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Here is the final installment of this sorry situation.
The car is a 89 900T, 165K.
Briefly:
1. The transmission seized with no oil in it (1/2 cup came out of the drain)
2. The car had an oil change 915 miles before seizure by a Saab Indie.
3. Talked to the Indie, he claimed that his shop does not make that kind of mistakes (who does?). He suggested that whoever did the previous oil change (3000 miles before the 915 miles) made the mistake. So, implicitly, in his judgement, a car with no transmission oil can last 4000 miles.
4. Asked him explicitly if a car can last 4000 miles with no transmission oil. His answer: "I do nor know" (who knows?)
5. He pointed out a paragraph on the invoice "transmission oil level low".
6. The transmission freed-up after towing (did three of those after the seizure). The car is driveable now, with a very loud whining under load.
7. The car does not leak any oil, either stationary or in motion. (Some suggested on this board that a transmission may leak oil only when driven. I checked, this car does not)
Following is the latest.
I checked my records, I did the previous oil change myself. (I have been driving Saabs since 1979, I have 5 Saabs and do all the maintenance and most of the repairs on them. Out of the 5, three are C900's. I did not drain the transmission oil by error. As an aside, I sold one of the five, an 89 9000T last month to some one from Boston. He flew in and drove it home.)
Talked to Walter Wong (that is right, the Indie is Walter Wong, one of the site sponsors) twice this week, giving him the updates and trying to work out some kind of equitable solution for this situation. As pointed out previously, I have always respected him and I have liked him as well, even though I have had very little dealing with him directly. After all, he is my son's mechanic (7 years) and I live 60 miles away.
I suggested getting a rebuilt transmission with a split payment (he pays for 1/4, reflecting the transmission's age) and that his shop do the swap for free. I have some vague idea on the labor cost to him, because when the transmission initially seized, he suggested that I get one from a junkyard and he can do the swap for $1000.
He rejected the idea.
I posted a rhetoric question:
I did not drain the transmssion oil; his shop did not drain it; the car does not leak trnasmission oil; where, then did the oil go?
He pointed out the paragragh "transmission oil level low" on the invoice.
Here is another rhetoric question:
A. Does the statement protect the transmission?
B. How can a responsible shop release the car to an owner with no transmission oil in it? 1/2 cup of oil does not register on the dip stick.
Walter Wong even has the audacity to complain that my son does not take care of his car, that my son tries to save money and leaves the repairs to me, etc. as if that is justification enough to let my son drive off with no transmission oil, as if that gives him a clean conscience. Does he even have any conscience?
Walter Wong stated that he cares for his customers, that he is a responsible person, that is why he had that paragragh on the invoice. The reality is that the paragragh is nothing but a CYA (cover your ass) statement. He cares for nobody but his own ass.
It is offensive when a person is irresponsible, it is doubly offensive when a person states precisely the opposite.
Do I get any satisfaction in revealing his identity? Does a Saab lover get any satisfaction seeing his car ruined by a "professional"? Who chooses to hide behind his CYA?
I may still pursue legal action, because that "CYA" of his could be his downfall. How would a judge view such an irresponible action?
From my initial reading's on the California Small Claims Court rules, it appears that I have to file the case in the defendant's county, making it logistically difficult for me to handle this case from 60 miles away. This rule may have saved his ass. I am still researching.
Are we all reasonable and honorable persons? Don't be naive.
posted by 72.219.184...
, Fri, 24 Jun 2011 18:30:54
, Fri, 24 Jun 2011 19:20:35, Fri, 24 Jun 2011 11:19:51
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