Yesterday I posted the events that transpired when visiting my mechanic to solve my leaking transmission seal at the CV joint.� I implied that they might not have been totally ethical in their approach, recommending expensive repairs to fill their wallets and empty mine.� It was pointed out to me that I was dead wrong.

Thinking it through....��
 This independent shop I go to has been a thriving business for over 30 years; their reputation is solid, and that doesn't happen by accident.� Years and years of very hard work and dedication go into building a business like that, providing service and wisdom that is often totally under-appreciated.� Yes, they could have just done the seal work....but in retrospect I must commend them for going the extra
 mile, spending their time and effort to investigate other potential trouble points as a courtesy.� Leaks, cracks, and the like don't fix themselves....they are a gentle warning sign that something is brewing; fix me now while it's easy or fix me later when it's now turned into something really expensive or even dangerous to myself or others on the road.�� They are simply being professional, and doing the right thing.

Also, they have no idea of the mechanical knowledge of the general customer, they have to assume the worst case of total ignorance, and do the best job they can to "call it like they see it", however unpleasant that news may be.� 

It's like going to a doctor or dentist for one problem; they check things out, do some tests, and find 3 or 4 more things that when dealt with early are easy, but if ignored start compounding.� "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."� That sort of thing.�
 Frustrating perhaps, disappointing for sure, but that's life.� Nobody likes bad news.

And my implication that they might be trying to take advantage of the situation was an insult both specifically to them, as well as all the other fine folks in their profession, including the Professional Mechanics on this List, who generously spend the time and effort to help and inform without
 compensation and often little thanks.� Dealing with rude, impatient, ungrateful, suspicious, insulting and ignorant customers don't make their jobs any easier as well; the grit, the heat, the solvents, the aches, the injuries, the noise, the expenses are all bad enough in themselves...yes, it's a tough profession, so under-appreciated.

For this, I apologize.� 

I appreciate the opportunity to speak, and next time I visit my mechanic will do so with a new perspective.� Thanks.

Rich�� ....learning from my mistakes

Took van in this morning, just got a call back.� They said there is 
"some" play in the drive shaft; if I just replace the seals (a seal kit,
 am assuming it replaces seals, o-ring, and cap) they won't guarantee 
that it won't leak.� Rebuilding the transmission would be next option.� 
No.� I'm going to take the $250 gamble and just do the seal kit.� (I'm 
aware of the 3rd/4th Slider Hub problem; my driving style is as gentle 
and silky smooth in shifting as possible, plus most of the miles are 
long distance freeway where it might be hours between shifts, so I think
 I've got good life left in the tranny.� Maybe when it's time for a new 
engine or conversion, but that's still 25,000 miles away, maybe more.)

They
 also "looked" around.� Said power steering rack was leaking, parts and 
labor is $750.� Now, I am aware of this
 TINY weep of a leak, from that little cover with 2 hex bolts about in 
the middle (I took it off, cleaned and polished things up, no gasket 
that I could see, put back together, and GREATLY reduced the already 
tiny weep).� Ends of the rack and everywhere else is bone dry.� So to 
just "matter of factly" recommend a fairly expensive and in my view 
unnecessary replacement of the ENTIRE rack starts to make me suspicious 
of my mechanic's motives...of course he'd like to get the tranny 
re-build job too and a bundle of cash.

They also noticed a bit of
 crusty fluid on the side of the front radiator; says not leaking now, 
but might.� Could that just be where I did the bleeding, ran down the 
side and the stuff dried into crystals?� Anyway, times must be hard at 
the mechanics shop, too, but I'm feeling a little like they are trying 
to take advantage of an uninformed Vanagon owner.� 'Course, little do 
they know that I've got The
 Vanagon List in my arsenal of tricks!� So while I agree with GoWesty, 
for instance, that a redo of the cooling system should probably go along
 with an expensive new engine, I'm going to watch and wait on that one, 
too.

I'm definitely a proponent of keeping ahead of the game on 
the vehicle, and would rather do repairs here in town than a couple 
thousand miles away, for all the obvious reasons.� Still, don't want to 
throw money away on "biased" recommendations for repairs.� The total of 
their recommendations is probably approaching $3K....I think I'll be 
fine (for now) at a tenth of that.

Rich
San Diego