Look at what we found.

[The MaDDeSTMaN]

What I find the most suspicous is the following:

• Mechanic says there isn't a drop of water - we remove the air filter and find water underneath it and half filling the hose from the air filter to the intake system.
• Mechanic says he checked out the torque converter, yet it looks as if nobody has touched anything in that area for years, unless he has a miracle tool that removes bolts without touching the built-up grease and grime that has accumulated in that area over the years.

If he has nothing to hide, why didn't he say "Your intake swallowed a heap of water and now your engine is stuffed, you'll need a new engine" instead of "There's not a drop of water, I think it's a bearing in the bottom end, you'll need a new engine"???

That's what it boils down to, it does sound very dodgy, doesn't it? You trust a mechanic to be honest and he hasn't been, and he's been caught out trying to rip someone off by telling them they need a new engine without even attempting to find out what the real problem is.

[LUXO_8]

i think you'll find he's one of those, "hmm its a woman lets make some cash here"
$2500 for a changeover engine is hell dear!
throw him up against the ropes :

[LuvinmyEB]

He picked the wrong woman that's for sure. Hell hath no fury like a woman who knows that her mechanic has tried to rip her off!!! :jab: :tool:

[ba bullet]

how can u have that much corrosion in such a little time, when u went
thru the water did u say u stalled and then took it straight to him
how long did he have it
how long until u checked throttle body and found water
maybe he got it started and just stuck a hose in it, a more simple theory
no X-FILES here

[LUXO_8]

why would you stick a hose in it????!!!, that'd lock it up pretty quickly if it wasnt already locked up ( which they have said it was)

[LuvinmyEB]

Originally Posted by ba bullet

how can u have that much corrosion in such a little time, when u went
thru the water did u say u stalled and then took it straight to him
how long did he have it
how long until u checked throttle body and found water
maybe he got it started and just stuck a hose in it, a more simple theory
no X-FILES here

The water has been in there since the 2nd of February, the day of the big floods in Melbourne or so it would seem (not that we knew that). We only started stripping the motor down on last weekend. Doesn't take a genius to work out why there was so much corrosion.

FFS! Read through all the posts before making yourself like an idiot. :togo:

[svo347]

Originally Posted by MADNC_8

why would you stick a hose in it????!!!, that'd lock it up pretty quickly if it wasnt already locked up ( which they have said it was)

Actually mate no it wouldnt. It would need alot more volume that what a hose would put out

[T3man]

Originally Posted by LuvinmyEB

Long story short, the starter was able to crank the engine over when it was towed to the mechanics and I asked them to diagnose the problem. When I got it back they told me that the engine had seized and that there was not a drop of water anywhere, I needed a new engine and they would do it for $2500-. When I got it back the starter motor couldn't even crank the motor yet I still had power and the starter motor wasn't at fault.

It wasn't until we started pulling the motor down last weekend in order to find what the fault was and to make it easier to pull the motor out that we discovered that in fact the airbox and entire intake system was full of water. We certainly did not expect to find as much water as we did after being told there was not a drop of water in it.

Ahhh ... OK then. So it does seem that for whatever reason the mechanic has indeed been slack at least and dishonest at worst. And possibly a combination of both as you have caught him out in his deceit as he was definitely slack in his non-attempt to cover his tracks. I mean, saying he took the inspection cover off the flywheel housing and the bolts aren't even marked ... phhht. He's an idiot for sure.

[ba bullet]

idiot huh,
u rude turd
you moron u say nothing about a proper timeline,
if u had said it all at the start and been more specific so many ppl would be
asking the same questions
water below the door huh, pigs ****
that night i drove past a dumb female who got stuck in the water
friend of yours maybe

[LuvinmyEB]

Word of caution to you son...

Don't make a habit of bagging women drivers on this forum, we give as good as we get.

Oh and congratulations, you are the first and only person on my ignore list. :jerk:

[The MaDDeSTMaN]

Originally Posted by ba bullet

idiot huh,
u rude turd
you moron u say nothing about a proper timeline,
if u had said it all at the start and been more specific so many ppl would be
asking the same questions
water below the door huh, pigs ****
that night i drove past a dumb female who got stuck in the water
friend of yours maybe

There was no reason to be so disrespectful towards LuvinmyEB, was there? She's upset that the mechanic didn't do the job properly as expected of him, and as a result we have to replace the engine, and you come along and post such a disrespectful and arrogant post. If you re-read the entire thread, as well as the other thread regarding this (I'll make it easy for you, it's located here) then you won't be making yourself look so silly. :evil_laug

Oh, and by bagging women drivers, you are only making it look as if you have some insecurity, or some problem which is not shared by the vast majority of people who are active on this forum. :evilsasmo

[bindi]

Gee you two are amazing, LuvinmyEB and Maddestman... I felt like kicking that guy's butt in abuse :jab:

I am offended on behalf of you two (AND women drivers!) but, like you, will not sink down to his pathetic level.

Good on you! When I look at his posts, and yours, let me be the first to say in a very mature way that guy was :

[MO]

Originally Posted by ba bullet

idiot huh,
u rude turd
you moron u say nothing about a proper timeline,
if u had said it all at the start and been more specific so many ppl would be
asking the same questions
water below the door huh, pigs ****
that night i drove past a dumb female who got stuck in the water
friend of yours maybe

You need a lesson in civility,good manners and using proper english.
There's only one rude moron here.....can you guess who.

[The MaDDeSTMaN]

Originally Posted by John McMaster

You need a lesson in civility,good manners and using proper english.
There's only one rude moron here.....can you guess who.

Well said, and now lets all move on and ignore that particular post from now on.

The important thing is what happens now, and that the dodgy mechanic is brought to justice. LuvinmyEB has (as she has already stated in this thread) an appointment with her lawyer, so after that, we'll be able to update this thread and let everybody know what further action is being taken.

BTW, this is the same mechanic who told me I needed a new engine back when I was driving the 1.6L 2 door Escort (before it became the property of LuvinmyEB) which does need to be rebuilt, but isn't beyond repair, he also told my brother he needed a new engine in the car he was driving a while back (which was a *shudders* Camry), which turned out to only need a new valve stem seal. He is also the same guy who replaced the exhaust on the 1.6L Escort, which the exhaust headers broke on earlier this year (see this thread)...

So I think it's safe to say we won't be sending any more business his way, not of our own, nor sending anybody else to him...

[Yaw]

Originally Posted by The MaDDeSTMaN

Well said, and now lets all move on and ignore that particular post from now on.

The important thing is what happens now, and that the dodgy mechanic is brought to justice. LuvinmyEB has (as she has already stated in this thread) an appointment with her lawyer, so after that, we'll be able to update this thread and let everybody know what further action is being taken.

BTW, this is the same mechanic who told me I needed a new engine back when I was driving the 1.6L 2 door Escort (before it became the property of LuvinmyEB) which does need to be rebuilt, but isn't beyond repair, he also told my brother he needed a new engine in the car he was driving a while back (which was a *shudders* Camry), which turned out to only need a new valve stem seal. He is also the same guy who replaced the exhaust on the 1.6L Escort, which the exhaust headers broke on earlier this year (see this thread)...

So I think it's safe to say we won't be sending any more business his way, not of our own, nor sending anybody else to him...

I am wondering, have you actually said anything inflamitory to this mechanic yet?
Like I mean have you called him a dirt rotten liar to his face?
If you have'nt done that yet, ask to see his creditials, that is his trade certificate. From that last post quoted above he likes to sell new engines.
My guess is probably reco's from places like repco or a third party suppler.
Which if my guess is correct he is not a qualifed mechanic and at very best if any trade at all a mechanical fitter.
differences between a mechanical fitter and a mechanic is that a mechanic firstly has to diagnose the problem then fix and fit the new parts.
I bet if you find either scenario correct it will be great boost to your case (law suit)

[GreenMachine]

Can we back this up a bit? Have you guys tried taking the plugs out and cranking it, as suggested a couple of times above? I would VERY STRONGLY SUGGEST that the engine is not in fact seized, merely hydraulic locked with a cylinder full of water. Whilst this isn't an ideal thing to happen to an engine, it CAN be cleaned up, and you MAY NOT HAVE TO SWAP ENGINES.

[The MaDDeSTMaN]

Originally Posted by Yaw

I am wondering, have you actually said anything inflamitory to this mechanic yet?
Like I mean have you called him a dirt rotten liar to his face?
If you have'nt done that yet, ask to see his creditials, that is his trade certificate. From that last post quoted above he likes to sell new engines.
My guess is probably reco's from places like repco or a third party suppler.
Which if my guess is correct he is not a qualifed mechanic and at very best if any trade at all a mechanical fitter.
differences between a mechanical fitter and a mechanic is that a mechanic firstly has to diagnose the problem then fix and fit the new parts.
I bet if you find either scenario correct it will be great boost to your case (law suit)

Nope, we havn't done anything to make him think we think any less of him as of yet. Thanks for the idea, good advice, just one question, how do you advise we ask to see this without him wondering why?

[ba bullet]

There was no reason to be so disrespectful towards LuvinmyEB, was there? She's upset that the mechanic didn't do the job properly

well she is the one starting it by calling me a idiot, wasnt reallly neccessary
i read thru the whole thread quickly u all act like i commited murder :tosser1:

[The MaDDeSTMaN]

Originally Posted by GreenMachine

Can we back this up a bit? Have you guys tried taking the plugs out and cranking it, as suggested a couple of times above? I would VERY STRONGLY SUGGEST that the engine is not in fact seized, merely hydraulic locked with a cylinder full of water. Whilst this isn't an ideal thing to happen to an engine, it CAN be cleaned up, and you MAY NOT HAVE TO SWAP ENGINES.

I'll go and do that soon, the plugs are already out, as is the radiator and oil has been drained, the battery is also out - it was almost flat and the positive terminal broke while we were removing it due to corrosion which destroyed the terminal.

So are you suggesting turning the engine over by hand or simply activating the starter motor without the plugs in, and is it ok to do either when the engine has no oil in it? And if turning the engine over by hand, which direction would we turn it (sorry if that seems like a stupid question, don't have any manuals or reference books here and don't want to turn it the wrong way), and what would be the best way to do it?

[XR Martin]

Just try starting it as you normally would without the plugs in it, if you're worried about the fact there is no oil in, just pour a little down the plug holes, although if the cylinders are full of water it wont make a difference anyway.
Biggest issue is the fact its been sitting for over a month full of water and my bet the bores are rusted to hell....

[GreenMachine]

my guess is that if you hit the starter for a couple of 2 second blasts, you'll find it ejects bulk water out the spark plug holes... Once that's happened, buy a bottle of that $4 super saver K-mart brand engine oil, fill the sump up, bolt everything back on and see if it runs. It'll prolly run like shite and cream the oil that's in there (due to water still trapped in oil galleries etc), but dump and change a few times and you'll be sweet (with any luck)...

a diesel flush may also be called for in these circumstances (that's where you fill the sump with diesel and crank it for a few moments, then drain and replace with oil)... some people think it's a bit agricultural, but we're talking about an engine that's had a drink and been seized for a month - i'm sure it can only help at this stage...

But yeah - i'm not saying the engine will be good as new, but if it's not *actually* seized and doesn't have bent rods, you can DEFINATELY get it running again... I've got engines running that have been sitting in paddock cars for years, bores rusted up etc - generally a change of oil, a shot of oil down the plug holes and a crank over by hand first (to avoid breaking rings) will have them at least starting...

[svo347]

Originally Posted by The MaDDeSTMaN

So are you suggesting turning the engine over by hand or simply activating the starter motor without the plugs in, and is it ok to do either when the engine has no oil in it? And if turning the engine over by hand, which direction would we turn it

Clockwise mate...

[The MaDDeSTMaN]

Another problem, went to hook up the battery to do as suggested and well, the pics say it all :(





So I guess I'll have to turn it over by hand... Although we're going to have to replace that connector sooner or later anyway... But what a pain in the @r$e :(

[Yaw]

Really gotta hand it to the two of you.
You have asked a lot of questions, gotten a lot of answers and been through hell and back with this situation and still have a sense of humor about it all.
I bet there are others out there like me that would love to come help you out if distance and time was not a problem.
My Hats off to you,
Hang in there.

[The MaDDeSTMaN]

Originally Posted by Yaw

Really gotta hand it to the two of you.
You have asked a lot of questions, gotten a lot of answers and been through hell and back with this situation and still have a sense of humor about it all.
I bet there are others out there like me that would love to come help you out if distance and time was not a problem.
My Hats off to you,
Hang in there.

Thanks, hopefully we'll get the beloved EB going again soon, which will certainly bring a huge smile to LuvinmyEBs face.

I guess it helps that I've done as much as I possibly can to ensure we've got at least one car here that still goes, and because of those efforts, we've got both my Mk II Escort and her Mk I Escort going again, not without their own dramas (my Mk II Escort is still leaking water from the water pump, but I've got it down to a slow drip instead of a steady stream, so as long as I remember to add another few hundred mls of water to the radiator each few days it'll be fine), but the EB is her baby, and it's really upsetting her to see it just sitting there in the back yard.

If anyone could possibly come over and help, it would be VERY much appreciated, I've learnt a fair bit about the english engines (both the OHV Kent and the OHC Pinto) in the Escorts over the years, but I'm the first to admit that I know very little about the Falcon MPEFI OHC 6's (fair few differences between a old school carbied 4 pot from the 70's and a much more modern EFI 6), and some help would be extremely appreciated, however I do understand that there are issues such as time, distance and $$$ which are not so easily resolved.

We have the attitude that things can only get better.

[LuvinmyEB]

Originally Posted by Yaw

Really gotta hand it to the two of you.
You have asked a lot of questions, gotten a lot of answers and been through hell and back with this situation and still have a sense of humor about it all.
I bet there are others out there like me that would love to come help you out if distance and time was not a problem.
My Hats off to you,
Hang in there.

Thanks Yaw, if I couldn't laugh at things I would have gone nuts a long time ago.. although some people that it's too late already. LOL!

If the car was my only problem I'd be a happy person, but we all have our own trials and tribulations so I wont start a sob thread. :voldar02:

I do however need some advice. I saw my Solicitor, he wanted at least $1000- deposit to take this on because of the size of the company that I would be taking on, and it would be a very possible chance that I would lose, then have to pay their court costs as well as my own.

My options are VCAT (I already have one case with them next week against my landlord : ), I only have to pay a $33 application fee, and have a mechanic or a letter from a qualified mechanic to say that my mechanic was not honest with what he said he did.

OR

I was thinking of going to the media, goodness knows that A Current Affair/Today Tonight love a dodgy mechanic story.

I think VCAT as stressful as it will be, is my first and possibly best option. If that fails then I'll email Ray. :hihi:

Does anyone else have any suggestions apart from the two above?

[Au2falcons]

Luvinmyeb, i had issues with my first car a 1993 Nissan Bluebird SSS (yes i know, should have a brought a falcon first) it spent the first 3 months of ownership in a nissan workshop in pieces. A small problem turned into some serious one's, it was all cover by warranty, they spent a total of 3.5K on parts alone. It's a very long story. What my point is, they stuffed me around heaps with dodgy repairs, very late repairs, very long times for parts to arrive. After three months i'd had it, no car to drive especially cause i bought it for 20K! So i spoke to the dept of fair trading, they were very helpful! They arranged a meeting with the service manager. The same day they rang the service dept. the service dept. rang me to try smooth things over. I had my car back two days later, it was dented, scratched & ran like shit but that's another story. Shonky repairers are scared of depts. like these, so go and see them. The photo evidence is a huge help. At least find out your rights and if anything can be done before you consider court expenses. I don't know if i missed it, though did he charge you for checking it over?

Cheers,
Adrian.

[MO]

Is the company a member of the local Chamber of Commerce,maybe you might get a look in there.
I'm sure if they are then the chamber would not be happy about bad publicity.

[LuvinmyEB]

Originally Posted by Au2falcons

Luvinmyeb, i had issues with my first car a 1993 Nissan Bluebird SSS (yes i know, should have a brought a falcon first) it spent the first 3 months of ownership in a nissan workshop in pieces. A small problem turned into some serious one's, it was all cover by warranty, they spent a total of 3.5K on parts alone. It's a very long story. What my point is, they stuffed me around heaps with dodgy repairs, very late repairs, very long times for parts to arrive. After three months i'd had it, no car to drive especially cause i bought it for 20K! So i spoke to the dept of fair trading, they were very helpful! They arranged a meeting with the service manager. The same day they rang the service dept. the service dept. rang me to try smooth things over. I had my car back two days later, it was dented, scratched & ran like shit but that's another story. Shonky repairers are scared of depts. like these, so go and see them. The photo evidence is a huge help. At least find out your rights and if anything can be done before you consider court expenses. I don't know if i missed it, though did he charge you for checking it over?

Cheers,
Adrian.

Herein lies the problem Adrian, there was no exchange of money, he assumed that I would just say fix it, like I usually do if he found a problem. That is why the dept. of consumer affairs don't want to touch it.

I now need to get him to write out what he allegedly checked on official letter head, but I think I can swing that one. ;)

He thinks I have a couple of prospective buyers for the car, I have a full service history since I bought it, if I can just get that out of him, I'll be ready to take them to VCAT.

[LuvinmyEB]

Originally Posted by John McMaster

Is the company a member of the local Chamber of Commerce,maybe you might get a look in there.
I'm sure if they are then the chamber would not be happy about bad publicity.

Being such a large multi national company, I would assume that they would have some sort of certificate of accreditation. I've never really looked around when I've been there, I might give them a call tomorrow as a prospective customer needing repairs and ask. ;)

Actually I'll ask for all their qualifications also.

Do they put "Rip Off Merchant/Grease Monkey" on certificates? :