My car was brought in to have an oil change (to synthetic oil), replace the broken fog light (which I supplied) and to review the rattling noise while idling. After these last two repairs in 2 months totaling almost $1200, my auto still makes a "card on bicycle spoke" sound when it idles. The oil pan and pickup tube were overhauled, and it did show the lack of oil pressure was probably due to the oil not being cirulated throughout the engine. I was then informed the rattling noise is not due to the valve lifters or tappets, but to the expansion of the internal cylinder walls, and can only be resolved with REPLACING THE ENGINE. ( This additional cost is estimated ~$2K minimum. )
When my car was ready after 3 weeks, there 1) wasn't a new sticker showing whether or not the oil had been changed. The previous oil sticker is still in place- 2) Sitting outside for 3 weeks, my car had acquired some dust from the surrounding construction projects, and hadn't been washed. Granted, it's not part of the service, but it would have been a nice gesture for the extra time. Upon driving it less than 5 miles, there was a noticable "thunk" sound coming from the drivers side wheel well, which was due to the wheel bushings being loose. Thankfully, this work was completed at no charge.
Though I agreed to these charges made for the service provided, it is important to note the auto did NOT have this idling sound when the initial oil change work was performed. Granted, these engine problems after less than 2,000 highway miles, so it appears my options are to live with the noise, get a new engine, or get a different automobile entirely.
Though both gentlemen here earned my trust, and had performed outstanding work in the past, this service work and time involved DID NOT solve the problem. Having me drive it with NO NEW OIL STICKER and loose bushings on the driver side?
more