Big Bmw Poblem

[E36k224]

I had a mechanic change my brake light switch
He noticed a coolant leak at thermostat housing he repllaced thermostat and gasket and oring
He replaced the coolant resevoir

A month later (4 days ago) my engine started to overheat, its spewed coolant every where and my heat doesnt work

So now he wants me to bring the car in at my expense

is this normal, he is a reputable mechanic

what should I do?

Are there things I can look for on my own to fix the problem
he recomended bleeding the radiator I did but no significant air came out
any other checks I could make?
before I pay a tow bill for 40 miles to the mechanic!!!!

thanks

[BeachBunny]

Originally posted by E36k224@Mar 14 2005, 09:35 PM
I had a mechanic change my brake light switch
He noticed a coolant leak at thermostat housing he repllaced thermostat and gasket and oring
He replaced the coolant resevoir

A month later (4 days ago) my engine started to overheat, its spewed coolant every where and my heat doesnt work

So now he wants me to bring the car in at my expense

is this normal, he is a reputable mechanic

what should I do?

Are there things I can look for on my own to fix the problem
he recomended bleeding the radiator I did but no significant air came out
any other checks I could make?
before I pay a tow bill for 40 miles to the mechanic!!!!

thanks

[snapback]311657[/snapback]

Who says he's reputable? I think you already know the answer to this. What do you mean by "a month ago (4days ago)"? He told you to bleed the radiator? What a dickhead. Did you ask him why you should bleed it? Did you mention that if you need to bleed it, it's because he f*cked up and needs to correct his problem NOW. Tell him that it was fine until he "fixed" it and threaten to take it somewhere else to check up on this handywork of his... these new parts he put in, and what the cause could be. You may get him to fix it for free, it may just be a learning experience. It is so common for someone to take their car in for something like fixing a switch and the mechanic "discovers" a leak. Don't ever just say okay. Always tell them you'll "check it out on your own" or "have it fixed later". ALso, always tell them that you'll be expecting the old parts that were replaced. I've heard of mechanic's spraying dw40 under someone's hood, showing it to them, and telling them there's a leak and it needs to be fixed. They also can sink so low as to rigging something to come loose or break so that you'll end up bringing the car back (which is my first suspicion of this situation).

[CiscoKid]

your heater core is shot.... and it is a pain in the ass to replace, you need to take off the dash

[dh21187]

Originally posted by E36k224@Mar 15 2005, 12:35 AM
I had a mechanic change my brake light switch
He noticed a coolant leak at thermostat housing he repllaced thermostat and gasket and oring
He replaced the coolant resevoir

A month later (4 days ago) my engine started to overheat, its spewed coolant every where and my heat doesnt work

So now he wants me to bring the car in at my expense

is this normal, he is a reputable mechanic

what should I do?

Are there things I can look for on my own to fix the problem
he recomended bleeding the radiator I did but no significant air came out
any other checks I could make?
before I pay a tow bill for 40 miles to the mechanic!!!!

thanks

[snapback]311657[/snapback]

It could be a number of things.
First is that he failed to properly fill your car with enough coolant so it is not circulating.
He could have installed the wrong thermostat or put it in upside down causing a no flow situation.
I would not take it back to that mechanic. Go to the dealership, have them fix the problem, and send him the bill. If he refuses take him to small claims court to get you cash back for all of the repair bills.

[bryan1970]

hate to say it, but thats whay you should go to the dealer instead of independent shops. not that all independent shops are bad but the techs at the dealership spend money to learn everything about your cars and go to school for about 2 years atleast to learn all there is to know. even though you are paying more at the dealer you get what you pay for.