[s-cars] Fwd: Dealer killed my car?

[Bruce Mendel]

Chad,

At the most basic level, he brought the car in running properly and they
performed work which was unnecessary and now it is not running properly. It
is their responsibility to determine if there was a pre-existing knocking or
poor running condition prior to starting the work. If they did not
specifically state that to the owner, then it is assumed by legal standards
to be running properly.

If his estimate/service order says to replace timing belt, and they pulled
the crank, then they performed work which was both unauthorized and not
included in the Audi service description of a timing belt replacement. At
that point, any damage done to the car even remotely connected to the work
performed is the dealer's sole responsibility.

Now, that being said, it does not mean they agree and/or will do something
about it. I'd recommend contacting the owner with the service manager
present and explaining the problem. If that does not take care of it, get
the Audi zone rep involved in a three way meeting/investigation. If that
does not work, I usually write a letter to the CEO and VP Customer Service
of the manufacturer, and if that does not work, I file suit and NAME ALL OF
THE PEOPLE PREVIOUSLY CONTACTED AS DEFENDANTS BY NAME. I then let them know
they'll be making a trip down to my area to appear in court in the near
future, and that usually makes the problem start to solve itself. I've yet
to have to go to court, although I've come pretty close.

Good luck! Remember, most places hope they'll wear you down and you'll give
up or give in. When they see you won't, they'll usually give up instead.

Bruce
93 S4

----- Original Message -----
From: "Chad Tobin, UrS4/S6 Technical Editor" <chad.tobin at s-cars.org>
To: <s-car-list at audifans.com>
Sent: Sunday, November 24, 2002 10:05 PM
Subject: [s-cars] Fwd: Dealer killed my car?


> Hey Guys,
>
>   Here's an interesting story. I e-mailed this guy and told him to seek
> legal advice and that his engine is indeed an interference fit. He says
the
> dealer is Hoffman Audi. He told the service manager to keep the car but
> don't touch and have the owner call him on Monday. Are any of you East
> coast guys familiar with this place? I think it's in CT. I know there are
> some decent dealers out there but I really hate hearing stories like this.
> Anybody have some advice as to what this guy's options are. I'm sure this
> dealership is incapable of fixing the car especially if head work is
> involved.
>
> Chad Tobin
> UrS4/S6 Technical Editor
> S-CARS.ORG
>
> > From: Richard Molk
> > To: Chad.Tobin at s-cars.org
> > Subject: Dealer killed my car?
> >
> > Hello Chad:
> >
> > I have a '95 S6 with nearly 90K miles that I took to the dealer for
> > routine service last week. He recommended a new timing belt, which I
> > figured was a good idea for the number of miles. Never had any problems
> > with the car.
> >
> > Needless to say, nothing is easy. The car was not ready at the end of
> > the first day, despite the promise. They told me it took three hours to
> > get the pulley off the water pump, and three more to remove the crank.
> > I asked why in the world they tried to remove the crank, and got the
> > uh,uh, oh the crank pulley.
> >
> > Car was promised for the next day, again not ready. This time, when I
> > arrived at the dealer to pick it up, they said there was a major
> > problem. When they finished the work and started it up, it knocked
> > severely. I immediately asked if it was an interference fit motor, and
> > they said uh, uh, uh, no.
> >
> > Now for the question, Is it an interference fit, so that my valve train
> > and possibly my pistons and head are ruined?
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Rich Molk
> >
> >
>
>
>
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