Dealership's service

Dealership's service

On May 19, I noticed a fluid leaking from under the hood of my
Opel Blazer. Upon inspection, I determined that the fluid was
coming from the power steering pump, indicating a ruptured seal
which is a normal occurrence and relatively easy to repair. Since
the car was purchased from Hangtuah Fatmawati, I had the car
delivered there for repair.

Approximately two hours after delivering the car, I received a
telephone call from Pak Yani, whom, I believe, is the chief
mechanic in the garage. He indicated that the entire power
steering pump plus the pulley had to be replaced. Being fairly
familiar with automobiles, I knew this to be untrue. Upon further
questioning, it turned out that Hangtuah did not have the seal
kit to do the repairs needed, and the "solution" was to replace
the entire unit at a quoted cost of over Rp 4 million. Upset at
this brazen act of deceit, I left instructions to do nothing
further with the car and that I would have my driver pick it up
the following morning and deliver it to a mechanic that I could
trust.

The following morning my driver was told that the "power
steering pump was disassembled and it would take two and half
hours to put it back together". After "insisting" that Hangtuah
release the car, my driver was told that it was "dangerous" to
drive the car, and that it should be towed to the garage of my
mechanic -- for a fee, of course. I was finally given to Pak
Armadi (?), who identified himself as the manager. I just wanted
my car fixed. "Somehow", (completely "unintentional", I am sure),
the snap pin was left off the shaft of the power steering pump,
resulting in the shaft and pulley becoming disengaged and falling
out while driving the vehicle to my mechanic's garage, and the
loss of the accessory drive belt as well (which I had just
replaced one month ago).

So... not only do I now have to replace the pump and pulley
instead of a simple seal replacement, I also have to replace the
accessory drive belt. Yes, Hangtuah, you got your revenge. But at
what price?

DAVID L. GIDDINGS

Jakarta