I had an exhaust leak in my 2003 Dodge Dakota extended cab truck (52,944 miles on the odometer) that created a fluttering sound when you accelerated. That type of symptom normally indicates a bad exhaust manifold gasket. My regular mechanic was on vacation until after the first of the year, so I called and made an appointment with Meineke for 0800 hours on 12/27/2014.
I informed the person of the problem I was having and my suspicions, and upon his inspection was told that the muffler was bad and he quoted me a $350 price for repair. I asked how much it would be to install dual exhausts to improve gas mileage and was told that the installation would cost me a total of $450.
The installation of the muffler and dual exhausts was completed but the exhaust leak was still present and it was decided that the exhaust manifold gasket was bad and I was given an additional quote of $350 hours that would include the three hours it was supposed to take for the technician to replace the gasket.
During removal of the exhaust manifold to replace the gasket, the technician broke off some attaching bolts (3) that had to be drilled out. It required me to stay at the facility from 0800 hours until 1730 hours with the truck not being finished and the repairs carried over not only into the Sunday of 12/28/2014 but on into Monday when my wife received a call at approximately 1330 hours on 12/29/2014 saying that the repairs had finally been completed and was ready to be picked up.
On Saturday night, prior to my departure, I had made arrangements to have a new manifold installed at a cost of an additional $300 for the part. I made arrangements for a ride home with one of the technicians ($20 to the technician) and Meineke was to deliver the truck to me after the repairs, I was to give the technician a ride back to the facility and to settle the cost.
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