Very well said Richard.  Its always good to consider the view from the other
side.

Seeya, Jake

PS Now get out there and change your radiator!  ;)

On Fri, Sep 24, 2010 at 11:03 AM, Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@sbcglobal.net>wrote:

> 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
>

--
Jake

1984 Vanagon GL 1.9 WBX 'The Grey Van'
1986 Westy Weekender/2.5 SOHC Suby 'Dixie'

Crescent Beach, BC

www.thebassspa.com
www.crescentbeachguitar.com
http://subyjake.googlepages.com/mydixiedarlin%27