Fcar Service NY/NJ -- READ THIS. | FerrariChat
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Fcar Service NY/NJ -- READ THIS.

Discussion in 'New York Tri-State' started by jhsalah, Aug 1, 2006.

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  1. jhsalah

    jhsalah Formula 3
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    Apr 10, 2006
    2,408
    Philadelphia, PA
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    Jawad
    #1 jhsalah, Aug 1, 2006
    Some of you might have seen my recent posting on another thread about my over-heating trouble the other day, after I picked up the car from Arena Motors in NJ.

    I wanted to post again to recognize and give a public thanks to Steve Arena. This is one classy, honest guy, and all you Fcar and Lambo owners who don't already need to consider using his services.

    Just a short re-cap, my 308 had been at Arena motors for a couple weeks getting checked out and having an oil cooler replaced. After I picked it up last Saturday and left Steve's shop (but before I had gone very far), he called me to come right back in because he noticed some coolant on the floor and wanted to make sure it was overflow and not a leak. Brought it back in, took out some excess coolant and went back out. By the time I got to Manhattan, much of the coolant had blown out and the car was overheating.

    Without knowing this, Steve called the next day just to check on the car and make sure everything was ok. When I told him what happened, he apologized (though there was no way he could tell over the phone whether it was his fault) and promised to look at it again when he got back from vacation. I bought a new radiator cap, did a quick air bleed and refilled the coolant, and it seemed to get better.

    I didn't expect to hear from Steve for a few days at least, but he called me today, told me he stood behind his work and felt bad that I had any problem at all, and asked if he could come over to Manhattan and pick up the car himself, to work on it tonight so he could get me rolling again by the weekend.

    Steve drove all the way over here tonight and picked up the car at 9:00 pm, took it back to his shop where he is working on it tonight.

    This is a good, honest F car guy who cares about his clients and goes above and beyond. I don't know about you guys, but I think this deserves a great deal of respect, and a thank you.

    I just thought I'd let you guys know, and give a public thanks to Steve. If he treats his clients this way, I'm sure his business will succeed, and I wish him the best in it.

    Now I just can't wait to get my car back :D

    Cheers,
    J.
     
  2. jdogg

    jdogg Karting

    May 16, 2006
    171
    Full Name:
    JD
    #2 jdogg, Aug 1, 2006
    That's great to hear - indepedent shops like Steve's are made or broken by word of mouth.

    I saw his setup a couple weeks ago at the poker run and I was impressed with the clean shop he had and the effort that he was showing as we ate and had sodas, and made a mess of the place in general.

    I'm sure that Steve's efforts won't stop at a the cars with the cavallino on the flanks.
     
  3. frank320

    frank320 Karting

    Feb 27, 2005
    118
    Watchung NJ, USA
    Full Name:
    Frank
    #3 frank320, Aug 1, 2006
    Nice and thanks for the heads up. They will be on my "to call" list.

    F
     
  4. JAYF

    JAYF Formula 3

    May 13, 2006
    1,140
    Westchester, NY
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    Jay
    #4 JAYF, Aug 2, 2006
    I brought my TR to Steve a couple months ago to fix problems that were never fixed properly by the dealer that serviced it before I got the car. I have the same feeling towards Steve that Jawad has. He was the best repair shop I have ever dealt with. He truly cares about his customers and gave me the follow up call as well, to see that all was well with the car. His workmanship was great and I felt his pricing was very fair. He is pretty far from my house at 120 miles round trip , however I will not go anywhere else- the mileage is worth it for me.
     
  5. Greg G

    Greg G F1 Rookie

    Jul 5, 2003
    3,902
    northern New Jersey
    #5 Greg G, Aug 2, 2006
    Great to hear... kudos Steve!
     
  6. NYCFERRARIS

    NYCFERRARIS Formula 3

    Mar 2, 2004
    1,011
    #6 NYCFERRARIS, Aug 2, 2006
    Jawad,
    THanks and keep the reports coming...these unbiased real life expereinces are invaluable...can I still advocate for a "sticky" of these reports?

    Steve, treat Jawad right and others will follow!!! we need guys like you!
     
  7. notoboy

    notoboy F1 Rookie

    Jul 8, 2003
    2,531
    NYC
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    David
    #7 notoboy, Aug 2, 2006
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Steve did a major major service on my TR and he did an awesome job! He detailed the engine compartment and even repainted the wheel wells and all cannisters in the engine compartment. I will post final pictures when I have the chance.

    He also followed up with me several times by phone, and I will actually take the car back soon for a few odds and ends that still need work.

    If he keeps up this attention to detail, he will have a client for life.
    David
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  8. Greg G

    Greg G F1 Rookie

    Jul 5, 2003
    3,902
    northern New Jersey
    #8 Greg G, Aug 2, 2006
    nice photos David!
     
  9. notoboy

    notoboy F1 Rookie

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    #9 notoboy, Aug 2, 2006
    No Greg, I should be saying "nice photos" to you - thanks for taking them ;)
     
  10. niptuck

    niptuck F1 Rookie

    Mar 1, 2006
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    John L.
    #10 niptuck, Aug 2, 2006
    the TR looks so sexy naked...my favorite ferrari of all.
     
  11. PhilB

    PhilB Formula 3
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    Feb 17, 2004
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    #11 PhilB, Aug 2, 2006
    Can you post his address/phone/website/contact info? I did a search on the web and didn't find the shop.

    I'm looking for a shop to do the belts on my '84 QV sometime this winter.

    Thanks,
    Phil
     
  12. jhsalah

    jhsalah Formula 3
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    Apr 10, 2006
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    Jawad
    #12 jhsalah, Aug 2, 2006
    Stephen Arena
    Arena Motors
    92 Rail Road Street
    Hasbrouck Heights
    New Jersey, 07604
    Phone: 201-288-2003
    Email: [email protected]

    Please tell him I "sent" you -- I don't get anything out of it, but I'd like him to know good word of mouth is getting around.

    Good luck,
    J.
     
  13. niptuck

    niptuck F1 Rookie

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    #13 niptuck, Aug 2, 2006
    Jawad...happy early B-DAY man...
     
  14. Parikh1234

    Parikh1234 F1 Rookie
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    Apr 9, 2006
    4,726
    Little Ferry, NJ USA
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    Shivam Parikh
    #14 Parikh1234, Aug 2, 2006
    2nd that...ill see if I can send you a stip-o-gram or some salsa midgets for your birthday.
     
  15. jhsalah

    jhsalah Formula 3
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    Jawad
    #15 jhsalah, Aug 2, 2006
    Ha ha... Thanks John and Shivam. A good birthday present will be if Steve can figure out and fix whatever over-heating gremlin is plaguing me... We'll see (not that I don't like the strip-o-gram idea :D)
     
  16. Ciao Bello 348

    Ciao Bello 348 Formula 3

    Oct 3, 2005
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    #16 Ciao Bello 348, Aug 3, 2006
    Oh yeah, Bro! You had a birthday!

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY!


    I'm glad our paths have crossed. Youre a great guy and always have a blast when we get to hang.

    Many Many More!
     
  17. jhsalah

    jhsalah Formula 3
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    Jawad
    #17 jhsalah, Aug 4, 2006
    Thanks John! This Saturday (tomorrow!)... The "big 3-0". I appreciate the good wishes. It's people like you who have made Fchat such good fun. I always look forward to seeing you on the runs, bro. Here's to years of happy and safe driving for all of us.

    Best regards,
    J.
     
  18. sjmst

    sjmst F1 Veteran
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    Jul 31, 2003
    9,854
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    #18 sjmst, Aug 4, 2006
    Nice to hear some good reviews. Thanks for letting us know!
     
  19. ghost

    ghost F1 World Champ
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    Dec 10, 2003
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    #19 ghost, Aug 4, 2006
    Steve's a classy guy no doubt. Wish him all the best with his new endeavor.

    Steve, still need to pick up my Lambo stereo from you - think I'm going to do it this weekend!
     
  20. buzzm2005

    buzzm2005 Formula 3

    Aug 23, 2005
    1,739
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    Buzz
    #20 buzzm2005, Aug 4, 2006
    Salsa midgets...? I'm going to J's next party....
     
  21. vteqe

    vteqe Formula Junior

    Mar 5, 2005
    664
    long Island, NY
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    Sandy
    #21 vteqe, Aug 4, 2006
    Jawad, So what was the cause of your overheating and the correction.
     
  22. jhsalah

    jhsalah Formula 3
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    Apr 10, 2006
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    Jawad
    #22 jhsalah, Aug 4, 2006
    Sandy, unfortunately, we haven't been able to figure it out. Steve has been making an extraordinary effort to chase this down, but we're still running way too hot.

    Check out this link to my posting in the Technical section:

    http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=113933

    We've eliminated practically every conceivable issue and still no resolution! Any advice??

    Thanks,
    J.
     
  23. PhilB

    PhilB Formula 3
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    #23 PhilB, Aug 5, 2006
    I went through the same thing with my '84. Listened to all kinds of theories, had the entire system checked and rechecked. Bled air while the car was on a lift, tilting it front and back to assure any air pockets would rise to either the back or front and bleed out. None of it worked, and all components were working fine.

    The problem is air flow - or lack thereof. The fans may be spinning in the right direction, but they don't push enough air through the radiator to dissipate the heat. Upgrade the fans, it's relatively inexpensive, and should solve your issue.

    I used new Spals (the stock fans were Spals, so are yours most likely). The stock fans used a can motor, the newer ones use a pancake motor. You need to modify the new fans to remove the shroud (not terribly difficult, remove and replace a few screws). And you need to fabricate your own mounting brackets.

    If you are locale (I am on Staten Island), we could arrange you to view my setup. Even in the recent triple digit heat, in stop and go NYC traffic, my temp is pegged at 195.

    I also installed a coolant overflow tank. When the car heats ups, and coolant wants to pee out, it runs into this tank. When the car cools, the vacuum pulls the coolant back into the system. It works great.

    One more bit of advice, replacing the stock muffler with a Tubi GREATLY reduced the temperture of the engine compartment.

    One more bit of advice (really this time) - I added a puller fan to the oil cooler in the engine bay. This was just for insurance. It is triggered from the same relay that triggers the rad fans.

    Phil
     
  24. ghost

    ghost F1 World Champ
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    #24 ghost, Aug 5, 2006
    Great suggestions!
     
  25. Ciao Bello 348

    Ciao Bello 348 Formula 3

    Oct 3, 2005
    1,844
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    John C
    #25 Ciao Bello 348, Aug 5, 2006
    You can call me crazy, but back in the 80's if you had a Trans Am/ Camaro you should know this.

    There was a black "spoiler" type piece of plastic that hung down under the nose from the engine compartment area. If this plastic piece broke or was taken off, you had an overheating issue to deal with. This black piece deflected air up to the engine compartment purposely for cooling.

    Stranger things have happened, bro. Its the right era and problem.
     
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