the invoice for the cylinder head repair and that the inframe repair would be another job due to the fact the engine had already been assembled.  If Mr. [redacted] had approved inframe at time when cylinder head was removed and inspected then the cost savings would have been to his advantage but he refused and  took the chance the cylinder head would had fixed all the problems..it is obvious that it did not but we tried to explain that to him from the beginning but refused to do it that way.