Date:         Wed, 5 Jul 2006 15:38:19 -0700
Reply-To:     Robert Fisher <refisher@MCHSI.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Robert Fisher <refisher@MCHSI.COM>
Subject:      Re: Mechanic had to pull transmission again, what would you do?
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
              reply-type=response

If it helps any, you would have paid another $660 for those labor hours
here. I don't know that the full charge 'seems high' to me at all.
I have no idea if it's common practice with that kind of tranny work, but
you endorsed his reusing old parts. Seems to me you assume the risk for
that- if I were him I would've flat told you that up front anyway. You don't
say what you knew about the history of the parts van, but any given thing
could 'look' fine, even to an experienced eye and still be moments away from
failure. I really don't see how that's his problem.
I think if it were me, based on what you've written here, unless I was
reasonably certain that he was primarily responsible for the failure I'd
meet him partway, and it sounds like $200 is barely partway.
If you feel that he was primarily responsible for the failure I suppose I'd
tell him that and give him the opportunity to present his side of it- a good
relationship with a good mechanic is worth something all in itself and
you're right about not wanting this thing between you in the future.
BTW, if you decide to pay him, you should maybe do it before he goes on
vacation, and let him know you were making a point of it. He'd probably
appreciate the thought.

Cya,
Robert

----- Original Message -----
From: "Christopher Gronski" <gronski@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, July 05, 2006 2:46 PM
Subject: Mechanic had to pull transmission again, what would you do?


> Hi All,
>
> If you have not been following my story, I recently had the following work
> done:
>
> Labor 22 hours @ $55 / hr = $1210
> - Engine and transmission removed from parts van
> - Transmission only removed from good van
> - Starter replaced (supplied by me)
> - Brake master replaced (supplied by me)
> - Clutch masetr and slave replaced (supplied by me)
> - Clutch, flywheel (from parts van) and pilot bearing replaced (new part)
> - Hydraulic system bled
> - Transmission installed in good van
>
> New Parts $71.85
> - Pilot Bearing
> - Felt Seal
> - Cranckshaft Seal & O-Ring
> - Transmission Oil Seal
>
> Total Bill $1,281.85 Canadian (or a bit over $1000 US) Yes this
> already seems high.
>
> I drove the van for the weekend and the clutch pedal jammed (that is,
> I had only been driving two days on the new job). I had to drive 400km
> back to my mechanic by starting in gear and shifting without the
> clutch. He had to pull the transmission again to troubleshoot the
> problem which turned out to be that the release bearing had let go. He
> swears up and down that he inspected the part before reusing it and it
> was fine. It is scored on one side (kind of half moon like).
>
> When I picked up the van today my mechanic (who does have a very low
> labor rate, and is a kindly old, seeming honest, german fellow who
> works on his own) sheepishly said something to the effect of he could
> not warantee the entire job, and said that now or somewhere down the
> line a couple hundred bucks would be nice. I said that I had already
> paid a huge amount, but that I'd think about it and we could talk when
> he got back from holidays in three weeks.
>
> Here is my dilema: Good vanagon guys are hard to find, and despite
> what I think may have been HIS screw up, I'd like to continue going to
> him. Besides, he could very easily bury $200 in any future big job
> without me knowing it. So should I just pay up and help maintain the
> relationship?
>
> BTW - could the scoring on the bearing have been caused by my 400km of
> no clutch driving?
>
> Opinions welcome...
>
> Chris