List when you found evidence that previous mechanic messed up

[JimPghPA]

Lets start a long lived thread:

Post thing you found wrong when working on vehicles that scream that whoever worked on it before was not the sharpest pencil in the box, or just plain did not give a darn about doing a job correctly.

Heres 2 examples:

Around 36,000 miles, I flushed the brake fluid on my 2016 CR-V and put in Bosch Extended Service Interval - 6 aka ESI - 6 , even though the Honda dealer I bought it from with 19,877 miles on it, said the brakes were all 4 replaced and fluid flushed a few days before I bought it. The black crud fluid that came out the front right caliper bleed was a sure sign that it had never before been bled before. The other 3 were only slightly dirty.

Also at 36,000 miles, I changed the rear-end fluid. It took a 1/2 drive ratchet with reducer to 3/8 on it, with a 4 ft. Pipe on its handle being jacked up with a floor jack on the end of that cheater pipe to brake loose the drain bolt that did not have a crushwasher. And that also was suppose to have been changed at 19,877 miles.

 

[berniedd]

A year ago had the front ball joints replaced with original Hondas. It was twilight when i retrieved the car. The next morning I looked underneath and found the mechanic had used GI wire instead of cotter pins on the castle nuts!

 

[rstsco]

New 1991 Chevy S-10 Blazer 4x4. Took to dealer when it hit 30,000 miles for them to do their 30k service package. After picking it up, noticed undisturbed dust on the radiator cap (flushed and filled, supposedly). I immediately went to check the spark plugs (V6) to see if they had been replaced. Happy to report they had been, but sadly the three on the passenger side bank were all loose. Not just not tightened correctly, but hand tight.

Basically everything they were supposed to have done was either done half-#$%, or not at all. Had to make multiple trips and eventually got everything done and refunded for the service.

 

[PontiacHO]

Lets start a long lived thread:

Post thing you found wrong when working on vehicles that scream that whoever worked on it before was not the sharpest pencil in the box, or just plain did not give a darn about doing a job correctly.

Heres 2 examples:

Around 36,000 miles, I flushed the brake fluid on my 2016 CR-V and put in Bosch Extended Service Interval - 6 aka ESI - 6 , even though the Honda dealer I bought it from with 19,877 miles on it, said the brakes were all 4 replaced and fluid flushed a few days before I bought it. The black crud fluid that came out the front right caliper bleed was a sure sign that it had never before been bled before. The other 3 were only slightly dirty.

Also at 36,000 miles, I changed the rear-end fluid. It took a 1/2 drive ratchet with reducer to 3/8 on it, with a 4 ft. Pipe on its handle being jacked up with a floor jack on the end of that cheater pipe to brake loose the drain bolt that did not have a crushwasher. And that also was suppose to have been changed at 19,877 miles.

That’s exactly why I’ve always thought these brake flushes etc. are nothing more than a money grab…You can be charged and never really know that it was even done.

 

[FordSVTGuy]

I was having my 2012 Escape inspection done at the local Ford dealer. It needed something in the rear suspension replaced (I honestly cannot remember what) so I told them to do it. Shortly after I was doing something at home and was under the rear end and noticed the driver side rear hub area was missing a large bolt. Took it right back and the dealer service manager said oops, sorry. Never went back there obviously.

 

[SC Maintenance]

I am not defending the garages but people make mistakes and customers demand the cheapest possible price - ie the fastest possible service.

The logical solution is DIY.

I can’t believe I am defending the auto repair business? Must be not enough coffee.

 

[mk378]

The original post is a case of "used car dealer lied to you," not "mechanic messed up."

Who would actually change brake or diff fluid on a standard performance car with 20,000 miles? Unless it's been in a flood or something...

 

[RooflessVW]

The original post is a case of "used car dealer lied to you," not "mechanic messed up."

Who would actually change brake or diff fluid on a standard performance car with 20,000 miles? Unless it's been in a flood or something...

That's the Honda service interval...

 

[Mechanician]

The original post is a case of "used car dealer lied to you," not "mechanic messed up."

Who would actually change brake or diff fluid on a standard performance car with 20,000 miles? Unless it's been in a flood or something...

Rear diff Dual Pump fluid is first due at 15k, then every 30 after. Brake fluid every 36 mos.

 

[ClutchDisc]

Saturday I was doing a simple brake bleed / flush on my new to me 2012 Nissan Armada. Or so I thought… All four bleeder screws were tightened to an extremely tight torque, which resulted in one of them breaking off…

That now turned into a fun project for another day.

 

[andrew_j]

Around 140k dealer replaced quickly the ignition wiring harness (under 2hrs) under some warranty.

At 210k water pump failed and mechanic ended up with misfire post repair wife encountered once driving around 200k but went away.

Mechanic pulled apart intake again and found none of the ignition wiring harness plugs fully seated. Solved but frustrated mechanic. Thankful mechanic found it after repair as it would have been another repair.

 

[raaizin]

1) Had a mechanic install plugs on my daughters Jetta with a 2.5. The next plug change I did myself, each plug was loose and I was able to take each one out without even putting a ratchet on it.

2) Had a 1996 Corvette was serviced at the dealer. When I got home oil was overfilled by 2 quarts.

 

[SOUNDMAN5000]

Out of town on vacation first oil change in my new Ford Fusion, after service I drove 15 miles smelled coolant, dealer damaged coolant cap and simply set it back on the coolant reservoir not sealing and didn't tell me, I then looked at the receipt and the dealer used the wrong weight oil! Headed back to the dealer and was now 12:30 Saturday and closed till Monday! What a mess as I could NOT find a replacement coolant cap and I was out of town.

 

[wander2039]

When we bought our 04 Escape it came with 2 free oil changes. Had one of the free oil changes before we left on our honeymoon. Somewhere in the middle of the Arkansas stopped and noticed oil dripping. They didn't tighten the oil filter.. either enough or not at all. Surprised made it that far before leaking. Won't discuss the 8N and it's butchery. Did find a nail instead of a cotter pin on my trailer bearings but pretty sure that was I.

 

[2dogs]

My father in law, many years ago, had an ancient, under powered Ford LTD. He kept it in nice shape. One day he mentioned that it ran poorly. I did plugs, wires, distributor cap, and air filter. One plug was a little difficult to access. I think it was under the alternator. That particular plug was original. The others had been replaced at some point. Car ran great after that. It took an extra couple of minutes to replace that plug. Who ever worked on it couldn't be bothered and left it in.

 

[crashz]

I honestly cant remember a time in which I had a professional mechanic screw something up. I've been charged an astronomical price for some things, but that's different.

Most of my hack repairs are my own: from being in a hurry, or missing something crucial and coming up with some stupid Rube Goldberg work-around. The remaining hack repairs are fixing things that my father fixed before. I believe I inherited his talent for hillbilly customization.

 

[fantastic]

Took the truck in for a transmission fluid flush. Got it back and decided to call them regarding some other work. Only then did they bother to tell me they didn't change the fluid.

 

[Pete in PA]

Bought a new 24 Chevy Trax. Got 1 complimentary oil change. I do almost all my own work on cars, motorcycles, etc. Wasn't going to use it, dealer is an hour away.
It's free, so to the Chevy dealer I went. They overfilled the oil by more than a quart as near as I can figure.
Its a known problem on the groups/ forums.
WHY?! Takes 4.2 quarts. Put that in.
Come on! Im dreading any warranty work coming.

 

[mrvmax]

I had a 2007 Honda Accord SE with the V6. It was the best car I have ever owned and when I hit 100k I decided to have the timing belt and water pump done. I had already replaced the spark plugs and done other maintenance. I decided to use the local Honda dealer (I will not give the name but it is a Clear Lake Texas area Honda dealer) expecting them to do a better job. When I went to pick it up, they told me I had a rear main seal leak (it had zero oil leaks when I dropped it off) and gave me an $1800 estimate for repair. Not sure what they did, but it was not leaking prior to them having it.

I refused to have that done and sold it to a friend. After he drove it for another 20k the valve covers started leaking so when he went to fix them and do some other work, he found out that number 1 cylinder spark plugs threads were stripped. I know for a fact that they were fine both times when I replaced the plugs on it myself (yes, I tend to overdo maintenance and it did not need two sets in 100k miles). Thinking back, that Honda dealer had a to have done that when installing the timing belt. Nobody else had the plugs out. Worthless dealership work.

 

[RooflessVW]

The number of mistakes I have found working after others is alarming and includes:

1. FOD, including hardware, tools, and rags
2. Damaged parts.
3. Incorrect installation.
4. Unapproved chemicals.