Dishonest Auto Repair Shops

I recently took my car to a auto repair shop that boast of having 1500 auto care stores nationwide. The reason I took my car to the shop was because my "check engine" light came on. It also seemed like my gas milage had decreased.

I was charged $79.99 for a "computerized engine analysis." They connected a instrument to my car to find out why the "check engine" light came on. Here is what they said was wrong with myauto.

They said the system was running lean, meaning that extra gas was being pumped into my fuel injectors. It's all done by computer, so if the car is running lean, it automatically adjust by pumping more gas into the fuel injectors.

This is what they said they had to do.

They would have to remove & replace the upper and lower intake manifold gaskets. The parts would cost $139.00 and the labor would cost $281.60. I would have to leave my auto at the shop and the job would take up to 5 hours. I told them that I didn't want to spend that kind of money and that I couldn't stick around for another 5 hours.

So I got in my auto and started to drive home. I immediately noticed that the "check engine light" was no longer on and the car was running much better. I can't tell you how puzzled I was at this new development.

It looks like what ever they hooked the computer engine analysis tool up to, was just loose, allowing air into the injectors causing the engine to run lean. After they took the engine analysis tool off and reconnected everything properly, the problem was solved. I'm positive they knew what the problem was, but tried to get me to fork out over $400 for a job I really didn't need.

Some of my friends say that they probably didn't realize that the fitting was just probably loose, but I don't believe that. They are the professionals and should have known better. Remember they boast of having 1500 auto care stores nationwide, so this couldn't have been the first time this situation has arised.

I never confronted them regarding this issue, but I will no longer take my car there for service. That's the type of person I am.