|
|
|
|
| Author |
|
|
Registered
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 17
|
Found an AWESOME shop in PA/NJ (This mechanic fell from heaven!)
A few weeks ago my car was leaking both coolant and oil very badly. I couldn't even drive it to my normal mechanic, (who never fixed the problem the last time I took it to him and I was fed up with him anyway). I was seriously thinking of doing the work myself (REAL bad idea) or selling the car. I figured I'd call some shops around me and see just how bad the estimates would be. Only ONE shop got back to me.
Street Solutions (215-962-1423) in Pineville, PA 18946, was that one shop. I had the car towed over there and talked with the owner and head mechanic, Jon Frey. He was real friendly and got to work right away on the car. Over the next couple days I would stop by his shop daily and hang out while he worked on the car. He was able to find the coolant leak (some oil cooler bushing/gasket and the waterpump) and the oil leaks (cam tower gasket and head gasket). He did excellent work and didn't mind me leaning over his shoulder and continually asking him questions. Here's what he did: - replaced waterpump, timining belt, balance belt, and rollers (and what ever else comes in the waterpump kit) -resealed the top of the engine (replaced head gasket, cam tower gasket, intake and exhaust manifold gaskets, oil cooler gaskets, o-rings, and a bunch of other little stuff). The two things that made this the best experience I've ever had with a mechanic (other than him solving all my problems in one shot, letting me hang out, etc) was that he let me buy all the parts I needed and bring them to him. I'm used to getting gouged on parts from other mechanics, but I was able to get most of the stuff I needed from 944Online. But the best part? THE BILL HE GAVE ME WAS $390.17 for the labor, oil filter, coolant, and oil. This was my best experience, hands down, ever. I would invite anyone remotely close to South Eastern PA or Southern NJ to give him a call next time they need a mechanic. I'd love for some other 'listers to have the same great experience I did. |
||
03-08-2007, 05:20 PM
|
|
|
winter-hater club member
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: salt lake city, utah
Posts: 24,705
|
wow! maybe i'll just ship my car out there next time. seriously!
__________________
2000 Corvette - ????, 2007 Buell XB9R - Astrid, 1996 Discovery - Piglet, 2000 Forester "COOL PRIUS!" - Nobody Ever |
||
|
03-08-2007, 06:17 PM
|
|
|
Greasy Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Indiana
Posts: 1,457
|
Now that's a mechanic! That's one nice thing about going to a small show that is owner operated, low overhead. Too many shops now have all the extra insurance to pay on their mechanics, advertising, bs here, bs there... in the end the customer gets screwed!
Congrats on finding a truly great wrencher!
__________________
Owner: Bennington Motorsports www.benms.com Sponsor for Midwest Region 944-SPEC racing series -When was your timing belt changed or tensioned?? -Yes, I'm the crazy man that will loan out my 9201. Just PM me, I will add you to the list and get it out ASAP. |
||
|
03-08-2007, 06:25 PM
|
|
|
Registered
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Boyertown, PA
Posts: 261
|
I'm def. gonna go see that guy! Dose he do alignments?
__________________
1987 944 N/A Gray on Burgandy, Manual. Koni adjustables, lowerd. 16" two-piece Five spoke French rims. BROKEN. 2004 Pontiac GTO. 40th Anniversary Pulse Red 6-Speed with Pacesetter Long Tube Headers, catless mids, drag springs, DBA Slotted Rotors with C5 Hawk Pads. Tuned By Staging Lane Performance. |
||
|
03-09-2007, 07:23 AM
|
|
|
Registered
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 17
|
I would be surprised if he couldn't do alignments, but I never needed to ask him. Give him a yell.
|
||
|
03-09-2007, 09:52 AM
|
|
|
Registered
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Boyertown, PA
Posts: 261
|
KWhite, where are you located?
__________________
1987 944 N/A Gray on Burgandy, Manual. Koni adjustables, lowerd. 16" two-piece Five spoke French rims. BROKEN. 2004 Pontiac GTO. 40th Anniversary Pulse Red 6-Speed with Pacesetter Long Tube Headers, catless mids, drag springs, DBA Slotted Rotors with C5 Hawk Pads. Tuned By Staging Lane Performance. |
||
|
03-09-2007, 12:58 PM
|
|
|
|
Registered
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 17
|
Spent most of my life in Doylestow, PA. Now I live in Solebury, PA (near New Hope, Buckingham, about 15 minutes from Doylestown.) 18938
Where is Boyertown? |
||
|
03-09-2007, 02:34 PM
|
|
|
Registered
|
Hey Gremlin your 5 minutes from me.
__________________
87 944 72 914 Sold 84 944 Sold 85.5 944 Sold 78 924 (first car) RIP |
||
|
03-09-2007, 05:54 PM
|
|
|
entertaining the idea
|
Thanks for the info! I'll have to check them out when i get my belts changed soon.
I usually bring my car to Holbert's Porsche in Warrington. No complaints about that dealer. Great service.
__________________
There are some who call me... 'Tim'. a well set-up 1983 Guards Red 944 |
||
|
03-10-2007, 04:29 AM
|
|
|
Registered
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Indy In.
Posts: 669
|
Congrats.
It does go to show that you shouldn't continue to use a shop that your not happy with... Let your fingers do the walking and spread the good word when you do find a quality place that also offers outstanding value!
__________________
89 Porsche 944 Owner: AutoFreeFinders.com Online Auto Mall |
||
|
03-10-2007, 05:33 AM
|
|
|
Writer/Teacher
|
Quote:
__________________
Current Stable: Black 07 Porsche 987 Cayman S: Long-Tube Headers; FabSpeed Exhaust; VividRacing ECU Tune; IPD Plenum; 997GT3 Throttle Body. Blue 1983 Porsche 928S. 1985.5 Porsche 944 Rat Rod. 2011 Acura MDX. 2008 Mazda 3. Gone But Not Forgotten:Garnet Red 86 Porsche 951("The Purple Pig"). Alpine White 83 Porsche 944 ("Alpine Wolf"). Guards Red 84 Porsche 944. |
||
|
03-10-2007, 06:21 AM
|
|
|
Registered
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Boyertown, PA
Posts: 261
|
Quote:
__________________
1987 944 N/A Gray on Burgandy, Manual. Koni adjustables, lowerd. 16" two-piece Five spoke French rims. BROKEN. 2004 Pontiac GTO. 40th Anniversary Pulse Red 6-Speed with Pacesetter Long Tube Headers, catless mids, drag springs, DBA Slotted Rotors with C5 Hawk Pads. Tuned By Staging Lane Performance. |
||
|
03-10-2007, 02:52 PM
|
|
|
|
Registered
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Boyertown, PA
Posts: 261
|
Quote:
If that doesn't help, I have no clue... I just moved here not too long ago.
__________________
1987 944 N/A Gray on Burgandy, Manual. Koni adjustables, lowerd. 16" two-piece Five spoke French rims. BROKEN. 2004 Pontiac GTO. 40th Anniversary Pulse Red 6-Speed with Pacesetter Long Tube Headers, catless mids, drag springs, DBA Slotted Rotors with C5 Hawk Pads. Tuned By Staging Lane Performance. |
||
|
03-10-2007, 02:53 PM
|
|
|
Registered
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Ballston Spa, NY
Posts: 528
|
Knowing that motor well, and with parts outsourced by the owner a competent mechanic should be able to get that list of work done in ~7 hours(pending nothing else is bad. For me, 7 hours @ $55 hr shop rate plus tax = ~$412.
Sounds like you found an honest P-car mechanic in your area. Keep tabs on them 
__________________
Adam Hennessy |
||
|
03-10-2007, 03:40 PM
|
|
1987 Porsche 944 2.5 L.
1983 Porsche 944 2.5L
2007 Porsche Cayman S
The Viridian Falcon
SOLD! -- The Purple Pig
SOLD! -- Mighty Mouse
SOLD!! -- Alpine Wolf
