Keep'emRunning
31st January 2008, 11:20 AM
just gotta vent from a recent experience I had :mad:
Wanted to replace the noisy alternator/AC belt tensioner on my astra G, fixed it myself a few times previously by replacing the bearing in the roller.
Unfortunately this time the bolt holding the tensioner on was well and truly stuck, so had to take it to a well known mechanic in my area (bargwa***s.. the same guys who have a V8 racing team). Asked 'em to swap it over an almost new tensioner I grabbed from a low km wreck, and also -loosen- a stuck oil filter housing cap which I couldn't undo when changing the oil a week earlier.
Got it back, and the noise was still there, they were saying that.. "all astras and actually most holdens make this noise" and that it was nothing to worry about... 2 hrs labour $240
Not only that, but they gave it a full oil change with some penzoil crap, draining out 1 week old expensive 5w30 synth oil and tossing it.. $35
Added onto that, topping up the water with "PH regulated coolant" $16
Was pretty annoyed when I left, but nothing compared to when I got home....
The new tensioner was still on the front seat!
Called 'em up, the guy said he replaced it, but it didn't make a difference, so he swapped it back to the old one so I could take it back and get my money back. Couldn't argue with him at all.
Clencher is.. now that the bolt was loose, took me all of 20 mins to change the tensioner over to the new one, and it's running dead quiet.
Am in 2 minds to call 'em up and complain, but the guy there's a cranky ol' fart who thinks he knows everything about everything.
Phew, feel a bit better now... thanks for listening :D
Wanted to replace the noisy alternator/AC belt tensioner on my astra G, fixed it myself a few times previously by replacing the bearing in the roller.
Unfortunately this time the bolt holding the tensioner on was well and truly stuck, so had to take it to a well known mechanic in my area (bargwa***s.. the same guys who have a V8 racing team). Asked 'em to swap it over an almost new tensioner I grabbed from a low km wreck, and also -loosen- a stuck oil filter housing cap which I couldn't undo when changing the oil a week earlier.
Got it back, and the noise was still there, they were saying that.. "all astras and actually most holdens make this noise" and that it was nothing to worry about... 2 hrs labour $240
Not only that, but they gave it a full oil change with some penzoil crap, draining out 1 week old expensive 5w30 synth oil and tossing it.. $35
Added onto that, topping up the water with "PH regulated coolant" $16
Was pretty annoyed when I left, but nothing compared to when I got home....
The new tensioner was still on the front seat!
Called 'em up, the guy said he replaced it, but it didn't make a difference, so he swapped it back to the old one so I could take it back and get my money back. Couldn't argue with him at all.
Clencher is.. now that the bolt was loose, took me all of 20 mins to change the tensioner over to the new one, and it's running dead quiet.
Am in 2 minds to call 'em up and complain, but the guy there's a cranky ol' fart who thinks he knows everything about everything.
Phew, feel a bit better now... thanks for listening :D