Thread: Mechanic question

If the coolant level was low due to leaking, I would expect them to at least top it up before allowing the vehicle to be driven away.

If the cooling system only had water in it, I don't know that I would expect them to automatically drain and replace with coolant unless I had asked them to do that when booking the vehicle in. But I would expect that any decent mechanical place would at least offer to do that for you - obviously there would be a cost.

Depending which vehicle it is, it's probably not a bad thing that they did not just replace the water with coolant in any case without first discussing it with you. I'd rather they leave water in it (and top it up if necessary) than put in the wrong coolant and charge me for it.

depends on the mechanic.

my normal mechanic wont do anything unless i say so. he wouldnt replace it with coolant if i hadnt agreed to it.

my local mechanic, who i only go to for quick jobs or emergencies, will do everything that he thinks is needed without asking. sometimes the bill gets nasty.


if you didnt ask for the coolant to be replaced, i wouldnt of expected it to be replaced.
examples like this is why its good to talk to the mechanic before he starts anywork. go through your aims and what you think is required. he will say what he thinks is required to achieve your aims.

Originally Posted by Eevo

my local mechanic, who i only go to for quick jobs or emergencies, will do everything that he thinks is needed without asking.

Time to find a new mechanic...

Originally Posted by FeatherWeightDriver

Time to find a new mechanic...

yeah, like i said, quick jobs or emergencies.
an example, the power steering on the the disco wasnt working properly, was intermittent. very dangerous on the freeway. because it was intermittent i assumed it was a particle causing a blockage (even though its meant to be a sealed system).

so i asked them to flush it to try n remove the blockage. turned out the pump was knackered. so he replaced it. i cant remember the price now but i was 2-3 times the price if i had down my own shopping.

did he fix the problem? yes.
is he dodgy? no. he just wants the problem fixed. he is quite honest. one time on another car he told me the problem had gone away, but he dont think he fixed it.

I can only speak from a personal perspective.
I have had to quote for many similar jobs in the past (water pumps, head gaskets, blown hoses etc) and as part of that quote I will always include the correct type and quantity of coolent required. I then present the quote to the customer before commencing work. Some are happy to give the go ahead over the phone if the price is agreeable. Some may question if it really needs this and that.
So in short, yes. I would ALWAYS expect that the coolent is changed and not just topped up or just water added. remember that the coolent lubes the water pump seals and adds significantly to the cooling system efficiency.
I think its sounds half arsed to be honest.

Cheers

Nino.

Thanks all. Yeah is a land rover place i just thought it was odd. My sister had a free spare wheel cover when hers was in the other week, so i was a not surprised to not have new coolant put in my vehicle. Or at th3 very least been asked if id like them to. I know its a small thing but its put a disappointment aspect on an otherwise happy with them experience. Just means tomorrow ill replace my own coolant.

If a core plug needed replacing, then a considerable amount of coolant would have been lost.. If I were doing the job and had found water in the system, it would have all been dropped and new coolant put in. Any job that requires fluids to be dropped, should then have new fluids used when replenishing.. Just my opinion tho and std practise in the Ag Shop at work. New always used unless the customer is on a budget and specifically asks for old back in...

Im just not sure to ring up and talk to them about it. Im not one to complain normally but i do think coolant should have been put in.