I took my vehicle to Gainesville Garage for a radiator and thermostat replacement, as well as an…read moreoil change. The day after picking it up, I found a puddle of oil in my driveway and active drips on every single oil pan bolt. I took it to a different garage, which performed a thorough degreasing and engine oil UV dye test. They found absolutely NO oil leaks (this is important later)--proving Gainesville Garage had simply spilled oil everywhere during the service. During that same visit, the second shop topped off my coolant, noting it might just be a lingering air pocket ("burp") from the radiator and thermostat job, but told me to keep an eye on it.
Over the next two weeks, I had to refill my coolant reservoir 3 more times. After discussing with the second shop, they suggested I take it back to see if Gainesville garage would honor their work since this was likely still under warranty. They recommended I request a pressure test and/or a block test. I made an appointment to bring the vehicle back to Gainesville Garage on a Friday morning, specifically requesting a simple, non-invasive cooling system pressure test or block test. At drop-off, the manager, Ed, immediately became defensive and stated in an accusatory way that I had taken my vehicle somewhere else since my last visit. Despite his hostile attitude, I left it there when promised they would get it taken care of.
By late Friday afternoon, I had heard nothing. I called to check in, and they claimed they had to "drive it for a while" to recreate the issue. When I asked why the requested pressure test hadn't been done, they claimed they were "planning to do that next" but would now need to hold my vehicle over the entire weekend.
I left my vehicle all weekend, and Monday came. They were completely radio silent until nearly the close of business Monday evening. When they finally called, it wasn't with pressure test results, it was to tell me they had taken the intake manifold apart and that I was leaking both oil and coolant into the engine valley (remember the other shop did a UV dye test and found no leaks). Along with this was a $3,000 repair pitch stating I needed a brand-new oil cooler assembly, valve cover gaskets, a PCV valve, and spark plugs.
I immediately stopped him. I stated that I never authorized my engine's intake manifold to be torn apart. I reiterated that this was explicitly supposed to be a standard pressure test or block test so I could get an estimate if it wasn't related to the previous work, and that they had now held my vehicle for four days with nearly zero communication and no loaner vehicle. I told him flat out that I did not have $3,000 and instructed him to put my vehicle back together. When I asked what they thought I owed for this unauthorized work, they replied: "Nothing."
On Monday morning I was notified my vehicle had been put back together and was ready for pickup. I knew they slapped it back together since I refused the repairs so I called and Ed answered. I asked him if the truck was good to go and he said yes. I asked if they had reused the old gaskets or put on new ones and he tried to say they hadn't taken the manifold off. I said "Oh, really?" (I had the estimate with pictures of it off. those are attached to this review for you to see too.) Ed played coy and said he would go check. When he came back he said "No sir, we didn't" I asked him to clarify as his answer was unclear as to whether they had used new or old gaskets. Ed said they did not use new parts because I refused all work. I told him I had not authorized any of the work they chose to do. He said "Come on man, we were trying to help you out!". I said by forcing me into work I can't afford to do right now. I then said "You and I both know you aren't supposed to use the old gaskets". The moment I called Ed out on this, he completely snapped. Ed started yelling at me over the phone, told me he was "done with me," (No Ed, you aren't) and screamed at me to come get my truck.
They blatantly violated the Virginia Automobile Repair Facilities Act [59.1-207.3]. Reusing those gaskets isn't just severe mechanical negligence that would almost certainly introduce vacuum leaks if I had driven it. It is actively sabotaging the vehicle because I refused the unauthorized work. I refused to drive it and instead had flatbed tow it directly to a trusted shop to have the issue addressed. Which it was, for substantially less money.
Gainesville Garage stalls you, holds your vehicle hostage, performs unauthorized work, breaks the law and uses predatory practices to scare people into authorizing repairs. Ed is by far the most unprofessional mechanic/shop manager I have ever had the displeasure of dealing with and when they have your vehicle held hostage, there isn't much you can do. But now, I have my vehicle back...and there is quite a lot I can do.
