Good News!

[Haitian_King]

Good news guys!

At first it started off badly. I went to my usual mechanic Mr. Dung to see if he would be able to do my chain guide replacement. (I'd love to have Keith do it, but I absolutely cannot leave my car for a week at his shop.) I got there at 2:15 PM only to find out that he was out to lunch. I was told to come back at 3:30 by the owner Jean-Phillipe. I stopped by on my way to work and spoke with Mr. Dung. I told him what needed to be done. Much to my chagrin, he was quite oblivious to what I was talking about. I had to explain that I didn't need a new timing chain and needed the guides switched from the plastic ones to the metal ones before my chain jumped a tooth and kills the Q. Ordinarily, Mr. Dung works quite well and with much efficiency. He's the one who replaced my injector for me. He does all of my oil changes and he did my initial pan drop and transmission fluid drain. (The flush was done at a BG shop) After I explained that the front cover had to be removed and that the plastic guides were in danger of breaking, he began to understand. He politely declined the job because it was not something he was familiar with.

I asked him if he knew someone who was capable of doing the job. He referred me to a shop that I'd driven by numerous times and have never paid much attention to. I drove to the shop (Really it was about a minute down the road) and talked to the man in charge. He asked what I needed and I told him I needed the chain guides done. I was expecting him not to know what I was talking about. You really shouldn't judge a book by its cover. He knew exactly what I needed done. He told me that he was booked for the rest of the week and that the job could be done next week. I need the guides and valve covers done before the 20th. (That's when I have to move back to campus) I asked how long it would take, he told me that the guides could be done in one day (Not counting the time it would take for the RTV to cure). I was put in a considerably better mood. My disposition was brightened even more when I read his sign. He specializes in Foreign and Japanese vehicles. He's been working on them for 25 years.

I told the Q the good news when I got in and it was quite appreciative. It accelerated like a champion and tempted me to ignore the speed limit on I-295 and just floor it. (Better judgment prevailed and I stayed at a decent 80.)

His labor rate was quite nice as well. He says he starts at $50/hr but depending on the job and the parts, he sometimes goes as low as $35/hr or as high as $65/hr. Really quite reasonable.

I can't wait to get it done. I'm going to ask to watch so I can see exactly what gets done. Then when I get my hands on a non-running Q, I can perform this procedure with confidence.

Once I can stop worrying about the engine, I can concentrate on having the transmission either pulled out and replaced, or rebuilt.

What a relief. Though I should have known better then to fret. In time, the Universe always bends my way.

[ddrumman]

..................................1. His labor rate was quite nice as well. He says he starts at $50/hr but depending on the job and the parts, he sometimes goes as low as $35/hr or as high as $65/hr. Really quite reasonable.

2.I can't wait to get it done. I'm going to ask to watch so I can see exactly what gets done. Then when I get my hands on a non-running Q, I can perform this procedure with confidence. ......................................

1. Man I can't believe some of these prices!! WOW!! the rate is HALF.

2. If I were you I'd videotape rather than just watch. You'll forget quite a bit.

Good luck. I gotta tell you though, I'd still take it to Keith's no matter what had to happen.

[Haitian_King]

If Keith would be able to do it in a day or 3 days max, I'd totally have him do it. He told me after our road test that if I dropped the car off on a Monday, I'd be able to pick it up on Saturday. That's too long of a stretch without a car for me in my current situation. I need to go to work. This shop sort of fell into my lap. Must be one of those "fate" situations. I must be destined to go to this shop.

[ddrumman]

Well.....if you feel good about it go for it. Don't forget, video tape.

[maxnix]

Good luck! Please document.

Between the 10th and the 20th is ten days < week last tiime I looked.

[Haitian_King]

Will do. I believe I'll go armed with my printout of the procedure as well. I can check the steps off and take notes as we go along.

[Haitian_King]

Good luck! Please document.

Between the 10th and the 20th is ten days < week last tiime I looked.

Unfortunately, to be able to afford Q45 maintenance I must go to work. The 5 days that I'd be without my Q and unable to go to work would be quite detrimental to my wallet.

There's nothing worse than having a great luxury car and having it sit in the driveway awaiting repairs because funds are insufficient.