Elvis

iTrader: (1)

I own an Escort RS Cosworth (MONTE),

I broke down last week, My car overheated, and i pulled over to the side of the road, and called the RAC, a patol man came an hour later, and looked over the car, i said, it need towing, it is not a quick fix, i prep rally cars INCLUDING COSWORTHS, its my day job, it was evident he had no idea what he was looking at anyway.

He decided to try and check if my cooling system has an air lock which i said it does not, He then lost the radiator cap and the bleed screw

he put a cap on from the back of his van, and bodged a SCREW in the hole for the bleed screw, he made no attempt to find where he lost them, said that the car is fine, and left, i refused to sign his paper work, and i called the rac, he had already been on the phone to them, i tried to complain, and the lady said, he only lost a screw ,
at the end of the day, its my car, and is like the day it rolled out of the factory,

i then said, the car is not fixed, and its still over heating, as all the patrol man done was lose parts of my car, they said i would be towed the 4 miles home....

i explained it needs a low loading flatbed, as it wont go on a standard one, as its low, - as standard, and had a front splitter etc.... i also stated its 4X4,

cut a long story short, they sent out a van, the same patrol van as earlier, and waster more of my time....
then they sent a speclifter from a contractor, my car cant be speclifted as its a 4x4.

in the end a flat bed came, my car would not go on it as its too low.,,, back on the phone to the rac, and they wanted me to pay for specialist equptment, so i asked why should i do so, my car is standard, i did not mod it in anyway. so i was charged, a flat bed came out, and we got home, i was glad to be home 6 hours later, then the man unloading it scrapped the rear quater panel with a rachet strap.

so now my car needs atleast 800spent in the paint shop now,

RAC, thanks very for damaging a classic that was a rare mint condition car with under 15k on the clock.

Benni

I would be seriously pissed off.

Benni.

Elvis

iTrader: (1)

tbh i would have been better off pushing the fucking thing home,
I try to keep it mint and this cunt goes and damages it with a rachet strap.

not just scratches, but real deep, into the metal.

kitchy

thats shit mate, RAC arnt much use when it comes to cars they have no idea about, they wanted to tow my RS2000 4x4 home when the headgasket went i was like no get me a flatbed, would be really pissed off if they damaged my car

Elvis

iTrader: (1)

the monte is my nice weather car, i have a early bt which is my daily runner, it would not be soo bad if it happened to that, as its a q plate, and not mint.

kitchy

i wouldnt care what car of mine it happened to id still be pissed off

R5FORD

iTrader: (1)

cant yo go through some legal action?

bad news mate

Elvis

iTrader: (1)

will be speaking to a friend who is a solicitor on monday

Benni

Nice one mate. When my car broke down the RAC told me I had been tampering with the car key as it wouldn't start and the imobilser light was flashing. He continuously kept asking me if I had taken the key to bits to have a look inside it? Turned out I had a flat battery.

Benni.

R5FORD

iTrader: (1)

benni

over here a ma of mine with a 3 door.. his battrey died and rac had to come out and change it.. next day he comed down my house, he follows me off the main road and i avoid speed bumps as my car is low, so then he complains at my house why i took him the long way etc and he stays for a while and then he leaves, 5mins after he leaves i get a phone call, 'aaron my car cut out' i asked him which way he went and he said over the speed ramps, i asked him where he was and he was about 2 mins from my house, we walk down there and me and my dad establish what has happend..when rac changed the battrey then never put the bracket that holds it down, and the battrey has jumped out the tray and hit the bonnet and shorted everything out.. and burnt some of the loom

in the end rac paid for a new loom

mentalasanything

The AA aint much better. My missus had an MGF and when she broke down (broken timing tensioner) I told her over the phone "under no circumstances let them try to start the car or tow it from the front" (Mid engine RWD car).

She told the fella not to try to start it but he said "It'll be alright, the belt is still there" wouldn't start. He then proceeds to hook an A frame to the front, and after lots of protesting he "Gave in" and ordered a low loader.

Got the car to the garage and it had 12 of the 16 valves bent and a warped head. Not a happy bunny.

These people shouldn't be allowed near a car.

Lee

Benni

Idiots.

Benni.

Benni

Why can't you tow a mid engined RWD car?

I'm confushed, Benni.

tabetha

The RAC came out to my car, had done 12 miles on a new engine/MOT new auto gearbox, when the gearbox gave up!!
They sent out a truck to recover it, we had to use planks of wood from a nearby farm to get car on truck as the truck had such a angle on it.
The car(mondeo)was std bar the alloy wheels so was not low or anything a 2.0 ghia.
Anyway get car on truck, and the idiot places the BUCKLES of the straps across the wheels, so all four were gouged by time we get to Erith, KENT(from norfolk), I refuse to sign the sheet saying I am happy and put down about the wheels damage(had only done 12miles), so later when I complain they(rac contractor) produce a sheet saying I was happy!!
All they did was another sheet and forge my signature, which was totally different, even sent a copy of my signature from my license to rac to show but they sided with contractor they now don't use!!
ON the way this man who told me he was an ex trukkie, asked me the direction to DARTFORD, from fiveways RA, it is bloody signposted london!!
The truck did 42 mph flat out, on the long hill away from the RA at Barton Mills(fiveways) it did 17mph uphill flat out it was knackered.
My dad had a breakdown fuel pump on his SD1, which are in tank, they(RAC) sent out two people to try and fix it despite being told it was the pump, then 5 1/2 hours later a truck arrives from BOSTON some 80 miles away.
WE now don't bother with them, and just phone up each other/friends if necessary and use a tow pole, so much quicker.
tabetha

Oranoco

I've only used the AA to tow me home if absolutely needed. If I can't fix it at the roadside to get myself home they certainly can't.

Had one guy come out when the diff in the box exploded. He told me he would tow me home which I said he couldn't as the diff had gone bang and the driving wheels were locked. He then proceeded to tell me about how he'd had loads of RS's and then said he'd even had a Scorpio Cossie which was the fastest of the lot as it was a 2.9 instead of a 2litre. clown

cossie604

iTrader: (2)

They aint the brightest....I had a car get recovered into me a few years back, AA bloke said he'd checked it all over and that the alternator had failed. He felt abit silly when I pointed out as soon as i opened the bonnet that the alternator belt was missing

dojj

iTrader: (3)

to elvis, get legal advise and cliam the money back that you have had to fork out, plus the cost of having to be without the car plus the agro of getting it to and from the bodyshop, plus getting it recovered etc, etc plus the cost of having to be out for so long when youcould have been doing somethng importnant instead like being home asleep ready for the next days work, which you might havemissed because you werre tired and stuff

find each and every bill you can, include bus tickets and train recipts if you can get them to add some more weight to your case

don't forget to add the cost of the replacement parts that you've had to source because the patrolman lost them, and that you can't take the car anywhere because it's got no water in it now

and then ask for your money back that you paid out to be a member in the first place, seeing as they have shown their ineptidue in such a way

Phil

iTrader: (1)

Elvis, you must be absolutely gutted, I can't imagine how annoyed you must be

Nash

iTrader: (3)

I have never had a problem with the AA ever. I got recoved once by a patrol van and he said i will put in the notes you know what your on about [i aint got a foooking clue]. Now if one of my cars breaks down and i know it needs a low loader, i just tell the lady on the phone and thats what i get without any questions.

dojj

iTrader: (3)

i have found that the aa staff tend to bend over backwards to help you out, i blow the oil feed to the turbo's and coated the nearside wheel and hub assembly with oil, the aaguy turned up, stripped it all down, went and bought some lighter fluid, burnt it off the pads and disc (they were just about bedded in at that time) bolted it all up and said "away you go, just don't boot it as i've added as many jubliee clamps as i can find to the pipe to stop it from leaking plus i've put an insert into it, but if you are going to drive it home like you suggest and get it fixed then, then you need to tickle the throttle"

took him the best part of 3 hours to fix the car, but what else are you going to do on the M5 at 1am on a teusday morning

fordrs2005

iTrader: (4)

sounds like a good job i joined the aa rather than the rac then

a mate of mines works for the rac and even told me the aa had a better service and were cheaper so join the aa .

llw

i broke a driveshaft in manchester once in my escos, was the rac who i had at that time

tbh no complaints they sent a normal tilt and slide truck which it wouldnt go onto, then they sent another truck which i have not seen before the whole bed of it just came onto the floor and we just drove the cossie on no problems

and this was 4am

smerth54

This sorta thing happened to my mates escort rs turbo alternator went on the m25 after coming back from southend and the rac towed him home and we went round a corner and scratched his new rs diamond cut rims and the wire 4 the number plate scratched his and other bits of the car and all the bloke said when we told his was ooo that looks bad and then fucked offso he called them up and and ended getting aloud of money back for things the didn't even damage,
another time theyve turn up and said this is a red fiesta (his had a black escort rs turbo) lmao, i mean where do they find these people.

mick

iTrader: (1)

tbh i went with tesco's............. they get the local guys out, to date the have come out to me twice in 4 years and both times they have been great.......i explained its 4x4 and low and they always send out a flatbed and the guys couldn't have been more careful, even when i offered to sign for responsability about the front spoiler ( its only a sierra after all.. )he did his best and come up trumps no damage..... only my experience of course ....

sorry to hear about yours though

dannyb

AA came out to my Cousins escort when it was stolen / recovered as he was told there was no damage but it wouldnt start. AA man checked it over and suggested he should bump start it which they tried doing but it kept locking the fron wheels, AA man then admitted defeat and towed it to ours. After he left i lifted bonnet to see the conrod looking at me have made its way out of the front of the block

SiZT

I've had better experience with the RAC tbh.. had an AA man bring a car we had serviced 2 months presvious in shouting "its got no oil, its seized"... I then showed him the dipstick which was at the full mark

Spiky

iTrader: (1)

there is zero reason,

only 4wd systems like the cossie should be towed

or

automatics

saphycozzie-adz

iTrader: (10)

I used to use the RAC. They are crap imo. I now use a company called Britiania rescue who are really good. They send recovery trucks out from companys local to where you have broke down and normally turn up in around 30 to 45 mins. I deffo recomend them.

tabetha

Spiky,
I think you mean SHOULDN'T not SHOULD.
On rwd auto's the pump is normally driven all the time engine is running, but on some fwd it is wheel driven(output shaft), so long as pump is going it is okay and I have done it.
tabetha

DENNIS

i have seen all sorts recovered in, from non starts due to the foot mat not letting the clutch go fully down ( starter inhibitor ) to blown engines or more like a frayed AC belt hitting the lower engine cover !!

But my only personal experience was ... RAC!!! the water pump let go on the Escort years back, asked for a low loader... transit turned up :-( wanted to start it.. would not let him .... then wanted to put it on a Dolly trailer... no its 4X4 !!

asked if he had a bar or rope.. towed me back, only 4 miles... but he did help push it through my alleyway...

cant believe your experience tabetha.... thats just darn right fraud !!!

The level of knowledge of these services dose make you wonder some times


Really do feel for you Elvis mate hope you get it sorted...

Toe Knee

iTrader: (2)

Think alot of it depends who they send out and if they have any common sense at all!! Ive had good and bad use of the RAC, the most recent was good as a pipe clip broke on my 306 TD (the bottom rad pipe pushes in and has fragile plastic clips stopping it coming out not jubilees!!) and mine gave way and pipe came out loosing all coolant. The bloke who came out used a million cable ties to hold it in and its still ok now!! althou was supposed 2 replace the clips bout 4months ago

But with my cossies over the years had nothing but agro most of the time!!! They tend now to send a van to tow even if u state u need a flatbed had that plenty of times!!! Once the clutch cable snapped when i was in town and asked for a van to come out as most have diy cable kits and could make a new temp one up!! after a few hours a spek lorry turns up who says he cant tow its too low, exactly what i said on the phone 2hrs earlier!! so then had to wait another hour for a flatbed to turn up would have been quicker getting a mate to bloody tow me lol.

But basically if he lost parts on ur car and has damaged anything in the process they have to replace/repair. I know someone who had a coolant pipe repaired on their car and was told it was fine to drive home, blew again fooking the engine and they paid out for a recon engine in the end!!

nilrem

GREEN FLAG!!!! they are brilliant! they ask over the phone if its 4x4, rear wheel drive, towing or modified in any way that wouldget in the way from moving it... then they ask the problem and where i want it towing.

have called them out 3 times this year, twice when my head gasket blew (once whn it went and once on the way to the garage to get it fixed ) than once in my new car when i hada blow out, but the wheel was welded onto the rim - no grease between... lol.

each time they have taken what i said and breifly checked the car then agreed with me, then just towed me home. not many questions, just the right ones! 5* service!

xr_craig

iTrader: (2)

To be honest i've been quite lucky with the RAC. The first time they sent someone out and he asked what had happened and i told him i though the rings were fucked. He had a quick check agreed and sorted a low loader out no problem.

The second time when i mangled a driveshaft i told the woman on the phone what had happened and that it would need a low loader and they sent one no questions asked.
On both occasions they were extremely careful with the car and very friendly. One of them even offered to help push the car into the garage.

Bullett

iTrader: (2)

elvis,guttef or you bud.not what anyone wants,whether it be a cossie like that or a mini.it shouldnt happen.

im with the aa and tbh ive had pretty good service.i do make sure they send a low loader and i do tell them not to try fixing it.i tell them im in the trade and i know whats what and they then seem to just load it up and take me home.
i had an alternator belt tensioner go on me which made the rad expand and i lost all electrics etc.the low loader bloke offer to take me to castle combe(i was on the way to the rs show)as he thought i may be able to pick up a tensioner there to fix it.but i said i'd rather not risk it as the rad was expanded anyway.


i also stopped a greenflag bloke chopping the wiring plug off my mates mint moonstone 500 that had a prob with the fan not coming in at santa pod last year.after him saying its only an old sierra,i told him to leave it to me and i'd wire them direct myself with a bit of wire he had and a fuse. just a sierra!its worth more than he earns in two years i reckon

rallycross

rac are quite good, as are AA and green flag.

you cant expect gold service for your old Cossie if you are paying < £100 per year, depends on who it is that is sent to rescue you, some are very knowledgable, some are'nt.

RAC now equip all vans with a retractable tow bar that is no good for 4x4's, AA will listen and send a tow truck if you tell them its terminal problem when you call...