Never EVER am I going to a dealer again!!!

Was easy to be well rounded when there was like 4 types of Carby, 2 brands of fuel pump. And points were points.

Now there’s 500+ ECUs
Multiple brands of injection
Endless configurations and control systems

If you can be an all-rounder in that environment you’re doing very well (and you have about $750,000 in diagnostic equipment and tools!)

Is there a extend warranty /insurance we can purchase?

By the looks of it, any car problem can be solved with money....

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Originally Posted by martnH

Is there a extend warranty /insurance we can purchase?

By the looks of it, any car problem can be solved with money....

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Often very expensive and don’t cover a lot!

Wow you lot are worry warts! I had factory warranty and that was it... couple of “good faith” dealer fixes done. For the last 4 years nothing but servicing.

Effective repairs are done by suitably educated individuals - find one if you’re not will to tackle it yourself.

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Originally Posted by discomatt69

My observations on 2 occasions, first was at a Toyota dealer with a company supplied work van, I kept an eye on what was going on through the workshop doorway because I was waiting for the car. Service was done by a young apprentice and spent about 45 minutes working on the car, oil, filters, check brakes shake exhaust. Car was parked up at the side of the workshop for another 40 minutes with no one touching it. Another older tech then spent 10 minutes plugging in the laptop and checking for faults. A full 2 hours was charged for...Yep cheaper hourly rate than LR but...
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We could harp on forever....[bighmmm]

Just a couple of exact costings.

January 2018,the van i drive,toyota dealer,small service,oil,filter,other checks,$167.86

September 2012,LR dealer,D4 in for a couple of warranty things,i asked them to replace oil and filter as it had done 10000k's from new,$352.30.Yes,thats almost 6yrs ago,imagine the cost today.....would be well over $400.
Both vehicles take very similar quantity of oil,but D4 is slightly more expensive as is synthetic,but not over $200 more[bigsad]

Thats the last time i went to an LR dealer,and the first time since 2004.Always used my indi.

I have both invoices in front of me.

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Originally Posted by johntins

On this: two things. 1, the engine conversion would throw most "technicians", although, having said that I have no idea how much of a "conversion" it actually is. 2, often in workshops I would find that a 'particular' job would be given to a 'particular' person, as they "always did them and had no problems". Well, of course they had no problems, because they "always did them". One wonders, how does someone else learn how to do them?

These days, we have "specialists", in other words people who choose NOT to do certain things. The days of a well rounded mechanic seem to be over.

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The conversion is very simple, exactly the same block with bigger pistons and different crank, its still got the 3.9 heads and injection. The mechanic did the conversion, ran his own shop and in "his" opinion was a good well rounded and well trained mechanic. He was also a LR "specialist". It just went to a LPG specialist to fix the running issue and another LR indi who I still use and am very happy with.
If you need to have a particular person to do a crank seal I would suggest the workshop needs some new staff...

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Originally Posted by Tombie

Was easy to be well rounded when there was like 4 types of Carby, 2 brands of fuel pump. And points were points.

Now there’s 500+ ECUs
Multiple brands of injection
Endless configurations and control systems

If you can be an all-rounder in that environment you’re doing very well (and you have about $750,000 in diagnostic equipment and tools!)

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But i think the general consensus is if the 'all rounder' stays away from european vehicles,you won't need anywhere near $750,000 worth of diagnostic equipment,and still have a good business,and make a good living,and a few are very good at what they do.They only work on the common garden variety mainstream Jap,Korean,Thailand made vehicles.
Thats what these guys seem to do.

Those that do European vehicle seem to specialise in one or maybe two brands at the most,and are often very good at what they do as well.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tombie

Was easy to be well rounded when there was like 4 types of Carby, 2 brands of fuel pump. And points were points.

Now there’s 500+ ECUs
Multiple brands of injection
Endless configurations and control systems

If you can be an all-rounder in that environment you’re doing very well (and you have about $750,000 in diagnostic equipment and tools!)

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I actually agree. However, the discussion has largely been based around incompetence. If a workshop puts up a sign with a Green Oval on it, then someone driving a car with that same Green Oval should be able to confidently expect some expertise on their car from that workshop. If they were lucky, their problem would have been that one that "that person" specialised in. Otherwise they are in the lap of the Gods, unless their car is still one within the warranty period.

Ok, I know that it's ridiculous to expect a modern LR workshop to have someone still around that knows about swivel bearings on a Series IIA. However, the point is, swivel bearings on a IIA are not rocket science. Neither are carburettors. I would suggest that if the workshop in question does NOT have the expertise to diagnose and fix a problem, then they should say so, prior to accepting the work.

Not interested in self effacing excuses for ignorance.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tombie

Often very expensive and don’t cover a lot!

Wow you lot are worry warts! I had factory warranty and that was it... couple of “good faith” dealer fixes done. For the last 4 years nothing but servicing.

Effective repairs are done by suitably educated individuals - find one if you’re not will to tackle it yourself.

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Haha. Yes things are not cheap at the JLR dealers. JLR dealer charges as much as a Mercedes one.

Well I am pretty confident as I can read and follow manuals. And willing to purchase proper tools before commencement of any repairs... But I do wonder if I myself overestimate my abilities..

Have to say some of the manuals are so well written....

So questions to all,,, what is the difference between guys like me and a experienced Mechanic? Given I follow manual 100%?

Is it that if the repair is straightforward and nothing goes wrong, then no much difference between my work and that of an expert? It is those screw-ups moments shows the experience?

Cheers
Martin

Do mechanic follow workshop manuals?
Do/should they know any more than that? And do anything outside the manual?

What books do they read?

Cheers

The key to mechanicing is diagnosis, a skill that many modern day mechanics rely on a computer to perform.