ComplaintsforIkar Repair

• Initial Complaint

  09/25/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I towed my car in for an engine replacement , and 1 week later the mechanic ,*******, called to inform me he was installing the engine. When I contacted him later that day, he informed me he did not receive the correct engine, however , he did not notify me of this prior to the installation, even though the engine was prominently labeled a **** Lexus. I contacted the dealer for a replacement, during this time ******* failed to have the engine on the pallet twice, and failed to print the documents for pick up. Each time, several days or the weekend would pass before another truck returned.When the 2nd engine arrived , ******* contacted me to say that he would be installing the engine. After, installing, he called and informed me that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. He said it was damaged and clogged and would be thousands of dollars to repair.I was confused because ******* did not mention this before, and my catalytic converters were checked when 1 was replaced a year prior. Additionally, my car was serviced and tuned up prior to it breaking down due to an oil leak on a drive to LA from *******. He , then asserted that the new engine was missing 3 compressors. Why didnt he check it before installing? We knew we were dealing with scammers at this point. ******* asked to be paid ******* in cash for the installation of both engines and storage fees. He is demanding this money even though hes refused to complete the work that would ensure my vehicle is working. I was scammed by the auto parts dealer, and ******* has asked that I pay him for labor even though he failed to run diagnostics test prior to installation , failed to inspect or notify me of issues prior to performing work, and claimed damages to my car that did not exist nor did he inform me of after having access to my car over a month, I do not want to pay him anything, and I believe I should be able to remove my car from his lot and cut my losses.

  Business response

  10/12/2023

  The work that was performed on the clients car was to replace an engine. He said he would bring the motor. The first time ****************** brought the engine, it was for a different model car. After three weeks, he delivers a used motor and we mounted the motor. We had to change the oil and complete the installations of the motor, but unfortunately the motor was not good. The motor was low compression. As of now, the owner has not paid for the services we have provided. We provided parts, supplies, and our time into this clients vehicle and get no type of pay out of this job. The car is a **** ****** Camry V6. He has not picked up the car since the issues were explained to him. We demand some sort of payment for our labor being provided into this car. 

  Customer response

  10/22/2023

   
  Complaint: 20647113
  
  I am rejecting this response for a number of reasons. First, I did not deliver the engine, nor was I in possession of the engine at any time. I purchased the engine from Premium Auto Parts, who in turn committed identity fraud by utilizing my card to purchase an engine without my knowledge or consent from its co-conspirator partner, Del Paso Dismantlers. I believe these companies have committed this act against hundreds of customers and never actually provided viable engines or parts. Nonetheless, ******** worked collaboratively with Premium and shipped both engines to Ikar repair. ******* spoke to and received messages from representatives of both companies on several occasions. He provided the proper mailing address and received and provided the ***s on both shipments. He also received and participated in the shipment of the engines.When the first engine arrived, it was prominently labeled as a Lexus engine. ******* fully installed the engine without notifying me of this fact, even though we spoke prior to installation. He called me after the initial installation began to advise me to pick the car up later in the week. Once he fully installed the engine, he stated the Lexus engine had too many censors to be compatible and required replacement. After installing and removing the engine, he did not mention any issues with the catalytic converters. My engine was serviced prior to a 4-hour drive from ******* to the Grapevine, where my car became disabled. My vehicle locked and I was required to pull over for a tow. The mechanic, who fixed my car prior to *******, can attest to the functioning of my catalytic converters, as 1 had been replaced the previous year, and I passed a smog test and had no signs that the catalytic converters were in distress.I feel it is important that this issue is directly addressed because ******* received the 2nd engine approximately 3 weeks later after he and the shipping company failed to coordinate the pick up of the Lexus engine properly. On several occasions, the shipping truck did not arrive and on others,  ******* failed to print the *** and failed to have the engine on the pallet 2x, including, a 4-day weekend. At no time, was I in possession of either engine.When the second engine arrived, ******* installed the engine but called me to inform me that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced and it would be inordinately expensive.He also called my mother, who offered to contact Premium, again. *******, however, asserted that the issue with the catalytic converter was a separate issue from the engine and advised her against contacting Premium. She did contact Premium and Del Paso to notify them that the mechanic reported that the 2nd engine was not working. Neither company cooperated with the replacement of a new engine. Premium poses as an auto parts dealer by operating a vast phishing scheme online and receives an undisclosed finders fee. Del Paso receives payment for the engine but fails to provide a usable product. They depend on ignoring or threatening the client until you give up. In the interim, ******* demanded ******* for the installation of both engines, and vehicle storage, and refused to perform any additional work. At this juncture, he could have taken over the job because we both knew I had been scammed. Instead, he ranted about my car sitting in his lot and my decision to purchase the engine from a third party. He is holding my car and refused to release it until I pay him a renegotiated fee of ****, which was the proposed refunded amount for the engine. ******* is aware that I did not personally provide, ship, or have any role in the debacle created by Premium and Del Paso. He further knows that I have been a victim of a phishing and identity theft ring. I bear no responsibility for these crimes, and I was willing to allow ******* to take over the work, but he has chosen to demand an inordinate amount of money and I do not have a functioning car. To date, ******* states that the engine is inoperable and my catalytic converter is broken and requires replacement.While I believe that ******** defrauded me again, and sent an inoperable engine, there was no mention that my catalytic converter was damaged until after the installation of the second engine, which I find odd. Seeing as my car was inspected just a day before breaking down, it is only in *******'s care that they have been damaged, removed, stolen, or replaced. He needs to be responsible for replacing them. At this juncture, my car is inoperable and in a state of disrepair that it did not arrive in. I must still purchase a new engine and have my vehicle towed to an alternate site. However, my catalytic converter must be replaced, I want both engines on site, and the removal of my vehicle. ******* stated that he drilled a hole in 1 converter so it would be able to drive off the site. I have been advised that the converters correspond to specific compressors, and I feel my car needs to be inspected. When ******* learned of this complaint, he called and conducted himself in an extremely unprofessional manner; he cursed, verbally abused, and called me a series of distasteful names. ******* and I are at an impasse because he, too, is attempting to take advantage of the situation. He could have used common sense and not installed the incorrect engine; I am not responsible for his lapse in judgment. When he received the 2nd engine, he should have taken some measures to test it considering the previous issues, and in either case, my catalytic converter should be functioning, had it not been, he would have known that after installing and removing the first engine. I can provide the name and receipts of work performed just a day before my car broke down.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *************************

  Business response

  10/26/2023

  As previously discussed, I am just asking for payment of the services/labor I provided. I was not responsible for both engines being delivered to me in non-working conditions The companies that he bought both engines from, should have guaranteed him working and the correct engines. I am not responsible for those engines, as I am not the one providing them to the client, I am just the 3rd party trying to resolve the clients matter. I do not provide warranty, and I was in full contact with the client and the companies providing the engines so the client can receive great services. If the engines are delivered to me, I am in knowledge that they should be in great condition and for the correct model, that is why I provided my services. If they turn out to be in bad conditions, I am not responsible and only the companies providing the "correct working engines" are. I am only aware of the problems within the engines once I have installed them and done the services needed so that car can work. This is when it would appear on my end if they are working engines or not. If they weren't working, that was the reason why I let the client know so he can resolve the problems with the companies. Thus, I am only asking the client to pay me for my services and parts being provided and he is more than welcome to take his car. 

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