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vtbob

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Lets suppose you have a 3 cylinder vehicle - I am not talking about a Holden.
Its running fine, then out of the blue it revs up by itself.

You take it to a specialist and they inspect it & change the throttle cables and charge you $320.

The first time you use the vehicle it does the same thing again!

You take it back and this time they say that they will have to machine the bushes for the butterflies in the carbies.
This they do at a cost of $530.

You get the vehicle back and after a short running period the engine seizes - middle piston seized.

They say that it could cost $500 - $800 or maybe more depending what they find.

Eventually they said that they would have to remove the engine to give it a thorough inspection - You agree, and they replace a number of components and are given a bill of $2,600 which you pay.

After running the vehicle for a short while you notice that the engine revving problem is still there! You take it back and this time the specialist replaces a screw and an 'o'ring on the carbies and charges you $40 - This finally seems to fix the engine revving problem.

After the rebuild that they had done you were advised to bring it back for a service after 'so many' hours.

Unfortunately the vehicle doesn't quite make it to 'so many' hours and the middle piston seizes again - this time putting a con-rod through the casing.

The specialist is under the impression that because the con-rod went through the block you cannot blame them for the engine failing again, even though the middle piston almost went into meltdown!

They now say that they will repair what they repaired on the initial rebuild etc, but we must pay another $1,300 for a replacement crankshaft.

Anybody think the specialist has a leg to stand on?:bang:
 

GLITRES

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mate, I can't belive the problems you've had.
I'm not gonna give you advice as i have not had that much experiance with mechanics.
But good luck and i'm sure someone on here will know what to do..
 

accentstencil

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I really think they are taking you for a ride, if it ever gets sorted out I would never go back. Some of those prices seem awfully steep. What sort of vehicle are we talking about?
 

Hot-Rod

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I think if you pay the money the same thing could happen again where you have a problem and they blame it on something else and charge u more monies. I would suggest making a complaint with the fair trading department in your state in an attempt to re-cope some cost, however lengthy process. In the long run it would have been cheaper for you to put in a new engine or reconditioned one. Which mechanic is this so i never go there?
 

jasevt

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I wouldn't let them get away with it for a start, i would do what hot rod said threaten to take them to court etc, see what they do and post what mechanic it was so none of us ever go to them. Can i ask what were you thinking why did you keep going back anyway? you learn off your mistakes, good luck anyway!
 

vtbob

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Ok, not to confuse anybody, it is my sons jetski.

We are at present enquiring with consumer affairs.

My son doesn't know too much about engines especially 2 strokes, but when I went down to have a word with the specialist, he was a little suprised that I knew quite abit, having worked in the engine assembly & test department at a big 2 stroke technology company.

The whole thing is a bit sensitive because at the end of the day, this monkey will be putting it back together!
 

kart_racer

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If possible this 'specialist' should be taken to the cleaners... a probably $2 o-ring was the problem and he charged you thousands and ruined your engine. Document everything and talk to the consumer affairs association for automotive repairers...can't think of the name off the top of my head.

Could you PM me the name of this 'specialist'?

Edit: Well obviously my post can be disregarded considering its a jet ski and you have already started proceedings.
 

fitz_vt

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Lets suppose you have a 3 cylinder vehicle - I am not talking about a Holden.
Its running fine, then out of the blue it revs up by itself.

You take it to a specialist and they inspect it & change the throttle cables and charge you $320.

The first time you use the vehicle it does the same thing again!

You take it back and this time they say that they will have to machine the bushes for the butterflies in the carbies.
This they do at a cost of $530.

You get the vehicle back and after a short running period the engine seizes - middle piston seized.

They say that it could cost $500 - $800 or maybe more depending what they find.

Eventually they said that they would have to remove the engine to give it a thorough inspection - You agree, and they replace a number of components and are given a bill of $2,600 which you pay.

After running the vehicle for a short while you notice that the engine revving problem is still there! You take it back and this time the specialist replaces a screw and an 'o'ring on the carbies and charges you $40 - This finally seems to fix the engine revving problem.

After the rebuild that they had done you were advised to bring it back for a service after 'so many' hours.

Unfortunately the vehicle doesn't quite make it to 'so many' hours and the middle piston seizes again - this time putting a con-rod through the casing.

The specialist is under the impression that because the con-rod went through the block you cannot blame them for the engine failing again, even though the middle piston almost went into meltdown!

They now say that they will repair what they repaired on the initial rebuild etc, but we must pay another $1,300 for a replacement crankshaft.

Anybody think the specialist has a leg to stand on?:bang:

like many have suggested contact the Office of Business and Consumer Affairs or Fair Trading in your state but i believe that your in the right but there are so many different laws for different states there isnt much advice to go for this issue.

Oh what state are you in i might be able to find the piece of legislation for you?
 

faroogoo

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If all else fails,tell them you'll sit outside of theyre shop/workshop with a sign alerting the public of unprofessional workmanship.

If they call you out on it do it for a week & see what happens.

I've heard of people doing it before with Car dealerships & its worked so why not.
 
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