Workshop times / rates

Being a DIY type I'm not used to this but could some one give me a balanced
opinion..

Disco went in for the seal on the diff leafking, Blowing manifold, MOT,
Aircon pipe requiring replacement.

As I didn't have time to do these myself I sent it in to be done with the
MOT to a Cheshire Landrover dealer (non franchised)

Positives - passed the MOT no problems
Seal replaced, yet to see to what effect.

Negatives - Couldn't get the air con pipe in 4 days so that was aborted (
Manifold bolts were tightened reducing the spit but not solving it , they
suggested this would do because of the LPG stuff in the way and potential
for snapping a stud.

I'm just a little miffed that they charged 1 1/2 to do the seal and 1 hour
to tighen all the bolts on one manifold.

Am I just being a little over financially sensitive? I'd have expected a
fully equiped mechanic / technician in a Land rover service bay to sort
these in less time. I expect I would have been able to do the two actual
completed jobs in less time myself on my back on the drive (for the seal).

They do appear to bill by the half hour as this is what they clocked for
"presenting for MOT" which is fair enough.

The manifold bolts for me are the biggest shock..... or perhaphs I need to
slow down at work.

Like I say, just opinions on this folks, I expected to pay... just a little
stunned at the time taken.


Lee D
--

www.lrproject.com

Workshop photos from Landrover repairs
& other such tinkerings.
Home of Percy the Jag powered Landrover

Lee_D wrote:

> As I didn't have time to do these myself I sent it in to be done with the
> MOT to a Cheshire Landrover dealer (non franchised)

They must be gearing up for aquiring a franchise....

> Negatives - Couldn't get the air con pipe in 4 days so that was aborted (
> Manifold bolts were tightened reducing the spit but not solving it , they
> suggested this would do because of the LPG stuff in the way and potential
> for snapping a stud.

What LPG stuff is in the way?! You exhaust may have a lambda sensor
but even then they're trying it on. If it's blowing and you're talking
about studs then I assume that we're talking about the downpipe
connection, accessed from under the vehicle where the access is not
particuarly good but not that difficult LPG or no LPG. How long does
it take to take the whole manifold off? I fitted a new starter the
other week and removed the manifold (stuck bolt on starter required
greater access) and it was all back together within the hour. Onset of
rain helped speed me up though ;-)

Sounds like they're just looking for a way of accumulating hours on the
invoice to get the most money possible out of the customer. No way did
it take that long, if it were me I'd question them as to how a
"specialist" took so long to tighten three nuts.

Regards

William MacLeod

In message <[email protected]>, Lee_D
<[email protected]> writes
>Being a DIY type I'm not used to this but could some one give me a balanced
>opinion..
>
>Disco went in for the seal on the diff leafking, Blowing manifold, MOT,
>Aircon pipe requiring replacement.
>
>As I didn't have time to do these myself I sent it in to be done with the
>MOT to a Cheshire Landrover dealer (non franchised)
>
>Positives - passed the MOT no problems
>Seal replaced, yet to see to what effect.
>
>Negatives - Couldn't get the air con pipe in 4 days so that was aborted (
>Manifold bolts were tightened reducing the spit but not solving it , they
>suggested this would do because of the LPG stuff in the way and potential
>for snapping a stud.
>
>I'm just a little miffed that they charged 1 1/2 to do the seal and 1 hour
>to tighen all the bolts on one manifold.
>
>Am I just being a little over financially sensitive? I'd have expected a
>fully equiped mechanic / technician in a Land rover service bay to sort
>these in less time. I expect I would have been able to do the two actual
>completed jobs in less time myself on my back on the drive (for the seal).
>
>They do appear to bill by the half hour as this is what they clocked for
>"presenting for MOT" which is fair enough.
>
>The manifold bolts for me are the biggest shock..... or perhaphs I need to
>slow down at work.
>
>Like I say, just opinions on this folks, I expected to pay... just a little
>stunned at the time taken.
>
>
>Lee D
Not the time taken, the time charged - subtle difference. Was it up the
A34 by any chance?
--
hugh
Reply to address is valid at the time of posting

"hugh" <hugh@[127.0.0.1]> wrote in message
news[email protected]...

> Not the time taken, the time charged - subtle difference. Was it up the
> A34 by any chance?
> --
> hugh
> Reply to address is valid at the time of posting

Yep, we purchased the vehicle from them. They kindly sent a Service reminder
in the same post.....

me thinks I'll be doing future work myself again and finding the time. I
know they have a business to run but I've a life to live which takes
priority when it's my hard earned. I'll let them take the **ss once and once
only.

Lee D

<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

>> Negatives - Couldn't get the air con pipe in 4 days so that was aborted
>> (
>> Manifold bolts were tightened reducing the spit but not solving it , they
>> suggested this would do because of the LPG stuff in the way and potential
>> for snapping a stud.
>
> What LPG stuff is in the way?! You exhaust may have a lambda sensor
> but even then they're trying it on. If it's blowing and you're talking
> about studs then I assume that we're talking about the downpipe
> connection, accessed from under the vehicle where the access is not
> particuarly good but not that difficult LPG or no LPG. How long does
> it take to take the whole manifold off?

My thoughts entirely though I didn't wish to sway opinion. I looked in the
engine bay when I got home just to reassure myself how difficult a task it
was. None of the LPG kit was what I would call "in the way". Access to all
of the top row of manifold bolts was easy enough. To top it off the
"technician" had failed to reposition the lock tabs on the bolts. The Bottom
row may be slightly more difficult to access due to the vaporisors being in
some elbow space but any one who declares it remotely difficult clearly
ain't worked on a 101. There is ample space to remove the manifold upwards
once undone (i.e. no need to smack anything with a large blunt instrument)

I can feel a phone call coming on in the morning.

Lee D

Atleast it only took them 30 mins to get the MOT sorted.

When i first took my 101 to be done i took it to the mot garage that
they recommended/used (where your disco will have gone too). I had a 3
hour wait and then they rang me up and said 'we can't MOT that, wont
go on the lift'.
It had only sat right outside and been looking at them for all that
time.

"Lee_D" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I can feel a phone call coming on in the morning.
>
> Lee D

Just an update, I put in a call and explained my concerns to the Lady who
insited on helping. She noted my comments and went to seek out the job card
and liaise with the Service manager. I got a return phone call which was to
the effect that I had been charged the time that the car had been worked on,
however the service manager agreed it shouldn't have taken so long so they
agreed to credit me an hour back. This is what I would have expected for the
work done initially so I can live with that.

Half of me loves them to lickle bits and the other halfs still really
frustrated. The synical side of me expects that if I were the type to be
able to afford a new Landrover product I would proabably not have questioned
the time, then I began to wonder if I look really wealthy , dumb or
alternatively it could be a genuine story and really helpful staff.

None of the experience has left me with any greater trust in garages ,
franchised or none franchised. Just glad it was nothing major. Having hoped
to retire from my own maintainence looks like I can't hang my spanners up
just yet.... looks like I'm going to have to reduce the fleet or replace
with something a bit more reliable <looks at oily hands>.

:0(

Lee D