From: jsb@ecl.psu.edu
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: I HATE SHABBY MECHANICS
Date: 10 Sep 92 15:36:46 EDT
Distribution: na
Organization: Engineering Computer Lab, Pennsylvania State University

In article <1992Sep10.014029.6801@posms.cactus.org>, rick@posms.cactus.org (Rick Kirchhof) writes:
 
> I can see what you mean.  I wonder what you would say to a well meaning
> shop owner when he asked if you wanted your timing belt replaced at
> 70,000 miles on your late model hi compression engine (you DO read this
> group don't you).
> 
> I wonder what YOU would say when your neglected timing belt (or any other
> part) caused a major breakdown 100 miles down the the highway after you 
> declined the repair and shamed the shop owner for asking.

This is a very good point, but sadly, it's probably also a very isolated
example. VERY few other parts on an average car can fail with no 
warning and produce anywhere near this much damage.
  
> As others posting here have noted, This isn't your fathers Oldsmobile.
> According to the Secretary of Transportation, the amount of information
> needed to repair ALL models of cars manufactured in 1965 was 5000 pages.
> To have similar information on todays cars requires over 1/2 million
> pages of data.  New people entering the auto repair profession need to be
> highly motivated, skilled as an electronics technician, and willing to
> learn at the rate of 5+ study hours per week JUST TO KEEP UP.  This
> assumes that they already know it all.  The same report mentions the level
> of professional prestiege that skilled automotive technicans enjoy. 

This is EXACTLY why most of todays auto mechanics are totally INCOMPETENT.
Typically, they don't have multiple degrees in computer science, mechanical
engineering, etc. If they did, they certainly wouldn't be getting their
elbows greasy in the local Ford or GM repair shop. Most small town 
dealer service techs that I've had dealings with in the past, didn't
know as much about the car as I did... The only reason I ever took my
vehicle into the dealer shops was either because it could be fixed free
(under warranty) or because I knew I didn't have the necessary special
tools to perform the job properly.
In all fairness to these "technicians" however, you really can't expect
them to really understand the complexities of a modern automobile when
they only pay these guys $10-$12 and hour at best. (At least in my area)
In order for these guys to really know what the hell they were doing, 
they'd have to be educated to a level much closer that that of the 
engineers that designed these hi-tech systems in the first place.
  
> Until you learn what is needed to do the job you criticize, listen to
> customer complaints such as yours, pay for your own tools and training,
> and then provide for all the employee benefits with your own post-tax
> earnings because you are "contract labor" you know not whereof you
> speak.

Taking criticism, listening to complaints, and buying tools are tasks
for chimpanzees... Insignificant compared to the knowledge that
todays automobile service technicians *should have*.

I doubt that things will even change though. The competition in the
market place dictates that as little money as possible be spend on
educating and maintaining competent repair technicians. These poor
guys will keep right on replacing sensor after sensor, with their
shotgun approach defect analysis.. And they'll keep right on replacing
timing belts without realizing the importance of properly syncronizing
the counter-rotating balance shafts. When the customer asks why the
engine doesn't seem quite as smooth as it used to be, the poor 
under-trained mechanic will just shrug his shoulders and insist 
that everything is fine... Afterall, the ignition scope doesn't
show anything wrong. "Don't worry fella... it'll smooth out in
a few miles.. the new parts just aren't quite seated in yet."
Another customer get the shaft... (no pun) and sadly, he probably 
convinces himself to live with the screwup because the "technician"
is supposed to know a lot more than him.

I don't have anything against dealer machanics PERSONALLY. It's
the whole bullshit auto maintainence system that really sucks.
I can't think of any other large group of "highly-trained professionals"
that is enshrouded by such a huge cloud of horseshit.


Greg Granville
jsb@ecl.psu.edu
 
 
 
 



            

From: chin@hpcc01.corp.hp.com (Frederick Chin)
Date: Fri, 11 Sep 1992 20:11:07 GMT
Subject: Info on ISUZU Amigo
Organization: the HP Corporate notes server