Brian Bemis World Auto

On May 5, 2010, I took my vehicle in for a routine oil end filter change. When I drove my vehicle in to the facility, it was running perfectly; and no fluid was leaking from anywhere. I left the facility and drove approximately 30-35 miles and started hearing a knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. Upon inspection, I discovered that the radiator cap was barely sitting on the fitting very loosely and engine coolant had escaped out of the reservoir and spilled over into the engine compartment until the coolant reservoir had been emptied. Obviously, that is what had caused my engine to start knocking and hesitating.

When I took my vehicle back to Brian Bemis, they told me that my fan clutch had seized. I did not find that fact to be unusual. However, I did find the fact that my radiator cap had been loosened by someone and the only people who had touched my vehicle prior to this incident were the service personnel at Brian Bemis. I am afraid that some other parts of my cooling system and/or engine may have been damaged because of this loss of engine coolant. Please advise.

I have written before in a complaint against Chrysler Corporation for this same problem but as I'm researching this thing, I'm now very upset with Brian Bemis Auto, the mechanics who supposedly "fixed" this defect. Our outer tie rod ends, as well as our entire rack and pinion steering has gone out on our 1995 Dodge Stratus in the last year.

This last time (one outer tie rod end broke a year ago at which time we were told that the other one was fine and would not break, and now the other side, along with the rack and pinion steering broke just a couple weeks ago) I was told by Matt at Brian Bemis Auto that if the tie rod ends are not greased during oil changes, they can dry out and break during normal wear and tear. This is also what they told Chrysler Corporation when I asked that they call Brian Bemis, therefore resulting in Chrysler washing their hands of the whole responsibility (also due to the fact that our warrenty was up).

I spoke with the mechanic at the reputable oil change company that we use and he said that, yes, under normal circumstances, they always check and lube the outer tie rods when doing an oil change but that the newer cars (1990 and newer) do not have access for lubing. In other words, they are sealed parts! He also stated that even if they dried out completely, they should NEVER break, only make loud noise. Furthermore, he agreed that Brian Bemis mechanics would, of course, tell Chrysler that it was normal wear and tear so that Brian Bemis would get the job.

If Chrysler took over paying for it, you bet they wouldn't allow the mechanics to overcharge for longer hours of labor. I need to know what options I have, given that my warrenty is up, the car has about 80,000 miles and is five years old. Please advise. Thank you.