Another praise story

[bob6600]

Not MB but the wife's VAG had some work done, camshaft, lifters etc as it was something I wasn't comfortable with doing plus wanted a warranty. Sep 2016 work was done, very polite and even gave me an old lifter to show the damage. Fast forward 12 months and service time...so I go to change the oil and see it has been dripping...loose sump bolt? Probably. Anyway the bolt is a bit tight after a few turns so something isn't right. I change the oil and decide to use a new bolt which may clean the thread a bit. Doesn't even start. I then put the old one back in and ensure it is done up tight. Seems ok.

Keeping an eye on it, I notice oil is still dripping from the bolt. I cannot even tap it out as it will drop swarf into the oil so reluctantly last week I dropped the sump and replace it with a new Febi one. Fitted perfectly, gasket sealed up well, no leaks (yet lol). On cleaning the old one and inspecting it, I found this





So an inadequate repair using a helicoil caused the leak.

Now for the praise...

Seeing as it had been nearly 18 months I was expecting a fight especially as there had been an owner change at the garage. I presented the facts with the owner and he listened carefully and asked me what I wanted. I said firstly I would like to have been told that there was a repair done at the time but moving forward the cost of parts would be fine, for which I can provide receipts. I am not looking for losses or labour or interest or silly things like that, just a fair decision. He didn't ask for the pics, invoices or the old sump as proof but took my word especially as 'I seemed to know what I was talking about' and the fact I was booking a friend's car in too. So a credit to the value of parts was given against any future work, so I opted to take it off my friend's bill who will give me the cash.

I was pleased with this and the manager's attitude was spot on, even after the time that had lapsed.This sort of thing doesn't happen these days, especially after all the horror stories you hear.

The garage isn't any of the forum sponsors but an independent VAG specialist. Faith restored, I will use them again and point others in their direction.

Well done

 

[Petrol Pete]

Similar, some years ago I drove past my local Vauxhall dealer late one night only to spot the exact used car I was looking for tucked away on the forecourt looking a bit dirty and with no price tag.

I called them first thing next morning to be told it was dropped of to be sold as a 'Q' car which was a Vauxhall promotion on used cars at the time and had arrived too late in the day to be tarted up ready for sale.

At the time Vauxhall was offering a 167 point (or there about's) check and warranty on approved 'Q' used cars sold by them. A marketing scam if I ever saw one.

I got to the car before they had chance to even wash it never mind valet it and I promptly bought it , my first Omega, an Elite estate manual with all the whistles and bells, the one fitted with the BMW straight 6 diesel engine . What a find !!

Money changed hands, pick up day agreed...only to get a phone call saying pick up postponed by 24hrs due to unforeseen technical issues. Mmm??

Turns out they actually did do said checks and found the 2 front tyres 0.5 mm short of their 'Q' check criteria so they had to be replaced (gratis) and a slight oil weep from the sump plug that turned out to be damaged threads which was a notorious problem on the (very long and expensive aluminium sump) that BMW saw fit to install on this engine.

The 24 hour delay was because a new sump had to be ordered and fitted (gratis) !! along with the 2 front tyres before they would let this 3 year old 20000 mile car leave their premises !! Most would have banged a thread insert in with some PTFE tape and be done with it.

But this was from a (recent) age when oil was drained from the bottom of an engine as intended, not sucked up quickly like a ten Shekel whore who always left a bit behind to contaminate the next fresh load.

AAhhh, happy day's..so where did I leave my rose tinted spectacles ?

 

[merc85]

Stripped threads in Vag sump's is quite common tbh. Quite a few manufactuer's do kits like this especially for Vag's

 

[brucemillar]

Bob

That’s a great story. Post the name up and let others benefit if the can. It’s always great to hear things like this.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[bob6600]

I originally didn't post it up because it may throw people off when doing a Google search. However, they have done the best they could once they knew about it so hats off to them.

Dack Motor Company, Coventry.

@merc85 I did see something similar and would have probably tried that have I not replaced it. Wish they had used that rather than a helicoil!

 

[chrisk2010]

It's nice when it all works out

Incidently someone stripped the threads on my VAG sump so i brought a new sump on an ECP 50% off weekend but temperarely bodged it with a bit of high density PTFE tape and a slightly thicker copper washer which worked so well it still there not leaking.

I'm just waiting for my brother in law to do an oil change so i can fit the new sump for him as i gave him the car when i brought the Merc.

 

[baxlin]

A few years ago needed to replace the swirl flaps unit on my 9-3 Saab convertible. Checked the dealer prices, ouch, so sourced the part myself, and took it (after having checked first!) to my local indie, Doug at Market Autos, Tring, to have the job done.

He'd given me an estimate/quote, but when it came to do the work, there were other fixes needed, but when it came to pay, Doug stuck to his original figure, although in labour terms it had cost him significantly more.

On another occasion, I had a Volvo-specific message come up on my C70, took it to Doug, who put their diag stuff to work. Not dealing in BS, Doug admitted that this was more specialist than their gear could deal with, and referred me to another indie who could deal with it.

Needless to say, Doug still gets our custom.

 

[NDFR]

A few years ago needed to replace the swirl flaps unit on my 9-3 Saab convertible. Checked the dealer prices, ouch, so sourced the part myself, and took it (after having checked first!) to my local indie, Doug at Market Autos, Tring, to have the job done.

He'd given me an estimate/quote, but when it came to do the work, there were other fixes needed, but when it came to pay, Doug stuck to his original figure, although in labour terms it had cost him significantly more.

On another occasion, I had a Volvo-specific message come up on my C70, took it to Doug, who put their diag stuff to work. Not dealing in BS, Doug admitted that this was more specialist than their gear could deal with, and referred me to another indie who could deal with it.

Needless to say, Doug still gets our custom.

Everyone needs a Doug.

My Doug is named Gus.

 

[homersimpson]

I am not looking for losses or labour or interest or silly things like that, just a fair decision. He didn't ask for the pics, invoices or the old sump as proof but took my word especially as 'I seemed to know what I was talking about' and the fact I was booking a friend's car in too. So a credit to the value of parts was given against any future work, so I opted to take it off my friend's bill who will give me the cash.

I was pleased with this and the manager's attitude was spot on, even after the time that had lapsed.This sort of thing doesn't happen these days, especially after all the horror stories you hear.

The garage isn't any of the forum sponsors but an independent VAG specialist. Faith restored, I will use them again and point others in their direction.

Well done

Excellent story... You yourself also deserve credit for not inflating the story or asking for compensation.. Sounds to me like a fair approach on your side resulted in a very fair response from the garage manager... Thumbs up to you and the garage..