Auto mechanics: I need some help

My Blazer has an automatic transmission and it has not been shifting properly. I got it into the shop last night and just picked it up. My regular guy was too busy to fit me in, so I had to take in to a shop that I never used.

The goddamn bill was $2,713.

Here is what the bill says:

Hooked up transmission to diagnostic computer. Diagnostics showed Code C37A, clogged vapor channels. Removed vapor channels and noted that they were clogged about 80%. Replaced all 6 vapor channels with Hetox Brand channels. Cleaned retainer plates and reassembled transmission.

Well, the guy was trying to explain what he did, but he was talking me in circles. I Googled this stuff, but could not find anything.

What the hell did this guy do? The damn thing is still running like shit.

Tell me this, did you sign anything saying that they'd have to call if the total price were to go above a certain amount? I've never had a mechanic do more than $300 or so worth of work without him calling to approve first. Seeing as you can probably get an entirely new (used) transmission installed for less than that, it sounds like a terrible deal. I consider myself to be a bit of a gear head, but I've never heard of vapor channels as pertaining to transmissions.

It's all ball bearings nowadays. Now you prepare that Fetzer valve with some 3-in-1 oil and some gauze pads. And you're gonna need 'bout ten quarts of anti-freeze, preferably Prestone. No, no make that Quaker State.

Maybe that guy needs a refresher course.

paging Dr. RosenRosen

Especially if you still have the bill. I did a search for clogged vapor channels on google and got precisely one result. This page. Considering that clogged vapor channels do not exist, you might be looking at a significant refund. Make him show you the manual that shows C37A as being the code for clogged vapor channels. Assuming you're not joking about this, I think you might have a full refund.

Because cyclists take their vehicles to bike mechanics who end up screwing them.

Then you don't have to pay for it. What is on your bill sounds like gibberish to me. What year and engine is the Blazer? For a $2700 surprise bill, it should be running like a new Rolls. Can you stop the check, or the credit card charge? I can check up on what the problem might really be, but this sounds crazy!
My wife's minivan grenaded the automatic - but we bought the warranty when we bought it, so waiting for the tow truck was the only issue.

But frankly I think you got shafted. The only channels in an automotive tranny are cut into metal and cannot be replace. There are no vapors that need to be either captured or filtered (that's in the fuel system). My guess, they probably tightened the bands on the tranny and decided to charge you the big bucks.

You can do a couple of things to check. Go down to your local library, they should have a Chiltons mechanics manual for your particular make and model, and you should be able to find out what the code means, if anything. You can also look up vapor channels and find out there aren't any.

You can also consult a mechanic that you trust, and when he gets done laughing, use him as a witness as you take a lawyer along to the ripoff artist to demand your money back. Don't let this pass, you got screwed.

You only have a limited amount of time to successfully protest charges to your account, so do it immediately (if you paid by credit card). One of the very few good things about paying by credit card it is it does give you a few rights you might not otherwise have. When you protest the entire bill follow all of their instructions and to ensure it gets to them send it via registered/return receipt requested.

I have found it easy to protest charges and have them removed from my account. Merchants don't want to bother with fighting every case so they just issue a credit. But your situation is different because it sounds like it's a mom & pop business.

If you can't successfully protest and have the charge removed from your credit account, then sue their business. It only takes $50-$100 to take them to court. And when you go to court have a certified mechanic who is ready and willing to debunk all of the claims of the business who worked on your car. I have been to small claims court seven times and my record is 7-0. The last time I asked for a jury trial so I got to pick my jurors and go through the entire judicial procedure. It turned out to be the longest small claims case in that court's history. But I won and I was up against a big shot lawyer from Houston making $500-$1000 an hour.

FIGHT! Don't let yourself be abused, taken or swindled!!!

(write me if you want any other advice. I love to help people who are being shafted)

Thank you all for the responses.

I told the guy about what you were all telling me, and he refunded me $275.

I feel a little better now.

I just scared all the pets.
:spray: :rofl:

Unless he can pull out a box that contains "Hetox Brand Vapor Channels," he has a BIG problem. I googled "hetox brand" and came up with two things: this thread, and some sort of crap to drink to let you pass a piss test.

I'd hardly take that as a consolation.

I called him again this morning and he said he would give me coupons for 3 free oil changes if I "got off his back".

I'm thinking about it.

If so, it's not terribly funny. If not, you really have no idea how to deal with this type of person.

:spray: :rofl:
this thread is causing a lot of damage to the papers on my desk

without telling you and getting a go-ahead first. There shouldn't be a surprise at bill-presenting time.

And HETOX channnels aren't even the best replacement brand, anyway.

For that price, your mechanic should have at least installed the SuperFlows. Way more efficient.