Mechanic charges for undone work: how would you address the problem?

[LurkingLuke]

Paid an independent mechanic shop to service my 82,000-mile transmission (flush, replace filter and fluid). About $400+ if I remember correctly.

A year later, another mechanic checks my trans fluid and it's dark and grimy. I check it myself to confirm: legitimate DIRT on the dipstick. I assume the mechanic never serviced my transmission, just took the money for it.

If it's possible for this to happen in such a young transmission, please let me know. Otherwise, assuming the mechanic didn't actually service my trans, what is the wisest way to ask him to deal with it? He knows where I live so I don't want to piss him off too much. Was thinking of saying "Hey, maybe your shop assistant forgot to perform the servicing?" but I don't even know if he has a shop assistant.

MAIN QUESTION: how do I get my trans serviced like I paid for? Or, alternately, what could cause my fluid to turn so brown and gritty in only the mileage usually recommended for just an oil change?

 

[Fless]

What did the fluid look like right after it was 'serviced?'

 

[LurkingLuke]

What did the fluid look like right after it was 'serviced?'

I didn't check until a solid year later. Yolk's on me, I guess.

 

[Coveman]

I’d go with the truth, maybe try the Columbo approach…”So, how long should my transmission fluid look fresh after a flush?”.

It’s always a good idea to look over the results of a job when you pick up the vehicle, I remember having an oil change and when I got home I checked the dipstick and it was a quart high with dirty oil. (He put new oil on top of the old oil filter). The shop gave me a free oil change coupon when I went back.

 

[15burban]

About $400+ if I remember correctly.

By this statement I take it you don't have the receipt? If you do does it say flush on it?

After a year I say it's a fat chance getting them to do or redo it on their dime. I'd go with the suggestion above when bringing it up to the shop.

 

[OR VietVet]

ALWAYS check fluids after changes/flushes. In my case, I would even crawl under and check diff fluids. But, I do all my own fluids changes.

Yea, no receipt because you are guessing at the total. Save the damn receipts! Possible transmission problems? Do you tow with the truck? How many miles, 1 year later, after the 82k miles service? "Dirt" on the stick? You can "feel" dirt? Or just looks dirty? Color?

 

[SpareParts]

You never checked after the service. How do you know it was not done? Do you have proof it was not done, or is the other mechanic just telling you that?
My thinking is after a year you do not have proof of anything even if you had a receipt. If i was the shop owner and you came back to me a year later saying i did not do the work, I would tell you i did do the work and after a year you can not prove i did not. It is also your responsibility to check it out and make sure you are satisfied with the repair, You did not.
A legit shop owner is not going to let anyone get away with that a year later.
A dishonest owner would probably just tell you to eff off.

 

[Doubeleive]

A YEAR LATER.....
KEEP MOVING JOKER....
but let's say it was done, in that case either you drove the literal piss out of it or the transmission clutches are burning/burnt up. or it has been overheated a lot
that all being said, generally speaking transmissions do not get dirt in them, very little to none under normal circumstances.

 

[Fless]

Could the "dirt" you saw on the dipstick be clutch material (gritty?), not actual dirt?

 

[OR VietVet]

I have only seen one time in oh so many years in shops, and heard of it many times, that a transmission that has not had timely maintenance and then gets a flush with a complete fluid change, that shocks the clutches and they start to come apart.

 

[homesick]

I have only seen one time in oh so many years in shops, and heard of it many times, that a transmission that has not had timely maintenance and then gets a flush with a complete fluid change, that shocks the clutches and they start to come apart.

I've heard the possibility of that argued back and forth forever.

Now I have an answer from a source I think trustworthy. Thanks Big'un.

joe

 

[OR VietVet]

I've heard the possibility of that argued back and forth forever.

Now I have an answer from a source I think trustworthy. Thanks Big'un.

joe

Ohhhh garrrsssshhhhh....you're making me blush!

 

[homesick]

Ohhhh garrrsssshhhhh....you're making me blush!

LOL, it's your color, too.

joe

 

[dkad260]

I don't want to say anyone isn't fully straightforward, but we have to look at all angles here.

We have two different mechanics in the mix, but have you personally checked the fluid since your last visit?

Can you pull the dipstick and take a pic without cleaning it off...just as it looks when you remove it. Then wipe it on a white cloth or paper towell and post the pic. I've seen many types of shenanigans and you HAVE to verify for yourself what's going on when dealing with some shops that you don't know the history of...ESPECIALLY with the 6L80E.

Let's take a look at what you have and go from there. Also, take a pic of the trans pan, bolts, and maybe we can see if they have been removed.

If all that checks out, and it is dark, then maybe since it's a year later....just take it back. Maybe they have a 1 year/12K mile warranty. At least make them aware that in short order, their service might be part of the problem.

I would politely go back and say..."I had my trans serviced here and could you take a look at the fluid? Did by chance the mechanic not drop the pan"

Given the fact the exhaust makes it a bit of a PITA, they could have possibly hoped for the best and not dropped the pan.

The grit could have been from the lip of the tube, or could have touched a part of the engine....but verify yourself and let us see what's going on, hopefully we can help you out.

 

[strutaeng]

I wouldn't hold the previous mechanic as not changing the fluid at all. Unless something else like an original pan gasket can be conclusively determined. IDK

Further, these transmissions are known to have the torque converter clutch fall apart, sometimes at pretty low mileage (and regardless of maintenance or lack of it.) As mentioned, you could be mistakenly confusing the "dirt" for clutch material, which is obviously a big warning sign your transmission may have trouble. Again, just speculating.

Best to drop the pan for inspection...

Please let us know how this turns out.

 

[OR VietVet]

After being in the shops for 40+ years, just like lawyers, customers like to point blame first at the shop/tech. When the customer does not understand systems/maintenance/repairs, it is just easiest to point the blame at what they feel will cost them less. Could the shop have not done the job properly, sure. Could it be a simple mistake, sure. Could it be the fault of the well known problematic GM transmission, likely. The problems are well documented.

Every single chance I got to do "customer training", I went out of my way to do it. It was part of my job. In the scheme of things and IMO, IF the first service of the transmission was done at 82k miles, that is a BIG concern. No way would I have told any customer of mine to wait that long. That's like changing your engine oil every 15k to 20k miles because some commercial says that is ok.

Fluids of any sort are the "blood" of whatever system they are in. That is why knowledgeable people/techs always go thru and change all fluids on a freshly bought used vehicle. To see the condition of the old fluid and to have a starting point for fluid maintenance moving forward. Also waiting for a whole year to go by before a fluid check, is just way too long. Just because the dash warning light is not on does not mean "all is ok".

 

[dbphillips]

This is why i just do my own. I just don't have confidence in the world in general anymore. Especially with shysters like GM claiming a quart of oil consumed in 2000 miles is okay and deleting dipsticks in transmissions of tow vehicles. Beyond that, mistakes just seem to happen too often.

 

[GMCChevy]

I have only seen one time in oh so many years in shops, and heard of it many times, that a transmission that has not had timely maintenance and then gets a flush with a complete fluid change, that shocks the clutches and they start to come apart.

I've heard a lot over the years that it's the worn out clutch material in the fluid that keeps those ones working. At the same time if someone's neglected a transmission that long and wants it serviced a lot of the time it's because they've noticed it's acting differently and hoping the flush will fix it and it would have died anyway.

 

[dkad260]

I think the OP should take a look at the dipstick, wipe the fluid off on a white rag or towel, and post the pic.

We can only speculate and since the dipstick only rests in the upper portion of the fluid, IMO...having dirt circulate that high up isn't common unless the transmission is in pretty bad shape. However that wasn't mentioned so far so until we get a look at the fluid, it's hard to say what's going on.

There could have been grime at the top of the dipstick tube and was transitioned to the dipstick..how do we know.

 

[LurkingLuke]

I think the OP should take a look at the dipstick, wipe the fluid off on a white rag or towel, and post the pic.

I had a paper towel which I used to wipe the dipstick. Dark and gritty. Dunno where it is. Can try again but ...

... I'm leaning toward just dropping it quietly. I can pay someone else to do it properly (and of course I will chack). So I lose another $400-$500. I'll recover.

---

Related: the first shop (the one I suspect of not completing the servicing) told me my brakes needed replacing. The second shop (who reported the dirty trans fluid) said my brakes would last a while longer.

Guess this is part of the price I pay for not learning to pull wrenches myself, and for not having a workshop where I could try.