Gateway Tire & Service Center
gatewaytire.com
7303 S Broadway Ave
Tyler, TX 75703
(903) 939-1600

On, or about August 23, 2007, we took our car, a 1997 Toyota Camry, for repair at Gateway Tire in Tyler, Texas. It was leaking power steering fluid. The power steering pump had been replaced less than a year before, at Gateway, so a new pump was under warranty. They also had to replace the high pressure hose. This all cost $415.45.

Less than a day after picking the car up, we found power steering fluid all over our garage floor. We returned with the car, and was told it was a loose connection.

A couple of days later, we found another puddle, and was told it was again a loose connection.

After finding power steering fluid again, we returned on, or about September 5, 2007. This time they said they replaced the high pressure hose again, and performed an unauthorized repair by replacing the cam shaft seal. Mr. Araujo said they noticed it leaking, and repaired it for nothing.

Finally, after noticing a puddle in our garage on September 8, 2007, Mr. Araujo agreed to obtain a rental car for us on September 10, 2007.

Mr. Araujo called on Friday, September 14, 2007 and said our car was ready. During one of these repair trips, the valve cover gasket was also replaced. I returned the rental car and picked my car up. It was running very poorly, revving very high before shifting, and we noticed an oil leak. We returned to Gateway, and one of Mr. Araujo's mechanics, Cecil, verified the oil leak. We received a different rental car for the weekend while they looked into the problem with my car.

On Wednesday, September 19, 2007, Mr. Araujo called and said they could find nothing wrong with the car. I asked about the transmission shifting strangely, and he replied that they did not work on the transmission, so it couldn't have been anything that they did.

I picked up the car, and brought it to a mechanic shop I trust in Nacogdoches, Texas, about 2 hours away. He has since determined that two lower bolts, removed to replace the cam shaft seal, was never returned. Also, the cam shaft sensor was left hanging loose, and never reconnected. He also noted that the valve cover was now cracked.

Mr. Araujo called to speak with our new mechanic, and Mr. Araujo told him that he was washing his hands of me and my car.

The bill to fix their mistakes amounted to $175.00.

Now, a few weeks later, we have found that the cam shaft sensor needs to be replaced. This latest repair will be approximately $300.

Steer clear of this inept, incompetent shop. The mechanics are clueless, and the management is even more so.