Transmission STT

I'm having my transmission rebuilt by Castillo's in Sub Base right now. After having had it messed with by a handful of different mechanics, none of whom did anything worth paying for, I'm finally paying what I know I probably should be paying to hopefully have it done right. I was referred to them by coworkers. $1000 in labor for a complete rebuild plus actual cost in parts. $500 up front, $500 when it's done. So far he seems to be on the ball with things, after a month he wants to see it again to change fluids and take a look at it. Warranty is 3 months, but someone working there said if anything goes wrong just bring it in. We'll see how it goes in the end but i'm feeling optimistic.

Sending you a PM

Industrious Auto has always been the transmission guy.

It could have been worse. You could have taken it to Caribbean Auto Mart.

i HAD MY TRUCK TRANSMISSION REBUILT BY A GUY NAMED QUICKO. I DO NOT HAVE IHE S PHONE NUMBER BUT HE IS IN BAVONI. IF YOU ARE COMING FROM RED HOOK, TURN AT THE BRIDGE TO NO WERE. GO ABOUT 3/4 MILE AND THERE IS AN AWFUL BLUE BUILDING ON YOU RIGHT. TURN DOWN THAT ROAD, GO UP THE HILL AND THEN DOWN THE HILL AND HE IS ON THE LEFT. I FOUND HIM TO BE A STRIGHT SHOOTER. I HAVE MY TRANS REMOVED BY LENOARD AND TOOK IT DOWN TO HIM. GOT HIM THE REBUILD KIT AND THEN HAD IT PUT IN. ALL TOLD IT COST ME ABOUT 700.

YOU MIGHT TRY REPLACING THE FILTER IN THE TRANS. NOT A REAL BIG JOB. TAKE THE COVER OFF AND PUT IT IN.

GOOD LUCK

Thank you all for the responses

Update: Just got my Jeep back two days ago. Drove wonky day one, transmission blew going up my driveway last night. Highly recommended!

trainwreck82, huh? You took your vehicle in to get trans fixed/rebuilt and one day later it's blown up and you're saying "highly recommended"? Maybe I misunderstand or maybe you were being sarcastic and it didn't come thru in your post?

Update: Just got my Jeep back two days ago. Drove wonky day one, transmission blew going up my driveway last night. Highly recommended!

"Warranty is 3 months, but someone working there said if anything goes wrong just bring it in."

You're blasting the company already? What happen to the warranty, and "if anything goes wrong ..."?

Update: Just got my Jeep back two days ago. Drove wonky day one, transmission blew going up my driveway last night. Highly recommended!

"Warranty is 3 months, but someone working there said if anything goes wrong just bring it in."

You're blasting the company already? What happen to the warranty, and "if anything goes wrong ..."?

I was being sarcastic, it's called "venting." Have you ever spent $2k on a tranny rebuild and then had to get a taxi to go out to Hull Bay at 7:45am two days later? Not in a great mood, and of course, I will update again when I have something.

Ouch! Sounds like you do need a good venting.

That's the thing about living here, if you find a good, reliable and dependable service person, whether it be the plumber, electriain, handyman, mechanic, etc. - Stick with them to the end.

I have used Lennard's Automotive for 30 yrs. and have never found fault with him and his guys. I have never had to bring my truck or any vehicle that I have brought into him, over the many yrs., back to him due to problems with his service.

Good Luck with your transmission.

I know of a couple of top notch techs that were jerked around by Caribbean Auto Mart and an independent shop. This is one of the reasons we have to deal with the techs we have here. No one wants to relocate to the Caribbean to be treated like crap. They can probably get that kind of treatment right where they are. That's why anything more than a oil change is a joke here.

Trainwreck82, sorry to hear of your troubles. You have every right to vent. Totally understandable.

That's why anything more than a oil change is a joke here.

Well obviously that's not the case when, as Alana and others have noted, many of us have cultivated relationships with good mechanics who we can rely upon to do good work at a reasonable price.

That's why anything more than a oil change is a joke here.

Well obviously that's not the case when, as Alana and others have noted, many of us have cultivated relationships with good mechanics who we can rely upon to do good work at a reasonable price.

Really? Like what? Brakes, belts, hoses, wiper blades. All childs play. That's entry level stuff. How about a trans overhaul? Or a properly diagnosed check engine light? You may have "cultivated" relationships with "good mechanics" but they're not techs. Huge difference.

30 years and I think eight vehicles, no of course I've never had any major mechanical problems requiring the expertise of a "tech" over a mechanic doing strictly entry level stuff. Of course you jest as do I ...

That's why anything more than a oil change is a joke here.

Well obviously that's not the case when, as Alana and others have noted, many of us have cultivated relationships with good mechanics who we can rely upon to do good work at a reasonable price.

Where to find good, reliable auto repair is one of the subjects most frequently asked here. Maybe if places like Caribbean Auto Mart "cultivated" relationships with good techs instead of playing games and chasing them away, it wouldn't be so difficult to find one.
Transmission overhauls would last more than a couple of days. It really doesn't matter if it's gauranteed or not. Who wants to be bothered having to tow it back once a week. Not to mention a 3 month guarantee. I guess he has no confidence in his work.

This is the second time in this thread that Caribbean Auto Mart has been brought up. What do they have to do with the price o' fish? I can't speak for anyone else but I've never had any business dealings with them and they wouldn't be on my list of people to go to for auto mechanical assistance ... Surely their primary business is selling new and used cars.

This is the second time in this thread that Caribbean Auto Mart has been brought up. What do they have to do with the price o' fish? I can't speak for anyone else but I've never had any business dealings with them and they wouldn't be on my list of people to go to for auto mechanical assistance ... Surely their primary business is selling new and used cars.

Caribbean Auto Mart has more techs than sales people. Selling is not really the primary income of any new car dealer regardless of where it is. The service department typically generates more income than sales.
The "price o' fish" is their hiring practices. They do extensive background checks claiming they can't find good talented techs. Then as soon as someone arrives on island, the deal falls apart because they start playing games. The pay that was promosed doesn't materialize and so on. They prey on unsuspecting applicants because they know once they're here it's hard to leave after spending all the money to relocate.
Read some of the posts from 2011. Lizard and Poorthang beat up on some guy pretty bad for all to read on this forum. It's happened a few times since then.
So if you have friends there, don't try to defend them here. It won't work.

And stop calling me Shirley:-)

I read those threads a couple of years ago and don't need a refresher course. They're not the first company and assuredly won't be the last who've proved a big disappointment where hiring off-islanders is concerned. Again, I was unaware that one would consider them an auto mechanic shop. I can't remember the last time I bought a new vehicle - no doubt somewhere back in the 70s - but it seems pretty common practice to return to the dealership as long as the warranty is in service at least.

The one friend I had who happened to work at Caribbean Auto Mart left island about 15 years ago. Judging from your comment I guess if ever within your earshot I should deny having any friend who happens to work there period, let alone having the sheer temerity to "defend" them for any reason. I'll try and keep that in mind, Shirley.

Hope trainwreck soon has some good news where his car is concerned and that it all gets sorted.

If I remember correctly CAM tried to get some one to falsify a federal tax document because they didn't want to pay the taxes on the tool box shipment.

I read those threads a couple of years ago and don't need a refresher course. They're not the first company and assuredly won't be the last who've proved a big disappointment where hiring off-islanders is concerned. Again, I was unaware that one would consider them an auto mechanic shop. I can't remember the last time I bought a new vehicle - no doubt somewhere back in the 70s - but it seems pretty common practice to return to the dealership as long as the warranty is in service at least.

The one friend I had who happened to work at Caribbean Auto Mart left island about 15 years ago. Judging from your comment I guess if ever within your earshot I should deny having any friend who happens to work there period, let alone having the sheer temerity to "defend" them for any reason. I'll try and keep that in mind, Shirley.

Hope trainwreck soon has some good news where his car is concerned and that it all gets sorted.

Isn't it nap time or something?

G'day Alana, Train, et al.

That's the thing about living here, if you find a good, reliable and dependable service person, whether it be the plumber, electriain, handyman, mechanic, etc. - Stick with them to the end.

@Alana: Just like the title of the book, "Whetever You Go, There You Are." Your wisdom has proven true for me, wherever I've lived ... From BOS, PME, PDX to GRR, CME and now DCA. Personal recommendations, someone who thoughtfully stands behind their service and a good relationship has often helped me find new docs, plumbers, therapists, barbers, bakers, vets, mechanics and more. Asking around, listening, interviewing and listening more helps (although, time sure gets precious and it's becomes harder for me to this when in crisis -- whether I seek a major auto repair, helped with a flooded bathroom on a weekend or searching for Neurosurg to fix a herniated back disk the day before Thanksgiving. Yikes!).

@Train: I sure hope things are "settling down". I truly regret learning you've encountered this hardship and hope things are "looking up" for you.

Take good care.

PS in my personal and professional work, I've found wisdom from another (unseemingly) entitled book very helpful: "The Sociopath Next Door." Please don't get side-tracked by the title. It's a gr8 resource to help one recognize when it's time to cut bait and run like hell from someone without care, concern and scruples.