Eight days after I picked up my car, it chugged to a stop after overheating, leaving me stranded on…read morethe side of the highway with my kids.
In the eight days since buying it, there had been no coolant leaking at my house. I had actually been checking the driveway regularly as part of my new-to-me car routine and had seen nothing.
I used my own CAA membership to have the car towed back to Redline. Their mechanic found the coolant extremely low and had to add a significant amount--about a jug and a half. There was no visible leak while the coolant was being added.
Three days later, the situation changed dramatically. While I was at the grocery store, a significant amount of coolant began leaking underneath the vehicle. I have attached the photo I took at the time. By the time we made the approximately five-minute drive home, the car was overheating again.
That leaves me with some serious questions. If the coolant was checked and topped up before I took possession, where did that much coolant go during those first eight days when there was no visible leak? If it was not checked, how long had the vehicle been operating with insufficient coolant before I bought it? I cannot answer either question, and that is precisely the problem.
What also concerned me was the initial response. I was told there was no chance this could cause further issues. Dave, the salesman, told me that low fluid levels can be normal and suggested it could be air in the engine, which "happens and is fine." Interestingly, those explanations were not repeated when I later returned with my boyfriend, who is a mechanic.
I bought a used vehicle. I did not expect a perfect vehicle, and mechanical problems can happen. I did expect reasonable confidence that basic fluid levels had been checked before it was handed over to me, and a straightforward response when it broke down eight days after I drove it off their lot.
UPDATE: After my initial negative review was posted, I received an email from the General Manager directing me to remove what he described as my "deceptive reviews" and reminding me that you "get more bees with honey." I have attached the email so readers can see exactly what was said, in context, and draw their own conclusions.
After I responded that excellent service receives excellent reviews, Redline ultimately did agree to collect the vehicle with their own tow truck.
When they inspected the vehicle, they found a coolant hose clamp broken in two and replaced it. What concerned me was that even the broken surface of the clamp was visibly rusted/corroded. I have attached a photo so readers can see its condition for themselves.
I was reassured that there was no reason to expect further issues from this.
Less than a week later, the vehicle emptied itself of coolant again and became completely undriveable.
This time, Redline told me they were "not able to tow it" and that I would need to arrange the tow myself. They directed me to use my warranty for the repairs.
At that point, rather than paying to have the vehicle towed back to Redline for a third time, I chose to have it independently assessed.
On September 28, 48 days after I purchased the vehicle, the independent inspection found an internal leak at cylinder #3, noted that the engine was noisy, and recommended replacement or teardown. The estimate also documents "knock on start up and burning coolant."
I have now been informed that the engine needs to be replaced. The total estimate for the recommended repairs is $10,057.34, including the engine replacement. That is far above what the warranty I purchased from Redline will cover.
I bought a used vehicle, and I understood that repairs could arise. I did not, however, purchase an "as-is" vehicle. The "Vehicle Sold 'As Is'" section of my sales agreement was not selected or initialled.
Eight days after buying this vehicle, it overheated and stranded my children and me on the highway. Forty-eight days after buying it, I was being quoted for an engine replacement.
