Add this shop to the list of places that will ruin your car.
I had some work done there. Rear brakes - no problem. Starter motor replaced. Failed 11 months later and replaced for free. Again no problem. Very happy and satisfied.
I had a water pump replaced in Dec '05. The mechanic stole my temperature probe out of my dashboard. I complained and Jim replaced it. OK. I paid $570 for this fiasco. They replaced both belts and tensioner. They did not call me to ask me about these. They also charged me for new anti freeze and a radiator cap.
The car still has the old cap. I didn't complain because I figured the belts were old anyway. Not sure why I needed a new tensioner, though. I trusted them.
In Jan '06, they did my front brakes. They left the lug nuts loose on the left front wheel !! The car had a little shimmy but it was really bad now. Took the car to Riverside Tires for a wheel balance and rotation. The lug nuts were hand tight. I was able to unscrew them myself by hand with the car jacked up. I then complained to Hios. I told them to fire the mechanic who worked on my car.
Two weeks ago, I was checking my fluids. My new radiator is filled with rust. The cap is coated with rust. I then drained the system. The antifreeze was not green. It was red. I have worked on cars all my life and have changed a few water pumps in my time. I have never seen anything like this. I cannot believe the amount of corrosion that occurred in 5 months. I have taken very good care of this car. The coolant has always been a nice green color.
I believe these idiots put Dexcool in my system without flushing it out. This is incompatible with the old green antifreeze, because it breaks down the rust inhibitors. How much damage they have done to my car I really don't know at this point. It's all apart in my driveway. I have to replace all the hoses. I will do the work myself.
They should be thankful I am not taking their sorry asses to court.
Bob S. Bergenfield, NJ
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