Date: Wed, 20 Jul 2005 10:11:36 -0700
Reply-To: Zoltan <zolo@FOXINTERNET.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Zoltan <zolo@FOXINTERNET.NET>
Subject: Re: effort involved in tuning a non-stock engine?
Content-type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset=iso-8859-1; reply-type=original
Damon,
It is not money wasted when you get a few equipment that can help you tune
your own engines. The knowledge is not difficult to come by either.
The cost of a mechanic will always be higher than you think, since they are
trying to make more than you think its worth. If it took one hour and they
charge four, you can't proove it. So, they will do it every day. It is not
rare to make twenty hours in eight or even more.
Changing expensive parts are also one way to earn extra on the "mark up".
So, as long as greed is involved, it is a never ending story.
Sometimes you come accross a new, starting out mechanic who does not have
the heart to screw you yet, that is when you get a break.
Zoltan
BTW how did that engine work out for you from Bob?
----- Original Message -----
From: "Damon Campbell" <damoncampbellvw@YAHOO.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, July 19, 2005 4:52 PM
Subject: effort involved in tuning a non-stock engine?
> Well, i just got another surprise from a mechanic
> today, which always seems to happen when i take the
> van to a mechanic (which is probably a sign saying i
> shouldn't be my own wrench).
>
> They were tasked with tuning the FI so i would run
> clean and pass the local AirCare (emissions) in a
> month. I know i was running rich (which is why i was
> not driving it), that the AFM spring was out of
> adjustment, and the idle and CO screws were messed
> with.
>
> My question to you all is typically how long would
> tuning this take, assuming you had the right
> equipment?
>
> It took them 4 hours, an oil change, my spare O2
> sensor, and them saying my ECU is bad (not reading the
> O2 sensor). Sum total is $500CDN, and i've supplied
> all the parts. This seems excessive, and is
> significantly more than i expected to spend. Is this
> simply the curse of having a non-stock engine, or do
> they just think that since my van has nice wheels that
> i must be willing to throw money at them?
>
> I am stopping by to pick up the van tomorrow early
> afternoon, so i would appreciate any insights you
> might have before then...
>
> Thanks, and hopefully i won't be so frustrated
> tomorrow.
>
> -Damon
>
>
>
> '84 Westy "The Van" w/2.3L WBX
> Vancouver, BC
>
>
>
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