Dealership warning

**9mgcb81** · 12-18-2017

I'd highly discourage anyone from using Bob Ridings in Pana Illinois

I've been going there because prices are reasonable, easy to get appointments and good diesel mechanics

However I just had to change my new water pump this weekend. After chasing down a coolant leak after I fixed my head gasket

I'll try to keep this short

In diagnosing I had them replace my water pump. At which time they installed it UPSIDE DOWN. With the weep hole on the top
300 miles later still figuring out the HG they told me they realized what they did. And we're fixing it at no cost
I asked them if there was any chance even with the hole being so small. If it would create a vacuum and pull air into the system and cause further damage. They couldn't give me an answer. Or wouldn't
So over the weekend I changed my water pump after seeing that's where my leak was. Come to find out. It was because to upper bolt toward the center of the engine was not even finger tight. I put a 1/4" ratchet on it. Expecting to break it free. With 2 finger it turned immediately with absolutely no pressure needed
The seal wasn't seated and half out of the water pump

Finally I did the HG myself as it was the only thing left. And told them I was since I could. And to save several thousand dollars. Along with not having another vehicle

So today I contacted them about checking my cruise control issue. The service manager tells me immediately he's not interested in working on my truck any longer because I lied about my head gasket. When I asked what he was talking about he said he didn't like being lied to and hung up on me. Mind you I just spent over $400 that was unnecessary and allowed them to do everything I had already done. And felt the repore was good with them

I called back and talked to the store manager. Told him what happened that I'm not a young kid and that I've spent a lot of money with the dealership. That I'll be talking to the owner when he gets back from Florida
He said he'd talk to the service manager that it didn't seem like him

Do not use Ridings in Pana Illinois

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**HKBIGDADDYDIESELDAN** · 12-19-2017

Originally Posted by 9mgcb81

I'd highly discourage anyone from using Bob Ridings in Pana Illinois

I've been going there because prices are reasonable, easy to get appointments and good diesel mechanics

However I just had to change my new water pump this weekend. After chasing down a coolant leak after I fixed my head gasket

I'll try to keep this short

In diagnosing I had them replace my water pump. At which time they installed it UPSIDE DOWN. With the weep hole on the top
300 miles later still figuring out the HG they told me they realized what they did. And we're fixing it at no cost
I asked them if there was any chance even with the hole being so small. If it would create a vacuum and pull air into the system and cause further damage. They couldn't give me an answer. Or wouldn't
So over the weekend I changed my water pump after seeing that's where my leak was. Come to find out. It was because to upper bolt toward the center of the engine was not even finger tight. I put a 1/4" ratchet on it. Expecting to break it free. With 2 finger it turned immediately with absolutely no pressure needed
The seal wasn't seated and half out of the water pump

Finally I did the HG myself as it was the only thing left. And told them I was since I could. And to save several thousand dollars. Along with not having another vehicle

So today I contacted them about checking my cruise control issue. The service manager tells me immediately he's not interested in working on my truck any longer because I lied about my head gasket. When I asked what he was talking about he said he didn't like being lied to and hung up on me. Mind you I just spent over $400 that was unnecessary and allowed them to do everything I had already done. And felt the repore was good with them

I called back and talked to the store manager. Told him what happened that I'm not a young kid and that I've spent a lot of money with the dealership. That I'll be talking to the owner when he gets back from Florida
He said he'd talk to the service manager that it didn't seem like him

Do not use Ridings in Pana Illinois

Appreciate the heads up about such a shitty dealership experience and I would never go back to such a crappy place that does inferior and shitty amateur work

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**9mgcb81** · 12-19-2017

I'm planning on stopping there today to talk to the store manager not the shop manager. I have nothing to say to him
And ask that the money for the water pump install and other money related be refunded

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**DDP** · 12-19-2017

Wow... Sorry to hear about all of this my friend... Hate hearing bad things happen to good folks.

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**9mgcb81** · 12-19-2017

I told the store manager I wasn't even going to mention the issue with the water pump not being bolted up completely. Even though I replaced it with a new one to be safe and cost me more money

After being accused of lying about something unknown. And hung up on when I asked what the shop manager was talking about though. I definitely mentioned it and will be asking for a refund
I'd like the money for the new pump but didn't buy from them

0 Comment(s)

**AnOldBiker** · 12-19-2017

Originally Posted by 9mgcb81

I'm planning on stopping there today to talk to the store manager not the shop manager. I have nothing to say to him
And ask that the money for the water pump install and other money related be refunded

I'd also send a letter of concern to the Corporate office with details. I had a complaint when I had a Ford years ago, and I found they sent someone from corporate to the dealership to investigate. I then recieved a letter of apology from the local dealership and a refund check for all I had spent. Might be worth the time.

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**9mgcb81** · 12-19-2017

Originally Posted by AnOldBiker

I'd also send a letter of concern to the Corporate office with details. I had a complaint when I had a Ford years ago, and I found they sent someone from corporate to the dealership to investigate. I then recieved a letter of apology from the local dealership and a refund check for all I had spent. Might be worth the time.

I'll type something up thanks

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**9mgcb81** · 12-19-2017

I called Dodge about it since it's a Dodge dealership

Just left the dealership. Talked to the General Manager in person. Only thing that stood out was it sounds like the service manager apparently thinks I lied about taking my head off and putting it back on before in 1 night
We talked on the phone before I replaced everything. I told him I took it apart and things looked alright at that point
When the manager asked me about it. I told him yes I said that. I didn't lie about it
I pulled everything off and the head was set back on the engine. I didn't check the gasket or reinstall anything. Simply set the head on top to avoid anything getting in the engine

The only thing negative was 2 bolts had some suction and I saw a little coolant on 2 pistons at the time. We didn't discuss that. And at the time could have possibly been from the heater core line

So he called me a lier and refused to service my vehicle yesterday because he thought I liked about doing work on my truck basically

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