I have been doing business with Honest-1 Anoka for many years, and over those years I felt that I could trust them. That's why I continued taking my vehicles to them. With only a couple of exceptions, I felt that they did good work and the repairs were necessary. Well, recently, my trust in them has come crashing down to an all time low point. Here's why: Last week, I had my 2006 Chevy pickup truck towed to them because the engine died while idling at a gas station, and before it died, the oil pressure warning message stated "No Oil Pressure". I could not get it restarted because the battery was in poor condition (That's why I kept it ideling while getting gas). After being at Honest-1 for about a day, Tim (one of their employees) called to give me the bad news about my truck. He stated that the engine had seized from running with no oil pressure. He told me his mechanic confirmed it by putting a wrench on the output shaft of the engine and he tried to rotate it. He said it barely moved, and then they tried to restart it with a battery jumper to no avail. He also said they they drained the oil and it had coolant mixed in with it. I asked him what the cost would be to replace the engine, and he said that type of V8 engine, new or rebuilt, is not currently available from GM, but I could have them install a used engine for (hold on to your seat folks) SIX THOUSAND DOLLARS! Then soon after he quoted me that ridulous high cost for a used engine, he told me that the mechanic who worked on it would offer me $800 for the truck (that's eight hundred dollars!). Do you smell something fishy here? I sure did! Anyhow, I decided to take my truck to another mechanic to get a "second opinion". That experience with Honest-1 cost me $190.00 which included their "diagnostic" charge, and the towing cost. My wife's brother-in-law recommended a truely honest mechanic in Oak Grove. I had my truck towed to him, and long story short, HE FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH IT! Asside from the oil having a little condensation in it, the truck started for him and it ran perfectly normal. He said what likely happened to cause the oil pressure to go to zero was condensation got in the oil (that was during a very cold, below zero, Winter day) and froze when it accumulated in the oil filter. That stopped the oil from circulating, but an engine would not seize after running without oil flow for less than 30 seconds. The mechanic changed the oil and filter, and installed a new battery. Total cost: $265.00. The truck is still running just fine. Needless to say, I am VERY disappointed in Honest-1.
Thank you for your feedback and your prior business. We understand the news about your truck was disappointing but we stand firmly behind our diagnosis. As part of your inspection we included a video of us draining the oil out of your truck and it looked like chocolate milk- it was very heavily contaminated with coolant which only happens when there are internal problems with your engine. In addition, you engine was seized when it arrived at our shop and your battery failed load test. We got your engine freed up a bit and put in fresh oil so whatever "condensation" your other technician noted was new as we completely drained and refilled your engine with fresh oil. In our professional opinion and 30+ years of experience your engine has serious damage and will need extensive repairs or replacement very soon. And to set the record straight, we didn't offer to purchase your vehicle until you declined repairs and indicated you were going to sell the vehicle. Please contact us if you would like further details of our diagnostic testing and findings.
- Honest-1 Auto Care Anoka