Newbie needs help - Problem with mechanic

My 16 year old son got a '91 Deville as his first car (his mom bought it for him). It's been running flawlessly for the last 6 months, but recently started leaking coolant.

He said that he noticed coolant on the ground where he parked his car, and the coolant reserve tank was empty. He refilled the tank, but after a week or so most of the coolant had leaked out again. He said the motor got hot, but never to the point of blowing steam.

He took the car to Midas, and the guy took one look at it and said he needed a new waterpump, which the could install for $400. He thought this was too expensive, so he went to a auto parts store and bought a new waterpump. Then he took the car to a large repair shop near his house and the agreed to install the waterpump for around $200.

Three days later he picked the car up. The mechanic and the manager were whispering to each other, and than they told my son that his car needs a new transmission, and then referred him to a local transmission shop. He drove the car to his uncles house, and on the the way there the car would barely drive- revs way up and takes 10 seconds or so to shift into gear.

Also, all of the coolant had leaked out of the car again (now appears to be leaking from a different place).



So, what now? The car never seemed to have any transmission problems before, always shifted smoothly. Is it possible that the mechanic is to blame for this?

What responsibility should they bear for the coolant leak?

My sons mom called the shop and they say they never touched the transmission, and that they did what they were hired to do, replace the water pump.

I realize that my son made some fundamental mistakes in dealing with this, but he's 16 years old and I was out of town at the time. Any advice would be greatly appreciated-

check hoses...radiator and resovoir if leaking nothing more nothing less....and go get ya money back from the stupid mechanic on the trans

check hoses...radiator and resovoir if leaking nothing more nothing less....and go get ya money back from the stupid mechanic on the trans


I talked to the shop and they agreed to take another look at the water pump and make sure they installed it correctly.


However, I'm more worried about the transmission. Is it in any way possible that the shop could have screwed up the transmission when they replaced the water pump?

I talked to the shop and they agreed to take another look at the water pump and make sure they installed it correctly.


However, I'm more worried about the transmission. Is it in any way possible that the shop could have screwed up the transmission when they replaced the water pump?
yes.

this advice comes a little too late......
if you needed a babysitter for your child would you trust the first stranger to offer the lowest bid?
of course not.
the same is true of mechanics.
don't ever take your car to someone you don't know/trust.
i'm not saying all mechanics are untrustworthy, but there are some very bad apples out there and it is better to error on the side of caution.....blah, blah, you get what i'm trying to say right?

......could they have sabotaged your trans.? yes.

we are talking about an auto. trans., right?
have you checked the fluid level? (engine running)

I would not take it back. Something does not add up at that place. so beware.

Find a good repair shop. Here are some tips if you do not aready have one.

Check around Ask around
Word of mouth.
Family friends coworkers neighbors business people and delivery people.
Mailmen and parcel delivery people get around and notice a lot of stuff.
Even a good parts house knows what shops are good and not good.
Chamber of commerce and better business bureau and city hall.
If you find a good referral to a repair shop go look them over and talk to them.
Look for a clean looking busy place with nice people running it.
Ask a few questions and ask about their qualifications and training.
Not all places have trained tech/mechanics.
If they do not find a place that does.
Even all dealers do not have all trained techs/mechanics.
Good luck
MT

I used to own a 1992 caddy eldorado with a 4.9 engine,I also had water pump replaced(common for high mile 4.9's) very important item when doing cooling system work on the 4.1,4.5, and 4.9 is putting g.m. tablets into rad.(felt type tablets that break up and fill any voids in disimaler metals).4 point series motors have an aluminum block, a cast iron head and cast iron cylinder sleeve liners with o rings at the bottom cylinder walls. regular mtce. on cooling system very important,annual flushing.I dont know why trans. is acting up.the 4.9 is basically a very good engine and usually only has top end problems ie:water pumps.