Date:         Fri, 23 Aug 2002 17:13:06 -0700
Reply-To:     Aristotle Sagan <killer_jupiter@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Aristotle Sagan <killer_jupiter@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Ignorance is Bliss
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed

Uh yup.
The Antifreeze is blue, the oil is 15-40 heavy duty and the oil filter comes
from Vanagain in NJ, one of them Mann ones.

As abrasive as you are sometimes, the gospel you preach makes sense.

it still ain't a Toyota Truck but it runs a lot more reliably since I
started listening to you.


tim in san jose




>
>Guy drives up to the shop today in a Wasserboxer.
>
>"When I go down a steep hill, the oil buzzer comes on."
>
>Well, I tell him it could be a problem with the circuit or a pressure
>issue. I ask him about the maintenance history. He says he just had the oil
>changed. I go back and take a look. Havoline filter. I ask him what weight
>oil was used. Window sticker says 10-30. It's 70 to 80 degrees out. I tell
>him he needs a proper filter and oil and that will likely resolve the
>problem. He says they told him they used a Bosch filter. I tell him Bosch
>filters are no more spec for this engine than Havoline, both are designed
>to be cheap. That's all you can get from the quicky designed to be cheap
>shops.
>
>He then reminds me he talked to me at some point in the past and I advised
>he bring me all his maintenance and repair receipts so I could advise what
>the vehicle needs before I pick up a wrench, and also explained to him the
>need for proper spec filters and fluids for his particular Vanagon. Sounds
>like I gave him the typical 20 minutes of education, and he ignored it. He
>asks when I could change the oil and put on a proper filter. I says how
>about now. He says he hasn't got his check book, but he will run and get it
>and be back in 15 minutes.
>
>An hour later, he finally shows. Oil is black in 100 miles and thin as
>ether. I tell him he has a dirty motor due to insufficient change interval
>and the black oil is empirical evidence of the tar build up inside the
>motor. He tells me he changes the oil every 2000 miles so I'm full of shit.
>I tell him he can shut his mouth and open his eyes and ears or tell me to
>go to hell. Make your choice.
>
>So, the quicky oil change shop lied to him about the filter, didn't know or
>care about the specs, and gave him poor results. I, on the other hand, gave
>him the right advise some months ago at no charge, identified and corrected
>the problem in very little time, spent extra time twiddling thumbs waiting
>on him and educating him how to improve his results, didn't lie to him, but
>showed him the facts, which he didn't like.
>
>If he should ever call again, I will refuse to give him the time of day
>unless and until I see the documented history. If he wants to waste his
>money acting in ignorance he can do so at any of the several other shops
>around. That's what they specialize in. Serving up invoices to the
>ignorant. I, on the other hand, will refuse to act in ignorance, and give
>him the facts with both barrels, whether he likes it or not.




_________________________________________________________________
MSN Photos is the easiest way to share and print your photos:
http://photos.msn.com/support/worldwide.aspx