Date: Thu, 15 Apr 1999 18:13:42 -0400
Reply-To: Edward Berlett <berlett@SABER.TOWSON.EDU>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Edward Berlett <berlett@SABER.TOWSON.EDU>
Subject: Re: AVP & Headgaskets in place
In-Reply-To: <000101be86fe$76fc1640$1a488dd1@the-bus-depot>
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Thanks. I agree the situation could be much worse. I have not had heated
arguments with AVP about this topic. The difference is about $80 which
would feel nicer in my pocket.
Thanks
Ed
On Thu, 15 Apr 1999, The Bus Depot wrote:
> > Do all the pros do the headgaskets without pulling the engine?
>
> No, it can be done either way. The shop that we refer to (which is the best
> in the area) used to do them in the van but now pulls the engine. However,
> this is for logistical reasons only. They only have 2 lifts, and if they
> pull the engine someone can be working on it without the van tying up a
> lift. They would be the first to say that the job can be done well either
> way,
>
> > Is the average time for a pro 3+ hours to do the job from start to finish?
>
> Considering that the job was just done and therefore should be faster than
> usual (unlikely to find unexpected surprises such as frozen bolts, cracking
> water hoses, etc.), 3-4 hours for one side is probably in the ballpark.
>
> > Is your hour rate $36 an hour?
>
> They were $34.50 but just recently went up to closer to $45. A couple years
> ago I'd have guessed that $36 was about right. Now I'd say it's slightly on
> the low side.
>
> For what it's worth, my experience with AVP has always been first-rate.
> They're honest folks and they stand behind their product. An unscrupulous
> rebuilder would never have admitted that there was a problem with the gasket
> in the first place, instead blaming overheating, faulty installation, etc.,
> in the hope that you would go away. It would have been difficult to "prove"
> otherwise, and while you could have sued, etc., getting them to make good
> would have cost more than fixing it yourself. Believe it or not, rebuilders
> that think this way are not at all uncommon in this business. A more
> typical rebuilder would have admitted the defect but required you to "return
> the engine to them for repair or replacement," thus leaving you in the lurch
> for both labor and shipping costs. Again, they'd be hoping that you'd opt
> to fix the problem out of pocket rather than have to ship the engine back.
> Few other rebuilders would have been so quick to admit the defect much less
> offer to reimburse labor. It seems to me that AVP is standing behind their
> product as well as could reasonably be expected. The only quibble is
> whether their time and labor estimate is accurate, which is a minor issue
> compared to the ordeal you'd be facing if you'd dealt with a less reputable
> outfit.
>
> - Ron Salmon
> The Bus Depot
> http://www.busdepot.com
>
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