[Martyn]

Do you trust your garage?
I kind of did, but now I'm not so sure. I bought my Foz from a very popular local garage that used to be the Subaru dealer, they have serviced it all it's life so I figured I'd keep going with that, after all they should really know Subaru's.
This morning I decided to check the levels in the front diff and auto box, much to my surprise they both appear to be significantly overfilled. :huh:
I must admit I find it hard to get a clear reading from the dipsticks on this car for some reason but surely I can't be doing something wrong can I? I mean you just pull it, wipe it, dip it back in all the way then pull it and read it right? :shrug:

 

[sahunt]

Did you check the ATF using the correct procedure? Hot and with the engine running. If you check without the engine running, it will appear grossly overfilled. The front diff on the other hand I don't think this applies.

-- Steve

 

[fpan]

It's difficult to find a good mechanic you trust and if you find one stick with them.

People think I am crazy to travel 2h to Tracktive for certain jobs but I probably am.

The best story a friend was told from a Subaru specialist in Germany was the following:

"The FSTi doesn't have an in-tank opening for a fuel pump, so in order to replace the fuel pump we need to remove the fuel tank which means removing the rear axle, differential amd gearbox "

:Banane36::Banane36::Banane36:

I told him to tell them that because it is a JDM car there is no fuel pump but there is a japanese dwarf in the tank instead who pedals to bring fuel in.

FFS, such garages need closing down and they used to be a main dealer a few years ago!

Not knowing where the fuel pump is, fair enough (they had been looking under the seats) but lieing to him to say that the JDM chassis is different to the EU models that's complete BS!

Obviously they had no idea where the pump is in an EU Forester either otherwise they would have found it.

 

[Martyn]

Well done Sahunt, I did fail to follow proper procedure, darn it out foxed by one of these new fangled auto thingies! :icon_redface: Will re check it properly next time I get a chance, don't think I can have got the diff wrong though.
There's a good reason I get other people to work on my car.

 

[DanFSTI]

My mum had a very bad experience with so called Mercedes specialists, ended up costing her £9400 for a brand new engine after they couldn't figure out why it was running like a bag of turd and the engine light was still on after replacing the balance shaft! (which cost just over £4000) They had not timed it up correctly so when the main dealer finally took hold and stripped it down ( after the previous garage had covered over 50 miles in it) the internals had started to disintegrate, with the block being full of metal filings.

The up side was after she took them to a small claims court, and won, she got her £4000 plus additional costs back.

 

[Gigsy]

It can be tough to find a decent garage that's for sure…

Normally, I'll either do any work on the cars myself or if I don't have the time, I use a local track day preparation company (trackdaytoyz.co.uk) who are fantastic.

However, I decided to take the X3 to a local BMW specialist for it's first service in my ownership so that I could keep the dealer/specialist service history up for when it comes to sell it on - I figure that it's the sort of car where buyers will favour stamps in the book over a stack invoices.

While it was there I asked them to give the car a thorough inspection and to specifically check the rear suspension as it had a bit of a knock. Despite this, they completely failed to spot two broken springs and further inspection when I got home revealed that the coolant level was low and one of the bolts holding the engine cover on was missing! It's not even as if I asked them to do it on the cheap either - I was quite clear that I wanted the work done properly, not as cheaply.

Suffice to say, I'll stick to servicing our cars myself in future - or possibly do the major bits of work myself and just get my local BMW dealer (who are very good) to give it an oil service once a year to keep the stamps up.

 

[Banstead Stig]

A lot of main dealers, almost regardless of make, seem to struggle to do anything outside of their flowcharts or what their scanner/computer tells them.

 

[The Sage]

The same problem here in the USA, finding an honest, competent, reasonably priced auto technician is difficult. One of the main skills a good mechanic should have is diagnostic skills to know what the real problem is, before starting any work. Recently another vehicle we own with 110k miles which did have a small oil leak started dripping a lot of fluid which I though was more oil. The first shop I took it to said I needed a new timing chain cover gasket which would cost $1300 because they would also need to service the timing chain. A week later the car began to overheat, so I took it to another shop. They made an accurate diagnostic and it turned out to be the water pump and cooling hoses. They did find an oil leak, but they said it was very minor. They made the correct repairs and the car is now running great.

 

[Stinkfist]

I do and have used the same local garage I have always done but they have there limitations with specific models. They know that and don't have any issue with stating that fact. They are as honest as I have come across with mechanics and service all my family's cars. I have secured them work with numerous friends and colleagues and in return the little jobs do not get charged for etc. I have had to shop around for specialists for a few vehicles I have owned included the Scooby's and this is always a jaunt into the unknown :icon_eek:

The first local Scooby specialist was recommended by several people yet they were anything but a. pleasant. b helpful. c good value and a second visit concluded my relationship with them when I suspected they replaced my MAF sensor for a knackered one and were delighted when I called 30mins later stating I had problems. They came out and coincidentally 'just happened' to have the correct MAF with them and popped that in to get 'me home'. That was dodgy enough but the next day when I informed them my warranty cover would look after said cost and they would have to submit the usual p/work to claim they were none to pleased and were not happy with this arrangement and demanded 'their' MAF back ASAP :shake:

Without a shadow of a doubt main dealers IMO are the worst offenders with the commercial vehicle franchises being the very worst. My company's experience with a certain VW commercial dealership would astound even the most skeptical. They were incompetent beyond belief and there senior management incredulous to the fact that their workshop monkeys were to blame. They were threatened with court action on two occasions before remedial work was carried out :shrug:

When I business purchased an Audi some years back I went to our local Audi dealer for its 1st service and was horrified to see one of the above senior VW management numpties inside The VW franchise had just taken over the Audi dealership :icon_eek: Needless to say I walked straight out of the door

Luckily I have found a good specialist now and although its further afield its what you have to be prepared to do

 

[Martyn]

It's not only service depts that can be a bit dodgy, my wife used to work for a long defunct Fiat dealer, one day an old dear who was a regular turned up, got out of her car and proceeded to feel her way alomg the glass frontage of the showroom till she came to the door. (Blind as a bat!) They sold her a brand new 126. :icon_eek:
We saw her driving in town one day not long after, it wasn't good! :shake:
The traffic light junction at the harbour had been replaced with a roundabout and a couple of new pedestrian light crossings put in, she arrived at one of these crossings, passed the lights and turned right, heading off down the harbour......on the pedestrian walkway! :icon_eek:

 

[mikey k]

A lot of main dealers, almost regardless of make, seem to struggle to do anything outside of their flowcharts or what their scanner/computer tells them.

Yep even Aston Martin dealers

 

[deciphe]

I just had my WRX in to a local dealer here to get work under warranty. I recieved it back with broken clips, broken airbox, and so little coolant when cold the overflow tank is empty. They forgot to screw the turbo inlet to the turbo and who knows what else. This is why i do my own work!

 

[yorkshire forester]

The guy I use in Sheffield only charges me for the work he does, is happy for me to loiter while he does it and won't change anything unless it needs it. He does everything I ask and offers solutions I always smile about when I have a problem. Mainly because the solution involves bu**er all money. Top class ex scoob guy who does loads of the impreza boy toys time and again. I see the same faces there for last 4 years. More of a club really...!! I've been fortunate to find him and he's always got a smile and a cuppa for me. My servicing costs over the last 12 months have been amazingly low.

Just waiting for a rear wheel bearing or ECU failure now..! 140,000 and counting.....

Went to local dealer once to buy a spoiler. Asked about mechanical issue and was asked if it was 'the legacy' outside.

No. The forester. Thank you and goodbye.

Mike


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[Martyn]

Turns out it's deffo ovefull. :icon_eek: Now paranoia really sets in.