I am writing about this business because I don't want anyone else to go through all the hurt, deceit, and mistrust that we experienced at Uptown Auto Care in Minneapolis. We are senior citizens and purchased the Jeep at 8,000 miles and it has been serviced and maintained regularly. This has been a very dependable vehicle and the engine has never been apart. We were experiencing overheating on our 1994 Jeep Wrangler and a friend from church recommended Uptown Auto Care in Minneapolis. Our church friend said the owner of Uptown Auto Care worked for him as a mechanic when he had his business, so we eagerly trusted his recommendation and wanted to support a local business- boy were we wrong!
Uptown Auto Care said the Jeep needed to have the head gasket replaced and Mark Puffer (owner and mechanic who worked on the Jeep) informed us that the cylinder head needed to be rebuilt and sent out to a repair shop. He told us that the valve seats fell out when he removed the cylinder head. What a lie! I later called and talked with other cylinder head shops and they informed me that valve seats are pressed into the heads and don't just fall out. I doubt that the cylinder head was ever sent out to a machine shop for valve work and we were charged for services we did not need or get. After all, the Jeep only has 80,000+ miles.
What really made us upset and caused us grief was when the Jeep overheated again and we had to have the Jeep towed over to Uptown Auto Care again. His told us to come back in 1,200 miles to have the Jeep looked over, but we never made it. Mr. Puffer informed us that the engine block was cracked and his warranty of 6 months or 12,000 miles did not cover the repair. We then took him to Conciliation Court and he told us that he would give us $700 or install a used motor at no cost. Of course we would have to purchase our own motor, but he later went back on his word and said he was not going to help us out at all. When you go to court it does not matter who is right or wrong- all that matters is whose story the judge believes. Another unusual action by Mr. Puffer is when he offered to buy the Jeep from us in court, which we later declined because of the low offering price. If you drive past his shop on 22nd and Lyndale South, there are several vehicles which have been there over 1 1/2 years and I wonder if has swindled some other poor suckers (customers).
When we got the Jeep home from Uptown Auto Care, I had a mechanic look it over and we found out that the thermostat was never changed and was stuck closed. He said this is what caused the engine to overheat the 2nd time. The certified mechanic also informed us that the cylinder head bolts, which we paid for had never been changed and the radiator cap was pressure tested and found to be okay. The bolts were all rusty and I don't think they would get that way with driving the Jeep for only 1-2 months.
The original estimate written by Mr. Puffer said that we should replace the radiator and serpentine belt, and radiator cap. The radiator and serpentine belt were replaced at that time. The replacement radiator and belt came from John's Auto Parts and Mr. Puffer claims this is what cracked the engine block. What a bunch of bull! The radiator was inspected by John's Auto parts as well as the certified mechanic and found to have a small pin hole at the top on the seam- a small leak, which would of not caused the jeep to overheat and crack the block. Lack of knowledge of not installing a new thermostat caused the engine to overheat, forcing the hot antifreeze to expand and damage the new radiator and crack the block.
Please contact me if you have been taken advantage by Uptown Auto Care. I have contacted the Minnesota Attorney General and they are investigating the so called repair facility. I also learned that the business on 2217 Lyndale Avenue South has been investigated by a local television investigator a few years back for replacing parts not needed and overcharging customers. It seems that they are up to their old tricks again.
