Honest mechanic

[brawlins]

I want to share a story about my mechanic. (He was a Porsche mechanic with a dealer for a number of years and does work out of his house now. He has a couple of garages in his back yard.)

Anyhow - I was having increasing problems with my 82SC turning the key in the ignition. I told my mechanic to replace the ignition (not cheap if you have checked out ignition pricing). He took apart my ignition, said it just needed a good cleaning, made me a couple of good keys from a cracked key (I had cracked my last one cranking the car before I sent it to him) and charged me a little over a hundred bucks. It cranks like a gem, and doesn't stick at all.

Glory Halelujah for good mechanics!

[Bill Douglas]

You are lucky.

[JackT]

i have found that the mechanics that are really into Porsches are pretty honest. They do not take the easy way out and just replace a part because it makes their job easier. the problem is there are a lot of mechanics out there that are not really into Porsches. They have learned their trade by working in a dealer garage, on a car that is not engineered like a Porsche.

[Porschephanatic]

COOL! My wrench also loves P-cars and is very meticulous. He also charges less than half the dealer's hourly rate. Must be the Love!!

[Drago]

You ought to be in Seattle where we take our cars to John Walker...there is no one better in my opinion.

Thanks for the lean-tune John...hope your enjoying that Moose Drool!

[brawlins]

This brings up another point. I enjoy driving my P-car (duh), but I wouldn't get any enjoyment spending a day fixing it. I'd rather pay my mechanic (at $60 bucks an hour, I might add) to fix something in two hours, that would take me all day to do. I wonder how many of the Pelicanites would consider themselves as wrench-geeks? (Not only use the wrench but actually enjoy spending time using it)
?????

[Bruce Huling]

Hmmm. Seems like the older I get the less I want to spend what little time I have fixing something. Also, having found a good mechanic, I do not believe I have the time to accrue the detailed, effective experience he does for most of the work, nor do I wish to risk my pride and joy by me learning on it. So, instead I turn her over to him, read his magazines, go drool on his racecars and resto's in progress, and remind myself what a beautiful day it is to own a porsche. Besides, I work hard enough keeping a couple of vintage motorcycles ready to race each month which is time consuming enough, The porsche is to blow the cobwebs out. Now, if I only had a "project car...." smile.

[Schrup]

I'm having the same problem trying not to fight my key, especially when I'm in a hurry(usually). $312 for a new tumbler . Think I'll try some aerosol cleaner or take it to a locksmith. My keys look like they're in good shape, one doesn't work better than the other. It's bearable now but I know I'll have to do something eventually. I'de rather put the $300+ toward my dash. Any suggestions?

[Gordo2]

I had the same problem with the key I got when I bought my car. It was a valet key (didn't lock the glove box or the trunk). I ended up ording a new key from a dealer(provided my VIN).

I was embarrassed into getting it fixed one day when someone next to me gave me the "nice car" comment and I sat there for the next 10 minutes trying to turn the key

The difference between the keys was amazing? Didn't even look like the same key. The new one has very sharp teeth, the old one had rounded off nub's. Like the difference between a butter knife and a steak knife.

The new key works much better in the ignition, still a little stickey but nothing like the old worn out one. I may look into stripping down the ignition at some point, but for now it's good enough.

Will see if I can post pic's of the keys, an amazing difference.

Gordo

[Wayne 962]

Actually, 101 Projects has a section on this - it's really not too hard, and quite easy to fix. The toughest part is drilling out the ignition switch...

-Wayne

[Schrup]

Thanks Wayne, can't wait for your book. And thank you for the autograph at no extra charge

[caliber60]

More like $85-$95 per hour in Los Angeles. John Walker, what's your rate?

[arcsine]

I will second Marc's comments about John Walker. He turned a big rebuild project for me (tranny, clutch, CV joints/axles, oil leak fix, SSI's/muffler/oil lines, valve adjust/tune up) around in less than a week, did not blow me off with my questions, went out of his way to not shaft me for every penny he could and still had the courtesy to call me after a few days to make sure things were OK.
And the car runs like a dream.

[adamred]

Just wanted to jump in b/c it seems this thread is turning into a little gathering of pellican's who use a mechanic and don't have the gobs of free time to DIY. I love my car and learning everything I can here, through Wayne's books, Excellence, PCA, etc, etc but I just don't have the time or space (busy career, 2 little kids, 1 car garage) to DIY much more then oil changes and washing/waxing.

This is a great board and I have posted numerous questions not always b/c I'm DIYing but its great to go into my wrench knowing what the F***K I'm talking about and getting thorough detailed explanations of everything. I've gotten connected to my Pcar without the oily fingernails....BTW my wrench is great, and charges $80/hour and reasonable parts costs.

That said, my next house will have a minimum two car garage with space for a workbench so that when the kiddies are older and my life's a bit more normal I can do more....

Adam

[Drago]

Originally posted by caliber60
More like $85-$95 per hour in Los Angeles. John Walker, what's your rate?

John's rate is irrelevant. I'd pay the extra for the level of service....hope he's not reading this and gettin' any funny ideas

[MotoSook]

I thought it was insane when I took my dad's Mazda pickup in for a estimate for repair to pass emissions...89.99 per hour!!! You MOFO! No way in hell I'm I going to pay some kid and the shop 90 bucks an hour to work on any car...

..and when I call certain shops here for advice...or appointment...for the 911..HA! "Don't know what your're talking about" "never heard that before" or "we can get you in in two weeks"..Never again!

I'll learn to do it myself or just sell the car. Unless JW moves to my town, no shop is getting my car unless it is to part it out.

I don't have much time with a long work day and a family, but I find it relaxing to spended time in my garage working on the 911. I figure I have save myself a whole lot of money and have learned more through my struggles than reading about it. But then I'm a bit funny in that I like to struggle with technical issues...the reward in the end is so sweet!

One day when I retire I hope to apply my ME degree and what I learned in my garage to become an "honest mechanic" part-time. I wish I had one now for those times when I can't spend time in the garage though

[Superman]

I was in John's shop two days ago when another customer told us that a local Ford shop charges something like $100 per hour. At a FORD SHOP!!! I hoped John hadn't heard that but he did. I think John's rate is about 20% less than that, and would be a bargain at twice that rate. I'm not kidding. Few people are as discriminating than I when it comes to auto shop skill. I'm 45 years young and I can count on one hand the mechanics I've known that I also trust and respect. John is on that short list. Tyson is too, by the way.

[Drago]

Originally posted by Superman
John is on that short list. Tyson is too, by the way.

Sup,

What about Tacoma911? Is Bill a mechanic or does he just play one at our engine drop parties?

[arcsine]

Marc,
As a side note, is there supposed to be a link to the Rain Forrest Roundup in your signature? Text is there but no link.
Just thought I would ask.

[Stuttgart951]

Good mechanics are few and far between. Mine gets a case of beer every Christmas.