Figured out the problem. There are two hoses that are next to each other on the intake manifold, 1 for vacuum, the other for coolant. They were switched. Coolant got sucked in through the intake manifold and made its way into the cylinder.

The shop said they only ran the car for like a min or two, then shut it off. Hopefully no further damage was done to the motor. They're sending the head to their machine shop just to make sure everything is alright before putting it back together.

They will be putting on a brand new headgasket as well. Good thing is that the shop admitted it was on them, so they will not be charging me extra (just for new plugs, I needed them anyway).

 

At least it isn't due to bad parts. You're a nicer person than me. Its an honest mistake but I wouldn't let them touch the car again. At least not the same tech... No telling what kind of damage that kind of mistake may have caused.

 

Head was looked at by a machine shop and everything was fine. The amount of coolant in the cylinder was very minimal, so I dont think there was enough liquid in there to hydrolock or bend parts.

I would take my car back to them, they're a very reputable shop and even the best places make mistakes. I appreciate the fact that they are owning up to it and covering the additional labor and parts. I know a lot of other places would point fingers and try to make me pay for their f-up.

 

Another reason why I absolutely refuse to ever take my car anywhere. If I don't have the tools to do it, then i will go out and buy them to.

Glad they did admit to it. It sounded like way too much coolant to be a head gasket or uneven deck lol. Try to get a new block out of them hehe

 

I agree on most things, but a good machine shop is a good machine shop. Not to mention the $20k+ in machines it takes to do engine work.