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Date:         Sun, 19 Jul 2009 20:28:12 -0500
Reply-To:     Tom Hargrave <thargrav@HIWAAY.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Tom Hargrave <thargrav@HIWAAY.NET>
Subject:      Was: Need some assistance, now closing shop
Comments: To: Robert Stewart <robertmstewart@MAC.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <7121A4AA-27F2-47CC-9C0B-6FF5D8FC8DDD@mac.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

It's hard to see anyone close down but one reality is that there is less & less older stuff out there. Huntsville had two VW shops that specialized in air cooled and they've been gone for 10 years now. We still have one general VW shop / parts place. They are good and they stay covered up with work.

I used to take my stuff to a friend when I did not have time but he died from lung cancer a few years ago. I've taken a vehicle by his shop since and his head mechanic told me flat out "Man, I really don't know how to work on carburetors or points or any of that old stuff, Leroy used to help with that stuff....." And the bad part is I know him and he really is an excellent mechanic!

Problem is, today's schools teach mechanics about points type ignitions, carburetors and even older FI system from a historical perspective. Ask any new mechanic about a CIS system and you get the "deer in the headlights" look. And you really can't blame them - they are being trained to work on today's vehicles. 5 years old is "yesterday's news".

The Vanagon is also suffering from the same dilemma. Today's mechanics are just not being trained to work on them and those shops who insist on working on only older vehicles are seeing less & less work every year until they finally go under. The exceptions are shops who are shops who specialize in collector / classic cars. But you will pay a premium price to have your Vanagon worked on by these guys.

The best defense against being ripped off is to find a mechanic who you can trust, who does not mind learning about & working on old stuff and then stick with him. Oh, and send your friends his way - even those who don't own Vanagons!

Thanks, Tom Hargrave Our Web Sites: www.kegkits.com http://www.kegkits.com/JABF/ www.stir-plate.com www.andyshotsauce.com 256-656-1924

-----Original Message----- From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf Of Robert Stewart Sent: Sunday, July 19, 2009 7:31 PM To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM Subject: Re: Need some assistance to see if my mechanic is overcharging me...

Ben I got what your saying. I am not complaining in any way shape or form, I just wanted to confirm withe list experts that the fee's were appropriate. I always believe in paying for what is fair and not screwing over those that do good work for me. In fact I did indeed bring him cold drinks on hot days, asked if he needed anything to eat etc.

Believe me, finding someone in my area to take on the project was very hard so I do appreciate him.

I just found out he is closing his shop at the end of the summer for a lack of work after 30 years. he had to take a job rebuilding truck engines just to make some cash. I really feel horrible for him. He is still going to do work out of his own home garage but it still crappy for him. I am even trying to find him clients.

But your point is well taken.

Robert NY

On Jul 18, 2009, at 12:11 AM, Benny boy wrote:

> I love you men!!! > > Ben > > > On Fri, 17 Jul 2009 09:15:01 -0400, Ken Wilford > <kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET> wrote: > >> Most mechanics will not touch a Vanagon. They will take one look and >> tell you to hit the road. That this guy is taking his time to >> learn the >> van and also only charging you $60 per hour is a miracle from Heaven >> above. Instead of questioning if he is charging you too much you >> should >> be sending him flowers or making him breakfast in bed. Please treat >> this man right, he deserves it. >> >> Ken Wilford >> John 3:16 >> www.vanagain.com >> >> >> Robert Stewart wrote: >>> Need some assistance to see if my mechanic is overcharging me... >>> >>> So to fill you in on the background. >>> >>> I had brought my Van back in December to a local Engine Shop that >>> only >>> does rebuilds. It took him several months to complete the rebuild >>> with >>> all the parts I ordered from Van-Cafe (over 2K in parts). He was >>> overbooked and took him a long time to get to the engine. He >>> finished >>> it back in April and my mechanic who removed the engine and >>> delivered >>> it to him had it and it was now up to him to take care of the rest. >>> >>> Now he had it since April, he is not a VW mechanic, his speciality >>> is >>> Nissan's.... so he needed to do some learning on the job with the >>> Bentley and Haynes manuals in hand plus some help from the Samba >>> and >>> you guys to get the job done. >>> >>> I clearly provided a list of what I wanted done and all the parts. >>> >>> Can anyone here tell me based on my list below what the general cost >>> range should be? >>> Now I know this is a bit to ask but I am trying to be sure I am not >>> being taken here, so any idea of the realistic time frame to >>> complete >>> these jobs would be really be appreciated. >>> >>> Here's the list of what I asked him to do: >>> Model - 88 Automatic >>> >>> Removal and Reinstallation of Rebuilt Engine (with all original >>> external engine components i.e. fuel rails, injectors, new rubber >>> for >>> injectors provided, new spark plugs, new fuel hoses, wires, wiring >>> harness, Air Flow System, with all new gaskets provided, et al.) >>> >>> Installation of New Fuel lines, (Engine Bay, & Front to Rear Tank >>> Lines) >>> >>> Installation of 2 External Coolers (Oil and Transmission Fluids) (1) >>> from BusBoys and (1) from Small Car for the tranny. >>> >>> Draining of Coolant Lines ( he did not flush it as he did not have >>> the >>> equipment) and Tanks & Refill Of All Coolant (Supplied) >>> >>> Installation of New Coolant Hoses in the engine bay and the front 2 >>> lines connecting to the 2 long hoses (which were good and used them) >>> with the Gowesty Coolant Hose Repair Kit. ( the two metal pieces >>> they >>> sell) >>> >>> Draining of Transmission and Differential Gear Oils and >>> replacement of >>> fluids with new screen and filter provided. >>> >>> Install New Engine Oil and Screen install after rebuild completed. >>> >>> Installation of 3rd Party Transmission Wing Cooling System (welded) >>> (this is the little metal wing sold by Terry Kay. >>> >>> Re-installation of existing S&S Exhaust System (though cleaned and >>> painted with high temp paint by me) >>> >>> Reinstallation of cleaned K&N air filter. >>> >>> Install New the brake pads and check the brakes throughout the Van. >>> (he told me I needed to have my rotors machined which I needed to >>> bring to a brake shop to have done. As the 1/4 inch edge of the >>> rotor >>> was not worn down at all. It has new Brembo rotors that installed >>> 3yrs >>> ago on the van with PBR pads.) >>> >>> >>> Note that the engine after the rebuild was brought to him bare, no >>> external components just the engine core with the heads on it, >>> intake >>> runners, with the all the proper temp sensors in place. He had to >>> put >>> all the components back on. >>> >>> So what are your thoughts? >>> >>> He is telling me this is going to cost me $1100 roughly. Now... I >>> already paid him $400 when I dropped the van off with him toward the >>> total of all these costs. Mind you it's all been in cash as well. >>> His >>> rate is $60 an hour. >>> >>> Thanks for your thoughts, >>> Robert >>> Bloomingburg NY >>>


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