Need advice concerning engine recall.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Grady

It does work like that, you did improve your chances of getting a better job. I did not say it will eliminate your chances of issues. My crystal ball has been on back order for over 30 years, Once it comes in I will help everyone here to avoid all of these issues.

The very best mechanic ever to touch an engine can and does screw up now and then. The very worst can sometimes do perfectly flawless work.
As you said you can try to mitigate the risk but it will still exist.


I generally try to find the dirtiest, grime covered, most miserable SOB in the shop and see if I can wangle getting them to do the work. They are generally the best. And doughnuts and coffee DO indeed make a difference.

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

I generally try to find the dirtiest, grime covered, most miserable SOB in the shop and see if I can wangle getting them to do the work. They are generally the best. And doughnuts and coffee DO indeed make a difference.

That pretty much describes the independent garage I use. There are always 2 too many broken cars in the parking lot, the garage space is full, the owner/operator and his one assistant mechanic are always grimy. But they both always have a smile on their face and act like you are a long lost relative they can't believe they are seeing you again.

I'd trust either of them with a hypercar if I had one.

[TommyW]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

. And doughnuts and coffee DO indeed make a difference.

But,but,but I gave you a donut! Your favorite kind and my car blew up. Did you not LIKE the donut?!

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by TommyW

But,but,but I gave you a donut! Your favorite kind and my car blew up. Did you not LIKE the donut?!

Oh shit can still happen. You just reduce the chance of them telling you to screw off if it does go wrong. You fed them so now you are a real person that they want to please.


Who would you rather try to help out?


The guy that comes in and lectures you on how to do your job, wants to stand over your shoulder as you work and all around is just a pain in the ass?


Or


The guy that brings you coffee and doughnuts, briefly discusses the know issue in a non condescending way and leaves you alone to do the work?

[TommyW]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Oh shit can still happen. You just reduce the chance of them telling you to screw off if it does go wrong. You fed them so now you are a real person that they want to please.


Who would you rather try to help out?


The guy that comes in and lectures you on how to do your job, wants to stand over your shoulder as you work and all around is just a pain in the ass?


Or


The guy that brings you coffee and doughnuts, briefly discusses the know issue in a non condescending way and leaves you alone to do the work?

There is a balance there. Be nice, don't micromanage but have a conversation regarding your concerns. Above all do your research on whoever is doing the recall work. That's how I found my guy that did an amazing job. He sent me photos every step of the way, just such a pleasure to work with. I always pay people extra and show utmost respect to their talents and it goes a long way.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by TommyW

There is a balance there. Be nice, don't micromanage but have a conversation regarding your concerns. Above all do your research on whoever is doing the recall work. That's how I found my guy that did an amazing job. He sent me photos every step of the way, just such a pleasure to work with. I always pay people extra and show utmost respect to their talents and it goes a long way.

And doughnuts!


Maybe it is a Canadian thing but you can get anything with doughnuts.

[TommyW]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

And doughnuts!


Maybe it is a Canadian thing but you can get anything with doughnuts.

Thank God for donuts. Back in the 80's it was illegal substances.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by TommyW

Thank God for donuts. Back in the 80's it was illegal substances.

Those probably work as well!

[Racenut]

I can tell you the guy I bought mine from sure wishes he hadn't had it done. But the state of California decided it was an emissions related problem so required it in order to renew registration. Rod bearing went tap tap tap tap. Toyota wanted a couple thousand dollars just to investigate the issue and denied any responsibility. Sucks when a tech having a bad day ruins your car and you have no recourse other than either pay them to fix it, or pay an attorney to make them fix it. He would have been better off driving it into a ditch, at least insurance will cover that.

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by Racenut

I can tell you the guy I bought mine from sure wishes he hadn't had it done. But the state of California decided it was an emissions related problem so required it in order to renew registration. ....

Actually, I believe it was because it was considered a safety recall and CA requires compliance with all safety recalls. I could be wrong though.

EDIT: Yep, I was wrong, thanks @Tcoat and @Racenut

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

Actually, I believe it was because it was considered a safety recall and CA requires compliance with all safety recalls. I could be wrong though.

Nope. It was because of the emissions. Said it right in one of the documents.

[Racenut]

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

Actually, I believe it was because it was considered a safety recall and CA requires compliance with all safety recalls. I could be wrong though.

They cited "emissions" as the reason. There was a recall for the airbag and possible tie rod failure on my truck. The state never said crap about that. In California, you can drive a bucket of crap rolling death trap and they don't care, just as long as it will pass a smog check

[Ultramaroon]

I would only replace my valve springs if I had to go in there for something else. If anyone's interested in details of the topic, I can explain more. Otherwise, I won't go into the boring stuff. Bottom line, the springs that were going to fail did so very soon after being placed into service. Some statistical outliers took longer, maybe a couple thousand miles.

There's no way in hell I would let someone touch my shit to replace perfectly good springs. They're battle tested. The statistical probability of a failure by this point is, well, damn near zero. That's just how springs behave with respect to fatigue failure when service conditions approach design limits.

I guarantee that seasoned engineers at Subaru/Fuji/Toyota collectively shook their heads in the decision to go forward with the recall, especially after their analysis followed exactly what we've learned to predict over the years.

I did.

[TommyW]

Good ol Calif. for how beautiful it can be it can totally suck.