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  • Report:  #264548

Complaint Review: All Tune And Lube - Waldorf Maryland

Reported By:
- Lexington Park, Maryland,
Submitted:
Updated:

All Tune And Lube
11785 Holly Auto Center Lane Waldorf, 20601 Maryland, U.S.A.
Phone:
301-6450042
Web:
N/A
Categories:
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06/23/07: Had All Tune and Lube, Waldorf perform a routine oil change. Work order did not show any problems, was totally blank. Noticed oil leak, thought it was the filter. Leak continued for 2 weeks and the car had to have oil added over the course of those 2 weeks.

07/10/07: Checked the oil and found it was empty. Added a quart of oil and an hour later the car was empty again. Called Precision Tune Auto Care and took the car in for them to look at. Receipt given from shop stating that I had my oil changed at another shop 2 weeks ago and had noticed an oil leak since. Receipt also stated that the oil pan was cracked due to the shop over tightening the oil pan plug. Was advised that the car could not be driven until the problem was fixed and that there was no other reason for the oil pan to be leaking other than the shop that did the last oil change over tightening the oil plug.

Contacted All Tune and Lube, spoke with James and let him know what Precision Tune had said about the car. The car was towed to Waldorf, from Lexington Park, to All Tune and Lube. Later that day, approximately 4:30, I called All Tune and Lube and spoke with James again. I was told that the oil pan was not cracked but in fact stripped out and that I would have to pay for the cost to have it repaired because it was not the shops fault. I told him that I would be up to speak with him.

I, in addition to my father and husband, went up to All Tune and Lube and we were told that the old plug from my car had been thrown out, but there was nothing wrong with it and that the shop did nothing wrong, the damage to the oil pan was due to normal wear and tear. James also said that Southern Volkswagen had told him that the pan was stripped due to normal wear and tear. My father asked again to see the old plug, and we were told again by James that he did not know where it was, as he showed us the new plug that he had gone to Volkswagen and bought.

We insisted on seeing the old plug so James called Volkswagen and it was at the parts counter where he had left it. A tech proceeded to go to pick it up. My husband and I also went to Volkswagen where I spoke with Greg and Andrew, in addition to the gentleman at the parts counter. I specifically asked them if they had spoken with James from All Tune and Lube and they said yes. I told them what James had said he had been told (by the people there at Volkswagen) and they said he was lying. They told me that there was no other way for the oil pan to get stripped out like mine other than over tightening of the oil plug.

The gentleman at the parts counter got my old plug and showed me how the edges of it were rounded off, then he showed me a new plug. He said that they tightened the screw with way too much torque and stripped out the pan. I asked them if there was any way it could be wear and tear, and they said no. I asked them if they would give a statement to that affect to James at All Tune and Lube because he is refusing to fix the car, and they said yes.

I went back to All Tune and Lube with my old oil plug and told James what I had just found out from Volkswagen and he did in fact call and speak with Andrew. He was told exactly what I was told and he told me since in fact it was the fault of the shop, he would take care of the charges for the car to be repaired by Volkswagen.

07/12/07: Received call from James at All Tune and Lube that vehicle was ready for pick up. Was told that the car was returned by Volkswagen with an oil leak and that upon arrival to All Tune and Lube another gasket was put on oil plug, which stopped the leak. My husband picked the car up that evening.

07/13/07: Noticed oil leak upon leaving the house in the morning to go to work. Upon leaving work at the end of the day, noticed a large puddle of oil underneath the car. Went to Waldorf once again and called James, who told me that no other work would be done to the car. I told him I would be up to speak with him in person. Upon my arrival, I was told that I am lucky that any work was done to the car, as the damage was to normal wear and tear. I was also told by James that he had contacted Koons Volkswagen and was told that the damage to the car was in fact due to normal wear and tear and that it is a problem that occurs frequently.

He also stated to me that he was told by Koons that there is a Technical Service Bulletin from Volkswagen stating that the oil pans are faulty and that bulletin is on display at Koons for the service techs to see. After a lengthy discussion with James, I told him that I was aware that there were problems with the aluminum oil pans in the Volkswagens, but it still was over tightened and my oil pan should be replaced. He told me that he already had spent $270 and was not putting any more money into a car that they did not damage. I relayed to him that I would be doing research on the bulletin and I would be in touch with him.

He offered to make me happy by doing the work for free and giving me $100 towards a new oil pan. He stated to me that the problem was mine because the car had 114,000 miles on it. I left the shop, still with an oil leak, and let him know that I would be researching this problem further.

07/16/07: Contacted 4 different Volkswagen dealerships in Maryland. Statements from each shop were the same in that there is no TSB on the Jetta oil pan, and the only way for one to get stripped out is over tightening.

07/20/07: Contacted James again to make sure that he was in receipt of the certified letter that I mailed to him requesting that the oil pan be replaced. The letter also stated the information that I had gotten from the Volkswagen shops. He stated to me that in fact the oil pan does not strip out from over tightening, it cracks. This, of course, is totally different from what he had previously told me. He stated to me that they would not be replacing the oil pan and he would see me in court.

Melanie

Lexington Park, Maryland

U.S.A.

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9 Updates & Rebuttals

Mlkirby

Lexington Park,
Maryland,
U.S.A.
Finally, a new oil pan...

#2Author of original report

Fri, August 31, 2007

As of yesterday, August 30, 2007, I am getting a new oil pan. I had the Consumer Protection Division of the Maryland Attorney General's Office mediating my case, they called me on Tuesday of this week and told me that All Tune and Lube in Waldorf had been sold....what a shock. They said that Mr. Courtney, who was in fact the owner, had sold the franchise over the weekend and negotiations were taking place with the new owner. Come to find out, James still works at All Tune and Lube in Waldorf, so I do not even know if he was the co-owner as he told me he was or not. I was recently told that he is a mechanic there. I don't even know if the information that I provided James with ever got to Mr. Courtney, which is a shame. The mediator told me that All Tune and Lube will be paying in full to replace the oil pan, as it was their fault, and they have made an appointment for me at another shop so that James will not be working on my car. I also spoke with VW in Waldorf and was told that someone from All Tune and Lube had called the parts counter to get the information on the oil pan so that it could be ordered and they stated that they do not know why it took so long to get this resolved, that it should of been taken care of as soon as the problem was noticed. It goes to show that honest people win in the end, I was lied to from day one by James, at All Tune and Lube in Waldorf, and maybe it was because he did not want to pay for it out of his pocket, I do not know. What I do know is that by taking the correct actions, I have come across people that are willing to take responsibility for what happened, and that should of happened weeks ago, as I still have an oil leak and have had one since I orginally had the car serviced in June. Still, consumers beware of All Tune and Lube in Waldorf, James still works there, and just from my experience, I would make sure if you do take your vehicle there, don't let James touch it. The shop is under new ownership, and I am sure, just from this weeks events, that the new management is better than the last. A good end to a horrible saga.


Robert

Buffalo,
New York,
U.S.A.
It's unfortunate.

#3Consumer Comment

Thu, August 30, 2007

It's unfortunate that you're pushed into this position. My point about the VW dealer attempting to repair it is that they attempted an IMPROPER repair. A helicoil isn't going to do it and they shouldn't have tried that - that would be reason enough for me to find a different VW dealer to use in the future. My concern is that you're still driving around with a leaky pan. As I stated, it can be repaired by any competant welder with a TIG welder - and this would surely cost less than a new one. The choice is yours of course, but what I would do is get the pan PROPERLY repaired (fill in the old plug port and drill and tap a NEW plug port) and then present the repair bill to Precision Tune Auto Care. If they don't pay it I would sue them in small claims court. I understand your position and I understand the position of Precision Tune Auto Care. They don't want to buy a new pan, when a less costly repair is all that is necessary. Even small claims courts will expect that you mitigate your loss - what this means is that if it's reasonable to have it repaired rather than replaced, the court will award the repair costs. I'm on your side! Just offering my advice as to what I would do. The pan can be repaired, but it seems to me that the VW dealer you're going to is "hell bent" on selling you a new one. Another choice would be to purchase a pan at a junk yard (ooops, I mean "auto-dismantler) and again present them with the bill to purchase it and have it installed. Good Luck


Robert

Buffalo,
New York,
U.S.A.
It's unfortunate.

#4Consumer Comment

Thu, August 30, 2007

It's unfortunate that you're pushed into this position. My point about the VW dealer attempting to repair it is that they attempted an IMPROPER repair. A helicoil isn't going to do it and they shouldn't have tried that - that would be reason enough for me to find a different VW dealer to use in the future. My concern is that you're still driving around with a leaky pan. As I stated, it can be repaired by any competant welder with a TIG welder - and this would surely cost less than a new one. The choice is yours of course, but what I would do is get the pan PROPERLY repaired (fill in the old plug port and drill and tap a NEW plug port) and then present the repair bill to Precision Tune Auto Care. If they don't pay it I would sue them in small claims court. I understand your position and I understand the position of Precision Tune Auto Care. They don't want to buy a new pan, when a less costly repair is all that is necessary. Even small claims courts will expect that you mitigate your loss - what this means is that if it's reasonable to have it repaired rather than replaced, the court will award the repair costs. I'm on your side! Just offering my advice as to what I would do. The pan can be repaired, but it seems to me that the VW dealer you're going to is "hell bent" on selling you a new one. Another choice would be to purchase a pan at a junk yard (ooops, I mean "auto-dismantler) and again present them with the bill to purchase it and have it installed. Good Luck


Robert

Buffalo,
New York,
U.S.A.
It's unfortunate.

#5Consumer Comment

Thu, August 30, 2007

It's unfortunate that you're pushed into this position. My point about the VW dealer attempting to repair it is that they attempted an IMPROPER repair. A helicoil isn't going to do it and they shouldn't have tried that - that would be reason enough for me to find a different VW dealer to use in the future. My concern is that you're still driving around with a leaky pan. As I stated, it can be repaired by any competant welder with a TIG welder - and this would surely cost less than a new one. The choice is yours of course, but what I would do is get the pan PROPERLY repaired (fill in the old plug port and drill and tap a NEW plug port) and then present the repair bill to Precision Tune Auto Care. If they don't pay it I would sue them in small claims court. I understand your position and I understand the position of Precision Tune Auto Care. They don't want to buy a new pan, when a less costly repair is all that is necessary. Even small claims courts will expect that you mitigate your loss - what this means is that if it's reasonable to have it repaired rather than replaced, the court will award the repair costs. I'm on your side! Just offering my advice as to what I would do. The pan can be repaired, but it seems to me that the VW dealer you're going to is "hell bent" on selling you a new one. Another choice would be to purchase a pan at a junk yard (ooops, I mean "auto-dismantler) and again present them with the bill to purchase it and have it installed. Good Luck


Robert

Buffalo,
New York,
U.S.A.
It's unfortunate.

#6Consumer Comment

Thu, August 30, 2007

It's unfortunate that you're pushed into this position. My point about the VW dealer attempting to repair it is that they attempted an IMPROPER repair. A helicoil isn't going to do it and they shouldn't have tried that - that would be reason enough for me to find a different VW dealer to use in the future. My concern is that you're still driving around with a leaky pan. As I stated, it can be repaired by any competant welder with a TIG welder - and this would surely cost less than a new one. The choice is yours of course, but what I would do is get the pan PROPERLY repaired (fill in the old plug port and drill and tap a NEW plug port) and then present the repair bill to Precision Tune Auto Care. If they don't pay it I would sue them in small claims court. I understand your position and I understand the position of Precision Tune Auto Care. They don't want to buy a new pan, when a less costly repair is all that is necessary. Even small claims courts will expect that you mitigate your loss - what this means is that if it's reasonable to have it repaired rather than replaced, the court will award the repair costs. I'm on your side! Just offering my advice as to what I would do. The pan can be repaired, but it seems to me that the VW dealer you're going to is "hell bent" on selling you a new one. Another choice would be to purchase a pan at a junk yard (ooops, I mean "auto-dismantler) and again present them with the bill to purchase it and have it installed. Good Luck


Mlkirby

Lexington Park,
Maryland,
U.S.A.
In response to the comments posted that oil pan can be repaired...

#7Author of original report

Thu, August 23, 2007

Thank you for your input, and I am not questioning your expertise, but the oil pan should not have to be welded. I took my car into All Tune and Lube in Waldorf without any problems and now my oil pan is leaking. James took responsibility for stripping it out until he found out that the oil pan needed replaced. I do not want it fixed, as Volkswagen has already fixed it and it did not work, I want it replaced. I should get a new oil pan because mine was not welded, or anything for that matter, when I took the car in. In update to my case, I contacted the Consumer Protection Division of the Office of the Attorney General. They mailed a letter dated August 7, 2007 to All Tune and Lube Waldorf and I still have not gotten a response. I still feel like I should not have to pay for the oil pan to be replaced, I will be pursuing this until I get a new oil pan. I just want to say that I contacted the Corporate office of All Tune and Lube and got no where. They told me that they could not help me, as my oil was not changed every 5000 miles as it should be, this was my problem because the oil pan was dirty. I contacted Volkswagen service again and was told that in fact, the less you change the oil the better, as the screw does not get removed as frequently. Also, the handbook that came with the car for service states that the oil should be changed every 10,000 miles, no less. So the point of not changing the oil every 5000 miles is mute. Still All Tune and Lube Corporate office, Elena, said they could do nothing to help me.


Robert

Buffalo,
New York,
U.S.A.
Should be repairable

#8Consumer Suggestion

Tue, August 07, 2007

About the helicoil - helicoils are not used when a water tight (in this case) oil tight seal are required. Normally, the plug port can be repaired by either drilling and tapping to the next larger size oil plug OR filling the old port (by welding) completely and then drilling and tapping a NEW oil plug port. Cracks are repaired simply be welding over the crack. Many times I've heard dealers and others claim that something cannot be repaired because it's aluminum - absolutely false! It takes a special welder - TIG which most dealers and neighborhood mechanics DO NOT have. I have seen this type of repair done many times in my 53 years. I am sure that the pan can be repaired, but that is up to you. I might suggest you find another VW dealer to go to - they seem to like selling parts when a repair is all that's necessary.


Mlkirby

Lexington Park,
Maryland,
U.S.A.
Oil pan was tapped out and repaired by Southern Volkswagen

#9Author of original report

Fri, August 03, 2007

The oil pan was repaired by Southern Volkswagen at the expense of All Tune and Lube Waldorf. James admitted to stripping it out and accepted the charges to repair it. Volkswagen called James and let him know that the oil pan was so stripped out the helicoil did not fix the leak and I would need a new oil pan, he declined. James then changed his story from it was their fault to it was no longer their fault, but mine. I dont know much about repairing the oil pan, but from what the Volkswagen dealership told me, mine cannot be repaired.


Robert

Buffalo,
New York,
U.S.A.
Repair the oilpan?

#10Consumer Suggestion

Thu, August 02, 2007

I don't know how much they want for replacing the oilpan with a new one, but I do know that a cracked aluminum oil pan can be repaired by any qualified TIG welder. It might be cheaper for you to simply remove the pan, take it to a good welding shop and have them repair it (including the oil plug port) and reinstall it yourself.

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