East Highland Auto Tech in Highland, CA Closed now

Reviews about East Highland Auto Tech

• ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

  April 13, 2020, by Joshua Dungan
  TL:DR - Upsale on parts was pretty high (double, or close to, whats sold in NAPA or Autozone) - Friendly - Up-sale of additional fluid exchange services - Extended stay of vehicle (No appointment made however) - Fixed the problem Arrived around 8:45 am via tow truck. After explaining what was wrong (bearing on water pump was shot enough to allow the pulley to flex and let my clutch fan rip apart the serpentine belt) receiving Service Rep put me down for a coolant pressure test. I asked him why he had put me down for a unnecessary pressure test when I just needed a new water pump, to which he stated it was just part of diagnostics and they needed to start somewhere. Got a call just about half way through the stay of the vehicle explaining they had found the problem, the bearing on the water pump had gone bad (which is what I initially told them was the issue). Was quoted prices for all the parts they wanted/needed to replace. I agreed to all but one, the Idler Pulley, as I had just replaced it myself roughly ~3 months prior. Service Rep's explanation was that there was debris along the surface. Up-sale on the part was double what I paid retail. The debris was actually rubber from the serpentine belt, that had been destroyed earlier that morning, which could easily be removed with a razor blade. I had partially done so while waiting for the tow truck to pick me up. With no appointment, it took roughly ~8 hours to complete the job. When returning to pick up and pay for my Jeep, the Service Rep made a passing comment about me doing work under my own hood which bothered me. Service Rep mentioned that they did a veterans discount of 10% which was great. Showed the Rep an expired Military ID and he then proceeded to not give me the discount. I keep the ID in cases like this, where a discount is offered, but like most veterans I do not push the issue of getting a discount just because I am a veteran. So I didn't mention the discount after being presented full bill. Paid little over 400$ to change a water pump, serpentine belt, thermostat, antifreeze., and disposal fees. The above being said, they absolutely fixed the problem. Really nice to not hear that wonderful serpentine belt squeal. Though the comment about me doing work under my hood bothered me, Service Rep wasn't overly rude. Three stars as they met the minimum required service, fixing the problem.