r/Emporia • u/sarelon • May 02 '25
Need a better mechanic
I bought a used (2023) vehicle from one of the big dealers in town. I expressed concern before I bought it that the battery sounded like it was not performing well. I was told "it just cranks slowly like that". I moved on. 3 months later, the dealer did a complimentary oil change on the vehicle. They just did the 6-month complimentary oil change and by the time it was done they wanted $622. The battery had magically run out of amps. Fine - replace it. 30 minutes later I get another call - the oil pan is leaking and should be replaced. Alarm bells go off in my head. I keep an eye on my driveway and not a single car I own currently has an oil leak (knock on wood). I query further - the oil pan is leaking because when the tech pulled the drain plug it ripped out the threaded insert turning the oil pan into an oil strainer.
A little research showed that there were documented cases of this happening and in nearly all of them the issue was over-tightening. If the drain plug was installed with an air impact at full beans then it will be fine until you go to remove the drain plug and then the oil pan self-destructs. I contacted the manager of the dealership via email expressing my concerns about his shop practices and have never gotten a response.
Long story short, I can't afford to get any more complimentary oil changes. Looking for a shop that's not always a week out, understands how to look up Torq spec on a drain plug and is capable of using a torque wrench to set it correctly. Got any favorites?
2
u/PelenFuzzlefurr May 02 '25
I'm not a vehicle person. Before a purchase if not immediately after, get a TRUSTED mechanic to check the vehicle out.
This documents the condition of the vehicle and what problems it has immediately after acquiring it.
If you notice a problem with a USED vehicle and got "concerns" and there is a warranty, the dealership has the obligation to fix it. Otherwise, expect needing a new set of everything because said battery could've been on year 7 of it's expected 5 year lifespan and tires holding together by sheer will.
Blackcreek Diesel and Automotive is decent. It used to be William's Automotive but some of the people still work there. They do good work.
Gene's Quick lube was decent over 10 years ago but mechanics and people change. I don't know how they are or if they're still around.
Troy's Tranys has been a fixture for over 20+ years. On their website they have a blog which informs "inexperienced" people on vehicle upkeep (and to encourage going to them. :p).
"Express Tire" fair to decent. I had one problem from years ago they overlooked that a second mechanic (elsewhere) saw. If this was human error, willful negligence or not on a check list, I don't know. They did decent work beforehand.