Rant on auto repair shops

[DoomsdayMelody]

from what ive read, isnt a busted AC a common issue for us? i did the same thing the first year n' half of ownership and the AC went kaput after. Been driving with no AC for a looooong time.
Maybe that makes me a juvenile for refusing to fix it because i dont think i ever need it.

which brings me to a time where i was charged 90 bux for a compression test that took 5 mins
That felt dirty as heck.

Air conditioning is a system where if you don’t use it, it becomes unreliable. You’re spinning a compressor which moves Freon and PAG oil (which is there solely to lube the compressor) in it. Like all liquids, if you don’t circulate them they tend to drip down to the lowest point. So if you don’t spin the compressor for a long time the next time you turn on your A/C, your essentially dry spinning a compressor and being that you are counting on Freon to pull it through the compressor actually getting oil back into the compressor can take time. Regularly running your A/C will keep the compressor lubed and will result in a significantly longer lifespan for your A/C system. The only other form of failure is a breach of the system at which point you’ve hit something or your rubber lines have dry rotted and that means the car is old anyways.


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[Capri to ST]

Air conditioning is a system where if you don’t use it, it becomes unreliable. You’re spinning a compressor which moves Freon and PAG oil (which is there solely to lube the compressor) in it. Like all liquids, if you don’t circulate them they tend to drip down to the lowest point. So if you don’t spin the compressor for a long time the next time you turn on your A/C, your essentially dry spinning a compressor and being that you are counting on Freon to pull it through the compressor actually getting oil back into the compressor can take time. Regularly running your A/C will keep the compressor lubed and will result in a significantly longer lifespan for your A/C system. The only other form of failure is a breach of the system at which point you’ve hit something or your rubber lines have dry rotted and that means the car is old anyways.


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That's a great detailed explanation of how this works. To keep my system fresh and lubricated, I run the A/C once a week or so even during the winter just to make sure everything circulates through there on a regular basis.
For people who haven't done this, you don't have to freeze yourself to death in the winter doing this, the temperature can be set to a comfortable place, you just have to push in the A/C button so the compressor comes on. I believe it comes on automatically if you run the defroster.

 

[M-Sport fan]

Someone asked about A/C, not sure if that was to me or not, but I do tend to only use my A/C 3-4 times a year. Always been that way, I just prefer windows and sunroof, everything is so artificial in life, from screens to cars to food to people, it's nice to hear and smell and feel real wind when I'm driving, I love that visceral experience!!! When wife or daughter is in the car though my cold A/C works well!

Same here!

I only use the AC when it gets sooo unbearable that I'd be soaked as if sprayed down with a fire hose when I got to where I was going, and did not want to be seen that way in public! LOL

By contrast, the Richie Riches around here have their windows rolled up, and their air on in their high zoot, luxo-barge road tank SUVs, even when we are experiencing PERFECT, high pressure, DRY (like 30% humidity or less), 70*F-75*F weather.

I DO 'get it', 1000% if one has severe allergies, especially with the tree pollen levels which can actually be seen in the air around here.

 

[LiLfieSTa]

I just prefer windows and sunroof, everything is so artificial in life, from screens to cars to food to people, it's nice to hear and smell and feel real wind when I'm driving, I love that visceral experience!!!

i embodied that feeling after my AC went out. windows down is a VIBE. plus it makes it easy to wave at fellow STs

tbh tho, i mainly read and rely on this forum before diving in for a fix or even an install, and ya'll havent let me down thanks for saving me bunch on mechanical fees

 

[FiestaSTdude]

I hate to leave my car for an alignment or inspection, especially because it's a manual and I don't know how good the techs are at not frying clutches. I try to do as much as I can myself. Even if I mess up working on it, at least I know what happened. Fortunately, I have a friend who's a mechanic, which is where I take my car for anything beyond my skills.

 

[FiestaSTdude]

i embodied that feeling after my AC went out. windows down is a VIBE. plus it makes it easy to wave at fellow STs

tbh tho, i mainly read and rely on this forum before diving in for a fix or even an install, and ya'll havent let me down thanks for saving me bunch on mechanical fees

I've been windows down too! The previous owner of my FiST installed a oil catch can that rubbed a hole in my ac line, so ac hasn't really been a option. I have the line, but my compressor is probably toast from not being run for so long.

Also, I totally agree with you on this forum being a great help for fixing/maintaining your FiST.

 

[LiLfieSTa]

I've been windows down too! The previous owner of my FiST installed a oil catch can that rubbed a hole in my ac line, so ac hasn't really been a option. I have the line, but my compressor is probably toast from not being run for so long.
.

im sure my compressor is shot, or a nasty congested air filter
Now that its cold, i just throw an extra layer and crack the windows a bit, my visors surprisingly help de-fog my windows without running heat

im about to ride a bike anyway, so i might as well get used to natural temps year-round

 

[Intuit]

they told me they couldn't align the car because the tie rods were "seized" and that they couldn't align the car until they were replaced.

Must be a common mistake. I got the same story on a prior vehicle when I took mine in after mounting some hardware myself. He even broke out the torch and chewed up the lock-nut. Another mechanic saw what was going on and intervened. The guy was turning the nut the wrong way. Which way is "lefty-loosey" depends on which side of the tie-rod you look from... which is why he should've been inspecting the threads to make sure he was turning the correct way. Even though the other tech figured it out, that's not the story that was handed to me. The story that was handed to me was the same as yours... that it was seized and had a hard time breaking it loose and should use anti-seize.

 

[Intuit]

Oh, and the magic words anytime you're forced to take it to a disservice center...

*** NO INSPECTION PLEASE ***

But yeah, I hear these unnecessary repair stories all the time. They recently got a coworker to buy a new braking system he didn't need because the caliper had a little rust on it. Of course the junk they replaced it with, rusted over in a matter of weeks. It was at that point he knew he'd "been had".

When I took my current vehicle in to get an alignment after the dealer unnecessarily replaced good parts under warranty (but didn't do an alignment) the guy yanked my valve stem, compromising the seal, resulting with a slow leak. I forgot to say the magic words. Took the loose wheel and replacement valve stem to a tire shop and the guy must've realized what happened because he didn't want to charge anything for the valve stem replacement.

Prior vehicle I took it in simply to get new tires and they tried to sell me an all-new suspension even though the existing OEM suspension was perfectly fine.

One shop sold my Mom an all-new suspension even though all it needed was an alignment. Rode unusually rough. (I told her beforehand what it likely needed but didn't listen.) Got it back with the same issue. The vehicle sat noticeably higher so I knew they really did swap the suspension. She took it to the dealer and all they did was, an alignment.

Got way more stories from people I know, as well as myself. Oh, then there was that time I caught a mechanic joy-riding around the parking lot in my prior car...

 

[rcnut14]

sooo, am I the only one who leaves my AC on AND has all my windows down in the summer? lol

 

[FiestaSTdude]

sooo, am I the only one who leaves my AC on AND has all my windows down in the summer? lol

😱 Think about the extra 1.5 HP you could gain by turning it off! 🤣

 

[M-Sport fan]

sooo, am I the only one who leaves my AC on AND has all my windows down in the summer? lol

I only do that if I am planning on leaving the air on after it starts to blow cool air out of the vents, but then put the windows up.

This will only be done when it is totally unbearable for my 67 year old body to handle (like 100*F+ and over 60% humidity).

 

[sullybosco]

OK so this happened to me today, felt like venting, thanks for listening:

Just installed control arms, struts, and sway links on my '00 Insight. It rides like a dream now. Needed an alignment. Went to reputable shop.

People, they told me they couldn't align the car because the tie rods were "seized" and that they couldn't align the car until they were replaced. Now I was just under the car wrenching Saturday, there is no rust, everything is clean. So.....I said no thanks and they tried to charge me $34.95 for doing nothing to my car. After some creative diplomacy I left without paying and drove straight to the Honda dealer.

Honda dealer has a $89.95 alignment special! Yeah, cheap! They do the alignment, no issues, car rides straight and true and perfect. I ask the guy how the tie rods looked, he says no issues at all. Ah, I knew it, those bastards! However he did say about one of my front CVs the following: "Outer boot torn, grease is everywhere" (direct quote, have it in my hand) and the CV needed replacing to the tune of $1095.33. Uh.....insert Beavis sound effect.

Grease everywhere? Huh? I was just under the car Saturday installing all that stuff! No grease anywhere, the car was super clean! But...the man has a picture! He shows me. Area around CV boot has green grease splattered a bit.

Parenthetical: CV grease is black, I know this well, have filled them myself. The grease I used to lube my new links Saturday, however is green. I also applied it to the CV spindle to help it engage the hub upon reassembly.

As expected a bit of that grease on the spindle got here and there. But no CVs are torn or compromised! Those dinguses wanted to charge me $1095.33 for something that wasn't even broken!!!! And...both times upon leaving both shops my car was not the way I left it - my belongings were scattered at mechanic service, seat adjusted improperly, A/C left on (I had it off both times, they turned it on and left it on both times).

It ended well...I asked to talk to the mechanic and explained the green lube and he was very kind about it and admitted his error. And, he aligned my car perfectly. But WTF people???????

In the end, I live by this motto when it comes to my cars: NO ONE TOUCHES MY CARS. Unfortunately there are some things I can't do, like alignment. I feel my anal sphincter tightening every time I pull in to a repair shop for this reason, and it happened twice today. Maybe I'm being a prick, and if I am I'll own it....I try to give people the benefit of the doubt in every circumstance, but sometimes it gets to me.

I spied a four cyl head setting with the valves up and said out loud Hmmm, an early A 40 head. The guy looked at me like I was crazy. hehe. I turned the head over to check the number and it was a 2A629. I said where is the rest of the engine that head has a crack in it. He said what size engine does that go on, I said a 948cc MG, Sprite, Moris Minor, or Mini.

He kind of stared at me a bit and said come. Way way in the back, in an out building, dry and secure, covered up was a Mini with the head off. One with a wooden rear like a small station wagon.

I said who does this belong to a customer? He said noooo it belongs to the repair shop owner and he wanted to sell it but it would not run with that head and he has not found another.

I said, you know I have a head at home in the garage just like that one, same number even. NEVER THROW ANY PARTS AWAY.

Left a note for the boss, I've known Bill for a number of years but we have never spoken about little cars, to call me if he is intrested. He even ownes a junk yard, no MGs or Sprites or old brit stuff though he said some time back someone from england bought everything and shiped it back.

 

[FlordPerformance]

For more than 4 years I've went to this same performance shop to handle any and all repairs or upgrades to the van. mainly because they have a contract with the government for their vans. But this last time was the straw.. 6 times I told the shop techs to Teflon tape the sway bar and grease the poly bushings and 6 times they didn't do as I said.. I took the van back to their shop and told the service manager. The vna went back in the shop and all the techs did was made it look like they put grease on the bushings without even dropping the engine cradle or wrapping the sway bar with the teflon tape. Then there's these lube places where each one has done something to all of past cars.. Not followed my instructions or followed through with their procedures. All of these types of things has made me more aware about exiting the lobby and actually go out and look at them working on the van. I'll not be told to go have a seat when 98% of the work thats has been done on any of our cars/trucks hasn't been right. Fortunately, this latest shop actually asked me out to inspect the work and offer to explain what needs to be done to the techs, because a lot of the things I'm telling the techs, they've never heard of before.