I?m trying to keep it short even though the list of ?mess up?s? seems endless.
Instead of an $725 estimate we agreed on to install the engine and get it to run the bill was around $2800.
I expected it to be $900-1100 because they had to install an electric fuel pump.(All parts provided by me ,and brand new) Almost everything on the truck was new or rebuilt, so it?s not a beaten up truck.
I was never called and asked if I wanted to proceed during the installation.I?d expect a 5 min. call once they got close to the $1200 mark just to make sure I?m ok with it/can afford it. (Had to take a loan)
I was told about the increase on the day I picked it up!
A lot of little things went wrong during the installation I was told by Chris (the owner) .He was so ?nice? to give me a discount. Now the bill was $2100. Only about 3 times on what we agreed on. I payed.
Truck is ready to go I was told. After a test drive I noticed it would?t warm up at all, 140 degrees max.
Also the fuel pressure was 10psi instead of the req. 4-7psi. It?s all good don?t worry about it Chris told me. The pressure regulator is not working right. I told them I?m not happy with the engine not warming up. Got an attitude from Chris ?just drive it man, just drive it , it?s gonna be fine? . He said they drill holes in all their t-stats to keep the motor from overheating in case the t-stat goes bad. I left unhappy.
At home I changed the stat with a new 195*. After I changed it the engine was overheating if I drove for more than 5 min. Found out they forgot to install a bypass hose between the waterpump and manifold. I took it back and asked Chris to install the bypass.He wanted to blame me for the engine overheating (he was scared It ruined it because they forgot the bypass) He was sure the bypass isn?t gonna help much anyway. After I got more bad attitude he said they were gonna try. After I picked it up it was better but still unstable between 190-210.Also got hot in traffic. Talked to Gm and was told it needs a 5/8 bypass.Sneeds had installed a ? hose with a ? inch fitting . I changed both ,it now stays steady at 190 no matter what. Good job experts!
I did some more research to find out the fuel regulator wasn?t bad either, they just didn?t use the correct size fuel hose for the return line. After I bought a bigger hose I was able to adjust the pressure any way I wanted to.
Just the other day I noticed I couldn?t get the tranny in low gear anymore. The linkage was touching the exhaust pipe. I cut of ? inch of the rod .Working fine now!
Also during the installation the chrome trim along the grill got bend. I just put new trim on it a few month back. No way they wouldn?t have noticed hitting it with the cherry picker. No mention about that!
I later asked Chris to send me a list with all the little things that caused the price to jump up an extra $2000. Never gotten a response. Apparently he?s got no explanation for it.
Until now he hasn?t shown the responsibility to admit the mistakes they?ve made.Very Poor!
But what can you expect from $104 an hr experts? You tell me!
By the way the Gm dealership had given me a quote of $1500 for the complete engine installation.
I took me 4 weeks and many hrs on the computer and on the phone to fix all their mistakes.Worst part is that everything was explained in the installation instructions of the engine , fuel regulator and intake manifold.
Bottom line is. I could have taken my business to any random shop and have it done for ? the price and probably the right way with hopefully no attitude!
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