OMG is my car or my mechanic sucking me dry someone please help?

Question

I just recently had some work done on my car at pep boys they replaced the tire rods, transmission pan ball joints and tires and a altenator this all ran me about 1450.00 that was just two weeks ago. Now the car is making this strange noise it hesitates like when you press the gas it wont go and if you tap the gas lightly you can hear some fluid swishing around up under the hood and inside the car to add to that the car is letting off some bad fumes from the exaust pipe i dont know what to do anymore I am about to start a new job and i dont have money to put into the car let me not forget to mention the make and model 1994 mercury villager if there is anyone out there that has an ounce of knowledge about cars let me know what I should do?? I am looking for best answers only Thanx

Answer 1

Call the service manager at Pep Boys and explain to him that you spent the money to have your car be reliable and that these problems began as soon as you drove it off. Make sure there were no notes on your bill about unrepaired problems they told you about and you declined. Threaten to go to the district manager if he doesn't want to address the problem. It sounds like the mechanic left a vacuum line loose. Get them to check it for free, and stay in their face if they want to charge you more money.

Answer 2

If you had your tie rods, ball joints, and alternator changed for 1450, sounds like you got a pretty good deal as far as the price is concerned. Can't tell from your post if you actually needed these things worked on.
Your new problem doesn't sound related to any of the previous work you had done. Sounds like you may have a transmission getting ready to fail. This will be an expensive repair, so you will have to make the call, is the car reliable enough to spend the bucks (probably arouond $1000 to $1500) to get the transmission fixed (if that is what is wrong) or should you cut your losses and get a new car.

Answer 3

From what you've described, I doubt the tie-rods, tires or alternator are connected to your problems. The transmission however, could be causing the hesitation. Also, the trans fluid could be burnt if there is a trans problem and you could be smelling that too. Don't know about the fluid sloshing issue. Since it's a '94, you could have some unrelated problem that has developed. I would return to pep boys and explain the problem. They will at least inspect the vehicle and tell you what the problem(s) is/are.
They're pretty reputable, so they will probably give you an honest assesment, but if you still think they're responsible after talking to them, take the car to another reliable mechanic and ask their opinion.

Answer 4

The problems you have had repaired are unrelated to the problems you describe. It sounds as though you were taken advantage of by the local Management of that particular Pep Boy's. If the Villager was in that bad of shape the mechanic should have pointed out ALL of the problems the vehicle had and given you a total cost of repair. This way you could have made an informed choice whether or not to invest heavily in that old car.

Definitely contact the regional Manager in that area or do so on their web-site. Pep Boy's does not want unhappy customers telling horror stories on the internet. If they are a reasonable company they will bend over backwards to make things right.
If they correct your problems be sure to post that info as well.

Answer 5

Not all mechanics are jerks same as all jerks aren't mechanics.An educated consumer is noone's fool.People who replace parts on cars aren't really mechanics,either.In order to fix something the mechanic needs to diagnose the problem. This car sounds like a lemon.First, I would return the car to the mechanic and find out what's under warranty.And next time you have a car repaired request the "used" parts returned.This way you will know they were not just swapped out to add money to the bill.Report the shop to the Better Business Bureau too.Good mechanics can be found.Ask your friends and family where they take their cars for repairs and maintenance.Good Luck to you!

Answer 6

The first mistake was taking it to pep cocks well it sounds like those teenage mechanics ran you threw,are you getting a trouble light on the dash?that would show a code on the computer when hooked up] auto zone will do the hook up for free, and perhaps give you an idea whats wrong and you can go from there- talk to your friends to find a good repair shop.

Answer 7

Take a guy with you (sorry to say when mechanics see women they think poor helpless money walking let me try to holla at them). So first since you are short on cash take it back to the same Pep Boys and tell them their fix didn't work and you would like them to fix it since they broke it and you're not gonna pay more because u already paid them. Second if that doesn't work....look at catching a ride with a friend or public transportation until you get the money to take it to a dealership shop or to get another car.

Answer 8

sounds like you bought a lemon. the price is reasonable but the problems are not related.
The problem you have now is fuel and emmission control. this will be big bucks. you have a leak in your exhaust system somewhere which could cost up to 1300. and either the carby or injections system, (depends which you are running) can cost from 150- 2000. it may just need a clean 150 or a replacement 2000.
weigh up your odds i would get rid of it personally! cause whats next?!

Answer 9

i own a repair shop,and i think because you are a woman they took advantage of you,there are shops in my home town that do that also,and i don't like it because i always get them to work on after someone else has screwed them up,but in you case i think that was lot of money to spend on a car at one time,and now it sounds like it might be over heating ,i think probably right now the thermostat might be sticking on it,but i can t say for sure,,i have been doing this for 36 yrs,and i don't have to cheat anyone to get business,but some shops do this to get repeat business,so i don't know what to tell you,,you already have a lot invested in it,so if you stop now your going to loose all of that,id have it checked out by someone else,and see what they say about it,,may just be something simple,good luck with it,,i hope this help,s.

Answer 10

you probably shouldnt have spent that much money fixing up an old mercury villager. Check the transmission fluid, maybe they forgot to add or it is leaking, or take it back to them and ask t hem to look at it for free and get an estimate.