Engine Solutions

I called engine solutions and talked to john. he assured me that my car would be serviced by him and that he had over 25 years of experience. I dropped my car off to have the engine replaced. after about 8 or 9 days I gave them a call and was informed that they hadn't even started on my car because the new motor hadn't arrived. so after 2 more weeks of this he finally called me to tell me my motor was in. Two days later he called to tell me about a list of parts that needed to be changed that totaled another 800+ dollars. he told me I needed another fuel pump because the old one looked like the original, which I knew was a lie because I had changed the fuel pump myself and its in the gas tank! He kept my car for another week giving me the run around about needing gaskets that should have been ordered when he took the old motor out. So I finally get my car back and it cuts off on me every time I stop at a stop sign or red light. I took it back the next day and he told me that the guy who had did the work (which should have been him...but wasn't) had called in and his other mechanics were busy and he would get to it when he could. I had to threaten him with legal action to get him to look at my car that day. I got my car back that evening and I didn't make it out of the parking lot before it stalled. I ended up taking it to another mechanic shop to get it running correctly. AND now its leaking oil! but it wasn't leaking anything when I dropped it off. I have to take it to them in the morning to get the oil leak repaired, only because they put the engine in and its leaking from the oil pan nut from this day forward, engine solutions couldn't change the batteries in my remote control! The customer service was horrible and d so was the work. I didn't even mention the fact that they put the "new engine" in with broken motor mounts from the old engine. DO NOT TAKE YOUR CAR THERE!

During November of 2012, I had my engine completely replaced with John at Engine Solutions in Baton Rouge. When I dropped my vehicle off with John, the check engine light was not on and had no known issues. Twenty four hours before I was set to pick up my finished vehicle, John called me to let me know that my check engine light was permanently on. He told me he could fix this for an additional $250. I asked him if this was a necessary repair and he simply responded 'no'. Thus I chose not to address this issue based on the limited information he provided me.



Three months down the road, I visit another mechanic for routine maintenance who tells me this is a major issue. This mechanic says that BOTH the new and old engine should come with a knock sensor so it seems strange that mine is broken. I essentially had two chances of acquiring a working one. He shows me that the sensor mechanism is just dangling underneath my car. He also told me that AN HONEST mechanic would have never returned my car to me in this condition.



I spoke to John about this issue and he told me the knock sensor is broken and its state of brokeness is completely independent to him or any work he has done. He also told me the knock sensor is not part of the repair and a clause in my fine print, 18 point warranty says this part is not covered. How clever of him!



I am reporting this business to the Better Business Bureau and looking into legal council. I am disappointed that I did not check yellowpages.com before this repair as I noticed there are THREE other complaints about John's integrity and workmanship.



I am not sure what will come of this or what time/energies are worth pursuing. If you have taken the time to read this far, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE advise your family, friends, and acquaintances to refrain from doing business with Engine Solutions.



UPDATE: 2/13/13

I reported this business to the local BBB. My written response through the BBB from the owner, John Hadlow, states 'the knock sensor was broken when it was unplugged'. I asked John if he thought the sensor broke at the hand of his mechanics (he does not even personally work on the vehicles - something I learned today) and he has changed his story. He now believes the sensor broke because the vehicle is 14 years old. He further explained that he works on cars made in the 1970's and 1980's and that some parts tend to just crumble during the work. I don't believe it is realistic to compare my 14 year old vehicle to cars made 30 - 40 years ago. I am also surprised John Hadlow would further admit that his repair shop makes a habit of breaking parts while doing routine repairs and anything they break is fixed at the owner's expense because the car is 'old.'



I also asked John why he would tell me that a working knock sensor is optional in a vehicle. Under the Louisiana emissions law a nonfunctional knock sensor is illegal and the vehicle will not pass state inspection. John was misleading and dishonest in every interaction we've had. He assumes he can talk circles around me because I am young and female. I shouldn't have to report his business to the BBB in order to force him to provide me information about my car.



After a long conversation with John, he offered to fix the knock sensor at cost and allow the labor to be free. This will cost me $160 should I accept his terms through the BBB. I find this completely unacceptable. I was lied to, misled, and NOT offered these terms before reporting John to the BBB. John should hire better mechanics or fix parts broken due to negligence at his own expense.

My husband took his truck to have the motor replaced. They gave him and myself a lenghty " contract " to read, I told my husband not to let them fix his truck because the contract is basically telling you they are gonna add crap to you later. I asked the man was that the final price before we left he said yes. LIED. Well low and behold they called him the day before his truck was suppose to be ready and said he needed a new radiator, my said he will put it in his self. Then he called right back and said he needed lifters ($400). I ask my husband when you put my motor in my truck, did you have to buy all of that stuff? He said mine came with it. I told him not to mess with these people (s). When you call the local number the man in Texas) that answer will give you the number to the Baton Rouge office because he said he's in Texas. You grow your business most of the time by word of mouth, this is one place I will not recommend. If I could have left the stars blank it would be.

Government Actions



* On November 11, 2008, the Colorado Attorney General announced that a settlement had been reached with American Engine Installations (AEI) and two of its Colorado franchises. The Colorado Attorney General filed a Consumer Protection Lawsuit against AEI, on June 18, 2007.



According to the Colorado Attorney General, AEI allegedly "low-balled" engine repair estimates, only to raise them an average of 60 percent after consumers paid an $800 deposit; charged consumers an average of $1500 more than the original estimate; and misled consumers regarding the length of time needed to complete the work.



The company also misrepresented its use of Automotive Service Excellence certified mechanics and its accreditation with the Better Business Bureau. In fact, the company's accreditation with the Dallas BBB was revoked BBB Definition:



revoked - The Membership Committtee of the Board of Directors determined that this company failed to meet Bureau membership standards. As a consequence, this company's membership in the Better Business Bureau of Metropolitan Dallas has been revoked BBB Definition:



revoked - The Membership Committtee of the Board of Directors determined that this company failed to meet Bureau membership standards. As a consequence, this company's membership in the Better Business Bureau of Metropolitan Dallas has been revoked.

.

on June 11, 2007, before the Colorado Attorney General filed suit. One of the company's Colorado franchise locations was never an Accredited Business and had several complaints regarding repair quality and costs.



The settlement stipulates that AEI must pay $300,000 in restitution and penalties. And AEI president, John K. Hartnack, is prohibited from further operation of any engine repair business that affects Colorado consumers.





*(This is an excerpt from the BBB report of American Engine Installations, which is currently an F, though not written by me, explains in full detail my experience with this establishment.)



It also seems to be a new address. The address I remember is 4205 Evan Brooks Dr. Baton Rouge, LA 70815

I didn't do my research on this company before I brought my car here for repairs. It's been three years and my wounds still haven't healed. Besides reporting this company to the BBB, this is the first review site I have been able to share my experience with:



Advertises locally but I was dispatched to Dallas then had to have my car towed to Baton Rouge from Lafayette.



Kept my car for two months.



Charging me for parts that weren't needed.



Made copies of my warrantied items receipts not associated with the engine purchase(at my request) but still tried to charge me for new ones.



Tried to "doctor" the damaged motor when the contract stated I was purchasing a new rebuilt motor.



Has an "Unsatisfactory" with the BBB.



Discovered a fresh puddle of motor oil in the parking lot within an hour of receiving my car(because I had to install new tires for the trip back to Lafayette).



Lifted the front of my car with a fork lift because there weren't any floor lifts available to trace the origin of the motor oil

leak(AEI tried to convince me it was transmission oil when there is a major difference between the two).



I spent the rest of 2005 fixing or replacing things such as the timing cover gasket, which was installed incorrectly and was the cause of the leak discovered on the day I picked up my car.



I found out that the 3 yr warranty does not cover labor if the engine has to be exchanged for a new one. Any problems has to be reported within two days or the warranty is voided. AEI figures that if there are any problems, it will surface within the first two days, nevermind the three year warranty.



AEI was aware that I was on my way to pick up my car but allowed one of their technicians to take a "joyride" in my car causing me to wait fifteen minutes before I can inspect my car especially when I was told that the checks were completed the day before.



Charged me for a damaged engine core and when I asked for the core, I was told it was sent to the engine headquarters because they don't keep the damaged cores on hand...but asked if I wanted to see the damaged core when I was there to pick up my car.



Damaged my hood ornament and didn't want to pay for it right then and there. I was told I'd have to purchase a new one at an Oldsmobile dealer then drive back to their office for me to be reimbursed.