wrench trust

[Baz]

But how did the fuel pump repair work out? That's the question that will help me make an assessment on his worth.

[Kistle]

Out of curiosity, what exactly is an "engine oil flush"? Is that just merely two, back-to-back oil changes? Or is there some way to hook up a "transfusion" of sorts, similar to what you do with a coolant flush?

JA

[sc_rufctr]

^^^^

You can get engine flushing oil although I've never used it. And years ago there was a pressurised machine that "ran" your engine and cleaned it at the same time. I'm not even sure how it worked exactly but it also cleaned the carbon out of the combustion chamber.

[speeder]

What did the oil look like on the dipstick? You could have saved a whole internet thread by looking at it with him and all of your questions would be answered.

Also, it's normal to do a rudimentary maintenance inspection to any vehicle that winds up on your rack. As someone else pointed out, the customer would blame the mechanic for not noticing that the car was out of oil or had 3 stops worth of brakes left. It is also how honest mechanics sell additional services and it is legitimate. House painters and plastic surgeons do the same thing.

[bell]

Originally Posted by speeder

What did the oil look like on the dipstick? You could have saved a whole internet thread by looking at it with him and all of your questions would be answered.

Also, it's normal to do a rudimentary maintenance inspection to any vehicle that winds up on your rack. As someone else pointed out, the customer would blame the mechanic for not noticing that the car was out of oil or had 3 stops worth of brakes left. It is also how honest mechanics sell additional services and it is legitimate. House painters and plastic surgeons do the same thing.

Well said........i've had a few 911s go from an oil change to 12 hours of additional work because I spotted numerous problems upon the inspection. Most recently a cist bought a c2 and simply wanted a few things addressed......out turned into an engine rebuild (major oil leaks and” while were in there) plus a ton of other stuff......its all about the details and consistency.....

[speeder]

As long as you are honest and competent, there is nothing wrong with pointing out additional needs to the owner. Of course this stuff would all be addressed in a good PPI if they bought the car recently.

[Rapewta]

I don't think the mechanic was wrong. I mean, how much for an oil change?
If the "wrench" was unethical, he would have suggested something else to repair that cost a lot more than a simple oil change.
FWIW... I owned a Mercedes that as soon as you changed the oil, the oil didn't stay yellow. It got dark as soon as the crankcase heated up.

[recycled sixtie]

Yes the mechanic can say what he wants. Of course the owner must authorize any additional work. It is the obligation or should be that the mechanic suggests that something is amiss if there is or else he would be negligent. Of course some customers think they know better. If the mech. suggests something is wrong I would say prove it.

[Noah930]

Originally Posted by flyenby

Ethics
Give him a chance to back down......he doesnt.

Out of curiosity: So when you confronted him, what did he say as reasoning for the "dirty oil" assessment? What did you say to confront him in the first place?

[Speedalac 930]

Having been in truck repair for 40 years we learned to give a quick look. It was amazing the condition of brakes and lack of vital fluids we would find. I know to never ride my motorcycle near a truck.

As P car owners most of us keep up on service. The SUV's on the road with us are in need of alot of attention. So many with oil not even showing on the dipstick tires with preasure in the teens, rotors so worn the caliper pistons almost pushed out.

Yes they need to sell but they also need to inform. Many cars do not see a shop until they quit.

[flyenby]

Lets close this thread I service all my vehicles myself ........

[black73]

Took my F-150 in for lower ball joints and front end alignment. When I got it back, I felt like I was driving on a NASCAR track when I was on a straight road. I had to keep holding the wheel to the left to keep it out of the ditch. They had obviously not done the alignment after installing the ball joints. I called the shop, explained the problem and dropped the truck off the next morning and went on to work. They called and my wife went to pick it up. When I got home, I asked what they said. They told her that the alignment was just fine, it was only a low right front tire causing the problem. What they didn't know was that I had aired all four tires to 34 lbs. the night before.
So, rather than admit a botched job, they fixed the problem and lied about the cause. There was no extra charge, but the sloppiness and lack of honesty was surprising, even for a mechanic.

[Hugh R]

First think you do on ANY alignment is check the tire pressure, so you are right.

[bell]

I have seen where an alignment is done and the tires need to wear in......and until then would cause a slight pull.....

[black73]

This wasn't a slight pull. And the problem was 100% fixed when picked up the second time. The alignment had obviously been changed. Regardless, it definitely was not a tire pressure problem.

Edit: Giving them the the benefit of doubt, they might have done the alignment originally and just failed to tighten something, allowing it to slip after some driving, I don't know.

One thing is for sure, the tire pressure story was not true.