Hello. Hope you can help answer a question from a complete novice!
A friend with a 2000 Toyota Corolla, 93,000 miles, had engine trouble while far out of state. A mechanic towed the vehicle, said it needed a new engine, and quoted $2,500, which she paid. Four months later, with the engine knocking, her local mechanic replaced the power steering pump and said the engine was never replaced (VIN numbers matched.)
The out-of-state mechanic now claims he ordered a salvage engine, determined it was in poor condition when it arrived, and so instead "fixed" the bearings to get her on her way. Said it was a miscommunication and has offered to return $1,000.
Separate from whether this guy should be strung up, my question is this: Is there a way for either a layman or a mechanic to determine -- without taking the engine apart -- whether the bearings were in fact replaced?
Thanks!
A friend with a 2000 Toyota Corolla, 93,000 miles, had engine trouble while far out of state. A mechanic towed the vehicle, said it needed a new engine, and quoted $2,500, which she paid. Four months later, with the engine knocking, her local mechanic replaced the power steering pump and said the engine was never replaced (VIN numbers matched.)
The out-of-state mechanic now claims he ordered a salvage engine, determined it was in poor condition when it arrived, and so instead "fixed" the bearings to get her on her way. Said it was a miscommunication and has offered to return $1,000.
Separate from whether this guy should be strung up, my question is this: Is there a way for either a layman or a mechanic to determine -- without taking the engine apart -- whether the bearings were in fact replaced?
Thanks!