Date: Wed, 18 Aug 1999 14:00:48 -0600
Reply-To: John Rodgers <inua@ROADRUNNER.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: John Rodgers <inua@ROADRUNNER.COM>
Subject: Re: Bad Mechanic
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When I bought my "88 GL off a used car lot, it came with a 30 day
warranty on the drive train. The Van drove well, shifted well, etc. I
wasn't driving much , so the 30 days came and went. Un-noticed however,
was an ever increasing difficulty in shifting into first gear. And
finally it wouldn't shift except with the greatest of time spent messing
with it. A difficult thing in heavy traffic. Also there as a lot of
noise from the tranny on the road.
At about 90-120 days, but around 750 miles of use by me, I took it to a
trusted mechanic. He checked the tranny fluid, and showed me lots of
metal particles suspended in it. Cost to R&R it, including replacing the
ring and pinion --$1250. not including whatever else might be found
inside that might need replacing. I called the dealer.
At first, he didn't want to do anything about it. "Out of warranty!!"
says he. There was a heated, but civil debate about warrenties based on
time vs use, and finally I said, " I recognize that the warranty has
expired, but this thing has less than 1000 miles on it since I bought
it. I realize you can't know everything there is to know about a used
vehicle you bring in here to sell. Therefore, I am asking that you split
the cost with me, as done by my mechanic." Well, beleive it or not, he
agreed. He really wanted me to have it towed(didn't offer to pay even
part of that) the 50 miles to his mechanic for his man to do the work,
but I did not know his mechanic, and I knew I could trust mine. Besides,
my tranny was down. So, my man did the work.
In the end, the ring and pinion was fine, the synchronizers, shifter
forks and some associated hardware was worn out, and causing the
problem. Final bill......$750. And the dealer split it with me. I was
satisfied.
Much of the satisfaction, aside from the dealer picking up half the
tab...was to know the internal condition of the tranny. It should go a
very long time. It's in excellent shape.
While the van was in the shop, had some other things attended to. This
brought the machine into tip-top condition. I was very happy to know the
overall condition of my van as well. Gave me a little more security on
the road.
I know that Murphy hitch-hikes a lot, but it does make one feel better
to start out on a journey with every thing up to speed to start with.
So, regards your head gasket situation, explore it with the mechanic,
then make some logical decisions. I don't do most of the work on my van,
I hire it out. But I make a point to know a great deal about the van and
any particular area that is about to be worked on. Then I can talk
intelligently to the mechanic, and by his actions and discussions, I can
tell if he is on the ball, or some ignorant jackleg that has just pawned
himself off as a mechanic.
This to me is your first line of defense against problems.
Good Luck.
John Rodgers
"88 GL Driver in New Mexico
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