what could happen to my car if they put the belt on wrong and put in the wrong transmission fluid?

Question

At the dealership I work for I had them put on a new timing belt on my 2002 Mitsubishi Gallant gtz on April 15, 2009, the next day I came back telling them that the check engine light was on and my car was being sluggish. Before this my car was in perfect working condition, and had regular maintenance done on it at this dealership. They said it was fine. I continued to bring it in weekly asking them to find the cause of the light…nothing. On 12/26/09 I had them put in a new out put speed sensor, during that time they put in the wrong transmission fluid.  I drove it for 3 days; my car now has trouble shifting to 1st and 2nd gear. My dealership “test drove” it at least 50 miles worth to see what’s wrong. No help, so I took it to my old service shop; they said the timing belt was put on wrong and fixed it for me and that the wrong transmission fluid was in my car and flushed my 01 transmission. (I have pictures) It shifts better but still has problems, I brought it back to work and asked for my refund, they said they need to look at my car, now they won’t give it back saying it not drivable and that they haven’t looked at it. Is the problem with my car their fault? What are all the side effects that could happen because of what they did? What can I do about it?

rosco · Accepted Answer

Hi,If you have paper work in order for the work done by everyone,I would get myself a lawyer and sue them for damages to your car. These people do not have your well fair in mind.As a employee they should have gone out of their way to fix your problem. You could also consider Small claims court to get your car back in good working order.Good Luck

Pedal2TheMetal45 · Answer

HI
sounds like your own work place is giving you the shaft... and that sucks... anyway they could have put the timing belt on wrong .. Well not really the belt but they may have not lined up the timing marks right when they installed the belt.. that would make it sluggesh.. as for the transmission fluid .. I don't know how the old shop could tell they had the wrong fluid in it all fluids are red in color..
After taking it to another shop it may take you a while to get refunded as the dealer can say that you let someone else work on the car and they might have just made up the problems ... 
good luck
tim

mailbox1024 · Answer

You are going to have to file a complaint with the dealerships owner or go directly to the manufacturer, Misubishi and lodge a complaint against the service department. Save the receipt from the other dealership who reinstalled the timing baelt and flushed the trans. Just let them know that the trans is still not the same since the wrong fluid was put in. You may need a new overhaul on thetrans now.
good luck......

? · Answer

Transmission is leaking it maybe a seal towards the front or the rear of the transmission that has gone bad or possibly a line which takes the fluid up to the radiator for cooling the transmission

? · Answer

1. Save receipts from both places, The 2nd garage fixed the Original problems caused by the dealer
2. Get a written statement along with the service records from the 2nd guy
3. Tell the dealer you want your money back, if refused...Lawyer up!

Heres the LowDown on dealers. Alot of mechanics going into the dealers are right out of school, green behind the ears and are just learning how to turn wrenches. The 2nd mechanic has been doing it for a looooong time, bring all your problems to him, he knows more because he has the time in. Hope you learned a lesson, this means oil changes too!

Anonymous · Answer

I believe alot of people answering your question are ignoring an important fact. You said you work for this dealership. Youve got to measure how far you want to push this. If you raise too big of a stink over this there is a chance you might piss the wrong person off, thus putting your job in jeopardy. Maybe you should just cut your losses and leave it as it is. 

No offense, but i would never work for a car dealership-or should i say stealership. You should know from working at one that they are about one thing, making as much money as possible by ripping off  gullible customers.

bo · Answer

get all paper work together and talk to the boss and go from there. you can take them to court but i hope you have another job lined up. are you sure they still want you there after doing all this to an employee sounds like they want you to quit with out paying you unemployment .so take it from there and ask yourself what you want to do then post the dealer name so i don't buy a car from them if that's how they treat employees good luck

richard a · Answer

wrong transmission fluid may have burnt up the transmission requiring overhaul of the unit costly mistake

pedro7of9 · Answer

cant figure if you are joking or not
1 get in car,,,drive away,,don't know what "wouldn't give it back means" its your car call 911
2 dont bother with them,,you have receipts from other shop,,,see them in small claims court
3 after they f*ck up your car you STILL go back there?????

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what could happen to my car if they put the belt on wrong and put in the wrong transmission fluid?

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