ComplaintsforDavid's Star Automotive, LLC

• Initial Complaint

  10/26/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  In August of this year I had a break down on the I90 and had my vehicle (2012 *** 4 2.5 engine) towed to David Star Automotive. A bolt backed out from the timing chain guide and and caused major engine damage, I paid 260.00 for a determination of the problem. I was told the timing chain was broken but no further damage was evident. I approved the the repair but after spending 3351.02 the car would not start and I had to tow the car to my house where I completed the repair my self, installing a used engine. The work was shoddy at best as the new timing chain was not aligned to the timing marks (see picture #2), there was sealant still attached to the cam sprocket(picture #3), and the reluctor wheel was pushed back at least a 1/4 of an inch(picture#4) This alone would cause the engine not to start but was none the less reassembled and I was charged knowing it would never start, further I was charged for an AC evacuation and recharge which could not be done without the engine running, After fixing the car I took it back stating I wanted the AC recharged as I was already charged for this, the mechanic agreed and when I went to have it completed, I was told I had to pay 39.00 for freon for I job I already paid for. I refused and am looking into small claims court. I was ready to let this go until this, as I consider this action be fraudulent The last paragraph of the the labor charges states this was done but is impossible.

  Business response

  10/28/2021

  1. The reluctor wheel on the camshaft had some cosmetic damage that was able to be seen, but what could not be determined was if the reluctor wheel was moved on the crank due to the timing chain guide bolt that fell down.
  

  2. The dealership only sells the reluctor wheel pre-attached to the crankshaft because the placement of the reluctor wheel is crucial to engine timing since the crankshaft sensor reads the position of the crank by that wheel.  Therefore, there are no marks on the crankshaft that indicates the correct position of the reluctor wheel in relation to the crank.
  3. Because of the state of the art air conditioning equipment that we have, we do not have to have the motor running to find out if there is enough a/c refrigerant in the system.
  4. After **** replaced the motor himself and asked to have the a/c system recharged, we offered to wave the $179.99 air conditioning service fee that covers freon and labor, to only a $39 fee to cover the cost of the freon.

   

  Customer response

  10/28/2021

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
   This is not true, there are clear marks on the crank shaft itself showing the relutor wheel being spun and pushed back. This is not mere cosmetic damages I have a attached a still from a timing chain manufacturer showing the mark on the reluctor wheel and the key for the crank sprocket supposed to be in alignment, also the timing marks in regard to the cam sprockets and chain were not correct. The problem about the ac is that he charged me for labor for a recharge which he did not do. His offer is to do something he already charged me for. I think fraud would be the proper term. I have a universal refrigeration license. but since I already paid for it why should I? Also I do believe he was supposed to recover the refrigerant in the first place, My next step will be small claims court
  Regards,
  
  **** *****
  
  
  
  
  

  Business response

  11/02/2021

  Is **** claiming that we turned the reluctor wheel or is he aware that the reluctor wheel was damaged and turned by the timing chain guide bolt that fell down to the crank?  Which in my previous statement it was mentioned that the reluctor wheel is pressed on by the manufacturer precisely where it needs to go.  Because there are no marks to indicate the placement of the reluctor wheel, we were not sure if the wheel had been moved or not. 
  The timing chain was installed correctly and is still correct.  If he thinks that the picture he has provided proves that the timing is incorrect then he is unaware of how the links in the chain rotate around the crankshaft and camshaft.
  Did Jack disconnect the a/c system when he changed the motor?  The labor guide includes the removal of the a/c compressor when a motor is changed.  It stands to reason that he would have lost the freon when he removed the a/c compressor when he performed the motor swap.

  We have tried to reach the customer by telephone to remedy this situation. Please feel free to call the shop and ask for Don or David. We would be willing to re-charge the A/C unit and waive the entire fee, including the charge for the freon, if that would be acceptable. 

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