F355 service scam?

Uhm....

1. He has an SD1 / 2 computer? That is a good sign
2. He can not "adjust the clutch" with that tool. He can reset the parameters though
3. Where is this place?

 

Look for another place.

As for the oil change, it's something you can do yourself. Search the archive for the do it yourself thread. It's a pretty simple job.

 

You could keep the oil and filter receipts and a log of oil changes done yourself.

 

+1 ........

 

If you are worried about it that much, just save the receipts for the oil and the oil filter. Then take pics with the time/date stamp on the picture.

Think about it.

If you take it in for a oil change you are gonna get hit with a minimum of 1 hour labor = $150 +/-. Then the oil filter is gonna cost you $40ish bucks + 11.9 quarts of oil. Mobile1 will cost you about $9 a quart x 12 = $108. So right there you are facing a $300 dollar oil change.

If you change the oil yourself right off the bat you are gonna save 50%. A 5 quart jug of Mobile1 from Walmart is $27 x 3 (that way you save buy buying in bulk) = $81. BAM!!! You save another 25% off the cost of the oil, AND......you still have 3 quarts left over for top ups.

Plus you don't have to make excuses as to why you need to leave so they don't try to "find" more things that "need fixing".

The oil change is really not a big deal, do it yourself.

 

I have my own service receipt templates that I complete for each service I perform on every car I have and I attach the receipts for parts used to the service sheet. I have been doing this for years. When I sold the Porsche I had before the 348, the shop that the buyer used to do the PPI was very impressed with the vehicle's service history which included dealer, independant and my own "receipts". In this case you are talking about a simple oil change so so this should be acceptable. With bigger projects/upgrades I photo-document as well and attach the photos to the service record and receipts.

Any way you cut it, it's documentation.

 

I'd love to see your template. Any interest in sharing with the group??

ketel

Owner: Bloody Knuckles Italian Car Repair, Inc.

 

Actually may not be a scam. I believe that you can adjust the pick up point where the clutch engages and check for wear. There is a specific term for it that I can't remember. I had mine done once at a highly reputable shop that is a sponsor on here.

 

That's what I do. I have spreadsheet that I record mileage and maintenance on.

Pretty sure that the clutch can not be "adjusted". It can be reset so the pick up point is centered as it should be above the throw out bearing. But why would that be necessary during an oil change? Odd huh?

I wouldn't toss the shop under the bus quite so fast. Might be worth a second conversation asking him why the need....might learn something.

 

I think the shop is just trying to be helpful, and at the same time keeping an eye on the clutch life. Not only for your sake but their sake. If you were to bring in your car for service, and the tech takes it out and the clutch starts slipping on the road test (yes it does and has happend many times), then the shop has a print out of the clutch reading, and even before the road test begins they can call you and inform you of the condition and the possiablity it may start to slip very soon.

Every car that comes in here get a quick test before any work begins. We do not charge for this. It protects my butt, and keep you informed for possiable future issues.

No scam here..just protection for the shop. They have probbaly been burned before and had to eat a clutch even though it was not there fault.

 

This makes sense, but what doesn't make sense is if the customer has to pay out for the diagnostic s/he didn't ask for.

The shop has a right to do whatever they want to have a good evidence prior to work on customer cars, especially on these exotic cars, but this should be only done at their penny.