Mechanic Failed to Fix Problem (Connecticut, New Haven)

[justicejohn]

New Haven, CT

Hey I was wondering if someone could tell me if I have a case against a mechanic (Tony) that I used a couple months ago. I have a 2002 BMW 330 xi and for the past year and a half I have noticed that a burnt dusty smell has been routinely coming up from underneath the car. I took it to the BMW dealership a few times throughout 2007 and early 2008 and they said that they could not find what I was talking about. In May of this year I took it to Tony who was referred by a friend to get it serviced. About a month later, in June, I was driving it and a huge plume of that burnt and dusty smoke engulfed the area around my car and my car started to shake and then turned off and would not start back up again. Tony, the mechanic, now says I blew a head gasket and I now need to buy another entire ENGINE to replace the old one. He wants me to buy it from HIM with a $1500 service fee!!

My problem is that I took it to him to get it serviced and a little more than a month later a head gasket blows and I need an entirely new engine!!! It is his job to service the car, make any and all corrections necessary, and to thereby prevent any future problems. Should I have a problem with Tony, the dealership or both?
Do I have a case?

Thank You,
Bill

 

[snooks]

is this the same "tony"

same problem new haven ct. i brought car to a "tony" in aug. complaint was that the car was chugging blowing out white smoke and overheating and coolant was leaking. He charged $500 said it was good to go.


Days after leaving similar problems occur I could not bring the car in but went by to let him know, IT'S NOT FIXED AND WILL BRING IT WHEN I CAN. I returned from a trip, left the car parked here, then brought it in, he said head gasket is blown and it'll be $1000.

I said well what was the 500 for, he started the mechanic talk (single female as I am I guess I was a good target) and said he could not have known it was a blown gasket unless he looked for it. The symptoms are the bloody same and NOW he finds it. So please answer cause if its the same shop you bet we have a claim.

I am so angry because now that I know what a blown gasket means, OF COURSE that was the original problem that occured on a long trip from the south to Ct. and I'm angry because he genuinely seemed like a good guy, like an idiot I have referred 4 others two of whom have dropped 3 grand there. I now feel it was intentionally taken, otherwise he'd step up admit a mistake charge me for parts and fix it for free.

 

[Xero]

I think this post is in the wrong thread o_o

Besides that,
It would be best for you to start out by notifying the Better Business Bureau of your problem. That way others have a chance of avoiding this shop when they go to it.