wrench furor (LONG)

[Jim Dupree]

It sounds like he left the clamp loose or did not seat the hose well when he
replaced the pump. A mistake that can happen easily but one that should be
caught by the 'wrench' after a road test.  That does not mean the old pump
was not the original problem. Go back a explain what you found and express
(politely) your concern that this might have been the original problem. If
the shop is good they will do something to help rebuild your trust in them.
They may still have the old pump and can show it to you. I usually (not
always) kept old parts several days after a repair in case a customer had a
question.
Over the years I have had dozens of customers come in with a complaint about
another shop or mechanics work. In many cases they may have been upset for
little reason and might have remained happy customers with the other shop
had they gone back and asked a few questions. Most shop will stand behind
their work and will attempt to satisfy a customer when something goes wrong.
Most of the problems I have seen come from other shop are simply minor
mistakes. Obviously no one want a shop to make a mistake but they do happen.
Some shops are better than others and there are certain vehicles (Audi for
example) that present more of a challenge to the 'wrench' than other
vehicles. For those challenging vehicles you need a better 'wrench' than
average and preferably one with vehicle specific experience.
If the 'wrench' you have been using has experience with Audi and you have
been getting good service up to this point, go see him and ask "What
happened?"
Good Luck
Jim
X full time wrench

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Chris Dyer" <chrisdyer at hotmail.com>
To: <quattro at audifans.com>
Sent: Saturday, October 16, 2004 10:44 AM
Subject: wrench furor (LONG)


> Time to vent and ask for some perspective. '87 5kcstq went in w/a coolant
> leak--roughly 1 in. (measured from the resevoir Min mark) of coolant loss
> every 3 days. Wrench said afterrun pump and they replaced. I picked it up
> last night, all a-ok.
>
> Turn key and within 15 seconds, low coolant light. Much profanity at our
> beloved creator. Get out and look, large puddle under car. Jaw drops to
> floor. Pop hood, coolant dripping at "I.V. drip" rate not from new pump,
but
> hose/hose clamp connected to pump!  (hose on left side of pump--goes left,
> then down to what looks like a metal tube. Not the Y-shape hose at the
front
> of the pump.)  Thank almighty I'm 1.2 mi from the mechanic and wasn't on a
> 400 mi trip to my parents.
>
> This wrench has been very good in the past, so as I attempt to calm down,
> I'm wondering what the best plan of attack should be. Any wrenches on the
> list to share what is fair?  I mean, IMO it was a simple, yet expensive,
> mis-diagnosis. The "old" pump was only 5 years old, and the one before
that
> was original, so I mean c'mon, it was likely fine for another 7 years or
so.
>   The catch is this new pump is now on there, the old one is likely in the
> landfill.
>
> I know that raising a stink will not get things done, creates bad karma
(I'm
> in sales/customer service, so I get it), makes me persona non grata, and
you
> get more flies w/honey than vinager, etc. Oy vey, what to do, what to
do..?
>
> t.i.a.
>
>
>
> from chrisdyer at hotmail.com
>
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