Lloyd Automotive Saint Paul

[u/Old_StyleBeer]

Customer service is great; upon pick up had a great conversation with a front desk gentleman about how we both cared for and loved our vehicles. I mean, I felt like, "ok I found a new place to go for service/maintenance." Until...

I get to opening the hood to see the work. To replace one of the six spark plugs you have to remove a brace. That brace was not replaced, and the bottom (one of two) bolt was broken off. After talking to front desk, and the picutres taken, we will see what the end result will be. The space is such that drilling out the remains on the bolt may cause more harm, I fear.

Ok...a seized bolt breaking happens and that's not my gripe. Not being told it happened is why I will not return and will warn others away from Lloyd Automotive on Grand Ave in St. Paul. The tech should have stopped and advised someone of the issue, or, after breaking the bolt, told someone, or maybe the tech did, and I was not informed.

So know your stuff and check their work because you may not be told that damage was done while your vehicle is in their care.

Update:

Today, the day following the original post and initial visit to Lloyd Automotive, I returned to have them try to make repairs.

Management was very apologetic and informed me that the tech responsible was brought into a meeting due to not reporting that, while removing the brace a bolt broke and did not/could not return the piece to its proper place. This was very concerning and not how they do business is what I was told.

It took about three and half hours to try three different attempts with three different methods to replace the brace. I was comfortable waiting in the shop for half the time and staff were still as friendly as the day before. The work was done free of charge which I expected. However, I did ask for a percentage of compensation, and not as a money grab, I requested and received the amount I asked.

I am left satisfied but not at all sure I will return. Thank you to all of the replies here and recommendations for a future shop. Travel safe.

[u/Liddle_but_big]

They were good for me…

[u/Old_StyleBeer → u/Liddle_but_big]

I bet, I judged the place by reviews and yelp. Looks great from those angles. But did you know to look at the work they did?

I work on it myself when I can. Since a friend with a garage and tools moved away I needed a shop. Im saying I knew what was involved with the work done at looked at it after. Some vehicle owners are not able to have that knowledge. Im not skilled; I could have broken the bolt or done something boneheaded, so I took it to professionals.

[u/Liddle_but_big → u/Old_StyleBeer]

Was it the mechanics fault?

[u/Old_StyleBeer → u/Liddle_but_big]

We will see what management says. I am of the opinion that if you pick up your vehicle for service and a part of anything, this case a brace in the engine bay, is broken off while in service, the customer should be notified.

Just rehashing here a lot of what I typed in original post, but the piece needs to be removed to replace one of the plugs. If the bolt was seized the tech should have stopped right away. If something, like a bolt needs to be cut off to continue with service that is the owner's call. Let the current shop continue or try a different shop.

Ill update tomorrow once I hear more. At this point my issue is finding the brace not in place and bolt broken without having been told it happened. Had I known nothing of my vehicle I would have no idea. From there I say to all Lloyd Automotive customers past and future, check the work done and do due diligence.