|
||
|
Title: Mechanics Post by Dave on Nov 28th, 2004, 12:49pm f**king idiots! |
||
|
Title: Re: Mechanics Post by JohnJ on Nov 28th, 2004, 1:10pm mmmmm ::) let me guess they charged you a fortune to fix something that wasnt broke and didnt fix what was. Or something |
||
|
Title: Re: Mechanics Post by Dave on Nov 28th, 2004, 1:11pm Does anyone know of any good reasonable mechanics around my area, South of Manchester/Top of Cheshire? Barry the man, whom do you use, may I ask? Because i'm having serious issues and might have to sue mine unfortunately. Hate cars. d |
||
|
Title: Re: Mechanics Post by Dave on Nov 28th, 2004, 1:19pm Hi John... well mine did a service and replaced the two front wishbones and rear bushes, replaced two water pipes (which we had to buy because he couldn't get hold of them!) and we get the car back, it's supposed to be perfect but it doesn't even fupping run. He didn't replace the inlet manifold gaskets, he said, causing an air leak (in turn causing 'slight' over fueling and lumpy running). He's told me to get the gaskets and take it back to him in a week and he'll fit them... but aside from that when we got it back the temp gauge showed max all the time (we've sorted that, a temp sender in the water system), but now it just doesn't even idle! Arghhh. To top all that he charged me £770!!!!!!! Argh!! -Distressed- |
||
|
Title: Re: Mechanics Post by JohnJ on Nov 28th, 2004, 1:27pm Oh dear sorry to hear that! hope it works out. |
||
|
Title: Re: Mechanics Post by Dave on Nov 28th, 2004, 1:36pm Heh. Thanks.... sorry to blow off like this. It's just, we waited nearly three weeks for this monkey to ruin my motor. Ach. Nevermind! All good things.... DAve |
||
|
Title: Re: Mechanics Post by Baz on Nov 28th, 2004, 2:09pm Dave, I use a guy in Warrington called Gary Hampton of Hampton Motor repairs. He is forever calling my Scorps "bag of Sh**e!!" But I love him to death and he is quit5e resonable. Most of the time I go in after hours and use his gear and he doesn't charge hardly anything. 01925 637193 Mention my name and he'll charge you double!! Baz |
||
|
Title: Re: Mechanics Post by mr._floppy on Nov 28th, 2004, 4:45pm Lucky Devil , what I'd give to be able to get the use of a car hoist , I'd could save a fortune on servicing and repairs. |
||
|
Title: Re: Mechanics Post by johnv on Nov 28th, 2004, 4:46pm The thing that gets to me is the way main dealers call themselves "Technicians" (have I spelt that right) still I don't profess to be a technician in spelling. I think of them as fitter. that's all they can do, unbolt an item them re-bolt another item on. Their excuse for not being able to carry out repairs to items, is that they can't offer a guantee on repaired items. What an admission that they have no faith in repairs. AND The money they charge is beyond belief. Provided you can proof your case take them to Trading Standards. |
||
|
Title: Re: Mechanics Post by Geoff_W on Nov 28th, 2004, 5:30pm In 1996 I wrote a report on some research based in the UK, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Turkey, Australia and the US on staffing requirements at a dealer level for a major motor manufacturer that as it happens, manufactured the car that I currently drive. The objective was to give them options so that they could agree with dealers a staffing structure that would take account of trends in the industry. From that we identified that most of the work that was undertaken could be carried out as part of a simple service cycle. However we also picked out that because of increasing complexibility that there would be a need for some especially knowledgeable and experienced people identified as Master Technicians. Probably on a basis of one or two per dealership. One might be mechanical, the other electrical and they would get special training and access to information. If you book your car into a dealership with anything more complex than a basic service requirement it may be worth while asking to speak to the Master Technician, if they do not have one consider going somewhere else. As a group we could do with putting together a list of those places where there are people that really know about Scorps. There are some good examples at http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/dealers.htm But we could do with growing the list. Over to you folks :) |
||
|
Title: Re: Mechanics Post by Dave on Nov 28th, 2004, 7:05pm Hi all. Thanks for that Barry the Man! I'll check him out next time something 'big' or 'complicated' goes wrong! Thanks all. Thats very enlightening, Geoff. You're right about asking for the master technician. I suppose it's just like any other retail shop type business. Scumbags on the floor.. knowledgable scumbags higher up. Good point about the lack of guarantees, John! So true. It's pretty shocking really. There's just no pride in a man's work these days. I might make an anonymous report to Trading Standards, it just all depends what happens tomorrow. Tomorrow i'm going to Ford and getting them to quote for new bits plus fitment, plus a tune up. Then i'm going to my monkey mechanic, giving him a sort of ultimatum... might take him some tissues. Then we'll just have to see. At the end of the day, he's nailed my car sideways and if I have to take it to Ford it'll need to be taken on a transporter. The only good thing about the monkey man is I could push it round to him. Just for the sake of balance, and because I don't like being so cruel about people: This guy is normally pretty good. We've taken all our cars to him in the past, he's reasonable, friendly, and respects you. A lot. But recently, I don't know. Maybe he's just had a baby or something. Or made medical history in brain donation. Anyway. Thanks all for your input, food for thought and tools for construction. Watch this space. This one > < D |
||
|
Title: Re: Mechanics Post by Dave Boulton on Nov 28th, 2004, 7:42pm Dave, Just don't go too high up "Scumbags on the floor.. knowledgable scumbags higher up." - it starts to turn down again pretty quick once you hit the "management" grades... T'other Dave |
||
|
Title: Re: Mechanics Post by wumpster on Nov 28th, 2004, 8:00pm GUY NEAR TO ME IN NORTHWICH HE IS GOOD EX FORD MECH USED TO LOOK AFTER A LOAD OF SCORPS & GRANARDAS AND KNOWS HIS STUFF G & B Motor Engineers LtdSpringboard Garage, Chapel St, Wincham, Northwich, Cheshire CW9 6DA TEL 01606 42424 HIS NAME IS GAVIN ;) |
||
|
Title: Re: Mechanics Post by mr._floppy on Nov 28th, 2004, 9:35pm I know they charge an arm and some legs, but your nearest AA service centre is a good bet for guaranteed top quality work undertaken by qualified and responsible people. |
||
|
Title: Re: Mechanics Post by johnv on Nov 29th, 2004, 6:47am God I would not use a AA Service Centre. In Coventry where I am they are in AA Uniform, but in fact are Halfords Staff. But two weeks ago I had a letter from AA to say that AA Service Centres are being handed over to Nationwide. whoever they are. I was so stuppid two years ago to have an MOT done at AA Service Centre. Failed it on fraid front seat belt and two front tyres beyound legal limit. So I complained to AA who sent in this chief AA tester and a top manager who agreed that there was nothing wrong and I got an MOT cert. issued. Turned out that the AA (ex Halfords chap) fault that types had to have 2mm all over, but you and I know that its 1.6 mm across three-quarters of width. Nether go near them again, |
||
|
Title: Re: Mechanics Post by Dave on Nov 29th, 2004, 11:24am Incidentally, this is what the world has come to... disagreements, misunderstandings over 0.4mm measurements leading to you almost having to pay another £35. Mad world. I spoke to Ford this morning.. ordered 2 inlet manifold gaskets, 6 injector seals and 2 O rings for the something-throttle body thing. A bit under £15 for the lot. How much for you to fit them? I ask. Many minutes later.. £360. Six hours labour she says. So how come my monkey mechanic did it all in two hours? And you're Ford masters? So that idea was scrapped, back to the monkey, do the job now says I. Wednesday says he. To cut a long story short i'll have had to wait four and a half weeks for these apparently simple jobs to be completed. Paid nearly a grand. And on Wednesday I have to figure out how i'm going to get a non-running 1638kg jalopy round to an auto yard, (luckily only about a third of a mile away)... By myself. I understand the concept of pushing. But... there's just no way. Ach. Neighbours may be called upon. D |
||
|
Title: Re: Mechanics Post by Baz on Nov 29th, 2004, 12:25pm If you need a tow, let me know. Baz |
||
|
Title: Re: Mechanics Post by Dave on Nov 29th, 2004, 1:21pm That's so very kind, i'll bear it in mind. : ) Thank you. DAve |
||
|
Title: Re: Mechanics Post by wumpster on Nov 29th, 2004, 3:11pm i used to work for a main agent and all the times quoted are what the manufacturer recomends this normaly ment it could be done in half the time 8) |
||
|
Title: Re: Mechanics Post by Eric_R on Nov 29th, 2004, 3:52pm Wumpster, I put your reco on the Dealers page - http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/dealers.htm. Thanks for that ;) |
||
|
Title: Re: Mechanics Post by Dave on Nov 29th, 2004, 5:00pm Tshh, I see. So that means truth could save me £180. I suppose it's just life. And i'd deal with it, only at the moment I can't. Ach I'm a 'no' man. The recommended list is good to have, I was looking at it tuther day. I find that ... disheartening, about AA staff. My brother had his car serviced at an AA centre once and he said it was the best service the car had ever had.. but that's compared to the last lot, the main dealers snapped the air filter box and damaged.. something, I can't remember what but it was quite serious. Our car garage track records are titting up just like the rest of the country. Negative mood today, I am in. Apologies. Rainbows! :o d |
||
|
Title: Re: Mechanics Post by Geoff_W on Nov 29th, 2004, 8:23pm Dave, Away from the bridge step :-/ Just confirms we need to track down as many good and reliable techies as possible and feed them back to Eric R so we can get them listed. Also confirms that we have got some smart cookies in amongst the Scorpio fraternity that have a good ideas about whats what. |
||
|
Title: Re: Mechanics Post by Dave on Dec 1st, 2004, 5:25pm I got the car back today, new inlet manifold gaskets, injector seals and o rings installed... air leak cured. Power in first gear restored. Engine purrs. Bank manager concerned. Scorpio ownership will be a steep learning curve for me and my finances. You're right about the smart cookies in here.. and you're one of them, Geoff. As is Eric.. he's just scarily good. After reading about the site development it makes sense though : ). It's pretty overwhelming to think that whatever problem someone has, at least a handful of people will have a very good idea of a solution.. but i'm slowly getting to know things too. Gradually. It's just like anything. I suppose I could talk about pierburg 2E3 carbs for a while, but hopefully that information is going to be converted into BOAs and BOBs, NOx emissions and A4LDE's... well, fingers crossed anyway. D |
||
|
Title: Re: Mechanics Post by Neil W on Dec 1st, 2004, 8:27pm Dave, Glad to hear you are back on the road. Handy that this thread has also given us 2 recommended "technicians" in Cheshire; which is very useful to know. I am in Chester and although I am not very experienced at working on a Cosworth I have done quite a few jobs successfully (rocker cover gaskets, suspension links, brakes, etc.) with wonderful help from members of this site and a knowledgeable friend. If you think I can help at anytime, email me off list. In my humble opinion, keep away from AA/Halfords centre and the FMD in Chester. AA know little about Cosworths and seem not to have access to technical info. FMD here used to be good because their foreman had a Cosworth Scorpio but he's moved to Wrexham and the current regime are fairly useless with Cosworths I'm afraid. And they are careless about collateral damage to other parts of the car/engine. And, as you have found out, they charge £85 per hour for labour based on recommended times - which sometimes can work in your favour, but not often! Neil W. |
||
|
Title: Re: Mechanics Post by Geoff_W on Dec 2nd, 2004, 11:02pm Dave Thanks for the compliment, don't quite deserve it yet but hope to work on that. Pierburg?? are we talking something eastern european or scandinavian here? :) Geoff |
||
|
Title: Re: Mechanics Post by Baz on Dec 3rd, 2004, 12:50am I can fix air con compressors with a big stick. Maybe that should put me up amongst the techies eh Geoff!! |
||
|
Title: Re: Mechanics Post by Geoff_W on Dec 3rd, 2004, 11:10am Now then Baz ;) talk softly and carry a big stick, or possibly a lump hammer, that usually does the trick. ;D 8) Just thinking how nice and cool it has been wafting along in airconditioned bliss over the last couple of days. Or was it cos I had the window open. Actually as an official recognition of smart cookie hood if you have an aircon pump that seems a little lazy, Barry is the operator. :) |
||
|
Ford Scorpio Forum » Powered by YaBB 1 Gold - SP 1.3.1! YaBB © 2000-2003. All Rights Reserved. |