We originally purchased our Meyers snowplow from Washington Auto Carriage (WAC) and had returned there for routine maintenance over the years. Other than extended periods of time to get repairs completed, the maintenance/repairs were satisfactory. In April of 2023, we dropped off an E-57 Meyers snowplow pump at Washington Auto Carriage (WAC) for an overhaul (it was working but sluggish). We anticipated a service time of a couple of months and so did not check in with WAC until June. Between mid-June and mid-August we received various reasons why no work had been done (waiting to get a batch of pumps to work on, our pump was in the next batch, etc). We picked up the pump on August 29th which they had totally rebuilt ($1,301.13). We trusted their work product as they said they had tested it and we had not had issues in the past. So it wasn’t until November 2nd that we reattached the pump to the plow and tested it. It didn’t work and upon further investigation, determined there was little/no hydraulic fluid (so don’t know how it could have been tested by WAC). We added fluid, called WAC for suggestions which we tried but it still didn’t work so returned it to WAC. WAC indicated there was an issue with the seals and o-rings and so replaced those and said they tested it. We brought it home, reattached to the plow, tested it and the plow did move up and down but once moved to the right, it would not move to the left. Called WAC and they suggested it was the hydraulic connections but they did not have the right fittings. This drove us to find an alternate source for support (which ended up being a blessing). We purchased the fittings, took them home, but the plow still did not work properly. The alternate source offered to take a look at the pump. Upon inspection, they determined the cross portal relief valve spring was shattered (did not appear to be a new part so unlikely it was replaced during the rebuild). More concerning, the hydraulic fluid had been contaminated (smelled liked a solvent) and had ruined all the seals. Since the only fluid we added was Meyer hydraulic fluid (purchased from WAC), the deduction was when WAC completed the second repair, a solvent was used to clean but was not properly flushed, resulting in damaging the second set of seals. The alternate source replaced the spring, thoroughly flushed the unit, replaced the seals. Meyers hydraulic fluid was added and it has worked fine. This cost us an additional $439.55. The length of time for repairs, the apparent lack of attention to repair procedures (not properly testing the first instance and not properly flushing the pump in the second instance), and the overall service level was unacceptable. It required multiple trips (105 miles roundtrip), numerous phone calls (numerous as most messages left were never returned), an additional $439 spent to get it fixed, and just general frustration in dis-assembly and assembly of the plow. We would definitely NOT recommend Washington Auto Carriage!
