Your Head Gasket Is Leaking

Hello Everyone,

So last Wednesday I started out by calling about my car. Did I mention my new car that I got six months ago started smelling like oil? I didn't? Well I started smelling oil burning when I got out of my car. So on Monday January 5th I took my car to the place where I get my oil changed. I tell them I am smelling oil and that it is almost time for a oil change could they check to see if that's why it is smelling. He returns and tells me that he's changed my oil but that my car is leaking from the head gasket and since it's so new I need to take it back to the dealership.

So on Tuesday I called the place I bought my car from.


Me: Service Department please.

Lady: Ma'am we no longer have a service department.

Me: What?

Lady: We have closed down our service department here.

Me: Okaay. I bought a Milan there last July and now the head gasket is leaking. It is still under warranty. Where do I need to take it?

Lady: We are referring all our customers to Serra Toyota.

Me: The one in Centerpoint?

Lady: Yes ma'am.

Me: Okay, I know exactly where they are at. Thank you.

Lady: Your welcome have a good day.

Me: You too.

So I call Serra Toyota. Ask them their hours and tell them the problem. He saids ok bring it in anytime tomorrow. Great!

I bought a Mercury Milan from Vulcan Lincoln Mercury in Hoover. I wasn't surprised when they said I would have to take it to one of Tony Serra's dealerships because I knew he owned Vulcan Lincoln Mercury from when I worked for him back in the early 90's.

So on Tuesday, January 6th I drove my car over to Serra Toyota. This day it is pouring rain, just an ugly day. I get out of my car. The guy I talk to doesn't know what in the world I am talking about. So I told him who I talked to. Well after about ten minutes of hee-hawing they tell me they can fix it but I was going to have to pay for it. I do not think so! So they call the main office. They then come out and say that for the warranty to pay for it I need to go to a Ford dealership. Luckily there is one just down the road.

Jim Skinner Ford. We have bought around 5 vehicles from these people. So I was familiar with this place. I drop off my car, of course he is all out of loaner cars. Luckily I have my SUV.

So I have called about every two days or so. The first day I called the conversation went like this:

Me: Hi I was calling about my car.

Guy: Ma'am we don't see where it is leaking from. Maybe it's not the head gasket after all.

Me: Well, my oil guy said that it was all over, that you couldn't miss it. You don't see any oil at all?

Guy: Well hold on one minute and I'll check with the guy that looked at it.

Me: Ok.

Guy: Ma'am um well he really hasn't had the chance to look at it.

Me: Ok do you know when he'll get to? I brought it in on Tuesday. (it's Thursday)

Guy: I'll make sure he gets to it today.

Me: Well ok thanks.

So I wait til Tuesday to call back (since Monday was MLK birthday):

Me: Hi I was just checking on my car.

Guy: Yes ma'am it looks like your head gasket is leaking.

Me: Really? (sarcastically)

Guy: Yes ma'am. We are going to have to order the parts and then when they come in we'll get right on it.

Me: Ok. Can you tell me about when it might be done.

Guy: If I get the parts in time, lets say by Friday.

Me: Ok thanks.

So I call Friday and it's not ready. I call Monday and it's not ready. So Tuesday comes along and I am really too busy to call. So on Wednesday around 2 p.m. I call:

Me: Hi I was calling to check on my car.

Guy: Yes ma'am it's ready. I called yesterday and listened to your music but didn't leave a message. So I called later on and before I could leave a message I had to take another call. I was going to call you later today.

Me: Ok. Well it's a good thing I called then. I'll be right over to get it. There is no charge right?

Guy: No ma'am. No charge.

Me: Ok thank you, see you soon.

So they kept my car for 2 weeks and 1 day. How much do you want to bet that if I kept their payment for 2 weeks and 1 day they will charge me with a late fee? I am just thankful I got it back. While it is running great; I am a little concerned that I have had a problem with it and it being so new. Oh well C'est la vie.

Did any of you watch American Idol last week? There was a contestant that when he left said "be safe, be careful". Paula and Simon both were like what? What did you mean? Is that a threat? That's a threat!

The poor guy was like I just meant be careful in whatever you do. Paula's like you don't say that to people. You don't say be careful to people. I thought to myself what a bozo.

You are in the South lady and everyone saids be careful. I personally say it at least a dozen times a day. The last thing I say to my husband in the morning is "I love you, be careful." When I talk to my daughter I say the same. Did any of you see that?

Well I'm gonna run, ya'll have a great evening.


Have a blessed day!