dealerships always good for a laugh
11-08-05, 05:30 PM
#1
dealerships always good for a laugh
So I went to the local Mazda dealership (Argus, in Hull) to order two thermostats for Joel's FB and mine. Of course there was the regular drama of attmepting to order parts from the dealership, the bickering, the guy trying to figure out how to use the microfiche machine, etc...
But then I decided to ask the guys at the service counter about getting a real compression test done.
"A regular car takes an hour, but rotaries... That'll take two hours, so that's $130"
"Two hours? how do you figure?"
"Well we have to hook the machine to your car's computer and configure it.."
"But my car doesn't have a computer, it's an '84"
"Well it's the same procedure as the Rx8, we have to put it on the hoist and hook the machine to it"
"The Rx8 has to be hoisted to get to the plugs, you can do mine without raising the car!"
"No, because it's the same block, it will take two hours, just like the Rx8"
"I still don't understand why it will take two hours. You open the hood, pull the trailing plug on rotor one, hook up the machine, crank it, then repeat with rotor two. How does that take two hours?"
"Look kid, it does. If you want your compression test, you'll have to trust us".
Geez... Trust them? ..... I think I'd rather stab myself in the eye with a fork. I'm not paying 130 plus tax for a compression test.
Jon
But then I decided to ask the guys at the service counter about getting a real compression test done.
"A regular car takes an hour, but rotaries... That'll take two hours, so that's $130"
"Two hours? how do you figure?"
"Well we have to hook the machine to your car's computer and configure it.."
"But my car doesn't have a computer, it's an '84"
"Well it's the same procedure as the Rx8, we have to put it on the hoist and hook the machine to it"
"The Rx8 has to be hoisted to get to the plugs, you can do mine without raising the car!"
"No, because it's the same block, it will take two hours, just like the Rx8"
"I still don't understand why it will take two hours. You open the hood, pull the trailing plug on rotor one, hook up the machine, crank it, then repeat with rotor two. How does that take two hours?"
"Look kid, it does. If you want your compression test, you'll have to trust us".
Geez... Trust them? ..... I think I'd rather stab myself in the eye with a fork. I'm not paying 130 plus tax for a compression test.
Jon
11-08-05, 05:33 PM
#2
11-08-05, 07:20 PM
#3
Rotary Freak
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 1,711
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Actually, it's good to bait these dealership personnel from time to time just to see how far they'll go. If they'd lie to you about a compression test...
11-08-05, 07:29 PM
#4
GrapefruitRacing?
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: PartSource
Posts: 2,155
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ha. At that point i would probably have bet money i could do it in the parking lot in under 20min. I doubt he would have accepted, but that is pure BS. Can't remember the last time it took me more then 20 min to change plugs, that was probably when i first got the car and had all the stock stuff in there.
Good stuff! LOL
Good stuff! LOL
11-08-05, 07:47 PM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Brampton, Ontario
Posts: 552
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From the dealerships I've asked, the standard charge is about $100. Whether it takes 10 minutes or 2 hours is irrevelant. You might be forgetting that the dealership is likely still recouping the expense of their rotary compression tester (that is, if they actually have one!).
I just don't see the point of arguing. Their fee is their fee. If you don't like it, walk away, but don't expect the service people to know as much about an RX-7 as you do. Frankly, I'm surprised they knew as much as they did! If you've lived with diabetes all your life, who probably knows more about it? You, or your family doctor?
I just don't see the point of arguing. Their fee is their fee. If you don't like it, walk away, but don't expect the service people to know as much about an RX-7 as you do. Frankly, I'm surprised they knew as much as they did! If you've lived with diabetes all your life, who probably knows more about it? You, or your family doctor?
Last edited by johnnyg; 11-08-05 at 07:52 PM.
11-08-05, 10:19 PM
#6
Certified Old Fart
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Inkerman, On, South of Ottawa, the 2nd coldest Capital in the World
Posts: 490
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I go through the same crap at Bank Street Mazda. Find it easier just to look up the part number and give it them and say "here's the part I want". Plus their microfiche of the parts manual is so lousy you can barely read it.
johnnyg: sorry to contradict you, but to me this shows just how LITTLE the dealership know rather than how much...
Jon: Hey I'll do it for you for.... let's say $90
Although I only have a normal tester so we'll have to watch the needle bounce...lol
Just take a drive out to the country where the roads are empty and the cops are few...
johnnyg: sorry to contradict you, but to me this shows just how LITTLE the dealership know rather than how much...
Jon: Hey I'll do it for you for.... let's say $90
Although I only have a normal tester so we'll have to watch the needle bounce...lolJust take a drive out to the country where the roads are empty and the cops are few...
Last edited by Whanrow; 11-08-05 at 10:22 PM.
11-08-05, 10:22 PM
#7
GrapefruitRacing?
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: PartSource
Posts: 2,155
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by johnnyg
From the dealerships I've asked, the standard charge is about $100. Whether it takes 10 minutes or 2 hours is irrevelant. You might be forgetting that the dealership is likely still recouping the expense of their rotary compression tester (that is, if they actually have one!).
I just don't see the point of arguing. Their fee is their fee. If you don't like it, walk away, but don't expect the service people to know as much about an RX-7 as you do. Frankly, I'm surprised they knew as much as they did! If you've lived with diabetes all your life, who probably knows more about it? You, or your family doctor?
I just don't see the point of arguing. Their fee is their fee. If you don't like it, walk away, but don't expect the service people to know as much about an RX-7 as you do. Frankly, I'm surprised they knew as much as they did! If you've lived with diabetes all your life, who probably knows more about it? You, or your family doctor?
P.S. Jon, come pick up your crap at Part Source
Trending Topics
11-09-05, 01:04 AM
#8
Originally Posted by Neo
Well then, if you already know the procedure, why are you going to the dealership???
Did you go there to taunt them or something???
Did you go there to taunt them or something???
THEY have a rotary compression tester. The last time I saw one on ebay it went for 600USD, and it was used. I kinda want an *official* test printout to have my specific numbers for each chamber.
THAT's why I asked them. If he had told me "that's just a set price", or given me a valid reason why he just said "two hours" then I would have been okay with it. The bugger didn't even look it up or consult anyone, he just looked in the air for a sec, pulled out a calculator and multiplied 65 times 2. Still won't pay $130+tx for a compression test, but that's another story.
Edit: Frank, I slept in today and woke up at 5pm (damn night shift). After dinner and a movie with the g/f I didn't have time to get out there. I'll pick it up tomorrow.
11-09-05, 09:29 AM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 524
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by vipernicus42
<Snip>The bugger didn't even look it up or consult anyone, he just looked in the air for a sec, pulled out a calculator and multiplied 65 times 2. <Snip>
My favourite experience with a dealership was when I went to look at a used FD. Unfortunately, the FD had sold, but the salemen (two of them) must've smelled money, because they tried to direct me to another car. They said I should stay away from rotaries, because the rotation of the engine has a gyroscopic effect that makes them hard to turn.
11-09-05, 10:36 AM
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Calgary, A.B.
Posts: 407
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by ShaunO
They said I should stay away from rotaries, because the rotation of the engine has a gyroscopic effect that makes them hard to turn.
oh and boxer engines are the worst then. your wont be able to drive straight!
11-09-05, 06:10 PM
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Brampton, Ontario
Posts: 552
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I guess I'm lucky. When I was putting a new engine in my car this summer, I emailed a list of parts I needed to my local dealership, the guy emailed back with pricing (including a 20% discount) and I ordered them...all without ever actually talking or meeting the guy.
11-09-05, 06:14 PM
#12
Rotary Freak
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 1,711
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
[QUOTE=vipernicus42]
I have a regular compression tester, so I have to watch the needle bounce and guesstimate.
I'm surprised nobody has mentioned removing the shrader valve from the business end of the tester. This way it will hold the highest reading. Of course, you'll still need to first test it with the valve still in to confirm relatively even pulses between rotor faces Irregular pulses would mean partial loss of compression on that rotor.
I have a regular compression tester, so I have to watch the needle bounce and guesstimate.
I'm surprised nobody has mentioned removing the shrader valve from the business end of the tester. This way it will hold the highest reading. Of course, you'll still need to first test it with the valve still in to confirm relatively even pulses between rotor faces Irregular pulses would mean partial loss of compression on that rotor.
11-09-05, 07:30 PM
#13
Full Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: state pen
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by vipernicus42
So I went to the local Mazda dealership (Argus, in Hull) to order two thermostats for Joel's FB and mine. Of course there was the regular drama of attmepting to order parts from the dealership, the bickering, the guy trying to figure out how to use the microfiche machine, etc...
But then I decided to ask the guys at the service counter about getting a real compression test done.
"A regular car takes an hour, but rotaries... That'll take two hours, so that's $130"
"Two hours? how do you figure?"
"Well we have to hook the machine to your car's computer and configure it.."
"But my car doesn't have a computer, it's an '84"
"Well it's the same procedure as the Rx8, we have to put it on the hoist and hook the machine to it"
"The Rx8 has to be hoisted to get to the plugs, you can do mine without raising the car!"
"No, because it's the same block, it will take two hours, just like the Rx8"
"I still don't understand why it will take two hours. You open the hood, pull the trailing plug on rotor one, hook up the machine, crank it, then repeat with rotor two. How does that take two hours?"
"Look kid, it does. If you want your compression test, you'll have to trust us".
Geez... Trust them? ..... I think I'd rather stab myself in the eye with a fork. I'm not paying 130 plus tax for a compression test.
Jon
But then I decided to ask the guys at the service counter about getting a real compression test done.
"A regular car takes an hour, but rotaries... That'll take two hours, so that's $130"
"Two hours? how do you figure?"
"Well we have to hook the machine to your car's computer and configure it.."
"But my car doesn't have a computer, it's an '84"
"Well it's the same procedure as the Rx8, we have to put it on the hoist and hook the machine to it"
"The Rx8 has to be hoisted to get to the plugs, you can do mine without raising the car!"
"No, because it's the same block, it will take two hours, just like the Rx8"
"I still don't understand why it will take two hours. You open the hood, pull the trailing plug on rotor one, hook up the machine, crank it, then repeat with rotor two. How does that take two hours?"
"Look kid, it does. If you want your compression test, you'll have to trust us".
Geez... Trust them? ..... I think I'd rather stab myself in the eye with a fork. I'm not paying 130 plus tax for a compression test.
Jon
umm if you check your 84 still does have a ECU just doesnt control fuel like FI models.
just because a dealership has an idiot working behind the counter doesnt mean the dealership doesnt know what they are doing. how much do you expect the guy behind the counter to know, when he is only getting paid like $9-10/hr.
i agree the idiot behind the counter should of replied "thats the cost of a compression test regardless of how long it takes"
come on dealerships cost more for everything and they dont know more than other shops, they just may have ran into a simialr problem more.
dont all franchise dealer charge around $80 when there are many better mechanics out there that charge like $50.
just my $0.02
11-09-05, 10:43 PM
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Brampton, Ontario
Posts: 552
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Brampton Mazda. Talk to Al Davis (al.davis@mazdaofbrampton.ca) who's the parts manager. Tell him you're part of the RX-7 Club and that you want the 20% discount. He made no mistakes with all my stuff, but then I supplied him with all the part numbers.
11-09-05, 10:48 PM
#16
Rotary Enthusiast
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Ontario
Posts: 940
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by dsm.who
an idiot like you is always worth a good laugh
11-09-05, 10:59 PM
#17
Originally Posted by dsm.who
an idiot like you is always worth a good laugh
umm if you check your 84 still does have a ECU just doesnt control fuel like FI models.
umm if you check your 84 still does have a ECU just doesnt control fuel like FI models.
To call that the car's "computer" or suggest that they could possibly "connect" anything to it is rediculous considering
a) it doesn't have an external connector that they could concievably connect to,
b) it doesn't control anything having to do with fuel, ignition or anything else that would be related to a compression test and
c) the "Emissions Control Unit" 's main function is to control all the emissions equipment that my car no longer has.
It's more like a relay box than a "computer".
Just to add a little something that I've since discovered... When I went back to pick up the thermostats today I found out that the "idiot" behind the counter with whom I was speaking is the service manager.
Originally Posted by Aviator 902S
I'm surprised nobody has mentioned removing the shrader valve from the business end of the tester. This way it will hold the highest reading. Of course, you'll still need to first test it with the valve still in to confirm relatively even pulses between rotor faces Irregular pulses would mean partial loss of compression on that rotor.
Taking the valve out makes it not hold the highest reading, which gives you the bounce effect. The default action of the compression tester (with the valve in) is to hold the highest result. Both the needle bouncing and the highest result are useful if put together, as you mentioned.
My bounces are even (thank goodness), I just want *actual* numbers for each specific chamber. I dunno, call me crazy, but it would give me piece of mind to have the specific metric Mazda-tester readouts of each face of each of my rotors.
And as for which dealership I'm going to, it's Argus Mazda on St. Joseph in Hull. Met a really awesome guy in the parts department today. The t-stats weren't in, but he was really friendly and gave me a straightforward, honest answer. I missed the 2pm cutoff for orders from Toronto yesterday so it will be there tomorrow. He said it could arrive anywhere between 7:30 and noon depending on which company they use to ship (it changes almost daily based on availability of drivers, size of order, etc...). That's customer service!
Jon
Last edited by vipernicus42; 11-09-05 at 11:13 PM.
11-09-05, 11:16 PM
#18
GrapefruitRacing?
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: PartSource
Posts: 2,155
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by vipernicus42
Just to add a little something that I've since discovered call me crazy, but it would give me piece of mind to have each of my rotors.
Jon
Jon
11-10-05, 03:11 AM
#19
ERTW
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Ottawa, Canada
Posts: 4,328
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by vipernicus42
My bounces are even (thank goodness), I just want *actual* numbers for each specific chamber. I dunno, call me crazy, but it would give me piece of mind to have the specific metric Mazda-tester readouts of each face of each of my rotors.
here is what a print out looks like from a Mazda Tester:
you can see from this that a Mazda tester can tell you things like a single faulty side seal
11-10-05, 06:39 AM
#20
I found a cool thread on nopistons (yeah I know... but it's cool) that shows how to make your own tester. It's awesome, I think I might just be tempted to give it a try.
http://www.nopistons.com/forums/inde...howtopic=54075
Jon
It's awesome, I think I might just be tempted to give it a try.http://www.nopistons.com/forums/inde...howtopic=54075
Jon
11-10-05, 05:33 PM
#21
Rotary Freak
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 1,711
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by vipernicus42
The shrader valve *has* been removed from my tester. That's why I "watch the needle bounce". The valve came out really easy with a valve stem removal tool I picked up with an air pressure gauge I got at Advance Autoparts in Ogdensburg for five bucks.
Taking the valve out makes it not hold the highest reading, which gives you the bounce effect. The default action of the compression tester (with the valve in) is to hold the highest result. Both the needle bouncing and the highest result are useful if put together, as you mentioned.
Jon
