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Workshop times / rates

Being a DIY type I'm not used to this but could some one give me a balanced opinion..

Disco went in for the seal on the diff leafking, Blowing manifold, MOT, Aircon pipe requiring replacement.

As I didn't have time to do these myself I sent it in to be done with the MOT to a Cheshire Landrover dealer (non franchised)

Positives - passed the MOT no problems Seal replaced, yet to see to what effect.

Negatives - Couldn't get the air con pipe in 4 days so that was aborted :o( Manifold bolts were tightened reducing the spit but not solving it , they suggested this would do because of the LPG stuff in the way and potential for snapping a stud.

I'm just a little miffed that they charged 1 1/2 to do the seal and 1 hour to tighen all the bolts on one manifold.

Am I just being a little over financially sensitive? I'd have expected a fully equiped mechanic / technician in a Land rover service bay to sort these in less time. I expect I would have been able to do the two actual completed jobs in less time myself on my back on the drive (for the seal).

They do appear to bill by the half hour as this is what they clocked for "presenting for MOT" which is fair enough.

The manifold bolts for me are the biggest shock..... or perhaphs I need to slow down at work.

Like I say, just opinions on this folks, I expected to pay... just a little stunned at the time taken.

Lee D

Reply to
Lee_D
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They must be gearing up for aquiring a franchise....

What LPG stuff is in the way?! You exhaust may have a lambda sensor but even then they're trying it on. If it's blowing and you're talking about studs then I assume that we're talking about the downpipe connection, accessed from under the vehicle where the access is not particuarly good but not that difficult LPG or no LPG. How long does it take to take the whole manifold off? I fitted a new starter the other week and removed the manifold (stuck bolt on starter required greater access) and it was all back together within the hour. Onset of rain helped speed me up though ;-)

Sounds like they're just looking for a way of accumulating hours on the invoice to get the most money possible out of the customer. No way did it take that long, if it were me I'd question them as to how a "specialist" took so long to tighten three nuts.

Regards

William MacLeod

Reply to
willie

In message , Lee_D writes

Not the time taken, the time charged - subtle difference. Was it up the A34 by any chance?

Reply to
hugh

Yep, we purchased the vehicle from them. They kindly sent a Service reminder in the same post.....

me thinks I'll be doing future work myself again and finding the time. I know they have a business to run but I've a life to live which takes priority when it's my hard earned. I'll let them take the **ss once and once only.

Lee D

Reply to
Lee_D

My thoughts entirely though I didn't wish to sway opinion. I looked in the engine bay when I got home just to reassure myself how difficult a task it was. None of the LPG kit was what I would call "in the way". Access to all of the top row of manifold bolts was easy enough. To top it off the "technician" had failed to reposition the lock tabs on the bolts. The Bottom row may be slightly more difficult to access due to the vaporisors being in some elbow space but any one who declares it remotely difficult clearly ain't worked on a 101. There is ample space to remove the manifold upwards once undone (i.e. no need to smack anything with a large blunt instrument)

I can feel a phone call coming on in the morning.

Lee D

Reply to
Lee_D

Atleast it only took them 30 mins to get the MOT sorted.

When i first took my 101 to be done i took it to the mot garage that they recommended/used (where your disco will have gone too). I had a 3 hour wait and then they rang me up and said 'we can't MOT that, wont go on the lift'. It had only sat right outside and been looking at them for all that time.

Reply to
Tom Woods

Just an update, I put in a call and explained my concerns to the Lady who insited on helping. She noted my comments and went to seek out the job card and liaise with the Service manager. I got a return phone call which was to the effect that I had been charged the time that the car had been worked on, however the service manager agreed it shouldn't have taken so long so they agreed to credit me an hour back. This is what I would have expected for the work done initially so I can live with that.

Half of me loves them to lickle bits and the other halfs still really frustrated. The synical side of me expects that if I were the type to be able to afford a new Landrover product I would proabably not have questioned the time, then I began to wonder if I look really wealthy , dumb or alternatively it could be a genuine story and really helpful staff.

None of the experience has left me with any greater trust in garages , franchised or none franchised. Just glad it was nothing major. Having hoped to retire from my own maintainence looks like I can't hang my spanners up just yet.... looks like I'm going to have to reduce the fleet or replace with something a bit more reliable .

:0(

Lee D

Reply to
Lee_D

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