A problems and fixes mechanic/dealership rant.
02-15-2012, 10:43 PM
#1
Team Owner
Thread Starter
A problems and fixes mechanic/dealership rant.
I have to ask why so many people accept a shop's inability to properly diagnose a problem and allow them to throw parts at a problem at your expense. I see it every single day on here and I usually don't reply because I don't have anything nice to say.
I thought I would bring up the fact that it does not work this way. It's the shop's responsibility to diagnose and fix the problem or they do not get paid. If they are incorrect in their diagnosis, they eat the cost. That's the way it has always worked. I worked in the business for several years rebuilding transmissions and on the high performance end and I'm still heavily involved on the racing (consumer) end. It's not acceptable for a shop to charge the customer if the problem is not solved. The diagnostic fee is there for them to cover the time to diagnose the problem and if the customer declines repair, they keep the fee. It's not there for them to plug a scanner in, read some codes, and start throwing parts at it at the customer's expense.
When I did it for a living I was usually the one doing the advanced troubleshooting and drivability especially with transmissions because we knew if we pulled it out of the car and tore it apart and the problem was a switch in the steering column, the cost was on us.
When tearing a trans apart, the customer was informed of the minimum charge and that it could be more once we get in there. If the trans was grenaded so badly we would have to find another core or we found anything out of the ordinary, the trans was left on the bench in pieces to show the customer why it was costing more and even then it made me nervous because they might demand it be put back together and not pay anything.
I see thread after thread of people taking their cars mostly to dealerships and just accepting the charges of unnecessary "repairs" and leaving with the same problem it came in for and acting as if that's business as usual.
Done.
I thought I would bring up the fact that it does not work this way. It's the shop's responsibility to diagnose and fix the problem or they do not get paid. If they are incorrect in their diagnosis, they eat the cost. That's the way it has always worked. I worked in the business for several years rebuilding transmissions and on the high performance end and I'm still heavily involved on the racing (consumer) end. It's not acceptable for a shop to charge the customer if the problem is not solved. The diagnostic fee is there for them to cover the time to diagnose the problem and if the customer declines repair, they keep the fee. It's not there for them to plug a scanner in, read some codes, and start throwing parts at it at the customer's expense.
When I did it for a living I was usually the one doing the advanced troubleshooting and drivability especially with transmissions because we knew if we pulled it out of the car and tore it apart and the problem was a switch in the steering column, the cost was on us.
When tearing a trans apart, the customer was informed of the minimum charge and that it could be more once we get in there. If the trans was grenaded so badly we would have to find another core or we found anything out of the ordinary, the trans was left on the bench in pieces to show the customer why it was costing more and even then it made me nervous because they might demand it be put back together and not pay anything.
I see thread after thread of people taking their cars mostly to dealerships and just accepting the charges of unnecessary "repairs" and leaving with the same problem it came in for and acting as if that's business as usual.
Done.
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ttribe (02-16-2012)
02-16-2012, 12:38 AM
#2
takin care of Business in
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^^^ what happened bro ?
go thro some shit with the dealership ?
I do agree that if they are not able to diagnose the problem or even after diagnosis and fix, the problem is NOT FIXED the customer should NOT be charged for it....
go thro some shit with the dealership ?
I do agree that if they are not able to diagnose the problem or even after diagnosis and fix, the problem is NOT FIXED the customer should NOT be charged for it....
02-16-2012, 01:49 AM
#3
Racer
I couldn't agree more. You go into a shop and say I have X problem, fix it. If they try to fix X by replacing Y, and X is still there, well thanks for fixing Y for free but call me again when you're done.
02-16-2012, 01:54 AM
#4
My thought on this is when you or I go to see a doctor and pay our fee, do we expect them to give you a sound reasonable diagnosis? If the answer is yes and it didn't help in anyway or did help, would you still have this rant? Our medical bill to see a doctor is far higher than bringing a vehicle to any shop to get it diagnosed.
I've been to doctors only to be sent home with some kind of medication that didn't work and again came back again to be seen by a specialist.
So do I ask for my refund for seeing the doctor + meds bills for the first time around or do I consider it a loss when I had to see a specialist in the first place or is this considered business as usual? Does the doctor own up to their own educated mistake and give me a refund or say I'm sorry we didn't fix what you came in for and here is your money back? That would be one awesome doctor and one really bad business man.
Unless we have some clue to know what is going on with our bodies and know when and who to see, I have to trust the people whom I choose to do business even when they make the wrong diagnosis because after all we are human.
good day sir.
I've been to doctors only to be sent home with some kind of medication that didn't work and again came back again to be seen by a specialist.
So do I ask for my refund for seeing the doctor + meds bills for the first time around or do I consider it a loss when I had to see a specialist in the first place or is this considered business as usual? Does the doctor own up to their own educated mistake and give me a refund or say I'm sorry we didn't fix what you came in for and here is your money back? That would be one awesome doctor and one really bad business man.
Unless we have some clue to know what is going on with our bodies and know when and who to see, I have to trust the people whom I choose to do business even when they make the wrong diagnosis because after all we are human.
good day sir.
02-16-2012, 02:24 AM
#5
takin care of Business in
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^^^ bottom line....
you have a stomach ache and you go to the doctor....
the doctor takes X amount of money to diagnose
suggest an operation where you have to pay Y amount of money
You go thro the pain and operation just to find out you had gas....and it would have gone had you had a little soda.....you are NOT liable to pay X and Y amount....
I have had this done by the dealership to me.....and its a messed up feeling....
you have a stomach ache and you go to the doctor....
the doctor takes X amount of money to diagnose
suggest an operation where you have to pay Y amount of money
You go thro the pain and operation just to find out you had gas....and it would have gone had you had a little soda.....you are NOT liable to pay X and Y amount....
I have had this done by the dealership to me.....and its a messed up feeling....
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Hacura (02-17-2012)
02-16-2012, 03:43 AM
#6
Team Owner
Thread Starter
My thought on this is when you or I go to see a doctor and pay our fee, do we expect them to give you a sound reasonable diagnosis? If the answer is yes and it didn't help in anyway or did help, would you still have this rant? Our medical bill to see a doctor is far higher than bringing a vehicle to any shop to get it diagnosed.
I've been to doctors only to be sent home with some kind of medication that didn't work and again came back again to be seen by a specialist.
So do I ask for my refund for seeing the doctor + meds bills for the first time around or do I consider it a loss when I had to see a specialist in the first place or is this considered business as usual? Does the doctor own up to their own educated mistake and give me a refund or say I'm sorry we didn't fix what you came in for and here is your money back? That would be one awesome doctor and one really bad business man.
Unless we have some clue to know what is going on with our bodies and know when and who to see, I have to trust the people whom I choose to do business even when they make the wrong diagnosis because after all we are human.
good day sir.
I've been to doctors only to be sent home with some kind of medication that didn't work and again came back again to be seen by a specialist.
So do I ask for my refund for seeing the doctor + meds bills for the first time around or do I consider it a loss when I had to see a specialist in the first place or is this considered business as usual? Does the doctor own up to their own educated mistake and give me a refund or say I'm sorry we didn't fix what you came in for and here is your money back? That would be one awesome doctor and one really bad business man.
Unless we have some clue to know what is going on with our bodies and know when and who to see, I have to trust the people whom I choose to do business even when they make the wrong diagnosis because after all we are human.
good day sir.
Again, cars are VERY easy to diagnose, you're paying extra for incompetent people to experiment on your car. These are not educated guesses as you put it, at this point its just expensive labor.
02-16-2012, 06:14 AM
#7
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the thing about cars over or bodies...they are definitive. meaning there are no other factors really affecting the problem/issue (eomtions, stress, life in general). its mechanical in nature and should be sfiarly straight forward, but its not b/c cars have a lot of mechanical moving parts.
our bodies are dynamic and many factors (emotions, stress, life in general) can play a role in the ailments we may suffer from, in a chemical and physiological manner, well beyond just the mechanical aspect. medicine is much more complex than a car b/c of these factors.
our bodies are dynamic and many factors (emotions, stress, life in general) can play a role in the ailments we may suffer from, in a chemical and physiological manner, well beyond just the mechanical aspect. medicine is much more complex than a car b/c of these factors.
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02-16-2012, 12:40 PM
#8
Dogmatic Dinosaur
It is an awareness thing. You are more aware of the (increasing) likelihood that they are code readers and part swappers second, and businessmen first. This leaves them no time to actually trouble shoot. The dealer relies so much on financing, warranties and service to make money.
People accept it because they are less aware.
They could become more aware and pick up a wrench, but this takes effort.
People accept it because they are less aware.
They could become more aware and pick up a wrench, but this takes effort.
02-16-2012, 01:04 PM
#9
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[QUOTE=jda123;13558550]It is an awareness thing. You are more aware of the (increasing) likelihood that they are code readers and part swappers second, and businessmen first. This leaves them no time to actually trouble shoot. The dealer relies so much on financing, warranties and service to make money.
People accept it because they are less aware.
They could become more aware and pick up a wrench, but this takes effort.[/QUOTE]
as with most things in life too. our own health, bodies, cars, insurance policies...
people choose not to understand or be aware of certain things...
as far as dealers are concerned, i was once told by a friend who worked as a SA..."we don't get paid to think."
People accept it because they are less aware.
They could become more aware and pick up a wrench, but this takes effort.[/QUOTE]
as with most things in life too. our own health, bodies, cars, insurance policies...
people choose not to understand or be aware of certain things...
as far as dealers are concerned, i was once told by a friend who worked as a SA..."we don't get paid to think."
02-16-2012, 01:22 PM
#10
Racer
If its anything I expect from a doctor, its a correct diagnosis. If they treat you for the wrong diagnosis, that's called malpractice, and can result in a lawsuit. 8 years of school + internship/residency = you better know what you're doing. I'm just sayin'.......
02-16-2012, 01:25 PM
#11
Team Owner
Thread Starter
This thread was not supposed to be about medicine vs mechanics. One poster managed to derail it. Anytime a posts ends with "good day sir" you know it's a snooty post.
It comes down to paying lots of money and still having the original issue and letting them get away with it. It's just unheard of to throw parts at something at the owner's expense.
It comes down to paying lots of money and still having the original issue and letting them get away with it. It's just unheard of to throw parts at something at the owner's expense.
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Guiltyox (02-16-2012)
02-16-2012, 01:28 PM
#12
Racer
This thread was not supposed to be about medicine vs mechanics. One poster managed to derail it. Anytime a posts ends with "good day sir" you know it's a snooty post.
It comes down to paying lots of money and still having the original issue and letting them get away with it. It's just unheard of to throw parts at something at the owner's expense.
It comes down to paying lots of money and still having the original issue and letting them get away with it. It's just unheard of to throw parts at something at the owner's expense.
02-16-2012, 01:46 PM
#13
the overexplainer
It's the same with computer repair. You charge for the fix, and if the shop misdiagnosed the problem and replaced unnecessary parts, the store eats the cost, not the customer.
Unless the multiple fixes were necessary..i.e. bad power supply exploding and taking out the motherboard, and other components.
Unless the multiple fixes were necessary..i.e. bad power supply exploding and taking out the motherboard, and other components.
02-16-2012, 02:39 PM
#14
02-16-2012, 02:45 PM
#15
Team Owner
Thread Starter
I'm sure you would. You can make all of the cute comments you want but anyone who thinks cars are hard to diagnose and troubleshoot should not be doing it for a living.
02-16-2012, 02:54 PM
#16
Racer
Same thing with computers. It's math....its either right or wrong, there is no in between. I did computer repair for so long that I could take a look at your computer for 10 minutes (that's all it would take for me to take it apart) and tell you exactly what was wrong (regardless of desktop or laptop).
02-16-2012, 02:58 PM
#17
Team Owner
Thread Starter
Same thing with computers. It's math....its either right or wrong, there is no in between. I did computer repair for so long that I could take a look at your computer for 10 minutes (that's all it would take for me to take it apart) and tell you exactly what was wrong (regardless of desktop or laptop).
Now, Mr. Biter (lol) Melon apparently owns or works at a shop, he's apparently had a not so easy time diagnosing stuff. I saw this in one of his other threads.
02-16-2012, 03:15 PM
#18
Exactly. With cars, it's almost always black and white. That grey area is usually when you have multiple issues causing symptoms that don't really add up which doesn't happen often.
Now, Mr. Biter (lol) Melon apparently owns or works at a shop, he's apparently had a not so easy time diagnosing stuff. I saw this in one of his other threads.
Now, Mr. Biter (lol) Melon apparently owns or works at a shop, he's apparently had a not so easy time diagnosing stuff. I saw this in one of his other threads.
Yep. BMW 7-series are the exception. Electrical issues are a nightmare to diagnose and fix properly.
02-16-2012, 04:23 PM
#19
Racer
02-16-2012, 05:15 PM
#20
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This thread was not supposed to be about medicine vs mechanics. One poster managed to derail it. Anytime a posts ends with "good day sir" you know it's a snooty post.
It comes down to paying lots of money and still having the original issue and letting them get away with it. It's just unheard of to throw parts at something at the owner's expense.
It comes down to paying lots of money and still having the original issue and letting them get away with it. It's just unheard of to throw parts at something at the owner's expense.
this is my expectation as well especially with things that are not overly complicated and are absolute.
02-16-2012, 08:12 PM
#22
02-16-2012, 08:52 PM
#24
Bitter, back off...last time someone decided to be a prick to IHC, he nearly stopped posting because he was fed up with it. Disagree, fine, but leave it at that.
I only say this because he's a well respected and MUCH APPRECIATED contributor on this forum and it can't compare to 29 posts.
Matt, honestly, I think it's sad that we just have to accept mediocrity and the assumption by MOST car repair "professionals" that every car customer is the average naive customer. Nothing irks me more than having some ahole come up and second guess something I'M telling him when I've clearly done my homework on what the issue might be or is not. I think this boils down to the fact that the masses have accepted this mediocrity...and the fact that people will just pay since they know no better...and the fact that the places get away with it.
Whenever I go somewhere, I have a checklist of things I need to ask, and things I need to remind the person to look at or put back in the car or tighten etc...and for the most part, even when I TELL them...they forget. Must stem from the fact that I first started modding and fixing my cars when the internet did not exist and I was in high school and did not have the money for anything, really. I had to call the junkyards, drive out there and take the word of the older dudes that might know something. This created a mindset for me that I'll do pretty much everything within my power (read: no need for a lift, or clutch change or leaving me stranded)...even to this day when i CAN pay, it irks me too and I end up being disappointed almost every time.
I have examples...
drilling out nut, I stripped some work lugs on my extended lugs...my own fault...tried drilling them out...hit them for 2 hours with my 650 ft/lb impact in hopes of stripping them totally to the point of being able to pull them off...end up having to swallow my price to go to TireKingdom to have them drilled out...first 2 dudes that come take a look...what's the problem...and they don't listen to me, they think it's the head that's stripped...they pull out their impact gun...DUDE...do you hear me...I said I just did that for 2 hours. It needs to be drilled out. So they charge me 2 hours of labor...freaked out but whatever...at least they wouldn't damage my lugs and to be honest, I don't own a drill that powerful. Go for it, took them 3 hours to do it. I get home to do my rotor swap finally...my sideskirt is popped out. WTF...they guy missed the front jack point with his lift. I work customer service so I calmly called back and asked for vindication...the guy said come by and they gave me $115 back as a credit. Fair enough...took a sledge and piece of 2 x 6 and fixed it myself...popped the sideskirt back in.
My boss' boss...needed new tires, I call around, get him a price and give him a ride back to the office...Tire Kingdom near works calls me back...yeah, he needs an alignment and fuel service...uh...alignment fine (and get this, their "spec sheet" conventiently won't show the before since it was probably unnecessary) the fuel thing..."oh we recommend that every 15k"...I ask, and how the fk do you know he didn't do it yesterday!?...no answer. We get back, all the tires are missing valvestem caps and wheels are filthy...in addition, they did not line up the yellow dot with the valve like they are supposed to. Sure enough, they are not smooth at 70MPH and I'm almost certain the PSI is not even all around. No pride!
Acura dealership trying to read me a script on why my dash has cracked...one time they say shouldn't put ANYTHING on the dash...2 weeks later, same dude tells me that I need to put "Aero something or other"...I finish his sentence Aerospace 303, the stuff I've been telling you I've been putting on it for 3 years now and parked in a garage and with the sun visor...really!?!? Insulting.
I did a clean up and some mods on a 93 accord that belonged to a neighbor's grandma...for a friend of mine that bought it for his daughter. I get to the oil pan...and it's covered in oil. I think, fk...pan gasket...NOPE...turned out, guess what...someone had loosened all the bolts on the pan...just enough to be hand tightened but to leak to freak the old lady out. That was low...and I knew this cause the bolts that were hard to get to...were tight.
Anyway, I'm with you man...sorry, guess I needed to rant too.
J.
I only say this because he's a well respected and MUCH APPRECIATED contributor on this forum and it can't compare to 29 posts.
Matt, honestly, I think it's sad that we just have to accept mediocrity and the assumption by MOST car repair "professionals" that every car customer is the average naive customer. Nothing irks me more than having some ahole come up and second guess something I'M telling him when I've clearly done my homework on what the issue might be or is not. I think this boils down to the fact that the masses have accepted this mediocrity...and the fact that people will just pay since they know no better...and the fact that the places get away with it.
Whenever I go somewhere, I have a checklist of things I need to ask, and things I need to remind the person to look at or put back in the car or tighten etc...and for the most part, even when I TELL them...they forget. Must stem from the fact that I first started modding and fixing my cars when the internet did not exist and I was in high school and did not have the money for anything, really. I had to call the junkyards, drive out there and take the word of the older dudes that might know something. This created a mindset for me that I'll do pretty much everything within my power (read: no need for a lift, or clutch change or leaving me stranded)...even to this day when i CAN pay, it irks me too and I end up being disappointed almost every time.
I have examples...
drilling out nut, I stripped some work lugs on my extended lugs...my own fault...tried drilling them out...hit them for 2 hours with my 650 ft/lb impact in hopes of stripping them totally to the point of being able to pull them off...end up having to swallow my price to go to TireKingdom to have them drilled out...first 2 dudes that come take a look...what's the problem...and they don't listen to me, they think it's the head that's stripped...they pull out their impact gun...DUDE...do you hear me...I said I just did that for 2 hours. It needs to be drilled out. So they charge me 2 hours of labor...freaked out but whatever...at least they wouldn't damage my lugs and to be honest, I don't own a drill that powerful. Go for it, took them 3 hours to do it. I get home to do my rotor swap finally...my sideskirt is popped out. WTF...they guy missed the front jack point with his lift. I work customer service so I calmly called back and asked for vindication...the guy said come by and they gave me $115 back as a credit. Fair enough...took a sledge and piece of 2 x 6 and fixed it myself...popped the sideskirt back in.
My boss' boss...needed new tires, I call around, get him a price and give him a ride back to the office...Tire Kingdom near works calls me back...yeah, he needs an alignment and fuel service...uh...alignment fine (and get this, their "spec sheet" conventiently won't show the before since it was probably unnecessary) the fuel thing..."oh we recommend that every 15k"...I ask, and how the fk do you know he didn't do it yesterday!?...no answer. We get back, all the tires are missing valvestem caps and wheels are filthy...in addition, they did not line up the yellow dot with the valve like they are supposed to. Sure enough, they are not smooth at 70MPH and I'm almost certain the PSI is not even all around. No pride!
Acura dealership trying to read me a script on why my dash has cracked...one time they say shouldn't put ANYTHING on the dash...2 weeks later, same dude tells me that I need to put "Aero something or other"...I finish his sentence Aerospace 303, the stuff I've been telling you I've been putting on it for 3 years now and parked in a garage and with the sun visor...really!?!? Insulting.
I did a clean up and some mods on a 93 accord that belonged to a neighbor's grandma...for a friend of mine that bought it for his daughter. I get to the oil pan...and it's covered in oil. I think, fk...pan gasket...NOPE...turned out, guess what...someone had loosened all the bolts on the pan...just enough to be hand tightened but to leak to freak the old lady out. That was low...and I knew this cause the bolts that were hard to get to...were tight.
Anyway, I'm with you man...sorry, guess I needed to rant too.
J.
02-16-2012, 08:54 PM
#25
takin care of Business in
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^^^ u didnt post pix of your car ?
everyone just chill the fuck out before the ban hammer falls on people who dont deserve it....
everyone just chill the fuck out before the ban hammer falls on people who dont deserve it....
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Hacura (02-17-2012)
02-16-2012, 09:16 PM
#26
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WARNING TO Everyone.
Guys, again...if this gets to be a personal fight, the thread gets closed and some of you aren't going to like it if I send you a PM.
Enough said, stay on topic and don't let it get personal.
Enough said, stay on topic and don't let it get personal.
02-16-2012, 09:22 PM
#27
Team Owner
Thread Starter
02-16-2012, 09:28 PM
#29
Team Owner
Thread Starter
Guys, no need to respond to this guy or blow this thread up. I'm not worried, he can have my home address or whatever he wants. Bitter- send me your number if you're so eager to meet up and discuss things let's keep this trash off of the internet.
To everyone else, let's get this thing back on topic lol. I'm not even the least bit upset. Just installed my DieHard Platinum instead of letting Sears install it for free. Yes, I trust people that little. Steven, no worries from this side.
To everyone else, let's get this thing back on topic lol. I'm not even the least bit upset. Just installed my DieHard Platinum instead of letting Sears install it for free. Yes, I trust people that little. Steven, no worries from this side.
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rockstar143 (02-16-2012)
02-16-2012, 09:32 PM
#31
I almost went die hard...ended up with a good deal on Bosch at the local pep boys...1000 cranking amps! 
I agree...in reference to my tirekingdom story above...they offered to fix the sideskirt for me...NO THANKS! Don't touch my car!
I agree...in reference to my tirekingdom story above...they offered to fix the sideskirt for me...NO THANKS! Don't touch my car!
02-16-2012, 09:36 PM
#32
Team Owner
Thread Starter
Lol. Your Camaro probably feels just as fast. The last time I gave a ride, it was to a girl that did not tell me she had bladder issues. That was fun.
Car is down right now, probably for most of this year getting some much needed maintenence/upgrades.
Car is down right now, probably for most of this year getting some much needed maintenence/upgrades.
02-16-2012, 11:15 PM
#33
takin care of Business in
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why do you need such an high CCA battery anyway, you should be fine with a 750A or even ~600A one....
02-17-2012, 06:41 AM
#34
I didn't...just thought bigger was better at the time.
That actually makes sense because I already had a problem with the first one spilling fluid and getting super hot. They replaced it for free.
I guess when the time comes, I'll drop back to the normal sized one.
J.
That actually makes sense because I already had a problem with the first one spilling fluid and getting super hot. They replaced it for free.
I guess when the time comes, I'll drop back to the normal sized one.
J.
02-17-2012, 10:54 AM
#37
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Dealers are a business, they will want to make money from anybody and everybody that walks through the door. I hope nobody thinks dealers actually care about them like they say on their commercials, those are usually the goldmines dealers love walk'n in the doors.
All dealers are scum, they might have some nice people working there but bottom line is they want to make money. it's usually the Managers/owners that control the money so even if the tech working on your car is pretty smart with good abilities, at the end of the day it's usually the drive from the maint mgr to get your repair bill up in price.
I guarantee that you take a perfectly running car into a dealer, they'll find something wrong with it (usually it's the old fluids/wear items needs to be changed or something like a alignment that you have never had but your car drives perfectly straight). Just as if you go into the doc, they'll find something wrong with you.. and if they don't know what it is.. it's usually a prescription of antibiotics to kickstart your placebo to get better.
a Dealer is the very last place i'd take any of my cars to. Previous cars include 2 - 300zx's, one twinturbo, Mercedes 300SL, MKIV supra which i turned into single turbo, F150 4x4, Mitsu Eclipse turbo, Honda accords and civics, WRX, Toyota Rav4, BMW 323i convertible... few others i think but i've never had to take any of them into the dealer for maint.
Most problems can be diagnosed with a little diligent reading up on the internet. with some beer, tools and time, you should be able to fix them too.
All dealers are scum, they might have some nice people working there but bottom line is they want to make money. it's usually the Managers/owners that control the money so even if the tech working on your car is pretty smart with good abilities, at the end of the day it's usually the drive from the maint mgr to get your repair bill up in price.
I guarantee that you take a perfectly running car into a dealer, they'll find something wrong with it (usually it's the old fluids/wear items needs to be changed or something like a alignment that you have never had but your car drives perfectly straight). Just as if you go into the doc, they'll find something wrong with you.. and if they don't know what it is.. it's usually a prescription of antibiotics to kickstart your placebo to get better.
a Dealer is the very last place i'd take any of my cars to. Previous cars include 2 - 300zx's, one twinturbo, Mercedes 300SL, MKIV supra which i turned into single turbo, F150 4x4, Mitsu Eclipse turbo, Honda accords and civics, WRX, Toyota Rav4, BMW 323i convertible... few others i think but i've never had to take any of them into the dealer for maint.
Most problems can be diagnosed with a little diligent reading up on the internet. with some beer, tools and time, you should be able to fix them too.
02-19-2012, 01:15 PM
#38
Racer
Bad shop experiences are the whole reason I got into DIY maintenance and (simple) repairs. First thing that comes to mind is the TL power steering O-ring deal. How many shops said, "You need to replace the power steering pump" even though they knew it was just an O-ring? Yeah, replacing the whole unit will in fact fix the whine. Using shops, I've had loose oil plugs, overfilled/underfilled oil, tire rotations where the brake-dust-filled wheels were still on the front after the rotation etc etc. Story I got on the failed tire rotation was the shop had a shift change and the second guy thought the first guy had already completed it. As Dana Carvey's Church Lady would say, "Well isn't that special!"
Haven't had too many problems with rip-off repairs. Worst one was with my wife's 2003 Nissan Murano. Engine had a constant ticking noise. First, they said it was normal. So we listened to another Murano...No tick. Dealer tried various things and the noise was still there. I fought with them about even paying for the diagnosis time because, well, they hadn't diagnosed squat. They agreed. Checked the Murano owners forum and a bunch of folks had the same ticking noise we had. Turns out the fuel injector rail was tapping against the valve cover. Some small POS rubber piece attached to the rail (to prevent the metal-on-metal tapping noise) likes to fall off. (Nice injector rail design Nissan.) We then proceeded to have a "discussion" with the service manager about the technical competence of his staff. I can see a rookie independent shop missing this, but a dealership where Nissans are all you work on? Puh-lease....
Haven't had too many problems with rip-off repairs. Worst one was with my wife's 2003 Nissan Murano. Engine had a constant ticking noise. First, they said it was normal. So we listened to another Murano...No tick. Dealer tried various things and the noise was still there. I fought with them about even paying for the diagnosis time because, well, they hadn't diagnosed squat. They agreed. Checked the Murano owners forum and a bunch of folks had the same ticking noise we had. Turns out the fuel injector rail was tapping against the valve cover. Some small POS rubber piece attached to the rail (to prevent the metal-on-metal tapping noise) likes to fall off. (Nice injector rail design Nissan.) We then proceeded to have a "discussion" with the service manager about the technical competence of his staff. I can see a rookie independent shop missing this, but a dealership where Nissans are all you work on? Puh-lease....
Last edited by Pat04TL; 02-19-2012 at 01:24 PM.
02-19-2012, 07:12 PM
#40
Team Owner
Thread Starter
With more displacement, I'll probably put a slightly larger turbo that will still spool good. Just keeping it somewhat modern. Most mods are for reliability. You would be surprised just how close to stock it is right now.