Car Tune Up a Scam? Please help!?

Question

I went to get my car tuned up.  He said it needed to have the wires replaced and I forgot what else.  It cost $283.00 all together.  However when I got it back, my heating only blows towards the windshield (defrost setting) and it won't blow anywhere else, like the feet or face.  I called to auto place and they said that it would have been impossible for them to touch the heating system because it was no where near where they performed the tune up.  The heater worked fine before and it is just too coincidental that it is not working properly after I got it back.  So, they said that I can bring it in to get it repaired but it will cost me extra.  Is this a scam?!   Sorry not familiar with cars at all!

92 pontiac bonneville SE

Answer 1

A tune-up shouldn't affect your heater, but I would definatley go to another mechanic. Almost $300 for a tune-up is pretty high.

Answer 2

Usually a tune up just includes spark plugs, plug wires, maybe some vacuum hoses, and fluids. They really shouldnt have been anywhere near your heater. And 283 dollars sounds about right these days especially for an older model car sometimes the plugs are pretty tough to get to. Doesnt sound to much like a scam.

Answer 3

The mechanic may have disconnected a vacuum hose under the hood that actuates the flaps that direct the air in your heating system, if your car uses this system, but it is common on older cars.  If you can, look under the hood to see if anything is loose.  Maybe you can see the problem yourself before you take it back to them.  It's worth a shot.

Answer 4

When they did your tuneup, they probably knocked off a vacuum line to your HVAC system.  If they are unwilling to consider this possibility, take it to another shop and don't return to the shop who performed your tuneup.  They're not worthy of your patronage.

Answer 5

wow thats high depending on the car the wires they probably bought cheap ones cost you 19-30 do they double that for their cost then labor is an hour..so they scammed you big time even labor at 100 an hour it would only be 160..they might have messed around with other things to scam you for your money and charge you another 300-500..i would find someone more reliable...

Answer 6

Either it is a scam or a case of stupidity. The most obvious cause of this problem that could have been caused by the tuneup is a disconnected or broken vacuum line. Have a friend who knows about cars look at the engine while it is running and try to find a vacuum leak. It will generally be in one of the small black rubber lines that lead from the firewall to the intake manifold - usually nearer the passenger side of the car, but not always.
If it is not this, look for a blown fuse, which would probably NOT have been caused by the mechanic.
Good luck!

Answer 7

They inadvertently broke or knocked off a vacuum while working on it. Have them check that, I'm sure they will if they know what to look for.

Answer 8

what they have done was remove a vacuum line so that they could hook it up to the tune up machine and diagnose it and they probably forgot to hook the vacuum line back up for it, its the one that feeds the vacuum source for the controls to work properly on heat and air unit,id take it back to them and see that they hook this back up right,it mounts either on the engine intake manifold or around the base of the intake,that's all they have done is left the one line loose,and that's whats causing your problems,good luck.  edit,you got a pretty good price on doing all this,that wasn't bad at all for a complete tune up.

Answer 9

plugs wires PVC valve air filter throttle body clean and fuel filter crank case ventilator filter and 1.5 hours labor, and broke off a hose for the AC or off the distributor advance mechanism when changing plugs he most likely broke or knocked off the hose to the vacuum reservoir

Answer 10

283 is not high depending on what you got i.e. plugs, wires, fuel filter,and air filter and the brand used hopefully they used a/c delcoon plugs and wires. as far as heater goes if they just blew you off right away they are wrong todo so i belive (not for sure and neither r they) the vent doors that control your air flow work off vacuum which they where right by the hoses. you might call them back and ask if maybe they unhooked 1 (u shouldn't have to they should atleast offer) if thier attuide sucks,tell them you are recording the call,and inform them u will take it somewhere else and if it is a vacuum hose you want to be refunded the amount of that repair. i own a shop i would want to look at it again to make sure if you take it back to them STAY there and watch the repair. if they come back and say not vacuum take to other shop