8/14/06—Took my 1991 Honda Accord to this business to prepare for my 2nd attempt for emissions. I presented my diagnostic sheets to the owner, Ed, as instructed by the emissions staff.
He looked at the car and basically went over my estimates, as well as telling me that if anything else needed work, he'd let me know. Also, whatever was paid for the initial examination, would go towards the balance. He assured me a few times that after working on my car, I would pass emissions.
I said that I would pay $200 that day and will pay the balance on 8/16/06, I'd pick up the car, which was no problem to him. He told me that the car should be ready that day or the next, depending on what had to be done. He told me to call him within the hour so he could report what needed to be done.
I left the car and called back, in which he reported that the wires he thought were fine—weren't and that the gasket had oil leaking in where the spark plugs were. He also told me that the mechanic that I shouldn't put in any fuel injection for the gas. I had called him from Annapolis.
One hour later, my husband called and told me that the owner attempted to contact me and for me to call him, which I did. He told me that something else had to be done and he needed to show me. I told him that I was on my way home and I shall stop by.
When I arrived, he explained about te oil in the gasket with the spark plugs, etc. He told me that he would send me to the mechanic and he would explain furtherwhat had to be done. The mechanic, not too friendly, pulled up the rods from the gasket and just held it up for me to see without opening his mouth.
I commented on the oil and thanked him for working on it. When he did speak, he said to me that he was off the next day and he would try to finish before leaving.
The next day, my husband and I passed the garage and noticed that my car wasn't in the front where the finished cars were. So I had assumed that the mechanic hadn't completed the task.in fact, my husband saw the car parked behind the garage!
8/16/06—Pick up the car, paid the balance and went back to my house before preparing for emissions.By the time I entered my driveway, the car was smoking from under the hood. I called them back and I was told to bring it back.
Another guy, Lee, was there, for Ed wasn't returning until that Friday. Lee tells me that he knew what was wrong and that he'll fix it. He told me that sometimes the gasket that's ordered would twist itself while being screwed in, oil leaks onto the engine which burns and that he'd order another, but it would take a little time.
Within minutes, the "order" arrived and was placed in the car. I was told that the odor I would smell would be the seal that was put around the gasket cover. I leave, drive to Baltimore, put high octane in the tank and drive it to emissions in Glen Burnie—and fail for the 2nd time.
Went back to the emissions staff person with the receipts and the first thing I was told, was that I had been "ripped off" by this business. The man told me that the majority of people who come back from failing for the second time, went to All Tune and Lube.in fact, he stated that this business was one of two of the worst businesses to go to, to prepare for the emissions.
His co-worker came in with his lunch and the man said to him, "Guess where she took her car." Without hesitation, his co-worker said, "All Tune and Lube." The emissions staff gave me the usual paperwork along with a pamphlet of reputable garages to go to and All Tune... Wasn't listed.
When I was in the garage, I saw BBB certificates and plaques, but after going through all this, I checked the BBB website and found that they weren't even members. I called back and told Lee that I failed emissions.
He "seemed" shocked. I told him that they had a bad reputation up there. That's when he got upset and ranted on about his very good licensed mechanics, about the car having more than 250,000 miles on it, leaking oil, etc., as well as remarking that the emissions people who earned minimum wage weren't mechanics.
Also, he stated that they had no right to, in essence, make them look bad and furthermore, they were listed in their book—which they aren't anymore. I just let him talk.
I need to get an honest mechanic to check the car to see if anything was done to the car in the first place. I'm now at the point where I wonder if the "new order" was really the old gasket that was sealed. I really feel absolutely nothing was done, especially when I think of the car being in the back of the garage when it was to be finished.
Oh, by the way, my Honda didn't start today. I had to let it sit, as before and as before it started after a few minutes. I'm out of $380 and still have to get this car prepared for the 3rd visit to emissions on Sept. 27.
(This is the condensed version of the full report)
Michele
Severna Park, Maryland
U.S.A.
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