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Why I do my own car maintenance and repair whenever possible

2ndAmend

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#1
Had Stage 2 installed. Week later I get under the car to install Petty Tie Downs for trailering. Saw 4 plastic push fasteners were missing from the front belly pan. And the bolts holding the rear belly pan were under the front belly pan. It appears that someone installed the front pan after the rear pan.

IMG_0027.jpg IMG_0028.jpg IMG_0026.jpg

I contacted the Parts Mgr who manages the Stage installs at the dealer saying that one has to wonder if there are simple mistakes like this, what else might have been missed? He asked the shop and they said “We did not touch the underside of the car”.

I asked about draining coolant to change the stat, the answer from the shop was that they remove the stat housing and let it drain from there, then top off after.

The Parts Mgr has always been a reasonable guy so I am not directing any anger at him. I told him that if they said they didn’t do it, that’s ok with me. Only it is very strange that everything was perfect at the last oil change that I did myself, and now it is incorrectly assembled with parts missing, and it has been in storage ever since. And, no one other than me touches the car except the state inspection almost a year ago. (I did not mention that the belly pans were clean, no sign of any pink coolant residue anywhere.)

He apologized, said he is only a go-between (shop and me), and offered to replace missing parts.

I will continue to do all repairs and maintenance on my vehicles whenever it I within my capability.

Someone recently asked me about the Stage Kit. My answer was:

“The good thing is that it is installed my a factory authorized dealer”.

“The bad part is that it is installed my a factory authorized dealer”.
 


Bowlerguy92

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#2
It's alright. It's still going to rip at the track in a few weeks.
 


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#3
FYI I never drain the coolant for a thermostat change and use the baggie method..

Sent from my SM-G781V using Tapatalk
 


DavidKFla

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#4
I stopped going for an oil change when the tech came out and started whining about draining the oil cooler which they then gouged me on the bill.
I was very polite when I told them to fuck off.
 


Unholy707

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They tired charging more because they had to take all the shielding off I said shits already off did you even put it in the air lol
 


Unholy707

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Had dealer oil changes when I bought a package came out to $35 a change can’t beat that of course this was years ago when the world made sense
 


TraxMoe

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I stopped going for an oil change when the tech came out and started whining about draining the oil cooler which they then gouged me on the bill.
I was very polite when I told them to fuck off.
How do you politely tell someone to fuck off ? I've never learned that lesson
 


Bobo

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#8
Dealer only does oil changes to keep my extended warranty intact. So anything that goes wrong should be covered and I guess also done by them. Everything else on other vehicles is done by me unless I just can't get the time to do it and then I have a small shop I use for that stuff. My truck is there right now. Stopped at gas station Thursday night for gas and them wouldn't start. Had it towed to them because I'm working 12 hr shifts through Tuesday (NOT working Easter Sunday, that's for family) and just do not have the time. They called me yesterday and starter went out, they'll repair it Monday.
 


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How do you politely tell someone to fuck off ? I've never learned that lesson
In a very low tone you just tell them that what they have done is unacceptable. You won't ever come back and they can go fuck themselves over this bullshit. Have a nice day.

Smile while doing it.
 


OP
2ndAmend

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Thread Starter #10
How do you politely tell someone to fuck off ? I've never learned that lesson
Best man at my wedding was a customer service rep (back in the day when there really was customer service). It was a medical equipment company and when things break they lose $. He would calm then down, express ship replacements etc. I convinced him to leave the customer service dead end and do sales. After jumping a couple of companies he makes $400k+. He has talent, charisma, and can definitely tell someone they are a f'king ahole to their face in front of others, and have everyone laughing about it! It can be and is done!
 


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2ndAmend

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Thread Starter #11
It's alright. It's still going to rip at the track in a few weeks.
New England Dragway opens next weekend! :)
 


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2ndAmend

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Thread Starter #12
Hey Unholy, why does that make you unhappy? I thought spring and racing was a happy thing?
 


Unholy707

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Because I went to fix my car today and now it’s down. So no racing for me at the moment
Hey Unholy, why does that make you unhappy? I thought spring and racing was a happy thing?
 


Demoniccat

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New England Dragway opens next weekend! :)
My Home Track because of proximity. Won’t be up with 170 for a bit, only 250 miles. Not going to track it till that 1,500 number
 


Unholy707

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I also like the feeling where if I break something I don’t feel ripped off, like if I had someone do the work and they messed something up
 


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2ndAmend

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Thread Starter #16
I also like the feeling where if I break something I don’t feel ripped off, like if I had someone do the work and they messed something up
Usually when they screw up, they don't tell you and you find out later when it creates a problem.

I should have taken pics of my MT ET's that the dealer tore up! And damaged the wheels! They were so good until then... It's almost seems like the worst screw-ups are the simple things. I have to wonder if they put their lowest paid guy on the easy stuff.
 


Unholy707

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Exactly. I know everything I booger or screw up when I do it 😅
Usually when they screw up, they don't tell you and you find out later when it creates a problem.

I should have taken pics of my MT ET's that the dealer tore up! And damaged the wheels! They were so good until then... It's almost seems like the worst screw-ups are the simple things. I have to wonder if they put their lowest paid guy on the easy stuff.
 


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That is the d
Best man at my wedding was a customer service rep (back in the day when there really was customer service). It was a medical equipment company and when things break they lose $. He would calm then down, express ship replacements etc. I convinced him to leave the customer service dead end and do sales. After jumping a couple of companies he makes $400k+. He has talent, charisma, and can definitely tell someone they are a f'king ahole to their face in front of others, and have everyone laughing about it! It can be and is done!
That is the definition of being "tactful:" Being able to tell someone to go to Hell and having them thank you for the directions.
 


Bowlerguy92

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Because I went to fix my car today and now it’s down. So no racing for me at the moment
I also still don't have my car so I'm not racing either at the moment.
 


Unholy707

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I also still don't have my car so I'm not racing either at the moment.
Figured it would have been all together by now?
 




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