Auto Start

Reviews 4

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Lynn Freeman

I took my car to Auto Start, It was a big mistake. My car was leaking fluid late one night, but when I got back to my car the next morning to take it to the shop, I noticed the ground that had been covered in fluid the day before had dried up, so what ever had leaked was water based because there wasn’t any oil residue. I decided to try to drive the car and I had no problems turning the wheel or driving, so rather than wait the 3 hrs the tow company said it would take, I drove it to the mechanic’s shop (approximately 7 miles away). They are located off Waterman road, which is off Grant line. Just as I was approaching the Grant line exit I noticed my car thermostat was off the chart, and my engine was extremely hot. By the time I got to the shop my engine was smoking so bad. Brian at the shop began to look and see if he could see anything obvious, but once I told him the leak was water based, he immediately looked to the area where the water pump would be and it was clear that would have to be replaced. What wasn’t clear was whether my engine overheating caused the damage to the water pump or whether the water pump damage caused the engine to overheat. Yes, we had to determine which came first. Additionally, they needed to determine whether the overheating may have cracked a gasket. Brian was clear we had to fix the water pump to determine whether the overheating damaged the head gasket. I told him I understood and said to go ahead with it, then I left my car there at about 11-11:30 and asked him if they would be able to tell me by the end of the day if I had cracked the head gasket. He said yes. I returned to the shop at about 3pm because I had left something I would need in my car, at that point he repeated that the water pump would need to be replaced before they could do the test, that the replacement of the pump would be about 400, and the test would be about 100. He could get the part that day but didn’t have a mechanic that could replace it, so I had to wait till the next day. The next day I heard nothing from them, so I called at 12pm. Then they tell me the part they ordered is different than the one I had on my car because Ford changed the way the make it, and it would be an additional $98 dollars. I told them to go ahead, and again I asked if they were going to be able to tell my by the end of business. When I didn’t hear from them by 4pm I called. He then said his mechanic would be working on it late but that he would call me once he was done. I called at 5:45 and then the mechanic finally told me that the pump had been replaced and they did the diagnostic test and ran it for an hour and there were no signs of a cracked head gasket. The next morning I went to pick up my car, then the mechanic tells me upon first start my car idols low for a short while, and did I want them to look at that, I said no. Then he tells me that even though it passed the test when he ran it the night before, it could still have a cracked head gasket because sometimes it could take a month or so to show up and that I should be looking for leaking coolant every morning. He then offered to run the test again that morning. I said I don’t understand if you ran the test last night why would you need to re-run it now. When I left the shop I noticed my breaks were working a bit funny. I decided to add brake fluid and that solved the problem, then my radiator was smoking just a bit, so I looked at the reservoir, which I knew had been more than half full when I dropped it off, suddenly it was almost gone, so I filled that up. I drove to Chico and back and still have plenty of coolant in the reservoir. They should do better to keep clients informed on the progress of the vehicle, they should not charge extra for their mistake, and they should not tell clients they will have their car worked on, and then not actually work on it that day. Particularly when the client is wondering if all that is needed is a repair, or if they need to buy a new car.

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Raqui Orbegoso

Im actually very, very angry right now with Auto Start....! I took my 20+ year old car in absolute immaculate shape to this place. First of all we payed an arm and a leg to fix the leaking problem the car was having only to have it returned (after we payed that darn arm and leg) still leaking. They said bring it in again. Which seems to be a reoccurring ritual. Bring it in, something new "shows up", bring it in again. Over and over. Well that might be paranoia some say but anyhow... HERES WHAT REALLY GETS ME. Every time my immaculate oldie came home from the shop there was yet another scrape, ding, chip all over the rear of the car. That is not paranoia. We know our car, we knew every tiny blemishes it had and retained for many years. So when it was returned with nasty scratches down to the primer and dings/chips all over the previously flawless bumper, we notice. And so do others. That is not how a paying customers property should be handled, ever. And thats why I will no longer be going to Auto Start. They should treat the cars they are working on as they would their own. Might I say they did the same with my fathers car, who brought up the ordeal to me without me even mentioning a thing. So keep that in mind when you consider bringing your car into Auto Start. Considering all the work and care I put into maintaining my car, this was a real disappointment.

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Anonymous User

Went for a smog check and was told the emmisions were fine but I needed a new fuel filler neck but once it was repaired he would charge me just for the certificate .He told me he had just done one for $500.00.... Called Downtown Ford and they only wanted $340.00 I founf a used one for $45 dollars. Autostart called back and i told him that Downtown Ford would repair my filler neck,(used) for $170. When I called Auto start to tell them the dealer was cheaper he said he would install my used part for $150.00. I went ahead and put my used part in myself and took it down to pay my nine dollars and at that time was told I would have to be charged to full ammount since he did not get the work. These people are not the kind I like dealing with at all. I would recomend taking a few extra steps south of their complex to Perfection Auto. I have had all my other work done there and always felt ok giving them my money.

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Nicole Brown

NEVER AGAIN. This is the very first review that Ive EVER written on a business. And if youre thinking about coming here, DONT. Im generally placid by nature but I am livid at this point! So I drop my car off Thursday evening...they fix it on Friday...I get here Saturday to pick it up and NO ONE is even here. Mind you, Auto Start is supposed to open at 8am. I have been waiting here in their parking lot for almost 2hrs and still no show. Furthermore, they are extremely over priced. And the only reason that I came here is because its a fairly convenient location. My whole Saturday is RUINED because they decided that they werent gonna come in today I will never recommend this business to anyone and I will never be back.

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