My car was having a little hesitation, and I have to smog it before November... so I took the ride in for a tune-up at my new shop of note for work to be done on my daily driver.

I am not happy with my experience with them so far.

I am spending money fixing things that were not broken before I went there.

This last time is the last straw.

I will not have the shop I have been using to do wrench work on my convertible install a set of fuel injectors.

I will not.

That being said:

Will my fellow vette owners please recommend a shop in my area that I can take my car to that isn't employing stupid kids as mechanics. I need some honest work done on the engine I believe. I haven't done the test on the injectors... and I will not employ a shop that can't have the mechanic make sure they do a full tune-up.

I'm waiting for a quote on a set of injectors from injectors4u...

looks like it'll bite my azzzz paying for em too...

I have spent $657 yesterday for the tune-up diagnosis.

They stripped the oil pan drain-plug and then installed an over-sized plug while telling me they might have to replace the oil-pan; the distributor gasket leaked and apparently is dripping on the exhaust; they disconnected the coolant sensor line so my gauge reads 0; replaced the distributor wires, cap, and rotor for standard rates; replaced the oil, fuel/air/oil filters for the same standard rates; and DID NOT clean the throttle-body or test drive it.

Point is... my car is no better than when I took it in. In fact, I have MORE of an issue going to work this morning than I did before I went in to have them get my car ready for a smog test.

My car is idling high (about 1500-1600) with the air off... and the fan now is on all the time.



I will drive my car to a good mechanic that will do the work I do not have time to do.

But I do not want to take it in the tail because they can.

I did that for my soft-top.


Who do YOU recommend to do the work and not disassemble the engine to do it???

Oh

Thank you for your time.
Bob Jr

 

I don't know of any shops in your area, but if the Coolant Temp Sensor is disconnected, the ECM should be illuminating a Check Engine Light and a scan should show a Code 15. That will also have the main fan running and the idle may be higher as that open in the Sensor Circuit is interpreted as -32 degrees. I'd get it reconnected and maybe that will let you drive it (safely) until you can find a good shop.

 

Why don't you replace the injectors yourself assuming you have some basic tools and mechanical experience. This is not a tough job and I have a procedure that makes it simple. If you want a copy of the Word doc procedure, send me an email to samlam@charter.net

 

I appreciate the thought of saving me the coins Bra...

I have read several of your articles Bob, and your method is shorter than any I have used myself on these sbcs...

I am just short on time and personal willingness to get my fingers dirty under the hood if I don't have too. In addition... I have not replaced my tools that were awarded to the ex in the last divorce yet... I have some stuff... but not everything I should. I am hoping to not have to get them all until a couple of years from now when I retire out of working.

I am not a rich fella, but I can pay for good work done that I really do not have the time to do. I just do not want the folks I have used in the past to do this work. They are breaking things that weren't broken before I drove the car in... Hell, they didn't even do a regular tune-up on my car correctly.

That's why I asked for a Sacramento shop that someone else knows will do good work.

Oh, and one of the reasons I gave this place some coins, was because of contributors like you Bra. You help make this place the one I come back to.

Thank you for your time Bob.



Bob Jr

 

Sounds like you have your hands full with car ane OTHER problems too. Have you considered contacting local Corvette clubs for repair advice? They often know of reputable people to service their cars. Good luck on getting the Vette wheels turning again.

 

Ok... here goes. Not sure if this will fly w/ the moderators. Don't know if you remember me but I sold you the polished lower rear control arms?

Anyway, I've opened my own shop about 2.5 hours NW of you. I ONLY do corvettes & am just getting off the ground as a part time, by appointment only after hours/weekend kind of gig. My hope is that in about 1 year I can quit my day job & make a go of the shop full time.

My basic premis is that I provide the same level of service to my customer cars that I would do for myself... and to put it mildly, I'm a bit **** about doing things right, clean & to the best of my ability.

If you interested, PM me & we can make an appointment. Eventually I will be in a position to become a forum vendor/sponsor etc. Just not quite there yet with the part time thing.

Thanks.

 

Hey Martin...

I am glad you are getting a shop together... I am going to have the Car Czar give me a diagnosis (he's just around the corner) and then I'll let you know via PM what work I can afford to have done.

I think it's the injectors... but I only tested one... it was at 6.4 ohms.

I still take the car to work... it is bucking though... and sucks gas like a Ploesti pipeline.

I don't know about driving this car that far though... it has died at a stoplight POST tuneup.

If I get the injectors... a MAP/MAF whatever that fricken part is relocator kit... o rings... and gaskets... how long and what kinda coins???

Send me a PM Bra.

 

THANK YOU MARTIN.

I just got back from Trog's shop in Lakeport... he got the fuel injectors all in in record time by golly... my car is a new animal.


If you are in his area, and need a good wrench... Look him up... he's reasonable, and fast...


Thank you again Buddy... you will see me again, and since you saw my car, you know what I mean... I just have to save the coins to do it.

Bob Jr

 

Hi Bob,

Your very welcome & thanks for the plug.

Call or email any time you need work or just advice. Our older cars can need a lot of TLC at this point in their lives.

 

Ya know those injectors you replaced in my ride... how many had a good reading when warm again???


I am amazed I got to where I was going... on time as often as I did anyways.

I know I was late getting to your shop... but I got gas in Williams and Clearlake... and had the MDee sausage McMuffin w/o egg...

And the friggen land-yacht/mhomes doing nothing on 20-29...

 

Can't remember off hand how many were good/bad. I tossed them in the bag the new ones came in & they are sitting on the bench. I know at least 2 or 3 of them were out of spec. Guess I could set a few at a time down on my intake & drive home one day this week & see what they test out at warm Vs. cold & then mark them.

 

NO NO NO... don't do that... sorry I didn't haul out my trash... all I remember is three were reading just above 5 and the one near the O2 sensor was at almost 0 ohms...