DO NOT USE! doesnt stand by his work! My Girlfriend got bamboozled by this guy. Ricardo "Rick" told her that she needed a new engine $2,800. She knows nothing about cars, but I know that replacing an engine is usually the last thing that you EVER do. Rick didnt even give her error codes. He just told her that she needs a new engine. I told her not to do it, but she is a strong willed feminist. So after she gets the new engine the car is driving fine, but soon after 3 or 4 months later, the car starts having the same problems (stop and go, limp mode driving rough idle, dies at stop signs) everything that it was doing before. In addition, She is also loosing massive amounts of oil. She has to carry an oil container because her oil light keeps coming on. So she stopped driving the car for several months. We have no Idea if he even replaced the engine we are just taking him on his word, he showed no proof that the engine was ever changed. Except a Bill. (we have several cars so she just drove a different vehicle) I finally get around to looking at the car and we take it back to him, and he complains that its been 6 months and he does something, changed the gasket and plugs, I believe and it drives ok again for 3 more months. So she takes the car back out to him and he says that the guy who repaced the engine, he fired him and he charges us to make some changes. He said that he changed the gasket and spark plugs. Again I dont know if he actually did this, were just taking him at his word. He is supposed to give us the old parts but of course he did'nt. So 3 more months go by and the car starts doing the same thing, we take the car back to him, and he starts this spill about how he can't really do anything because its been 9 months. Then he accuses me of being aggressive. So I get out my code reader and read him the codes and he got angry with me for doing his job for him. We pressure him to take the car back (because he said that he didnt have any space). But he eventually took it back after some arguing, and again he gave us a bill for replacing the spark plugs. He was suposed to give us the old parts, but again he didnt. So AGAIN several months later the car starts doing the same thing. She says that she needs to take it back to him. I told her that she "would be a FOOL to take it back to him because obviously he only wants the easy stuff". I know nothing about cars, but im not a fool. Working in the Real Estate business ive learned to fix real estate related stuff very handily. So I proceed to read the codes and google them, go to YouTube and TikTok and I learn how to fix em. EASY AS PIE. I replaced the Plugs, Camshaft Sensor, Camshaft Magnet. So for a first timer it took like 30 min. So after replacing the Cam parts & the Plugs, I take the car for a Long drive. I filled it with oil, and it started smoking badly, so I pull over and look at the engine, and I noticed that oil was coming from the Oil Cap, YES THE OIL CAP! So I figured that one of the issues, was that Oil was coming from under the Oil cap and contaminating the Spark Plugs, the engine bay, the sensors and the Camshaft magnet, and leaving a puddle of oil underneath her car. So I buy a genuine oil cap from the dealer and the oil is no longer coming from underneath the oil cap. So the car is driving great for another month, then the same problem happens again, same error codes. So after looking at the Spark plugs again I noticed that the spark Plugs are still covered in oil. Turns out the seals were bad and whenever the guy "Supposably" replaced the engine he never replaced the seals on the spark plugs or the top engine gasket, or the Oil Cap and oil has been seeping into the spark plug housing from the engine and contaminating the spark plugs and making them go bad after every couple of months. These issues could have been easily diagnosed by a competant mechanic but instead I had to go to YouTube to figure out these issues and fix stuff that he should have fixed. Photos are of parts that were supposed 2 be replaced but obviously were not Engine Sludge
View on GoogleAmb Service Center
Mechanic in Duarte, CA
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About This Shop
A premier independent auto garage in Duarte, NY, dedicated to servicing general maintenance and diagnostics. Our team brings years of experience, modern diagnostic tools, and quality parts to every job. They handle everything from routine oil changes and brake service to advanced electrical diagnostics and engine repairs. Open weekdays 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Verified local business listing on WrenchConnect. Claim this page to take control of your profile, respond to reviews, and manage service requests.
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DON’T TRUST THESE GUYS. Rick and Alan will waste your time. All they do is scan for OB2 codes and do guess work. They will ignore what they don’t want to address while keeping you on the hook. Don’t expect them to do any true diagnostic tests such as a leak down test because they wont. Beware that these guys don’t have the equipment to properly diagnose german vehicles. After paying roughly $500 for spark plugs, ignition coil and a coolant cap, the check engine light is still flashing and coolant warning is back on. When bringing the car back 3-4 times after the initial repairs, for what Rick considers as “further testing”, he only drove the car. He did not run any new tests, did not check for compression, did not run leak down, he did not inspect the vehicle. In Ricks exact words, “I just drove the car”. They will charge you for ANYTHING they can, including coolant caps while ignoring any real issues and will send you away, saying “drive it and bring it back if it happens again”. Avoid this place at all costs, they will take your money, waste your time and will leave your car with the same issue it originally had. Rick will throw out suggestions like “you need a new engine”, without even doing proper leak down and inspection. After leaving my car with them at least 4 times and paying for their guess work, my car still has the same misfire and coolant warnings.
View on GoogleI ABSOLUTELY LOVE amb service and the guys Rick and Alan. They take care of my 2004 cl500 Mercedes and appreciate their service!!
View on GoogleWas recommended to Rick sometime ago. Took my BMW to him to check my brakes. With his honest opinion, I got brake pads. I decided to take in my Mercedes-Benz to be serviced and I am 100% satisfied. Highly recommended!
View on GoogleI've brought my Mercedes here a few times for some needed work and was repaired perfectly. These are honest, knowledgeable and professional mechanics. Definitely would recommend to bring your vehicles here for service.
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Connect & Location
2151 E Huntington Dr, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
Business HoursOpen Now
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