2004 Xterra - Help

[Always L8]

Ok before I even begin...I am clueless when it comes to mechanical things. Dad was a mechaninc for 35 years and if something went wrong...I took it to him. ince he died I have not had any majorproblems so this is the first time I have needed advice

I took my Xterra in for a trip check and was told everything was good but it needed a tune up since it was at 100,000 miles. I gave the go ahead for the tune up. During the process, the mechanic dropped a washer off the distributer cap into the #1 cylendar. This was realized when they started the truck and it started knocking, immediately turned off and started searching. Result was a broken piston, scarred cylendar.
Replaced the piston and honed the cylendar. Also replaced timing belt (unrelated ?? but trying to give all the info). As they were putting everything back together, the Reg valve ( I think that is the way those letters go) hung up and broke....replaced!
Went to pick up truck yesterday, told everything was good....drove about 1/2amile and it was horrible. Jerking, no power, noisy (squeal, whine, and general "roar"). Stopped at a stop sign and it idled like it wanted to cut off (it didn't) but that is what it felt like.
Took it straight back...they hooked up the computer and they said that the code was showing the knock sensor was bad and the whine I was hearing was the pully. "no big deal, we'll get it straight..this happenes sometimes" is what I was told.

So 12 days after I took my car in for a tune up....I still have no idea what is wrong and my truck is being used as a guinea pig at the shop.
Unfortunatley, I have no one here to go ask these questions and I have no idea what I should be looking fo, listening for or doing when it comes to this mechanic. I am the woman that all the mechanic jokes refer too
Any advice, help or opinions?

[RT22]

Find a real mechanic and make them pay to fix the problem. They have shown they are not capable, and if you keep returning it to them they may do more damage. Talk calmly and tell them that at this point you do not trust them and will be having someone else fix it but they WILL pay for it or the lawyers get involved. This happens all to often. if they cannot get it right in 3 tries it is time to move on before real damage is done, not to mention the time it is down. be nice and tell them you will be happy not to charge them the rental car fee for this, a tune up is a one day simple thing, this has gone to far. if they balk call a lawyer and call them fast. DO NOT let a mechanic screw you, no one would let other tradesmen pull this. Call the local Better Business Bureau and report them and ask for other recourse's if need be.

[dvdswan]

Find a real mechanic and make them pay to fix the problem. They have shown they are not capable, and if you keep returning it to them they may do more damage. Talk calmly and tell them that at this point you do not trust them and will be having someone else fix it but they WILL pay for it or the lawyers get involved. This happens all to often. if they cannot get it right in 3 tries it is time to move on before real damage is done, not to mention the time it is down. be nice and tell them you will be happy not to charge them the rental car fee for this, a tune up is a one day simple thing, this has gone to far. if they balk call a lawyer and call them fast. DO NOT let a mechanic screw you, no one would let other tradesmen pull this. Call the local Better Business Bureau and report them and ask for other recourse's if need be.

X400 on this.

[Always L8]

I'm sorry "what is x400"

[rizzobc]

I have to agree on all counts! RT22 is 100% on what to do...Make damn sure that you contact the Better Business Bureau, because if there has been any other complaints they could be facing fines or be shut down...I once saw a 60 minutes program that showcased how mechanics have screwed over "Poor Helpless Women" (not saying you are, thats just as they put it)