Mechanic refusing to work on BS

[Griffsterman]

So, I love in the Raleigh area of NC. I have gone to a mechanic in the area that is top rated. He refuses to fix my BS usually stating "I'm wasting my money" or "there is nothing wrong." Drives me insane.
I down shifted on the highway going 71 on cruise control once and noticed some hard shifting when stuck in traffic. Mechanic test drove it and asked me about the grinding noise when turning. From the forum and owning it, it is a known issue. He refers me to a transmission guy. The transmission guy is known to always recommend replacing the transmission. Literally, every vehicle brought it in! I am thinking maybe I should go to the dealership but I really don't want to go to the dealership because honestly, I don't trust them, but has anyone else dealt with this? Would it be worth it going to the dealership or should I find a new mechanic?

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[bryanintowson]

I think the better answer from your mechanic would be "I don't know what is wrong, if anything." but that is harder for someone to admit.

Perhaps try the dealership and see what they say. It sounds like your options are limited unless you are willing to travel out of town to a mechanic you trust.

 

[Robins21]

At the very least I would find a new mechanic.

 

[94gradywhite]

What year and how many miles?

 

[Griffsterman]

2021 About 84,000.

 

[Griffsterman]

At the very least I would find a new mechanic.

Already on it. Thanks

 

[Griffsterman]

I think the better answer from your mechanic would be "I don't know what is wrong, if anything." but that is harder for someone to admit.

Perhaps try the dealership and see what they say. It sounds like your options are limited unless you are willing to travel out of town to a mechanic you trust.

I've decided using the dealership as my last option. I've only ever met 2 mechanics (he is the 2nd) who doesn't want my money lol

 

[sajohnson]

IDK if this applies in your case, but sometimes, if a problem is intermittent and/or hard to pinpoint, a shop will decline to work on it because it can be a 'no win' situation. They might spend hours trying to isolate the problem but fail to correct it. Then the customer does not want to pay. That often happens with electrical problems.

Decades ago, I owned an '88 Pontiac Sunbird Turbo. A real POS. One of many problems was a) real (everyone heard it) and b) repeatable. It was what sounded like a bearing noise coming from the transaxle under hard acceleration in 1st gear. No Pontiac dealer would touch it. I was told that while they agreed there was a problem. GM would not pay for 'shotgun' troubleshooting. They could not just replace the entire transaxle.

At one point I spoke with the owner of the local dealership. He told me to quote, "Drive it until it blows up." I said my wife could be driving it on the interstate and if a half shaft locked up, she could cause an accident and be injured or killed. His reply? "That's what insurance is for."

 

[Putter Boy]

So, I love in the Raleigh area of NC. I have gone to a mechanic in the area that is top rated. He refuses to fix my BS usually stating "I'm wasting my money" or "there is nothing wrong." Drives me insane.
I down shifted on the highway going 71 on cruise control once and noticed some hard shifting when stuck in traffic. Mechanic test drove it and asked me about the grinding noise when turning. From the forum and owning it, it is a known issue. He refers me to a transmission guy. The transmission guy is known to always recommend replacing the transmission. Literally, every vehicle brought it in! I am thinking maybe I should go to the dealership but I really don't want to go to the dealership because honestly, I don't trust them, but has anyone else dealt with this? Would it be worth it going to the dealership or should I find a new mechanic?

Cross Roads Ford??? is my first question. I live in Pinehurst and they are know as a lowlife scammer in my area.

 

[Griffsterman]

We took our Escape to Crossroads and that was the first and last time. I've been to Capital and while they did replace the battery (before recall) it took them 2 days and over $400 to do it. To be honest, I've had a positive experience with New Bern over parts, but that could be their only redeeming quality.

 

[Griffsterman]

IDK if this applies in your case, but sometimes, if a problem is intermittent and/or hard to pinpoint, a shop will decline to work on it because it can be a 'no win' situation. They might spend hours trying to isolate the problem but fail to correct it. Then the customer does not want to pay. That often happens with electrical problems.

Decades ago, I owned an '88 Pontiac Sunbird Turbo. A real POS. One of many problems was a) real (everyone heard it) and b) repeatable. It was what sounded like a bearing noise coming from the transaxle under hard acceleration in 1st gear. No Pontiac dealer would touch it. I was told that while they agreed there was a problem. GM would not pay for 'shotgun' troubleshooting. They could not just replace the entire transaxle.

At one point I spoke with the owner of the local dealership. He told me to quote, "Drive it until it blows up." I said my wife could be driving it on the interstate and if a half shaft locked up, she could cause an accident and be injured or killed. His reply? "That's what insurance is for."

So, did the Judge understand after you decked him? I hear you and that could be the issue. I asked him to change the plugs, change the fuel filter, flush\fill the transmission fluid, replace the transmission filter and replace the turbo filter. "Doesn't need it yet," was the answer. When I asked when, got the same answer. There is 2 more top rated mechanics in the area so we shall see. I love/loved all my Fords but Christ it is becoming cultish to own them.

 

[sajohnson]

So, did the Judge understand after you decked him? I hear you and that could be the issue. I asked him to change the plugs, change the fuel filter, flush\fill the transmission fluid, replace the transmission filter and replace the turbo filter. "Doesn't need it yet," was the answer. When I asked when, got the same answer. There is 2 more top rated mechanics in the area so we shall see. I love/loved all my Fords but Christ it is becoming cultish to own them.

The owner and I were talking over the phone, but yeah, if anyone ever needed a smackdown it was him. It's shocking that any human would even think that, let alone say it. I try to be objective -- not all dealerships are that bad -- but I've had some terrible experiences over the years.

So to be clear, you asked the service manager to do that work and he turned it down -- twice?! IDK the service intervals for everything you mentioned, but 84,000 doesn't seem "too soon." Our BS BL has <9,000 miles on it, so I'm not sure about the BS in particular, but ATF and plugs can often go over 100K miles. Still, it's not like your BS has 15,000 miles on it. That's really strange response form the dealer.

One possibility (in general, not in your case) is that they might be concerned with being accused of fraud if the miles are exceptionally low and they do a bunch of maintenance work that clearly is not necessary -- even if the customer requested it. Again though, that doesn't apply here.

 

[Griffsterman]

Exactly put. We shall see what the other mechanic says when they call to schedule an appointment. I think honestly it is probably an "I don't know" situation.

The off-color things people say to one another is quite something sometimes.

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