Mechanic Error...Advice on what to do ??

best of luck?
pretty low k's and there saying its gone? lol

<popper114@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:417cc38c$0$28197$9a6e19ea@news.newshosting.co m...
> Hello All,
>
> I have had an issue with a national franchise mechanical shop. I am after
some advice on what
> to do. Whether what they have offered to do to rectify the situation is
enough or should i expect
> more from them? Sorry its a bit long winded.
>
> Vehicle :
>
> 1/1989 Misubishi Pajero. V6. 156000k.
>
> Background :
>
> I have been a customer of theirs for 12 years.
> At approx 150000k I had the following done :
> Replace timing belt, water pump, new front wheel bearings, new front brake
pads and fluid.
>
> The issue :
>
> Dropped the car off on the 15th September for tappet cover gasket
replacement, as they were
> leaking. On the 18th I was going on holidays from brisbane to melbourne.
They phoned me at
> about 2pm. They said they feared they had dropped something into the
motor, that my car
> wouldnt be ready that day. That they had to remove the head and find out
what the noise was.
> They said they wouldnt have the car back until the following week,
effectively screwing up my
> holidays. I expressed my concerns about this and he said he would try and
have
> it ready by the 18th. On the 16th they rang me to say they had dropped a
spring washer into the
> motor, and it had broken a valve spring. That they would send the head
away and get it all fixed.
>
> I picked the car up on the 18th. I drove the car home(12km) and felt it
was running very rough. I was
> very concerned that it would not be able to make the journey to melbourne.
5 mins after getting
> home i went to look under the bonnet and noticed on the ground under the
car a pool of oil about the size of
> your palm. I took the car back. It was leaking very badly from one of the
tappet
> cover gaskets (not the bank that they dropped the washer)
>
> He apoligised and said he would fix the car first thing monday. I picked
up the car on the tuesday.
> 6 days after it originally went in. It was still running rough, had a
ticking noise(like the tappets)
> and didnt idle very well. I rang him right away and he said that it has
pump up lifters, they have
> had the head off the battery disconnected and that it all needed to bed
in. The best thing for it
> was a long drive. I paid for the tappet cover job and was on my way.
>
> With a slight doubt in my mind i left for melbourne. The ticking noise
never went away. Oil pressure
> seemed lower than before. 24 hours later we were in melbourne. Right in
the middle of the CBD
> of melbourne, we lost power and started to puff out a smoke screen. I rang
him again from melbourne
> he told me to keep an eye on the oil and drop it back in when we got home.
Shit I was worried
> we wouldnt even make it home.
>
> 1 week later(after cutting our holiday short) we were home. Dropped the
car back again. Found
> out that the valve stem seals had gone hard and that it was only running
on 5 cylinders. They
> changed the oil, got all 6 cylinders running, and replaced the valve stem
seals.
>
> I picked it up 3 days after dropping it off. I drove around the block,
ticking noise was still there,
> it was runnig hotter than before and was till running rough. I popped the
bonnet to find oil was
> spraying out from around the tappet cover(on the side where they dropped
the washer). Took it
> back, left it again.
>
> Next day picked it up again, drove around the block, same deal still
leaking.
> 4 times this happened. Finally they got it right no oil leaks. But the car
was still running rough,
> idled at 1500rpm, ran hot, was undrivable until it had idled for 5 mins to
warm up,
> and blew quite a lot of smoke.
>
> These are the excuses i got :
>
> 1. The engine is worn and has blow by (prior to the washer being dropped
it blew very minimal smoke
> as I had travelled behind it in another car)
> 2. The radiator is on its way out - thats why it is running hot.(towing a
450kg camper trailer with gear
> plus 6 passengers from melbourne to brisbane on 5 cyclinders it did not
get hot like it does now)
> 3. It idles high as the idle speed control valve is disconnected, if i
lower the idle it will stall when
> cold.(idle speed control valve has always been disconnected, i have done
40000k with it disconected
> the car never stalled or had idle issues, even with the air con on)
>
> It is now over a month later and the car is still in their shop. I have
contacted the heirarcy and
> they have offered to replace the piston and ring in the cylinder they
stuffed, but thats it.
>
> Should I expect more than this ? Seems pointless to replace just 1 piston
?
> State Manager and Franchise owner are coming around tomorrow to try and
resolve the problem
>
>
>

A litany of lies , I suggest you ask in aus legal and then speak to a
solicitor , you should get a full rebuild out of this and proper
compensation for distress and damages ..

popper114@hotmail.com wrote:
>
> Hello All,
>
> I have had an issue with a national franchise mechanical shop. I am after some advice on what
> to do. Whether what they have offered to do to rectify the situation is enough or should i expect
> more from them? Sorry its a bit long winded.
>
> Vehicle :
>
> 1/1989 Misubishi Pajero. V6. 156000k.
>
> Background :
>
> I have been a customer of theirs for 12 years.
> At approx 150000k I had the following done :
> Replace timing belt, water pump, new front wheel bearings, new front brake pads and fluid.
>
> The issue :
>
> Dropped the car off on the 15th September for tappet cover gasket replacement, as they were
> leaking. On the 18th I was going on holidays from brisbane to melbourne. They phoned me at
> about 2pm. They said they feared they had dropped something into the motor, that my car
> wouldnt be ready that day. That they had to remove the head and find out what the noise was.
> They said they wouldnt have the car back until the following week, effectively screwing up my
> holidays. I expressed my concerns about this and he said he would try and have
> it ready by the 18th. On the 16th they rang me to say they had dropped a spring washer into the
> motor, and it had broken a valve spring. That they would send the head away and get it all fixed.
>
> I picked the car up on the 18th. I drove the car home(12km) and felt it was running very rough. I was
> very concerned that it would not be able to make the journey to melbourne. 5 mins after getting
> home i went to look under the bonnet and noticed on the ground under the car a pool of oil about the size of
> your palm. I took the car back. It was leaking very badly from one of the tappet
> cover gaskets (not the bank that they dropped the washer)
>
> He apoligised and said he would fix the car first thing monday. I picked up the car on the tuesday.
> 6 days after it originally went in. It was still running rough, had a ticking noise(like the tappets)
> and didnt idle very well. I rang him right away and he said that it has pump up lifters, they have
> had the head off the battery disconnected and that it all needed to bed in. The best thing for it
> was a long drive. I paid for the tappet cover job and was on my way.
>
> With a slight doubt in my mind i left for melbourne. The ticking noise never went away. Oil pressure
> seemed lower than before. 24 hours later we were in melbourne. Right in the middle of the CBD
> of melbourne, we lost power and started to puff out a smoke screen. I rang him again from melbourne
> he told me to keep an eye on the oil and drop it back in when we got home. Shit I was worried
> we wouldnt even make it home.
>
> 1 week later(after cutting our holiday short) we were home. Dropped the car back again. Found
> out that the valve stem seals had gone hard and that it was only running on 5 cylinders. They
> changed the oil, got all 6 cylinders running, and replaced the valve stem seals.
>
> I picked it up 3 days after dropping it off. I drove around the block, ticking noise was still there,
> it was runnig hotter than before and was till running rough. I popped the bonnet to find oil was
> spraying out from around the tappet cover(on the side where they dropped the washer). Took it
> back, left it again.
>
> Next day picked it up again, drove around the block, same deal still leaking.
> 4 times this happened. Finally they got it right no oil leaks. But the car was still running rough,
> idled at 1500rpm, ran hot, was undrivable until it had idled for 5 mins to warm up,
> and blew quite a lot of smoke.
>
> These are the excuses i got :
>
> 1. The engine is worn and has blow by (prior to the washer being dropped it blew very minimal smoke
> as I had travelled behind it in another car)
> 2. The radiator is on its way out - thats why it is running hot.(towing a 450kg camper trailer with gear
> plus 6 passengers from melbourne to brisbane on 5 cyclinders it did not get hot like it does now)
> 3. It idles high as the idle speed control valve is disconnected, if i lower the idle it will stall when
> cold.(idle speed control valve has always been disconnected, i have done 40000k with it disconected
> the car never stalled or had idle issues, even with the air con on)
>
> It is now over a month later and the car is still in their shop. I have contacted the heirarcy and
> they have offered to replace the piston and ring in the cylinder they stuffed, but thats it.
>
> Should I expect more than this ? Seems pointless to replace just 1 piston ?
> State Manager and Franchise owner are coming around tomorrow to try and resolve the problem

--
X-No-Archive: Yes

<popper114@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:417cc38c$0$28197$9a6e19ea@news.newshosting.co m...
> Hello All,
>
> I have had an issue with a national franchise mechanical shop. I am after
> some advice on what
> to do. Whether what they have offered to do to rectify the situation is
> enough or should i expect
> more from them? Sorry its a bit long winded.

Long descriptions are often the best....

> The issue :
>
> Dropped the car off on the 15th September for tappet cover gasket
> replacement, as they were
> leaking. On the 18th I was going on holidays from brisbane to melbourne.
> They phoned me at
> about 2pm. They said they feared they had dropped something into the
> motor, that my car
> wouldnt be ready that day. That they had to remove the head and find out
> what the noise was.
> They said they wouldnt have the car back until the following week,
> effectively screwing up my
> holidays. I expressed my concerns about this and he said he would try and
> have
> it ready by the 18th. On the 16th they rang me to say they had dropped a
> spring washer into the
> motor, and it had broken a valve spring. That they would send the head
> away and get it all fixed.

Sounds odd that a spring washer would get caught in a valve sprinf to me,
but anyway....

So far, they've admitted guilt, and presumably are willing to accept costs.

> I picked the car up on the 18th. I drove the car home(12km) and felt it
> was running very rough. I was
> very concerned that it would not be able to make the journey to melbourne.
> 5 mins after getting
> home i went to look under the bonnet and noticed on the ground under the
> car a pool of oil about the size of
> your palm. I took the car back. It was leaking very badly from one of the
> tappet
> cover gaskets (not the bank that they dropped the washer)

Not good.


> He apoligised and said he would fix the car first thing monday. I picked
> up the car on the tuesday.
> 6 days after it originally went in. It was still running rough, had a
> ticking noise(like the tappets)
> and didnt idle very well. I rang him right away and he said that it has
> pump up lifters, they have
> had the head off the battery disconnected and that it all needed to bed
> in. The best thing for it
> was a long drive. I paid for the tappet cover job and was on my way.

Uh-oh.... :)

> With a slight doubt in my mind i left for melbourne. The ticking noise
> never went away. Oil pressure
> seemed lower than before. 24 hours later we were in melbourne. Right in
> the middle of the CBD
> of melbourne, we lost power and started to puff out a smoke screen. I rang
> him again from melbourne
> he told me to keep an eye on the oil and drop it back in when we got home.
> Shit I was worried
> we wouldnt even make it home.
>
> 1 week later(after cutting our holiday short) we were home. Dropped the
> car back again. Found
> out that the valve stem seals had gone hard and that it was only running
> on 5 cylinders. They
> changed the oil, got all 6 cylinders running, and replaced the valve stem
> seals.
>
> I picked it up 3 days after dropping it off. I drove around the block,
> ticking noise was still there,
> it was runnig hotter than before and was till running rough. I popped the
> bonnet to find oil was
> spraying out from around the tappet cover(on the side where they dropped
> the washer). Took it
> back, left it again.
>
> Next day picked it up again, drove around the block, same deal still
> leaking.
> 4 times this happened. Finally they got it right no oil leaks. But the car
> was still running rough,
> idled at 1500rpm, ran hot, was undrivable until it had idled for 5 mins to
> warm up,
> and blew quite a lot of smoke.

Sounds pretty nasty to me...

> These are the excuses i got :
>
> 1. The engine is worn and has blow by (prior to the washer being dropped
> it blew very minimal smoke
> as I had travelled behind it in another car)

This isn't a bullshit comment unless your engine was in fine shape when you
initially took it in.

> 2. The radiator is on its way out - thats why it is running hot.(towing a
> 450kg camper trailer with gear
> plus 6 passengers from melbourne to brisbane on 5 cyclinders it did not
> get hot like it does now)

No doubt.

> 3. It idles high as the idle speed control valve is disconnected, if i
> lower the idle it will stall when
> cold.(idle speed control valve has always been disconnected, i have done
> 40000k with it disconected
> the car never stalled or had idle issues, even with the air con on)
>
> It is now over a month later and the car is still in their shop. I have
> contacted the heirarcy and
> they have offered to replace the piston and ring in the cylinder they
> stuffed, but thats it.

Big of them.

> Should I expect more than this ? Seems pointless to replace just 1 piston
> ?
> State Manager and Franchise owner are coming around tomorrow to try and
> resolve the problem

They should buy you a new engine, but don't hold your breath.

All they're "legally" required to do is to "make good" any damage that has
been done by the "dropped washer" (if you actually believe that's what
happened), and *maybe* you can get them to stiff for any subsequent problems
as a result of the initial faults.

It sounds to me as if they've stuffed something up either by abuse or
malpractice, and in continued attempts to rectify the initial problem "on
the cheap", they've just made it significantly worse. In any case, all
they're obligated to do is return your car to it's pre-"stuff up" condition,
and that doesn't mean fit it with a brand new engine.

If I were you, I'd contact a consumer advocate authority and see what their
spin on your story is. I'd then meet with the Manager and owner and explain
to them how you've been inconvenienced by this incredible display of
appalling workmanship, and that up until now you've been willing to give
them more than a fair opportunity to set things right.

I'd also tell them that after a more than a month of repeated attempts to
fix your car you no longer have any confidence in their ability to ever fix
it correctly, and that you'd like to have the car sent to the nearest
Mitsubishi dealer, and for it to be repaired at their expense. Draw their
attention to the fact that you've already spoken to a consumer advisor, and
that such terrible "advertising" would be lapped up by any of the current
affairs producers.

Of course, they're not going to come at this plan, even with the threat of
bad publicity, but it might give you a little extra bargaining power to have
them replace all 6 pistons and rings, rather than just the one.

At the end of the day if you're not satisfied with what they have to offer,
take your problem to whatever authority will make the biggest noise.

--
Regards,
Noddy.

On Mon, 25 Oct 2004 09:12:45 +0000, popper114 wrote:

> Hello All,
>
> I have had an issue with a national franchise mechanical shop. I am after
> some advice on what to do. Whether what they have offered to do to rectify
> the situation is enough or should i expect more from them? Sorry its a bit
> long winded.
>
> Vehicle :
>
> 1/1989 Misubishi Pajero. V6. 156000k.
>
> Background :
>
> I have been a customer of theirs for 12 years. At approx 150000k I had the
> following done : Replace timing belt, water pump, new front wheel
> bearings, new front brake pads and fluid.
>
> The issue :
>
> Dropped the car off on the 15th September for tappet cover gasket
> replacement, as they were leaking. On the 18th I was going on holidays
> from brisbane to melbourne. They phoned me at about 2pm. They said they
> feared they had dropped something into the motor, that my car wouldnt be
> ready that day. That they had to remove the head and find out what the
> noise was. They said they wouldnt have the car back until the following
> week, effectively screwing up my holidays. I expressed my concerns about
> this and he said he would try and have it ready by the 18th. On the 16th
> they rang me to say they had dropped a spring washer into the motor, and
> it had broken a valve spring. That they would send the head away and get
> it all fixed.
>
> I picked the car up on the 18th. I drove the car home(12km) and felt it
> was running very rough. I was very concerned that it would not be able to
> make the journey to melbourne. 5 mins after getting home i went to look
> under the bonnet and noticed on the ground under the car a pool of oil
> about the size of your palm. I took the car back. It was leaking very
> badly from one of the tappet cover gaskets (not the bank that they dropped
> the washer)
>
> He apoligised and said he would fix the car first thing monday. I picked
> up the car on the tuesday. 6 days after it originally went in. It was
> still running rough, had a ticking noise(like the tappets) and didnt idle
> very well. I rang him right away and he said that it has pump up lifters,
> they have had the head off the battery disconnected and that it all needed
> to bed in. The best thing for it was a long drive. I paid for the tappet
> cover job and was on my way.
>
> With a slight doubt in my mind i left for melbourne. The ticking noise
> never went away. Oil pressure seemed lower than before. 24 hours later we
> were in melbourne. Right in the middle of the CBD of melbourne, we lost
> power and started to puff out a smoke screen. I rang him again from
> melbourne he told me to keep an eye on the oil and drop it back in when we
> got home. Shit I was worried we wouldnt even make it home.
>
> 1 week later(after cutting our holiday short) we were home. Dropped the
> car back again. Found out that the valve stem seals had gone hard and that
> it was only running on 5 cylinders. They changed the oil, got all 6
> cylinders running, and replaced the valve stem seals.
>
> I picked it up 3 days after dropping it off. I drove around the block,
> ticking noise was still there, it was runnig hotter than before and was
> till running rough. I popped the bonnet to find oil was spraying out from
> around the tappet cover(on the side where they dropped the washer). Took
> it back, left it again.
>
> Next day picked it up again, drove around the block, same deal still
> leaking. 4 times this happened. Finally they got it right no oil leaks.
> But the car was still running rough, idled at 1500rpm, ran hot, was
> undrivable until it had idled for 5 mins to warm up, and blew quite a lot
> of smoke.
>
> These are the excuses i got :
>
> 1. The engine is worn and has blow by (prior to the washer being dropped
> it blew very minimal smoke as I had travelled behind it in another car) 2.
> The radiator is on its way out - thats why it is running hot.(towing a
> 450kg camper trailer with gear plus 6 passengers from melbourne to
> brisbane on 5 cyclinders it did not get hot like it does now) 3. It idles
> high as the idle speed control valve is disconnected, if i lower the idle
> it will stall when cold.(idle speed control valve has always been
> disconnected, i have done 40000k with it disconected the car never stalled
> or had idle issues, even with the air con on)
>
> It is now over a month later and the car is still in their shop. I have
> contacted the heirarcy and they have offered to replace the piston and
> ring in the cylinder they stuffed, but thats it.
>
> Should I expect more than this ? Seems pointless to replace just 1 piston
> ? State Manager and Franchise owner are coming around tomorrow to try and
> resolve the problem

Get your solicitor to come round when the manager are there.

--
Mathew M. <mathew@spiesNOSPAMareus.yi.org>
GPG public key ID: 0x3DDC1413

This post contains a chemical or chemicals known to the state of California
to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. This (these)
chemical(s) may be harmful to your health.

<popper114@hotmail.com> wrote:

>
>Should I expect more than this ? Seems pointless to replace just 1 piston ?
>State Manager and Franchise owner are coming around tomorrow to try and resolve the problem

Short answer is yes.

Noddy's covered most of it. Here's an extra 2¢ worth....

Ultimately it'll come down to your determination and resolve along
with considerable bluff. Don't, whatever you do, cut off your
discourse with the negligent party -- preferably conduct most of it in
writing.

If you're a member of your state motoring organisation talk to them.

Write to your state consumer affairs authority (Department of Fair
Trading or whatever) and see if they're prepared to assist. At the
very least they should be able recommend a course of action -- small
claims tribunal where I am.

If you're not completely satisfied write to your state MP, provide the
full details of your case, and suggest their consumer affairs
legislation needs more teeth.

Since it's a national franchise, write to your MHR, provide the full
details of your case, and ask if the ACCC happens to be investigating
such matters.

(In the case of both MP's they'll almost certainly have their offices
contact the perp for details, which not only rattles 'em, it bites
considerably into their day -- which is also part of the game.)

Don't mention lawyers, but if the other party does offer to introduce
him to yours -- because then you'll not only know for sure he's
bluffing... he's also losing it. :)

And... ask 'em to lend you a car while they've got yours.

Best of luck.

--
John H

Bits of washer would have possibly broken up. This would have went
everywhere in the engine, all cylinders. Not just one. A mate of mine
dropped one screw into a V8 and destoyed the whole engine. All but one bore
was marked.

I'd be asking for a full rebuild inc checking valve's are seated correctly
and aren't bent.

156,000k's for an engine is really bugger all. Both my run about cars
start/stop and do everything they should. The don't blow smoke or anything.
they both have 210,000k's on them. I'd expect another 100,000 from the 4cyl
and another 200,000 from the 6cyl.

Brenden
<popper114@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:417cc38c$0$28197$9a6e19ea@news.newshosting.co m...
> Hello All,
>
> I have had an issue with a national franchise mechanical shop. I am after
> some advice on what
> to do. Whether what they have offered to do to rectify the situation is
> enough or should i expect
> more from them? Sorry its a bit long winded.
>
> Vehicle :
>
> 1/1989 Misubishi Pajero. V6. 156000k.
>
> Background :
>
> I have been a customer of theirs for 12 years.
> At approx 150000k I had the following done :
> Replace timing belt, water pump, new front wheel bearings, new front brake
> pads and fluid.
>
> The issue :
>
> Dropped the car off on the 15th September for tappet cover gasket
> replacement, as they were
> leaking. On the 18th I was going on holidays from brisbane to melbourne.
> They phoned me at
> about 2pm. They said they feared they had dropped something into the
> motor, that my car
> wouldnt be ready that day. That they had to remove the head and find out
> what the noise was.
> They said they wouldnt have the car back until the following week,
> effectively screwing up my
> holidays. I expressed my concerns about this and he said he would try and
> have
> it ready by the 18th. On the 16th they rang me to say they had dropped a
> spring washer into the
> motor, and it had broken a valve spring. That they would send the head
> away and get it all fixed.
>
> I picked the car up on the 18th. I drove the car home(12km) and felt it
> was running very rough. I was
> very concerned that it would not be able to make the journey to melbourne.
> 5 mins after getting
> home i went to look under the bonnet and noticed on the ground under the
> car a pool of oil about the size of
> your palm. I took the car back. It was leaking very badly from one of the
> tappet
> cover gaskets (not the bank that they dropped the washer)
>
> He apoligised and said he would fix the car first thing monday. I picked
> up the car on the tuesday.
> 6 days after it originally went in. It was still running rough, had a
> ticking noise(like the tappets)
> and didnt idle very well. I rang him right away and he said that it has
> pump up lifters, they have
> had the head off the battery disconnected and that it all needed to bed
> in. The best thing for it
> was a long drive. I paid for the tappet cover job and was on my way.
>
> With a slight doubt in my mind i left for melbourne. The ticking noise
> never went away. Oil pressure
> seemed lower than before. 24 hours later we were in melbourne. Right in
> the middle of the CBD
> of melbourne, we lost power and started to puff out a smoke screen. I rang
> him again from melbourne
> he told me to keep an eye on the oil and drop it back in when we got home.
> Shit I was worried
> we wouldnt even make it home.
>
> 1 week later(after cutting our holiday short) we were home. Dropped the
> car back again. Found
> out that the valve stem seals had gone hard and that it was only running
> on 5 cylinders. They
> changed the oil, got all 6 cylinders running, and replaced the valve stem
> seals.
>
> I picked it up 3 days after dropping it off. I drove around the block,
> ticking noise was still there,
> it was runnig hotter than before and was till running rough. I popped the
> bonnet to find oil was
> spraying out from around the tappet cover(on the side where they dropped
> the washer). Took it
> back, left it again.
>
> Next day picked it up again, drove around the block, same deal still
> leaking.
> 4 times this happened. Finally they got it right no oil leaks. But the car
> was still running rough,
> idled at 1500rpm, ran hot, was undrivable until it had idled for 5 mins to
> warm up,
> and blew quite a lot of smoke.
>
> These are the excuses i got :
>
> 1. The engine is worn and has blow by (prior to the washer being dropped
> it blew very minimal smoke
> as I had travelled behind it in another car)
> 2. The radiator is on its way out - thats why it is running hot.(towing a
> 450kg camper trailer with gear
> plus 6 passengers from melbourne to brisbane on 5 cyclinders it did not
> get hot like it does now)
> 3. It idles high as the idle speed control valve is disconnected, if i
> lower the idle it will stall when
> cold.(idle speed control valve has always been disconnected, i have done
> 40000k with it disconected
> the car never stalled or had idle issues, even with the air con on)
>
> It is now over a month later and the car is still in their shop. I have
> contacted the heirarcy and
> they have offered to replace the piston and ring in the cylinder they
> stuffed, but thats it.
>
> Should I expect more than this ? Seems pointless to replace just 1 piston
> ?
> State Manager and Franchise owner are coming around tomorrow to try and
> resolve the problem
>
>
>

Hello All,

I have had an issue with a national franchise mechanical shop. I am after some advice on what
to do. Whether what they have offered to do to rectify the situation is enough or should i expect
more from them? Sorry its a bit long winded.

Vehicle :

1/1989 Misubishi Pajero. V6. 156000k.

Background :

I have been a customer of theirs for 12 years.
At approx 150000k I had the following done :
Replace timing belt, water pump, new front wheel bearings, new front brake pads and fluid.

The issue :

Dropped the car off on the 15th September for tappet cover gasket replacement, as they were
leaking. On the 18th I was going on holidays from brisbane to melbourne. They phoned me at
about 2pm. They said they feared they had dropped something into the motor, that my car
wouldnt be ready that day. That they had to remove the head and find out what the noise was.
They said they wouldnt have the car back until the following week, effectively screwing up my
holidays. I expressed my concerns about this and he said he would try and have
it ready by the 18th. On the 16th they rang me to say they had dropped a spring washer into the
motor, and it had broken a valve spring. That they would send the head away and get it all fixed.

I picked the car up on the 18th. I drove the car home(12km) and felt it was running very rough. I was
very concerned that it would not be able to make the journey to melbourne. 5 mins after getting
home i went to look under the bonnet and noticed on the ground under the car a pool of oil about the size of
your palm. I took the car back. It was leaking very badly from one of the tappet
cover gaskets (not the bank that they dropped the washer)

He apoligised and said he would fix the car first thing monday. I picked up the car on the tuesday.
6 days after it originally went in. It was still running rough, had a ticking noise(like the tappets)
and didnt idle very well. I rang him right away and he said that it has pump up lifters, they have
had the head off the battery disconnected and that it all needed to bed in. The best thing for it
was a long drive. I paid for the tappet cover job and was on my way.

With a slight doubt in my mind i left for melbourne. The ticking noise never went away. Oil pressure
seemed lower than before. 24 hours later we were in melbourne. Right in the middle of the CBD
of melbourne, we lost power and started to puff out a smoke screen. I rang him again from melbourne
he told me to keep an eye on the oil and drop it back in when we got home. Shit I was worried
we wouldnt even make it home.

1 week later(after cutting our holiday short) we were home. Dropped the car back again. Found
out that the valve stem seals had gone hard and that it was only running on 5 cylinders. They
changed the oil, got all 6 cylinders running, and replaced the valve stem seals.

I picked it up 3 days after dropping it off. I drove around the block, ticking noise was still there,
it was runnig hotter than before and was till running rough. I popped the bonnet to find oil was
spraying out from around the tappet cover(on the side where they dropped the washer). Took it
back, left it again.

Next day picked it up again, drove around the block, same deal still leaking.
4 times this happened. Finally they got it right no oil leaks. But the car was still running rough,
idled at 1500rpm, ran hot, was undrivable until it had idled for 5 mins to warm up,
and blew quite a lot of smoke.

These are the excuses i got :

1. The engine is worn and has blow by (prior to the washer being dropped it blew very minimal smoke
as I had travelled behind it in another car)
2. The radiator is on its way out - thats why it is running hot.(towing a 450kg camper trailer with gear
plus 6 passengers from melbourne to brisbane on 5 cyclinders it did not get hot like it does now)
3. It idles high as the idle speed control valve is disconnected, if i lower the idle it will stall when
cold.(idle speed control valve has always been disconnected, i have done 40000k with it disconected
the car never stalled or had idle issues, even with the air con on)

It is now over a month later and the car is still in their shop. I have contacted the heirarcy and
they have offered to replace the piston and ring in the cylinder they stuffed, but thats it.

Should I expect more than this ? Seems pointless to replace just 1 piston ?
State Manager and Franchise owner are coming around tomorrow to try and resolve the problem