Tuning shop quality rant lite (Or, Sunday reading 101)
Tuning shop quality rant lite (Or, Sunday reading 101)
To start with I've performed most of the work that I could on all my cars since I sarted driving. Alignments, for a time body work and paint, and a few others were left to those who had the proper tools and experience. As time went by I learned to do it all myself. I can weld, operate a lathe and mill, paint, blueprint trannies and engines, do electrical and electronic work. All that came with years of experience and from working with craftsmen who took pride in their trade. There were a few who took shortcuts too.
I could have made a career out of auto repair but I got into the I.T. field. Today it kills me to take my car in for someone else to work on it. I've had my Evo in to get tuned twice after small bolt on's (TBE, intake) that I installed. I used to have a good following of customers. Flat rate was an ok way to make a living but I also worked in a shop that catered to 'vettes, muscle cars, and specialized in computer diagnostics. Bottom line was that most of everything I worked on were pride and joy cars. Much like my Evo.
I got tuned by a local excellent guy. Very friendly and informative (as he felt comfortable with). I left with a MBC that they installed and a tune. Nice gain and no issues. A week later I changed my oil and checked fluids. My rear O2 sensor wires looked like a Twizzler. and were kinked badly. The underbelly pan has a few fasteners missing and was flapping around. I also noticed that the wire cover under the glovebox was snapped back on (when the tach wire was tapped into for the tune) wrong and the wire bundle was showing. I got everything back up to my standards.
A few weeks later I got a P0401 code. Thanks to this site I found the fix. The EGR hose that usually pops off did. It was attributed to the 2 machine screws that held the MBC body together loosening and making a bit too much boost. All fixed and a few drops of Locktite on the Forge control bolts and back in business. I give a pass on that. I did put a little squeeze clamp on the EGR hose just in case and a few on the MBC hoses just because it looks proper.
No issues and nice power. I recently got an intake pipe kit (Injen) and put it on after work. I took my time and made everything pretty. I discussed getting T-bolts and was steered away from them "because they're a PITA" (I heard PITA a few times in the days that followed). I didnt want boost leaks and so when I cranked down the worn gear clamps that came with the Injen kit, a few crapped out and gave away. So back to my tuner who steered me to Forge where I got every clamp ($50...and worth every penny) and went back under the car to swap clamps. I feel like I should have been told about the better clamps, if not t-bolts.
Tune #2. I asked if 'we' could please take the time to put the rear O2 sensor in carefully and neatly after the wide band O2 was removed, after the tune, and that I was asking because the last time the wires were all "Twizzlered up and kinked". Just a common sense thing to spin the sensor backwards 4 or 5 turns before threading it in. And that they would cuss a bit less if they loosened the (I have a hiflow cat) cat to downpipe bolts to get a little room. I just remembered alot of grumbling the first time I was there. "Sure" was the reply.
I started cringing when the chisel and hammer came out because a few poppets were being a, well again, PITA. An Xacto or razor knife would have chopped them off nicely. But noooo...5 minutes of hammering and me hearing it. It was an eternity, my car, and there was a better cleaner way. They had "a whole bunch of new ones" but managed to leave 4 out when I later took a damage report.
Makes me wonder what happpens as far as shortcuts go when a clutch is replaced in 5 hours. And they want my return business. It aint a $60k'vette nor is it a '69 hemi Charger. But it's my car. Oh and the wire cover under the glovebox...put back a few notches off so the wire bundle is showing...again. And they do alot of these Evos. I'm not complaining. But surely for over 3 bills there could be a little more care taken. No fender covers, roll around on a dirty creeper and then hop into the Recaro's. Something I was adamantly taught years ago should not happen in a custom (or any for that manner) shop. Oh yeah, that wire tie on the MBC fitting made me shake my head too.
Lastly, "The Competitor". I took my 1g GSX to a centrally located florida turbo place over a year ago to see about getting the engine rebuilt or swapped out. They didn't seem interested in my business and in 3 visits with available cash in hand didnt get much eagerness. So I left. Haven't been back since. Yesterday I went to the auto parts store to get a few things. There was a nice old Ford truck parked by me. I mean real nice. Got my stuff and came out. There's a dude with a spray can fogging paint under the wheel well and his little boy is leaning firmly on my EVO. I'm like, be cool, and said please dont lean on the Evo. All the while this dude is fogging overspray all over as he's toucing up his undercarriage.
The little boy gave me an oops look and I commented on "Nice truck" (it was) to his dad. I disallowed the paint bomb fog and backed out. He asked me to roll the window down so he could talk. He and his brother work at the turbo place and I was asked if I need work done to consider coming by. I told him that consideration was sealed when I took my GSX by and everyone was too busy or uninterested to deal with me. That and their reputation of tuning cars that blew up frequently.
Pretty much word of mouth goes a long way. Peek into a VW or Porsche dealer garage sometime. Fortunately or unfortunately I choose to do most of the work on my IX myself. I work on other peoples things just like they are my own. I went to a shop that was entirely slow. I'm sorry for the economy. But I didn't expect for shortcuts (bad habits) to be taken. But I'll still go back for stage 3. I'm a bit sceptical about that clutch swap from them though. I'm like, how much stuff will get left off or chopped off or bent out of the way?
I could have made a career out of auto repair but I got into the I.T. field. Today it kills me to take my car in for someone else to work on it. I've had my Evo in to get tuned twice after small bolt on's (TBE, intake) that I installed. I used to have a good following of customers. Flat rate was an ok way to make a living but I also worked in a shop that catered to 'vettes, muscle cars, and specialized in computer diagnostics. Bottom line was that most of everything I worked on were pride and joy cars. Much like my Evo.
I got tuned by a local excellent guy. Very friendly and informative (as he felt comfortable with). I left with a MBC that they installed and a tune. Nice gain and no issues. A week later I changed my oil and checked fluids. My rear O2 sensor wires looked like a Twizzler. and were kinked badly. The underbelly pan has a few fasteners missing and was flapping around. I also noticed that the wire cover under the glovebox was snapped back on (when the tach wire was tapped into for the tune) wrong and the wire bundle was showing. I got everything back up to my standards.
A few weeks later I got a P0401 code. Thanks to this site I found the fix. The EGR hose that usually pops off did. It was attributed to the 2 machine screws that held the MBC body together loosening and making a bit too much boost. All fixed and a few drops of Locktite on the Forge control bolts and back in business. I give a pass on that. I did put a little squeeze clamp on the EGR hose just in case and a few on the MBC hoses just because it looks proper.
No issues and nice power. I recently got an intake pipe kit (Injen) and put it on after work. I took my time and made everything pretty. I discussed getting T-bolts and was steered away from them "because they're a PITA" (I heard PITA a few times in the days that followed). I didnt want boost leaks and so when I cranked down the worn gear clamps that came with the Injen kit, a few crapped out and gave away. So back to my tuner who steered me to Forge where I got every clamp ($50...and worth every penny) and went back under the car to swap clamps. I feel like I should have been told about the better clamps, if not t-bolts.
Tune #2. I asked if 'we' could please take the time to put the rear O2 sensor in carefully and neatly after the wide band O2 was removed, after the tune, and that I was asking because the last time the wires were all "Twizzlered up and kinked". Just a common sense thing to spin the sensor backwards 4 or 5 turns before threading it in. And that they would cuss a bit less if they loosened the (I have a hiflow cat) cat to downpipe bolts to get a little room. I just remembered alot of grumbling the first time I was there. "Sure" was the reply.
I started cringing when the chisel and hammer came out because a few poppets were being a, well again, PITA. An Xacto or razor knife would have chopped them off nicely. But noooo...5 minutes of hammering and me hearing it. It was an eternity, my car, and there was a better cleaner way. They had "a whole bunch of new ones" but managed to leave 4 out when I later took a damage report.
Makes me wonder what happpens as far as shortcuts go when a clutch is replaced in 5 hours. And they want my return business. It aint a $60k'vette nor is it a '69 hemi Charger. But it's my car. Oh and the wire cover under the glovebox...put back a few notches off so the wire bundle is showing...again. And they do alot of these Evos. I'm not complaining. But surely for over 3 bills there could be a little more care taken. No fender covers, roll around on a dirty creeper and then hop into the Recaro's. Something I was adamantly taught years ago should not happen in a custom (or any for that manner) shop. Oh yeah, that wire tie on the MBC fitting made me shake my head too.
Lastly, "The Competitor". I took my 1g GSX to a centrally located florida turbo place over a year ago to see about getting the engine rebuilt or swapped out. They didn't seem interested in my business and in 3 visits with available cash in hand didnt get much eagerness. So I left. Haven't been back since. Yesterday I went to the auto parts store to get a few things. There was a nice old Ford truck parked by me. I mean real nice. Got my stuff and came out. There's a dude with a spray can fogging paint under the wheel well and his little boy is leaning firmly on my EVO. I'm like, be cool, and said please dont lean on the Evo. All the while this dude is fogging overspray all over as he's toucing up his undercarriage.
The little boy gave me an oops look and I commented on "Nice truck" (it was) to his dad. I disallowed the paint bomb fog and backed out. He asked me to roll the window down so he could talk. He and his brother work at the turbo place and I was asked if I need work done to consider coming by. I told him that consideration was sealed when I took my GSX by and everyone was too busy or uninterested to deal with me. That and their reputation of tuning cars that blew up frequently.
Pretty much word of mouth goes a long way. Peek into a VW or Porsche dealer garage sometime. Fortunately or unfortunately I choose to do most of the work on my IX myself. I work on other peoples things just like they are my own. I went to a shop that was entirely slow. I'm sorry for the economy. But I didn't expect for shortcuts (bad habits) to be taken. But I'll still go back for stage 3. I'm a bit sceptical about that clutch swap from them though. I'm like, how much stuff will get left off or chopped off or bent out of the way?
A long read but I made it through it. I know exactly what you mean. I dont trust most people to work on my car why is why I try to do most of the work myself. Since I have owned my evo the only work done on it not by me was my tune and replacing my waterpump under warranty. I would never let the dealership touch my car but I used to work at the place so i know a few of the guys plus it was the only way to get it covered under warranty. Either way when I went to put my summer tires back on a couple weeks later I had a real hard time getting my front right wheel off. The lugnuts were on so **** tight. Now when I put on my wheels I always hand torque the lugnuts. My guess is that the mechanic took off my front right wheel loosened one of the side engine mounts and lowered down my motor a bit to give him some more room. When he was all said and done he must have put my wheel back on with the gun...I know your situation is worse then mine but it just reminded me. The way I see it, if you want it done right the first time then you have to do it yourself.
The old adage still applies:
"If you want it done right, you got to do it yourself."
I for one will never let anyone touch my car unless is major, like my engine blowing up. But I dont see that happening since I don't drive her hard. Well, not too hard anyways. =P
"If you want it done right, you got to do it yourself."
I for one will never let anyone touch my car unless is major, like my engine blowing up. But I dont see that happening since I don't drive her hard. Well, not too hard anyways. =P
I am the same exact way. I pace like an expectant dad when my car is being touched by someone other than me. I have just recently started working on my car since I never had any experience prior to my Evos. Opted on paying someone to do cam and clutch installs. Don't look forward to doing that again and I know it will happen soon. Just bought some Cosworth M2s to replace the GSC-S1s. Ahhh
I feel your pain man. Let me run down a quick list of things done to my Evo.
Dealership replaced my tires: Scratched all Four BBS Wheels.
Stereo Shop Installed Head unit and Sub Box: Broke plasted tabs near seatbelt covers for the back seat, broke tabs to hold my Ecu in place when looking to tap into my speedo wire, Pry marks on every panel removed.....and other miscellanious things.
Tint Shop installed Tint: Cut weather stripping on back window, and both rear triangular windows on back doors.
Import Shop did a Rotor Swap/New Pads: Chipped all Four Brembo Calipers by the Bleeders.There's more but I'm tired of typing.
Dealership replaced my tires: Scratched all Four BBS Wheels.
Stereo Shop Installed Head unit and Sub Box: Broke plasted tabs near seatbelt covers for the back seat, broke tabs to hold my Ecu in place when looking to tap into my speedo wire, Pry marks on every panel removed.....and other miscellanious things.
Tint Shop installed Tint: Cut weather stripping on back window, and both rear triangular windows on back doors.
Import Shop did a Rotor Swap/New Pads: Chipped all Four Brembo Calipers by the Bleeders.There's more but I'm tired of typing.
+1 for that. I was in for an inspection recently and stood there grinding my teeth as the mechanic was trying to pull the scanner off of the OBD port. 3 hard yanks and it still didn't come off so he then went with a flat-headed screwdriver, prying in every direction. With a loud snap, the tester came free so he set the screwdriver on the seat and packed up his equipment. Then, flopping down into the drivers seat to restart the car, all I could think about was the screwdriver he just sat on punching a hole through the leather. I've never been more happy to leave a place in all my life.
The same happened to me. I am in Iraq, so I can't exactly do my own work. But my wife was complaining about my S-10 clutch. So I had a buddy check it out for me to verify it was the clutch, and it was (115,000+ miles, all BEATEN into it). So I had the wife take it to one of the shops around us. Well, needless to say, when they were down they ended up replacing my exhaust also since they broke the flange on the cat. and the downpipe. Now she tells me there is other problems with it and it makes all sorts of horrible squeaking sounds. Stuff it never did before.
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I think it would be hard to find someone on here without horror stories, I've even known a few buddies that were mechanics and they all admit to half assing some jobs. The only good thing is that most evo owners that I know work on their own cars, we evo owners kind of have a pride in that fact or so it seems. Either that or most mechanics never believe that a little 2.0L car actually packs serious performance. To most, its just a lancer, nothing special or attention worthy. I still love to tell people that my 2.0L can run circles around damn near anything and runs well into the 12's and on top of all that, I do most of the work to fix it.
Thanks for listening and for the support. It was actually the diverter valve that got the wire tie. I'm betting the squeeze clamp that was there is STILL on top of the Mustang dyno computer cabinet. Here's a few other things...
Dealer: Scratched calipers and brake lines from rotating tires. Impact wrench used on wheel bolts while tech took a nap (had to stand on breaker bar and jump to break the lugs loose when I rotated tires next time) Left car a few days for other service. Shift console scratched, shifter knob all scratched (I dont wear rings on my shifter hand). Still wondering if they didn't play parts switcheroo for their own cars.
Alarm instaler: Rocker panels gouged from installer's chain-drive-wallet chain dangling, and keys hanging out of other pocket. Mysterious false alarms and random doors not unlocking (Scotchblock connectors used when tapping into harness....all soldered and taped by me now). I went back no fewer than 5 times for that. And no, I ended up biting the bullet and paying to have the rockers repsprayed.
Long time ago an old guy I worked with always used a torch to cut off axle bearings. Quick and easy, huh? A dude with a mobile blacksmith shop on a F250 needed rear axle bearings. Torch used, bearings installed and next day axle shears at the bearing on a dirt road. Axle was just barely knicked by the torch and thats exactly where it broke. Heat the inner bearing race until its red, smack it with a chisel and it'll expand and literally fall off without cutting it.
Different shop..dropped a cam from a Ford while rebuilding engine. It broke. Stealthily mig welded it back together. I always wondered about that.
Goodyear Tire...Got tires and alignment on my 1g GSX. Left shop and wheel spokes were off quite a bit, maybe like pointing at 2:00. Took it back. Tech broke horn knob because he didnt realize it was held on by screws. Drove off with no horn (they got new one 2 days later). Tech removed steering wheel and put it back on so it was centered (almost!). Now I had a turn and a half to the left lock and 2 turns to the right. YOU TURN THE RACK END SLEEVES EQUALLY TO CENTER THE WHEEL, DUMMY...NOT PULL AND CENTER THE STEERING WHEEL. Made 'em redo the alignment and center the wheel based on rack and pinion turns-to-center.
Same Goodyear dealer...tech (different one) looked at me like I was stupid when I asked to please put shop rags on the tire machine so my wheels wouldn't get scratched. And to please not use and impact wrench to tighten the lugs...please use a torque wrench (all lined up behind the desk on the wall). Shop manager ended up doing the work. Gave him 10 bucks for the trouble. Was it trouble?
I'm older than most or you all here, so I have much more things to tell.
Dealer: Scratched calipers and brake lines from rotating tires. Impact wrench used on wheel bolts while tech took a nap (had to stand on breaker bar and jump to break the lugs loose when I rotated tires next time) Left car a few days for other service. Shift console scratched, shifter knob all scratched (I dont wear rings on my shifter hand). Still wondering if they didn't play parts switcheroo for their own cars.
Alarm instaler: Rocker panels gouged from installer's chain-drive-wallet chain dangling, and keys hanging out of other pocket. Mysterious false alarms and random doors not unlocking (Scotchblock connectors used when tapping into harness....all soldered and taped by me now). I went back no fewer than 5 times for that. And no, I ended up biting the bullet and paying to have the rockers repsprayed.
Long time ago an old guy I worked with always used a torch to cut off axle bearings. Quick and easy, huh? A dude with a mobile blacksmith shop on a F250 needed rear axle bearings. Torch used, bearings installed and next day axle shears at the bearing on a dirt road. Axle was just barely knicked by the torch and thats exactly where it broke. Heat the inner bearing race until its red, smack it with a chisel and it'll expand and literally fall off without cutting it.
Different shop..dropped a cam from a Ford while rebuilding engine. It broke. Stealthily mig welded it back together. I always wondered about that.
Goodyear Tire...Got tires and alignment on my 1g GSX. Left shop and wheel spokes were off quite a bit, maybe like pointing at 2:00. Took it back. Tech broke horn knob because he didnt realize it was held on by screws. Drove off with no horn (they got new one 2 days later). Tech removed steering wheel and put it back on so it was centered (almost!). Now I had a turn and a half to the left lock and 2 turns to the right. YOU TURN THE RACK END SLEEVES EQUALLY TO CENTER THE WHEEL, DUMMY...NOT PULL AND CENTER THE STEERING WHEEL. Made 'em redo the alignment and center the wheel based on rack and pinion turns-to-center.
Same Goodyear dealer...tech (different one) looked at me like I was stupid when I asked to please put shop rags on the tire machine so my wheels wouldn't get scratched. And to please not use and impact wrench to tighten the lugs...please use a torque wrench (all lined up behind the desk on the wall). Shop manager ended up doing the work. Gave him 10 bucks for the trouble. Was it trouble?
I'm older than most or you all here, so I have much more things to tell.
The same happened to me. I am in Iraq, so I can't exactly do my own work. But my wife was complaining about my S-10 clutch. So I had a buddy check it out for me to verify it was the clutch, and it was (115,000+ miles, all BEATEN into it). So I had the wife take it to one of the shops around us. Well, needless to say, when they were down they ended up replacing my exhaust also since they broke the flange on the cat. and the downpipe. Now she tells me there is other problems with it and it makes all sorts of horrible squeaking sounds. Stuff it never did before.
