Major ripoff?
09-05-2005, 02:17 AM
#1
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Major ripoff?
My aunt'* Cavalier recently broke down, and of all places she took it to Midas. 
They checked it over and decided that the timing chain had broke, so they replaced it and the car didn't work. They later decided the engine had seized up, and they were going to put in a recycled engine. Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't it be impossible to change the timing chain on a seized motor? Isn't it impossible to line the dots up, and not notice something else was wrong? She got charged for the timing chain (and labor for it) and then they ended up putting in the recycled engine, and she got charged $800 for the engine, w/o trans, and 140,000km'* on it. On top of that, there were so many hours of labor it was rediculous. Total was over $2000 CAD, and she got nothing in return for her old engine, which had all its working accessories etc.
She got screwed over big time. $800 for a 2.2L Cavalier engine with 140,000km'* and no trans?!?! For the love of God, don't take your car to a muffler and brake shop for major work...
They checked it over and decided that the timing chain had broke, so they replaced it and the car didn't work. They later decided the engine had seized up, and they were going to put in a recycled engine. Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't it be impossible to change the timing chain on a seized motor? Isn't it impossible to line the dots up, and not notice something else was wrong? She got charged for the timing chain (and labor for it) and then they ended up putting in the recycled engine, and she got charged $800 for the engine, w/o trans, and 140,000km'* on it. On top of that, there were so many hours of labor it was rediculous. Total was over $2000 CAD, and she got nothing in return for her old engine, which had all its working accessories etc.
She got screwed over big time. $800 for a 2.2L Cavalier engine with 140,000km'* and no trans?!?! For the love of God, don't take your car to a muffler and brake shop for major work...
09-05-2005, 02:25 AM
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the recycled engine price sounds a lil high. But either way...I'm prety sure she still got to keep her accesories....Just because a salvage yard only sell one motor with all the accessories, and that'* the Chrysler 3.2L I think...Because the 2.7'* are junk....or it'* the other way around. I can't remember which way it goes off hand.
09-05-2005, 06:24 AM
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they didnt give her the timing chain job back? what a bunch of jerks! they clearly diagnosed the problem as being that, and fixed it. as for the engine, i dont know what to say, i never would have thought that midas did anything like that. i say try and fight for the timing chain job if you want.
09-05-2005, 02:06 PM
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Woah.... I have yet to see a newer 2.2 jump time... I seriously doubt that this was the real issue other than their techs had no clue what they were really doing...
What year is this Cavi? Before I go any further?
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What year is this Cavi? Before I go any further?
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09-05-2005, 04:05 PM
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I mentioned my exhaust troubles elsewhere... we were *this* close to going into Midas for emergency repairs because we were far (enough) from home and without tools. Canadian Tire mechanics were going home for the day and weren't going to start any new work.
A headache and two pairs of bloody ears later, the exhaust was fixed *at home*, with just a welder that plugs into your wall (no gas). Not sure what type, but it did the job.
Screw Midas
A headache and two pairs of bloody ears later, the exhaust was fixed *at home*, with just a welder that plugs into your wall (no gas). Not sure what type, but it did the job.
Screw Midas
thats to bad.
09-06-2005, 01:37 PM
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Ok..
After tinkering with a few 2.5 Iron dukes, there were 2 versions, one had timming gears which liked to strip and jump time.... Gm later changed that and went to a chain... I have seen a tensioner or 2 break and rub a hole in the timming cover, but none of them ever jumped time...
Now with the 2.2, I have never seen a single one jump time, or have a timming chain break... I can't say that its impossible, but very very rare... Its actually more common that a 2.2 will have head gasket trouble, and usually towards the rear of the block... The correction is to remove the head and have it straightened and possibly shaved if needed and then reinstall with a new head gasket... Most I have seen go 100,000+ before they have any trouble... I have seen a few go before that, but you have to look at how many 2.2'* are on the road as well...
I'm not sure what kind of damage was done to aunts engine... Its possible that it may have locked up... But the question why still remains... Even if it did jump timeand crushed a valve the chances are that it would not have sized up, it may have a point where it will no longer turn due to a valve being crushed in there but not totally locked... I would have been the first person pull the valve cover off to see if any of the vales were damaged... On a 2.2 if you had found a loose looking rocker( very loose ) then chances would be you would have found you crushed valve...
Just make sure she never takes her car back there again... I am hopeful that she will get a lot of life out of the newer 2.2
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After tinkering with a few 2.5 Iron dukes, there were 2 versions, one had timming gears which liked to strip and jump time.... Gm later changed that and went to a chain... I have seen a tensioner or 2 break and rub a hole in the timming cover, but none of them ever jumped time...
Now with the 2.2, I have never seen a single one jump time, or have a timming chain break... I can't say that its impossible, but very very rare... Its actually more common that a 2.2 will have head gasket trouble, and usually towards the rear of the block... The correction is to remove the head and have it straightened and possibly shaved if needed and then reinstall with a new head gasket... Most I have seen go 100,000+ before they have any trouble... I have seen a few go before that, but you have to look at how many 2.2'* are on the road as well...
I'm not sure what kind of damage was done to aunts engine... Its possible that it may have locked up... But the question why still remains... Even if it did jump timeand crushed a valve the chances are that it would not have sized up, it may have a point where it will no longer turn due to a valve being crushed in there but not totally locked... I would have been the first person pull the valve cover off to see if any of the vales were damaged... On a 2.2 if you had found a loose looking rocker( very loose ) then chances would be you would have found you crushed valve...
Just make sure she never takes her car back there again... I am hopeful that she will get a lot of life out of the newer 2.2
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