I dropped my 93 F 150 XLT 4x4 off at a shop to have my engine rebuilt after I noticed that I was getting alot of blow-by in the airbox. I explained to the owner that I was going to have them remove the existing speed density meter and replace it with a Ford Performance Mass Air Conversion Kit, they told me it would be no problem at all. That all took place the weekend of May 8. My estimate explained that the bill would be between $1200 - $1500, +/- $200. They also explained that it would take approximately 2 weeks to complete. They called me on Friday, June 11 and told me that the truck was ready. I really really needed it on or around the time promised, did not get it . . accumulated around $1,000 rental car bill. These were issues which I had planned to present to the owner when I admonished him to reduce the price of the work performed.
I went on June 12 to pick up the truck and was presented with a bill totalling OVER $2,250!! I told him that there was NO WAY I was paying that much for the ****ty timeline, the excuses for why my truck hadn't been touched in 2 weeks . . . etc. I wrote him a check for $1,800 and took the keys. He locked up the shop and left for the night while I allowed my truck to warm up. When I rolled it into reverse (of-course after he already drove off) the tranny ground and popped real hard. it backed out fine though; when I shifted into Drive, I noticed 2 things;
A. My OD light was not working. B. with the pedal to the floor, the rpms went to
almost 2k and stopped, the truck was maybe doing 5 mph. HOLY ****!! I shifted into low and it took off nice, shifted to 2nd and was smooth also, shifted into Drive and it was nice there too. I then pressed the OD button to feel if it would shift properly and nothing happened!! OH MY GOD!! MY wife is going to KILL me!!
it would not transition between underdrive and overdrive . . . I got home and called the mechanic who told me that he himself had not R&R'd the engine and did not test it after it was complete . . . that he would like me to bring the truck down June 13 am for him to look at with his tech. Got there and of course, noone has any time to do what they say they'll do. . . I had to leave it overnight.
I wouldlike to know what am I up against here? what are my legal responsibilities? and what recourse do I have against this god damn huckster??

 

Sounds like more $ than small claims court too me. Kinda has you over the barrel. Either let him continue to work on it, or take him to court. I have found no one of ill repute will do squat for me after they have been paid. So if you can cancel the check, that may be your only option. Sounds like you have a right to. Goood Luck.

 

I totally agree with F150_TIM, put a stop on the check now while you have a chance. It will cost you about $20 but that is the only thing you have. You can settle up after the truck is fixed. Then you can decide if you want to do the small claims thing. Usually there is a $1500 limit but you can go for the limit and won't have to hire a lawyer.

Good luck and let us know how it went.

 

Did they put in a new ECU or anything like that come with the conversion kit. I believe if you go from speed density to mass air you need a new ECU and that could possibly recalibrate your shift points etc if you have an auto.