February 2015, Car was towed in for clutch repair. Was provided an acceptable lead-time (2-3 days) for completion. The replacement clutch did not fit correctly, so needed more time to obtain the correct size from his "clutch guy". No problem, things happen, we wait another few days to finally receive the car back. .
Total (1/2) Repair: $1,550 / Rental Car: $175 / Time: 7 days
December 2015, follow up to this repair, in less than one year, the clutch starts slipping. Keep in mind that for almost (2) months since the clutch replacement, the car was in Sals possession for another repair. See review 2/2.
January 2016, took the car in and presented a car with a slipping clutch. He tells me that he cannot account for how I drive which is was the root of the problem for the clutch slipping. Sal provided a quote for the repair which was more than what he originally charged. At this point, I was offended since I have been only been driving manual well over 15 years.
At this point, in addition to other repair issues (see other post), I have decided to walk away and have the car repaired at another shop. The other shop looked at the clutch and found out that there was a LEAK IN THE REAR MAIN SEAL which coated the disc and caused it to die prematurely..
(Not Sals) Total Cost: Less than $1,000 Rental Car: $0 / Time: 2 days)
REVIEW 2/2 - This is the 2nd one, this service was completed with the notion that we were happy with the 1st clutch repair service.
April 6, 2015, Car was taken in for rough idle and intermittent stalling when coming to a stop. Took a full week for them to finally diagnose the problem: Faulty intake/exhaust valves. Was provided 1.5~2-week lead-time.
+ 2 weeks - Car not repaired, Can't recount the many possible reasons that were causing the delay with the repair. "The car will be put back together and ready for a test drive tomorrow" seems to be a common phrase that I heard.
+ 1 week - Car still not repaired, now they can't figure out why it was causing an issue. With constant phone calls back and forth about when I can pick up the car, they found out after completing the pressure test that the valves were not machined within tolerance by their "engine guy". Since they required to obtain a separate head altogether, it would take another week to have it all finished.
+ 1 week - Engine is still not completely in. No other comment...
May 14 2015, Alas, the car is finally completed. My hands were tied this whole time and finally I get the car. Sal Jr. and I both saw eye to eye since not all of the complications were caused by their shop. In good faith, he offered a free follow-up oil change and I accepted. The car drives great.
Repair: $1,450 / Rental Car: $1,100 / Time: 38 days
A. This is where it starts to get a little dicey. Within a week later, the car started to overheat. The idle started to get worse and stalling still occurs while the A/C didn't work. One Saturday evening, the car started to smoke, on the freeway, we get off and pull into a gas station, and the radiator spewing hot water out. We get the car towed to the shop and have parked in front of the shop for Monday morning.
B. Sal found the problem and fixed the issue in a couple days no questions asked. I'm trying to move on with my life and drove off.
C. +1 week - The A/C is not operating on a hot day and the car is experiencing some electrical problems. The headlights along with cigarette lighter is not operating properly so I take it in to Sal once again. At this point when we are looking at the engine bay, i point out that the car doesn't even have an intake duct. The car is left with him and later that day, Sal admitted that one of his mechanics hid the fact that he had broken it earlier. Sal took responsibility and had ordered the replacement part.
To close this review up, the car was finally returned to us running, electrical good, A/C cold. I will leave out the other repairsI needed to complete post Sal's repair, since it is only arguable related to their service.
I commend Sal Jr. for sticking it through and doing the right thing. Sal was cordial, honest, and understanding of the situation, but this review is based on the shops professional ability to reliably repair a vehicle in a timely manner which they have clearly failed to do so. This is time and money and time that I do not get compensated back for..
Total (2/2) Repair: $1,450 / Rental Car: $1,300 / Tow: $150 / Time: 52 days read more