Mechanics taking advantage

babyontheway

Computershack, as a mechanic, should I ask that every time they service the KA that they change the spark plugs regardless of the mileage? Would that be expensive or more cost-effective in the long run? It seems that if this is a regular problem with the small Ford cars - I'd rather avoid this situation again.

mikey72

babyontheway wrote: »

Thanks for all of the messages - I know that from a message board it's difficult to know what people are really like but I am very fond of my car and have always looked after it and got work done when it was advised - it was just that I was under the impression that they wouldn't go ahead until they had given me an idea of how much it would cost - even if it was only an estimate. I didn't have a problem with the fact that the spark plug snapped when they tried to remove it - I knew that was a risk which is why I asked them to leave it in.

Anyway, update is that I explained that I wasn't happy and why and they have now called back today to say that I won't be charged for the work. Now being someone who is pretty useless at standing my ground over things - especially mechanical things, I'm over the moon.

Good result.

catflea

babyontheway wrote: »

Thanks for all of the messages - I know that from a message board it's difficult to know what people are really like but I am very fond of my car and have always looked after it and got work done when it was advised - it was just that I was under the impression that they wouldn't go ahead until they had given me an idea of how much it would cost - even if it was only an estimate. I didn't have a problem with the fact that the spark plug snapped when they tried to remove it - I knew that was a risk which is why I asked them to leave it in.

Anyway, update is that I explained that I wasn't happy and why and they have now called back today to say that I won't be charged for the work. Now being someone who is pretty useless at standing my ground over things - especially mechanical things, I'm over the moon.

Thanks for letting us know the outcome :T

catflea

babyontheway wrote: »

Computershack, as a mechanic, should I ask that every time they service the KA that they change the spark plugs regardless of the mileage? Would that be expensive or more cost-effective in the long run? It seems that if this is a regular problem with the small Ford cars - I'd rather avoid this situation again.

You certainly could, but I doubt it would be cost effective every time....

Spark plugs aren't hard to fit (if they aren't corroded in )- might be worth having a go yourself or persuading the OH to have a go? Once a year should be more than enough - and for what they cost (between £15 and £20 for a set from Halfords, less from a factors) it'll be well worth the cost. :beer:

Just for the record, I had a paticuarly tough plug on no.1 on a ford HCS (kent?) engine just took my time over it and got some plusgas (penetrating fluid) on it and it came away without too much hassle. That plug had been in for approx 18 months, and someone wanted to buy the head when I was scrapping the car!

roger196

If these cars are known to have a rust problem on the sparking plug, why is a very high temperature grease (eg copper based) not used when fitting.
Why is the mechanic using a socket which does not have a rubber(?) insert to stop the socket tilting.
Is it reasonable to expect that an experienced mechanic should be able to use an ordinary socket without tilting it.

ifonlyitwaseasier

back to what the OP said however, she TOLD THEM TO WAIT and give a definite price before starting the work, they did not wait, therefore they should pay to put it right.

2_litre

roger196 wrote: »

If these cars are known to have a rust problem on the sparking plug, why is a very high temperature grease (eg copper based) not used when fitting.
Why is the mechanic using a socket which does not have a rubber(?) insert to stop the socket tilting.
Is it reasonable to expect that an experienced mechanic should be able to use an ordinary socket without tilting it.

In theory the plug could work itself loose if fitted with copper grease, its not the fact the socket was tilted, the plugs rust in and snap, nothing to do with tilting.

robredz

The main thing is that the OP got the result she wanted, and again a certain "Prophet of Doom" retreated back to Ogremor unsatiated.
This particular problem with Ford spark plugs is highlighted on Honest John's second hand car review pages.

cajef

mikey72 wrote: »

Anihilator always reminds me of that character in MASH, just can't remember his name. Hawkeye was trying to decide what to do with a patient, and the line was someting like "I'll ask his opinion, whatever he says I'll do the opposite, he's always 100% wrong"

Aptly renamed by someone in another thread 'Tollilator'

Homersimpson

Well done to the OP, you got the right result. :-)