Topic: Auto Tech: Running in repair circles

[Autos_Editor]

Driveability problems can be hard to diagnose.  Technical Editor Jim Kerr relates a particularly difficult case.

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[canuckystan]

Great article, I really enjoyed this.  I'd like to see more articles like this if possible.

[aquadorhj]

i wonder where Mr. Kerr teaches..  and if that neighborhood's mechanics are any better than most shops' people here.

most shops mechanics are hesitant to do "diagnostics" for long because people don't want to pay for it.   Mr. Kerr says himself, it took him and his group of students weeks to pinpoint the issue.  that alone in diagnostic fee would have probably equalled the transmission rebuild cost.

they depend on their experiences and educated guesses and start replacing parts, which is the quickest and easiest way to "fix" stuff and make money.
think of the hourly shop fees.  often times, it's not cost beneficial to actually find and fix issues using the man power than to just replace stuff.

i do agree that it's helpful if you stay with one trustworthy shop instead of hopping around.

[D70]

I had a driverability problem with my Miata, a previous owner had replaced the fuel pump with a non factory unit. My Miata specialist spent many hours and days getting to the route of the problem. Once solved the car has run flawlessly on many long trips

http://www.flickr.com/photos/d70w7/4911484003/

[tpl]

How long has it been since cars had distributors?   For the last 10 years the computer would have told him what the problem was.

[articsteve]

"BOBS" Buick was worth $1K.  So the moral of this story missed by Mr. Kerr is if the vehicle gets you from A to B then ignore the hesitations, noises, bad idle, save your $$$$.

[miatii]

I've been driving for 37 years.  In all this time I've only had 3 excellent mechanics ("good" isn't good enough at today's shop rates.) One mechanic was from England, one mechanic was from Japan and my current mechanic is from Canada. When the mechanics from England and Japan retired it was cause for a great deal of stress and expense caused by people who really shouldn't have labeled themselves as "automotive technicians".  In contrast, these 3 gentlemen have saved me a lot of money through their analytical skills and common sense about mechanics. And honesty! (If my current mechanic miss-diagnoses the problem, which seldom happens in the first place, he only charges me for the correct repair). If you find an excellent mechanic, buy everyone in the shop Christmas gifts and deter their retirement for as long as possible!

[chrischasescars]

"BOBS" Buick was worth $1K.  So the moral of this story missed by Mr. Kerr is if the vehicle gets you from A to B then ignore the hesitations, noises, bad idle, save your $$$$.

Spot on, that.

[X-Traction]

The cost of the futile attempts to fix the problem were not completely wasted, since mostly they were things that need doing periodically anyway.  They're only completely wasted if they were recently done, or the person plans to sell the car soon.  The article gave no clues about those aspects.

[mik101]

The cost of the futile attempts to fix the problem were not completely wasted, since mostly they were things that need doing periodically anyway.  They're only completely wasted if they were recently done, or the person plans to sell the car soon.  The article gave no clues about those aspects.

I agree completely. It's as bad as people who don't change the oil because it isn't low...

[1TSX]

The cost of the futile attempts to fix the problem were not completely wasted, since mostly they were things that need doing periodically anyway.  They're only completely wasted if they were recently done, or the person plans to sell the car soon.  The article gave no clues about those aspects.

I agree completely. It's as bad as people who don't change the oil because it isn't low...

I know someone who relates to this. Last year, "Bob's" 2006 325i was slowly losing oil...but didn't think much of it. 6 months later, it was at 70% oil level, and thats when he told me. I couldn't believe it. He thought it was OK, as long as it wasn't low. 

He finally got it fixed. Leaking gasket, $200 to repair. Stuff like this, especially for a relatively new vehicle, should be fixed ASAP.

[jekelly]

Most nechanics are only good to change oil, tires and others easy part. It's really hard to find a good one. A good tips is to be with him (or her) around your car while is doing the job, even if it's a simple routine job, and talk with him. Ask him questions on what he's doing and if he see something that needs to be fixed soon. You will be able to evaluate him.

Ciao.

J-E

[DKaz]

I fix my own car and end up running in repair circles.