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So at 145,000 I figure it's time to change all the coolant hoses on my Sable. There are about nine hoses total, so I figured, "Let the dealer do it", right? Also told 'em to change the oil, and there were a couple of re-calls to do--something about shields over the front springs and a wiring issue at the brake light switch.

Guy says, "You wanna wait for it?"
I tell 'em to call me when it's done. It's Thursday morning at 7:30.
FRIDAY at noon the car's done(!) I figure the benches in the showroom would not have made for a comfortable night's sleep. I pick up the car and leave it in the driveway for the weekend.

I leave on Monday AM for Charlotte, then Asheville. Sharon calls me to say there's a spot of coolant in the driveway. I figure I'd check it out when I got to the hotel.

When I look under the car, there's a leak coming from someplace near the radiator, but I can't see exactly where. I also check the oil as usual, and... HOLY SH*T!! NO, like ZERO, oil on the dipstick!!!

So I hoof it down to the 7-11, buy 3 quarts of oil and dump it in. STILL 1/2-quart low!

Next day, I vist Keeter Ford in Shelby (where Matt Nicholson lives!). They confirmed the following:

1.) Yep, the oil metering device at Carolina Ford put maybe 2 quarts in the car, and worse, the so-called mechanic FAILED TO CHECK THE LEVEL! They even checked the P/N on the dipstick to eliminate the possibility of an inadvertant swap with an adjacent car.

2.) They same mechanic (probably a poor choice of words, now that I think about it) also LEFT OFF the hose clamp at the bottom of the radiator and the hose was within 1/4" of blowing off and puking all the coolant out! NO WAY that Carolina Ford pressure-tested the system after installing the hoses.

Over the phone, during all this, the guy at Carolina Ford is saying, "Well, bring it in and we'll do another oil change at no charge, and check out the leak."

I'm like, "OK, I'll just take a speed-run back to Fuquay and screw up my whole travel schedule." Yeah, right.

Anyway, Keeter Ford in Shelby rules! These guys recognized that I was 250 miles from home on business, and jumped all over this problem. The MECHANIC worked during his lunch hour and even let me watch over his shoulder! Total time to diagnose and fix the problem, pressure test the system, and verify fluids, etc.: 45 minutes. $35.

I went back to Carolina Ford on Friday "review their performance", and they were kind enough to acknowledge the problems and reimburse me for the oil, coolant and the $35 Labor charge in Shelby. They also rewarded me with coupons for two free oil changes.

Then on Friday morning, I get a call from some air-head:
"Good morning, Mr. Mackey! I'm Tammy, just following up on your recent service visit to Carolina Ford. Would you mind answering a few questions on our survey today?"

I'm like, "Sure... What's the first question...?"

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Brad

You might want to see if they're redeemable for cash before thinking about using them.

I know s__t happens, but the oil dispensing problem really had me worried.

But, being the frugal New Englander that I am, I will use the freebie chits and figure that the oil-change guy probably got the riot act read to him.

Couldn't happen twice... right? I'll check behind them, nonetheless

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Brad

Look at this this way: you now know you can get away with only putting 1.5 quarts of oil in on your next change. Think of the money you'll save!

Just another example of businesses not being willing to pay what it takes to get and keep high quality staff. Maybe the business that "we" as customers get screwed by is a "victim" of cutthroat competition or maybe it is one of the "instigators". Can't usually tell unless you are an insider. Net result is the same.

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Dick Rasmussen

FS 50 2018 Mustang GT