Robert wrote:
> wordman wrote:
> >
> > Below is a ltter a recently sent to auto zone after a bad PVC valve
> > caused my rear main seal to blow
> >
> > Email at: zu02885@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> >
> > Dear sirs,
> > Enclosed, please find 1 PVC valve part number PVC271(Deutsch,
> > manufacturer) a receipt from Doug's Auto for replacement of a
rear
> > main seal, and a customer satisfaction form, given to me by an
> > employee of the Auto Zone on December 11, 1996. So why have you
> > received these items?
> > On or about November 15 , I purchased the PVC valve from the Auto
Zone
> > on Green Springs Highway in Birmingham. I also purchased a
serpentine
> > belt and oil filter all to fit my 1994 Thunderbird. I installed the
> > parts without incident. A day or so later, I noticed a curious
> > burning smell, but incorrectly attributed it to the belt
'breaking
> > in'. The day before Thanksgiving, I drove to LaPlace , La to
visit my
> > family for the holidays. Upon arrival, I noticed oil covering the
back
> > of my car and the undercarriage. I took it to Doug's Auto Repair.
It
> > was quickly diagnosed with a blown rear main seal. In an attempt to
> > find the cause, the mechanic asked me if the PVC valve came from
Auto
> > Zone, to which I replied yes. Upon inspection, the valve was found
to
> > be stuck, causing pressure to increase in the crankcase causing the
> > rear main seal leak. I had it repaired at a cost of $373.00.
> > Upon my arrival home, I went to the same Auto Zone where the part
was
> > purchased and explained the mechanics findings to manager who
quickly
> > responded that this was impossible, a PVC could not cause such a
> > thing. I then spoke to mechanics at a Ford dealer****p as well as
> > several very experienced mechanics who informed me that indeed this
> > could cause such a problem.
> > I next phoned the Auto Zone back and asked for the number for a
> > cor****ate office, or customer service which I was given. I placed a
> > call to these people and was asked to leave a message on an
answering
> > machine, that the phone call would be returned. Five hours later,
it
> > had not yet been returned, so I called again, this time talking to
a
> > human.
> > Bill, the customer service representative I spoke to, told me to go
> > back to the Auto Zone where it was purchased, and get "the form to
> > file a claim, mail it in with the part the receipt for the repair
and
> > they will be forwarded to the manufacturer, where it will be
inspected
> > to see if it is indeed faulty. If it was found to be faulty I would
be
> > reimbursed for the cost of the repair."
> > I did just that this morning (December 11, 1996). While the
> > employee was quite helpful, it was obvious that he no idea what
"form"
> > I needed and gave me the one enclosed, which does not appear to be
> > correct.
> > So why all of this rhetoric? I have done business with Auto Zone
for
> > about 4 years and have learned a great many things about your
company
> > in the last month or so, among these are:
> > 1) Auto Zone's reputation amongst mechanics for substandard
parts.
Mechanics don't like Autozone not b/c of the parts, but because they
dont' get a "deep discount" like at Mom and Pop's
> > 2) The questionable knowledge of at least one manager in the
workings
> > of the internal combustion engine.
SOunds like the manager was right as far as the PCV valve.
> > 3) Customer service appears to be of little concern, when
disgruntled
> > customers are asked to leave a message, that was not returned,
rather
> > than speak to a person on the first call.
The store is your best bet on a complaint. Who is going to do more for
you? Some one far away on the phone, or some one you can deal face to
face with that relies on your business day to day? Most retailers have
a district or regional manager if a store manager was not able to
resolve your complaint.
> > 4) At least one employee was not trained well enough to help solve
a
> > customers problem.
Do you expect a mecahnic to work for min. wage?
> > I am very disappointed in the handling of this problem. I
ask
> > only one thing, reimbursement for the $373.00 for the repair. Will
it
> > change my attitude about Auto Zone? Not really. Regardless, I will
> > also no longer being doing business with Auto Zone and plan to post
> > this letter throughout the Internet, so that others will be aware
of
> > my experience with your company.
> >
> > Respectfully,
> >
> > Robert Constantine
>
>
> Autozone is not the manufacturer and can't be held liable for the
> product. Deutsch makes many parts both automotive and aerospace. I
have
> had lot of good experiences using this companies products. There is
> always a possibility of component failure but again, Autozone is not
the
> culprit. Why should Autozone be responsible for verifying the
quality
> of all the products that they sell? They don't intentionally sell
junk.
> Their suppliers are the same as everyone elses. I also have a hard
time
> believing a PCV valve could cause the seal to blow. If the pressure
> built up it should have forced the valve from the soft gasket holding
it
> in place. It is a shame that you had problems with your car but I
think
> you will have a hard time proving your case and receiving any money.
>
> Robert-FL
IF a mechanic told you that A PCV valve caused your problem, run
SCREAMING from the shop. A PCV valve is an emmission part. A PCV valve
recycles the crankcase va****s. If a PCV valve caused your rear main to
blow, that would mean that every car made before 1968 would have a
blown rear main seal. (PCV valve became standard after 1968 on all US
of cars) Now, the truth... A stuck PCV can cause oil consumption.
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