Major Service woes

Well, at least one problem found the alternator is knackered. SOme of the copper coils are black and the center shaft which is supposed to be copper is half "brass" looking. It kept spiking at 10 amps and falling. They are re-re-building it now.

 

I will tell that to the next owner who's engine is leaking. My bet is they would find fault with your suggestion, even if it is in fact completely Correct.

A decade of horking sealant at these leaks is now coming full circle. Lower oil pressure at rev's, the hydraulic lifters failing..... many of these somewhat recent gremlins being experienced now are a result of these Little Dutch Boy attempts.

 

Oh I know what your saying, But I know the reality, since working on aircraft the amount of "new parts" that are no good is long as well as suppliers making inferior parts.

You solution is great. BTW need any intern mechanics? haha might be looking for a new job soon.

 

I have interviewed 5, none would pass a drug test or are willing to work towards that. It is Boulder after all!

 

That is a sad state... I hope you do find some help soon though so that you may have some sort of a life outside of the shop.

 

Wow. Great stuff.

One topic would be the belt vibration on that 355 as the RPM's came up. They all act like that!?

Sorry, way off topic...never mind.

 

A topic for another thread one day.

The point again is that the OP is not alone with his problem and if worms of sealant are seen creeping out of the cam cover, this too is not a "fix".

Look closely at the whole electrical system. A failure mode of alt overheating is rarely a normal internal fault of the alternator, most often it is a Caused failure

 

Dave- Guess this means that, unfortunately, the Cutthroats have nothing to fear from your fly rod this summer.

 

Dave,
I was already thinking of having you perform my next major service now after seeing that machine it is for certain.

Can you pm me what you charge for "basic" major engine out service on a 355?

 

Heck Taz, I have been trying to get a fly wet for the last three months and have failed for a host of poor reasons! I will be too old pull the waders on before I make it feet wet again! Last year it was the close by fires, this year????

 

What does YOUR car need?

A "Major Service".... a legendary list that was made up prior to a given model even hitting the assembly line, and from this the industry is still deciding what a given car NEEDS decades later. I humbly suggest that this is what has brought us to the point where we are at now, we ignored a cars Needs and blindly followed a list that was packed with fluff. That list never took into account Any of the problems that have shown themselves since the cars hit the showroom floor! For years now I have asked "What does a Major Service include".... Im still waiting for a concise answer.

I apologize for taking this thread in a direction that took away from the OP's issues at hand, that was not my intent.

 

I watched the machine with my own eyes this morning. I cannot describe how cool it is to watch. Yes, it's a great tool to catch leaks, check out the motor, etc and a great looking tool. But to stand there with the motor running at eye level?????? WOW!!! I'm afraid my jaw went a little slack. I almost wet myself.

 

Well I work for the Department of state flying so I have no problem passing any drug test. haha

I also have a Secret Clearance So my background has been checked and checked again.

 

... and trying to convince someone with those types of credentials to come play with cars is proving a quest for all of us in the industry. The unemployed Vets I have sought have had pretty grand promises made to them upon leaving the service.

There was a time when being a mechanic, specializing in a specialty market, was considered an honorable profession.... in the past. The young folks read these chat rooms, they have a feeling of what they are up against and what they will be thought of if they happen to choose this profession. The secondary effects of some of these rants you read is starting to define what the future of this market will look like. The consumer brand dealers are paying big money for little work or thought required, the majority is parts replacing. Historically this market gets well seasoned journeymen that are burned out on that In-Out work of the consumer market, but now making that move comes with an added label. And now the discussion comes full circle and the reason I stated to be careful about jumping to assumptions about the tech being at fault for oil leaks and a failing alternator, becomes clearer. My bet is in both examples, given the facts laid out, that would be an incorrect assumption.

Its a tough time to hire someone with passion, drive, and the want to study for hours after the work day, even the tough ones are becoming cynical with how things are headed these days. I'm looking for the needle in a haystack.... and know it. If that isn't enough, working for the Smurf and Kris in an estrogen fueled environment, where both are really very good at what they do... male ego's get checked at the door or you loose them quickly!

 

I don't suppose you want a 45yo investment banker for an apprentice? I can pass the piss test, if you don't check for single-malt scotch.

Honestly, I'm amazed that you have such trouble finding help. In any field, the opportunities to learn from the best and work to a standard of excellence (instead of expedience,) is very rare. Personally, I would die to take on such a challenge again; it's stunning that there aren't quality people that feel likewise.

I suppose it should not be surprising, given the state of our culture.

 

OK OK......I have reconsidered.

Are you willing to give me a second chance??????????

 

I sent you a pm

 

It is an Odd time and I am livid about how things are headed... but that would take up a page in P&R.

I feel very few younger folks look out past 6-8 years now, the thought of a lifetime career in a new field has little value. It is a terribly big investment in both time and money, and when the people see the money dangled by the consumer market...... why waste their time in this, Honda is Now and simple? With the right mentality and mental commitment, it can be a lot of fun and as rewarding as one wants to make it. I am still happy about coming to work better than 40 years after I started, few can say that about their jobs, but we are doing things vastly different than most. I feel the Service Industry is due for a very big change quite soon, people are at the end of their ropes with SOP the as it has been for a long time.

I respect that everyone has their own way of doing things and the line between right and wrong is quite blurred if even existent these days. For this reason I find it better to take the right attitude and make a mechanic, than to change the attitude/habits of a seasoned mechanic to suit our style. I have two very talented daughters that suggest this approach is the correct one for my type of business.... but too, I am wrong more than I am right.

On the phone with the UK when I read this.... I had to make an apology to a proper Englishman after the Diet Pepsi went the wrong way!

YOU?! Could you imagine the two of us in the same state, let alone town or building? The Ferrari/Weedwacker battle from the race tracks would start all over again! Besides, they couldnt pry you away from your copper still or what ever you smoke in those rolled up peanut shells.... fat chance of that happening

 

Time to wake this thread up a bit

Dave I was telling my local tech about your new bench testing machine and that has cemented my thoughts on sending you my car for its next major service (if one could call it that) more like a service it based on what you find that needs addressing type service but anyway.
He looked at me and said "Well since Dave can test run the engine out of the car why don't we just drop the engine here, crate it up and just send Dave the engine?" I hadn't given that much thought but I will put it out there to you.

Are there any advantages to you or to a long distance customer such as me in having just the engine versus the whole chassis? I am not convinced of doing the engine only thing I am just curious.

Another question which if its best answered in private you know how to reach me Would you prefer to receive a 355 that needs an SRI 355 Service update in the Summer or in the Winter?