Some mechanics are disreputable!!! Ya think???

There are alot of people out there who will just replace whole components until they stumble across the item that actually fixes the car. The days of actually diagnosing a problem and repairing/rebuilding an individual part seem to be long gone, Larry...

When you do find the mechanic who still does that, keep that person on your Christmas list.

angela

I thought I'd pass this along and unfortunately, I don't have the mechanic or shop's name but I do know that his shop specializes in foreign cars and is in Culver City.

A fellow named Chris recently bought a used Beck Speedster with a 1915cc twin Weber engine. The car only has 2000 miles on the Odometer. The car was running rough so he took it to the mechanic in question for an oil change and to have it tuned. The mechanic told Chris that the carburetors were bad and that they needed to be replaced. Also, he said that there was gasoline in the crankcase oil. This was supposidly verified by "smelling the oil" on the dipstick.

Chris called Carey Hines and was refered to me. Chris called me and explained the symptoms that the car was exhibiting. I told him to tell the mechanic to remove and clean the idle jets. Chris called me later and said that the mechanic told him that the idle jets couldn't be removed and again told him that the carb's needed to be replaced.

At this time, Chris took the car from the mechanic and left it with me.

I removed and cleaned those pesky """non removable""" idle jets, balanced the carb's, checked the oil (no gasoline) and guess what?? it runs just fine.

This post isn't meant to toot my horn but simply to alert you to be careful.

Every mechanic can and will make honest mistakes but to fabricate blatant lies in unforgivable.

Try and find brushes to rebuild an alternator at your local auto parts store. Its gettign near impossible. People just want to throw the old out and pay an additional $120 for the new. There will always be people like us, just less and less of them as time goes on.

Paul

Larry,

Great to hear. When Chris called me and told me about the "carb replacement" diagnosis, non-removable idle jets, and estimated $1500 ticket I told him he was in the wrong shop and I knew where to send it!

Things like alt. brushes bearings etc can be found at a automotive electrical rebuild shop that remans alts. starters etc.

Ditto! We've got a local shop that I've been sending the Porsche 911 alternators to for some ten years plus. I usually walk out the door with a completely rebuilt alternator that looks brand new for around $120 with a new regulator. Beats the snot out of $600 to buy it new and the $300 or so the rebuilders seem to get. Even if it were even money, I'd give my dough to the local guy first. Good work and he stands behind it.

He'll sell me the little parts too. Personally, I think it's our DUTY to keep guys like this in business.

angela

I think it's our DUTY to keep guys like this in business.. well put Angela

I just bought a set of sneakers for a speedster build and bought from the " little guy " as I always do, (also hauled a big air brake trailer 45 miles for the guy and didn't charge him) as it ended up one of the tires was bad and he about stood on his head to make it right ....You just can't beat local one on one customer service. ~Alan

Dittos Angela & Paul and Alan. I put brushes in an alternator once (and polished it!) circa 1983. Fun & so easy even I could do it right. I'd just about forgotten that it was possible. Thanks for the reminder.

In Sacramento we have a shop called Lehr Auto Electric that has been in business since the 30's. They do all the fancy electrical stuff for the CDF, CHP. County Sherrif etc.

I had them rebuild the starter and Altenator for the IM-6 project because I wanted it right. $185 out the door for both with a lifetime warrenty.

I have got to agree there are shops that still do right by the customer but they are getting harder to find.

Sad truly sad.......times change.

Dave, I'm almost 100% sure that was the business commended to me when I was on a business trip and the alternator (actually the regulator) flaked out on my old 911 coupe. The regulator was a day or two out though. I wound up doing a makeshift voltage guage and driving it home as-was.

Dang. Small world!

angela