How long should it take for mech. to call
 

So I dropped my car off at the mechanic on Monday night last week. This guy is supposedly the man, according to friends and other PCA members. I am sure he is very busy. This is the first time I've had my car in for something, so I don't know what to expect, but already I would have expected a call by now. Is this normal? I don't want to call him a lot and tick him off and get screwed, but it is my only car. Riding my bike to the grocery store and walking to work, while good for my fitness, is getting old already. And the longer its there, the more autocross opportunities I'm missing. I miss my car.

Why did you take it in? did I miss something?

What did he tell you when you brought it in. You should call and ask if he has had a chance to work on it yet, and how long he estimates the work will take.

yea just call and see how things are coming along. if you are respectful i cant imagine hed gat mad.

Call him - no harm or foul there. checking the status once a week certainly could not be considered annoying. (calling every day on the other hand...)

Does his shop work by appointment? If so, did you make one or drop it off?

Mine works on appointment only, if you don't have one and drop it off, you go to the back of the line - it will get worked on as time allows.

Kind of harsh, but really the only way to make it fair for everyone.

AFJuvat

Right, I am sure he works by appointment, and I didn't really have one. So he only got about 3 days notice before it went in. Last time I called was Friday of last week, so I guess I'll check in tomorrow. Wouldn't be so bad if I had another car.

I brought it in to get a few things done. There's been a slow oil leak since I bought the car, from the lower part of the engine. I couldn't take it anymore, when I'd start it it would smoke for like 5 minutes sometimes. The fear of fire was gripping me. But what really has me concerned is the grinding/whining sounds coming from trans. recently. These are things I don't have a clue how to fix on my own, so in it had to go. I've been sacrificing kittens in an effort to expediate the process. The longer he takes...

All I can say is if I lived in FL, I'd take my car to Juvat, cause I could bug him daily on here, whining about walking to work.:D

You know your mechanic is busy when you pull up for your first inspection (before they've looked at your car), grab a clipboard and say "Well, i've noticed you got MASSIVE leaking all over, your engine mounts are collapsed, your turbo is about to go and i've noticed.."

Then you kindly remind them, "this is my first visit, and ... uh, i feel sorry for the person who owns the car you're describing" :)