misdiagnosed repair what to do ??

[82XD393.3v]

Hi im after some advice on how to go about recouping some of the money i was charged for a repair that wasn't nessary
I broke down a couple of weeks ago in a diesel transit van took to my normal mechanic but he didn't have the tools or diagnostic equipment to find the problem he spoke to a guy who works on tranists and he advise it take it to a diesel injection and fuel specialist which i did
first day they ran a scan diagnostic machine which gave them no errors,the following day i was told my high pressure injector pump was shot and need to be overhauled so i had the work done at a cost of $3300 of which $1770 was labour and the rest parts after 5working days i got my van back and as i use this as my income i also lost $1200 in income
About 2 to 3 days after it started to show the signs of the problem reoccuring
(trouble starting) till about 6 days it stopped again and i couldn't get it going (identical symptoms and breakdown)i got it towed to the repairer they did a scan again and nothing was told maybe the injector pump is gone again nexted day got a call your vans ready turns out the drain plug on the fuel pump had a small leak so it was drawing in air which inturn air locked the injector pump
Picked it up walked in the receptionist saw me coming and quickly grab me keys and invoice and handed it to me without a word and retreated into her office before i could say anything
So the problem was a $60dollar fuel filter all along and the obviously knew they where in the wrong but instead of appoligising to me and offering at least the labour charges back i got ignored what can i do???
$3300 on unessary repare plus 1700 in lost income

[HSVKILLA]

That is extremely harsh treatment,i hope someone here can give you the right direction to head in cause that would keep me up at night with my blood boiling,good luck with your situation,also did i mention that i think it really sucks big time. :

[Wally]

Maybe both repairs were necessary and/or the second one was poor reassembly?

[82XD393.3v]

they didn't replace the fuel filter the first time
the way it broke down and symptoms leading up to break down was identical all they did this time was scan the engine for faults and replaced the fuel filter problem fixed
orginal prob before injector pump was replaced first start in morning ok if turned engine off before normal engine operating temp for longer than 2mins trouble starting this continued for about 3 weeks before it stopped completely
was sitting at idle at rail crossing for our 5mins went to take off from lights it died would not start
After injector pump identical starting issues after 3 days,day it stopped with engine idleing for approx same time 5mins while loading up went to take off and it died
fuel site window with filter replacement gauge 2/3s full before and after repair now with new filter site window full no air in it
its a clear case of guessing the problem and not checking the fuel system completely before fixing injector pump unnessarly

[macca13]

Agreed the first checks for a fuel problem in a diesel are air in the fuel, change the filters and check fuel pressures. Like you said 82xd lazy diagnosis.

[yift]

they may not have replaced the fuel filter but usually they drain the fuel line from the filter before they start work on the injector pump. also i know with diesels that drain plug is for moisture aswell, to get rid of any in the fuel system, so they may have done that as part of the diagnosis.

[Teflon Turbo]

i would like to know who they are eventually.

i reckon our side of melb has the most (per capita) dodgiest bastards in the world!

i feel for ya mate.

[xr6turbo2005]

i guess the big issue is proof. front the mechanic and see what they say, maybe in writing by a solicitor. (call their bluff so to say)
failing that id suggust you'd have to gather as much info from reliable sources, such as manufacturer or perhaps RACV etc then maybe go through Small Claims.

good luck

[82XD393.3v]

Originally Posted by xr6turbo2005

i guess the big issue is proof. front the mechanic and see what they say, maybe in writing by a solicitor. (call their bluff so to say)
failing that id suggust you'd have to gather as much info from reliable sources, such as manufacturer or perhaps RACV etc then maybe go through Small Claims.

good luck

yeah sound like a plan

[XR Martin]

Id say you would be out of luck.
Most decent mechanics start with the cheap repairs first, then move on to the more expensive stuff.

[Papa Smurf]

Originally Posted by XR6 Martin

Id say you would be out of luck.
Most decent mechanics start with the cheap repairs first, then move on to the more expensive stuff.

Unless they are like Medical specialists, they start with the BEEG $$ first

[Yaw]

have you actually talked to the manager about the situation?
I reckon it would be a fair call to ask for the old parts back so you ncan have them indepenantly tested. That should be enough to then ask for the price of the labour back if they cannot produce them.

[Peuty]

Being a Transit, the injector pump was probably due to fail anyway.

[BOSHOG]

Originally Posted by Teflon Turbo

i would like to know who they are eventually.

i reckon our side of melb has the most (per capita) dodgiest bastards in the world!

i feel for ya mate.

try living in newcastle!

[Mr Hardware]

Originally Posted by XR6 Martin

Id say you would be out of luck.
Most decent mechanics start with the cheap repairs first, then move on to the more expensive stuff.

Yeah. My mechanic is like this. Yes once or twice we've replaced stuff that it turned out wasn't broken - but it was the cheap stuff! Overall, this should always be the first port of call. Check the basics first.

[reece1]

hi
with your initial problem. did it start fine and run fine till you turned it off at operating temp. then when you went to start it it wouldnt start. but if you left it for half an hour to a hour it would start fine.?

[82XD393.3v]

Originally Posted by Peuty

Being a Transit, the injector pump was probably due to fail anyway.

that would seem to be there atitude also but sometimes things arn't as easy as that as this proves

[82XD393.3v]

Originally Posted by reece1

hi
with your initial problem. did it start fine and run fine till you turned it off at operating temp. then when you went to start it it wouldnt start. but if you left it for half an hour to a hour it would start fine.?

no during the period to operating temp it would have issues with starting

[LowEL2XR8]

They could just be poor mechanics. Not doing it to rip you off just didn't know what they were doing.