Mechanic from hell. (Pics)
#1
Mechanic from hell. (Pics)
So!
Went to Monroe Brake and Muffler and had them throw on my headers, hfc's, y-pipe, and exhaust. They finish up the job, but later that day my car throws five codes. All four P0420's I assume to be normal since the precat A/F wavelengths aren't matching the aftercat O2 wavelengths due to the cat delete. Understandable. And then P2A03, 'range efficiency,' which is severely less fun.
Oh yeah, there was also a sound that resembled bones snapping in half whenever I drove.
Today, decided to take it to a new mechanic I found who is pretty much the Gustav Mahler of car repairs. We found so many fun little surprises! It was really great
He puts the car up, and peeks at the headers from underneath. A wild ratchet appears! Yeah. A ratchet. Lodged up there. How silly. Maybe that was the rattle. Yeah, that was it.
Next he looked at the cats. What we found there I have never heard of. On the header side of the cat, there was only one bolt holding it on!! WAAAAAT? Keep in mind I supplied all new bolts and gaskets. But the really super duper part was how he managed to get that one bolt through the headers and hfc, yet not have it go through the gasket. How you ask? Because he tried to use a circle gasket with with two bolts on a piece that needed a triangle shaped gasket with three bolts.
Here look this stuff is ridiculous!
I am not sh!tting you, you can even see the outline if I take the gasket off, this actually happened.
Also, the wiring to the left bank O2 sensor was stripped, rendering the part useless and throwing the car into a closed-loop limp mode running off stock ECU A/F ratios that have nothing to do with the way my car was driver-mapped...don't worry br4h no need to tell me about this though.
Seriously though, look at the carbon buildup on this gasket, this was totally defeating the purpose of a larger diameter pipe, it is so ridiculous that he did this.
Anyways I am absolutely livid, wanted to share this experience with you, and warn you not to do power mods at a nationwide store that doesn't give a rats tuchus about your car.
Here's some funny rap, thanks for reading.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDLUwMaUiao
Went to Monroe Brake and Muffler and had them throw on my headers, hfc's, y-pipe, and exhaust. They finish up the job, but later that day my car throws five codes. All four P0420's I assume to be normal since the precat A/F wavelengths aren't matching the aftercat O2 wavelengths due to the cat delete. Understandable. And then P2A03, 'range efficiency,' which is severely less fun.
Oh yeah, there was also a sound that resembled bones snapping in half whenever I drove.
Today, decided to take it to a new mechanic I found who is pretty much the Gustav Mahler of car repairs. We found so many fun little surprises! It was really great
He puts the car up, and peeks at the headers from underneath. A wild ratchet appears! Yeah. A ratchet. Lodged up there. How silly. Maybe that was the rattle. Yeah, that was it.
Next he looked at the cats. What we found there I have never heard of. On the header side of the cat, there was only one bolt holding it on!! WAAAAAT? Keep in mind I supplied all new bolts and gaskets. But the really super duper part was how he managed to get that one bolt through the headers and hfc, yet not have it go through the gasket. How you ask? Because he tried to use a circle gasket with with two bolts on a piece that needed a triangle shaped gasket with three bolts.
Here look this stuff is ridiculous!
I am not sh!tting you, you can even see the outline if I take the gasket off, this actually happened.
Also, the wiring to the left bank O2 sensor was stripped, rendering the part useless and throwing the car into a closed-loop limp mode running off stock ECU A/F ratios that have nothing to do with the way my car was driver-mapped...don't worry br4h no need to tell me about this though.
Seriously though, look at the carbon buildup on this gasket, this was totally defeating the purpose of a larger diameter pipe, it is so ridiculous that he did this.
Anyways I am absolutely livid, wanted to share this experience with you, and warn you not to do power mods at a nationwide store that doesn't give a rats tuchus about your car.
Here's some funny rap, thanks for reading.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDLUwMaUiao
#7
Registered User
iTrader: (5)
So you bought the HFC's used? How many miles did you drive the car like that?
If I had high ceilings in my garage, I would seriously consider buying a lift rather making a large purchase like an SC or TT kit. I miss being able to do my own work. It seems even professional shops do some crazy sh*t.
I once walked into a shop up here called Synapse motorsports. I had them dyno the car. No AFR reading after some Mods were installed. I was curious what their dyno would read.
They were to install my Stillen underdrive pulley. I found my radiator out of the car with the mechanic with an impact gun on my crank bolt with the car in 1st gear. I asked the guy.... "Did you even bother to read the instructions I included with the part?" Mind you this guy use to work for Nissan as a mechanic! He says "No, I am experienced technician" So I pulled out the instructions which clearly state to the remove the starter and lockout the flywheel.
I told him I wasn't paying for any of it. To get my car together and off the lift. He's like well I have 2-3 hrs labor into it so far. What an idiot. I don't pay for stupidity. I'm lucky he didn't destroy my front seal.
If I had high ceilings in my garage, I would seriously consider buying a lift rather making a large purchase like an SC or TT kit. I miss being able to do my own work. It seems even professional shops do some crazy sh*t.
I once walked into a shop up here called Synapse motorsports. I had them dyno the car. No AFR reading after some Mods were installed. I was curious what their dyno would read.
They were to install my Stillen underdrive pulley. I found my radiator out of the car with the mechanic with an impact gun on my crank bolt with the car in 1st gear. I asked the guy.... "Did you even bother to read the instructions I included with the part?" Mind you this guy use to work for Nissan as a mechanic! He says "No, I am experienced technician" So I pulled out the instructions which clearly state to the remove the starter and lockout the flywheel.
I told him I wasn't paying for any of it. To get my car together and off the lift. He's like well I have 2-3 hrs labor into it so far. What an idiot. I don't pay for stupidity. I'm lucky he didn't destroy my front seal.
Last edited by Lakeside; 05-18-2011 at 05:25 AM.
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#8
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
That's why, IF and only IF you are going to let a shop work on your car.
1- You must know someone who works there and their work quality.
2- Someone very close to you, or a mass group of people recommends them for their work on that one specific thing you need done.
I don't know if money was the issue, but taking your car to a shop not knowing how they work is very much like gambling.
Hope you got that mess solved
1- You must know someone who works there and their work quality.
2- Someone very close to you, or a mass group of people recommends them for their work on that one specific thing you need done.
I don't know if money was the issue, but taking your car to a shop not knowing how they work is very much like gambling.
Hope you got that mess solved
Last edited by gordenZ; 05-18-2011 at 05:45 AM.
#9
Registered User
iTrader: (11)
Why didn't you go to your mechanic in the first place?
Most people working at a Monroe muffler and brake are lucky to have a high school degree let alone be a certified mechanic. I think you have a right to be mad... at yourself for letting mentally challenged people work on your car.
Most people working at a Monroe muffler and brake are lucky to have a high school degree let alone be a certified mechanic. I think you have a right to be mad... at yourself for letting mentally challenged people work on your car.
#13
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Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Auburn, AL
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Let me tell you, installing these test pipes was awesome!
#14
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
Yes it sucks but I'm a broke college kid. Half the time installation labor costs as much as the parts I'm buying! I'm 6'2" and it isn't comfortable under there.. but I do what I gotta do! Thanks to friends willing to give me a helping hand too!
Let me tell you, installing these test pipes was awesome!
Let me tell you, installing these test pipes was awesome!
#16
Super Moderator
MY350Z.COM
MY350Z.COM
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Thats why i do everything myself.
#18
Registered User
iTrader: (5)
I have always liked Z's. There is ample leg room. Generous head room for a sports car. Only time I have an issue is when wearing a helmet at the tracks. It makes me want to order up Bride seats and lowering rails.
Good to see there are quite a few tall guys with Z's. Most people I meet are 5'10 & under.
Good to see there are quite a few tall guys with Z's. Most people I meet are 5'10 & under.
#19
I have always liked Z's. There is ample leg room. Generous head room for a sports car. Only time I have an issue is when wearing a helmet at the tracks. It makes me want to order up Bride seats and lowering rails.
Good to see there are quite a few tall guys with Z's. Most people I meet are 5'10 & under.
Good to see there are quite a few tall guys with Z's. Most people I meet are 5'10 & under.
#20
Seriously think they may have been hating since it was a nice car, and like one member said, they probably don't have anything more than a high school education and may have been resentful.