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A Mechanic's Life - Tales From Under the Hood

2779 messages,  Last post on May 18, 2013 at 8:32 AM

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What is this discussion about? Auto Repair, Hatchback, Truck, Sedan

     This topic is primarily for professional mechanics, current or retired, or ardent amateurs who would like to share the suprises, victories, tricks and challenges of working on the modern automobile. All Forums members are invited, of course, to ask technicians about their work, or comment on your own experiences dealing with mechanics.
 
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Messages Page 150 of 278

#1489 of 2779 Re: Diplomacy isn't my strongsuit [Mr_Shiftright] by thecardoc3

Feb 17, 2013 (2:56 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Feb 17, 2013 11:36 am)
Well nobody said running an auto repair shop was easy.
 
That's for sure. The problem is nobody is really talking about just what it takes today. Well almost nobody
 
I would say that ultimately, the greatest challenge for the shop owner might be one of maintaining a balanced view of the customer and not being soured by the small percentage of them who are chiselers, law-suit happy, ungrateful, cheap and all the rest.
 
That's why we try and attract the first group and simply allow the second one to hopefully be happier elsewhere than we can make them.
 
Auto repair is by nature definitely not a "touchy feely" business, like dentistry or chiropractic or a hair salon. No one really expects you to be a caring sensitive person
 
That has a physically demanding, highly technical career......
 
The "front man" is pretty unflappable. He's a guard dog, a diplomat, an accountant and a service provider.
 
The right counter person can make a big difference.

#1490 of 2779 Re: Diplomacy isn't my strongsuit [thecardoc3] by roadburner

Feb 17, 2013 (5:09 pm)

Replying to: thecardoc3 (Feb 17, 2013 2:59 pm)
Only when someone needs it.
 
Based on your responses, it would appear that you think 100% of the people you encounter "need it."
 
Well you did, didn't you?
 
Again, I never said that the tech should automatically assume that the filter housing was the culprit. Once again, here is what I wrote:
 
"I had a friend with an E83 X3 as well as another gentleman with an E46 325xi both advise me that their dealers told them that their vehicles had leaking oil pan gaskets and recommended that they be replaced. That is a somewhat complex and fiddly job on an AWD BMW because an axleshaft runs through the oil pan; both dealers wanted over $1,000 to do the work. I asked the owners where the leak was located and both said that it was coming from the left front corner of the oil pan. I told them both to take their cars to another shop, because BMW oil pan gaskets rarely fail- but that the oil filter housing gaskets can be problematic as the cars age. Both cars were taken to a good indie BMW tech, and the leaks were found to be originating at the oil filter housing gasket."
 
I didn't say, tell the indie shop to relace the housing gasket, I told them to get a second opinion. And my analysis was spot-on.
 
It isn't enough information to do anything with. Few if any of the readers here have ever looked at one of these engines and have no idea how obscured the area in question is. Given the chance, without prior knowledge of the pattern failure I doubt that you would have gotten this same test right the first time either. The difference is, I wouldn't trash you for that like you have done to them here. Said another way, if you had been either one of those techs and it was the first time you saw one of these leaks you would have made the same misdiagnosis, especially if you were rushed and not allowed to take enough time to examine the situation correctly.
 
You conveniently forget that while two BMW techs missed the call, two BMW techs nailed it. I'll add that when one of the owners called the indie shop he only told them that the dealer said his oil pan gasket was leaking. The shop owner replied, "Well, I'm going to inspect it closely before I start the job, because the oil pan gaskets on BMW engines seldom fail; it's much more likely to be some other component."(emphasis added) If the techs lacked the knowledge or experience to make the correct diagnosis, then there should be someone in the chain of authority who does possess that knowledge and experience- and who can prevent the wrong repair from being undertaken. Even if the techs' errors were understandable due to their inexperience, the owner would have still been out over $1,000- and he would still have an oil leak.
 
By the way, the M54 in my son's also exhibited a small oil leak, but my dealer diagnosed it correctly the first time.
Hmmmm...

#1491 of 2779 Re: Diplomacy isn't my strongsuit [roadburner] by isellhondas

Feb 17, 2013 (9:17 pm)

Replying to: roadburner (Feb 17, 2013 5:09 pm)
My Indy BMW shop told me that my valve cover gasket was starting to leak and that it was over 300.00 to change it (!). He also told me it might need a new valve cover and then it would be over 500.00!
 
How can a valve cover go bad??
 
I had no leaks in the garage but he told me I would probably start smelling burning oil and sure enough, I'm starting to.
 
Some leary people would have accused him of loosning the VC bolts.
 
I'm just wondering why it costs so much...WAIT... it is a BMW!
 
Breaks
More
Wallets

#1492 of 2779 Re: Diplomacy isn't my strongsuit [isellhondas] by gimmestdtranny

Feb 17, 2013 (9:29 pm)

Replying to: isellhondas (Feb 17, 2013 9:17 pm)
"How can a valve cover go bad?? "
 
Mighta been over-torqued/torqued outta sequence at some point in its life.
 
But I'm not defending it..
 
Is it cast aluminum? If so, it would be a little more forgiving to an over-torque, but probably not by much. A thicker gasket design might have helped, but then they wouldn't get their baby back to momma for repair$ as soon..

#1493 of 2779 Re: Diplomacy isn't my strongsuit [thecardoc3] by jipster

Feb 17, 2013 (10:06 pm)

Replying to: thecardoc3 (Feb 17, 2013 2:56 pm)
The right counter person can make a big difference.
 
I'm assuming you probably work in the back office then? Someone who is confrontational, lacking in appropriate social skills, and engages in power struggles is not someone you want on the counter. Most of the service writers at dealerships and small shops I've patronized were pretty good. Only one comes to mind with who I thought had a bit of an attitude. Sarcasm also not a trait to use with customers.

#1494 of 2779 Re: Diplomacy isn't my strongsuit [isellhondas] by roadburner

Feb 17, 2013 (10:35 pm)

Replying to: isellhondas (Feb 17, 2013 9:17 pm)
I haven't heard of M50 valve covers needing replacement(although I'm sure that the true experts on this board will quickly correct me if I'm mistaken ), but at 120,000 to 130,000 miles the gaskets usually do start to leak- almost always from the right rear corner. Replacing the gasket isn't too difficult- This is an excellent how-to.
BMW only charges $35 for the gasket set(about the same as the set for a Honda V6), so the rest of the bill is labor. I'd tackle it myself if I had the time(and an in-lb torque wrench). In the case of my son's X3 I had the latter but not the former.

#1495 of 2779 Re: Diplomacy isn't my strongsuit [jipster] by roadburner

Feb 17, 2013 (10:27 pm)

Replying to: jipster (Feb 17, 2013 10:06 pm)
I thought that, but I wasn't going to say it...

#1496 of 2779 Re: Diplomacy isn't my strongsuit [thecardoc3] by jipster

Feb 17, 2013 (10:52 pm)

Replying to: thecardoc3 (Feb 17, 2013 11:27 am)
TWe have the chain stores that sell tires and do alignments, and quick lubes that are putting who knows what in the car
 
Who is making baseless assumptions now? If you know something we don't about the quickielubes, let's hear it. They using maple syrup instead of oil?
 
I think the Valvolines Instant Oil does a pretty good job. At least you can sit in the comfort of your car and see that the job is done properly, and with a quality oil.
 
Plus, the competition keeps dealerships from overcharging on oil changes.

#1497 of 2779 Re: Diplomacy isn't my strongsuit [jipster] by obyone

Feb 18, 2013 (12:01 am)

Replying to: jipster (Feb 17, 2013 10:52 pm)
I think the Valvolines Instant Oil does a pretty good job. At least you can sit in the comfort of your car and see that the job is done properly, and with a quality oil.
 
You're kidding right?
 
Plus, the competition keeps dealerships from overcharging on oil changes.
 
I noticed dealers today advertise two prices. The elcheapo with who knows what kind of oil and another price for "synthetics". The dealer who not so recently tried to stick you with ADM is the dealer you want to service your vehicle? What differentiates sales from service? Same upper management.

#1498 of 2779 Re: Diplomacy isn't my strongsuit [obyone] by jipster

Feb 18, 2013 (1:16 am)

Replying to: obyone (Feb 18, 2013 12:01 am)
You're kidding right?
 
Not really. You at least know which items are being checked, unlike at dealership. You are in and out quicker. Comfort is debatable, as no a/c or heat. And Valvolines a quality oil. I only use if in a pinch. Usually dealership is running oil change specials about 10 bucks cheaper.

Messages Page 150 of 278

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