Darien Auto Center

10-Dec-12
Jack H

My parents have been doing business with Darien Auto Center for over 10 years. As I've only dealt with Bob off and on in that time because of military commitments and graduate school (also Rob is conveniently never there when I am), I have to blame both him and Rob for consistently not performing their jobs well. Even though Rob owns the business, they misdiagnoses problems, don't fix issues 100%, they are quick to sell you a part, nor do they warn you of potential future issues or follow up on current issues. This is totally unacceptable as a business. Lastly, dealing with Bob is like talking to a wet diaper; his personality and workmanship stinks.

Sorry Bob, but after years of doing your job half-assed, it's time to move on; and by move on, I mean you should retire to your large waterfront estate away from Darien. Thanks for robbing me, my family, and everyone else of their hard earned time and money. On the bright side of things, with my help, I've taught my father to do repairs on his own as your work is as reliable as a submarine with screen doors. Judge for yourself with two examples below.

Bad Workmanship - BMW oil change:
Bob/Rob's Fix - Changed the oil.
Problem Found - Never replaced oil filter.
My Fix - On the next oil change interval (which I did myself 7,500mi later) I found they didn't change the oil filter! As I tired to replace it, it fell apart and shattered into the oil housing. I spent over a hour picking paper slivers out with needle nose pliers. Replaced filter with a Mann HU 925/4 from Bavauto.com ($7.95).

Misdiagnosed problems - Battery Dead:
Bob's Fix - New battery (approx $180 w/ labor).
Real Problem - Alternator not recharging the battery b/c of low amps.
My Fix - Advanced Auto Parts confirmed low alternator charge (14.5 amps baseline, 14 w/ high beams and fan (not a/c)) and gave me a printout of the results; Auto Zone also confirmed low amps and correctly identified the tensioner pulley's spring was shot as the belt was worn out and slipping on the alternator and other engine hardware. I bought new belt and tensioner pulley (approx $84 at Auto Zone). A new battery would have cost approx $64 at Costco. As a third check, I went back to Bob. He ADMITTED he never did an amp scan on the alternator because his diagnosis was a dead battery (no effing crap Sherlock). I asked him do an amp check because based on how my father described the issues before the battery died (flashing/dimming cluster lights); it sounded like an alternator issue. He hooked up the equipment, told me to turn the car on, rev the engine, and turn it off. This is the correct procedure for Snap-On equipment, but in a proper amp check the car needs a baseline amp reading and a LOADED amp reading. Bob said it was okay as the amps were 13. First of all, where the eff did he pull that number? His Snap-On EECS304B1 doesn't display anything other than the word Pass. A printout is possible, but he didn't even offer the results. Also 13 amps as the baseline is 10.4% lower than the alternator's measured baseline at both Advanced Auto and Auto Zone (15% being a complete FAIL). Lastly, he says to me jokingly If your rooting around in the engine, could you help me out and return the lost equipment I dropped in your engine? Seriously Bob!?! Not only are you incompetent, but you're no better than a surgeon doing abdominal surgery and leaving a malleable retractor sewn in the body. Get stuffed Bob.

Do your homework and don't get screwed.

Snap-On EECS304B1 link:
http://image.snapon.com/clrc/CustServ/Product/Manuals/M/MICROVAT_MANUAL.pdf