11.5 hours to inspect motor???

viento1 · July 30, 2009, 03:19:15 PM

Well I got a call back from my friendly neighborhood Mechanic. Please talk me down...

the first guy I spoke with said it would take no more than 5 hours. I took a deep breath and went for it.

The result was possibly a worn cylinder from a hole in the rubber air duct. OK, so all they did was open the airbox's, peak inside, take the rubber hose off the intake and put it back together with some duct tape around the hole in the rubber hose.

I got a call... they want $1600 to get it back?

?? WTF

To put it in perspective "buses R us" only wanted 12 hours to run the rack including the jakes.

Len Silva · July 30, 2009, 04:21:46 PM

Not much you can do about it now. You can try to talk him down, get him to explain exactly what he did for that money. You might point out that you have a lot of friends with buses that you would discourage doing business with him, etc.

Post the itemized bill here, you might find that it it not all that out of line.

Basically, he has the bus and there is not a lot you can do about it. Next time, get an itemized estimate and be sure that it says in writing that you will not pay more than $xx without written approval.

Good luck.

viento1 · July 30, 2009, 05:27:02 PM

Ya, I know that I am at their mercy, so do they. My issue is not that it is 11 hours it is that it was not supposed to be over 5. We go to a professional because we do not have the time or knowledge. We expect that this is not the first motor they have inspected and they would know within about 20 minutes how long it will take.

My wife just said " your bitching again... aren't you"

Aaarrrrg I will get over it

MattC · July 30, 2009, 06:45:17 PM

Did you get a written estimate? Unless you live in a state that condones being taken to the cleaners, you have rights if you have an estimate.

If the mechanic exceeds the estimate you should be contacted and asked to authorize the overages.

YMMV

Matt

Did I mention that I HATE greedy bastages? Muhahahahaha

Lin · July 30, 2009, 07:11:52 PM

Remind them of what they said it would cost, and that although a little overage may be understandable, double seems unfair. Do not create any hostility. Pay by credit card and decide whether to contest it later. Yes, also as suggested there may be some consumer agency to call in, but not till you have the bus back.

Busted Knuckle · July 30, 2009, 09:08:51 PM

I agree with all the answers above!
If it were me, I'd get a DETAILED written invoice and tell them your going to run by "Such and such (whoever is in your area) Detroit Diesel Allison Dealer and ask the service manager's opinion on it!
See if they change their outlook!
If they still don't budge. Pay the bill by check! It's easier to stop payment on a check than to try going thru the CC mediation!

BK

johns4104s · July 30, 2009, 09:27:13 PM

I like the itemized bill,Pay by by credit card , get the bus backand then get the service manager advise, go back confused as the service manager will probably tell you around 5 hours also. If your guy does not want to refund the 6 hours, off to the small claims court.

John

viento1 · July 30, 2009, 11:58:04 PM

great advise, I will get that bill and my bus... i just want to get back on the road and not let it wreck a great long weekend coming up.

They said that the compression test was 10 hours and did not recommend it as it would cost to much... At least I would have had some definitive numbers to look at, as apposed to a "shiny" cylinder and a 10k cylinder kit.