How do you choose an auto repair shop?

[Zach]

I need to take my car in ASAP, to be looked at and have some cooling system stuff replaced (maybe a cracked water pump). Plug wires are acting funny too..

But, anyway, how to I choose a place? I have one last person to ask for ideas on where to go, but if he doesn't know it's like rock-paper-scissors. There's a GM certified place close to here ("GM GOODWRENCH SERVICE PLUS" as the yellow pages say), there's a few places with nice big ads.. all ASE certified. One has a Jesus fish or something (what's up with that?).

Anyone? Should I just call them all, pretend I know what I'm talking about and see who can BS the best and sound smart? Maybe who has the lowest hourly rate, but I bet that doesn't matter.

Edit: I have a 1990 Chevy Corsica, BTW. With the 3.1 FI.

 

[Pacfanweb]

Don't pay much attention to the ASE certifications. Nearly every mechanic in nearly every service station has one. They aren't hard to get, only requiring general knowledge. They are also very biased toward GM products.
For diagnosing tough problems, you're generally better off going to a new car dealership, if it's a fairly large one. The techs there have access to test equipment and data that independent shops do not.
If you are dealing with simple stuff like water pumps and plug wires, if you can find an independent shop that is reputable, you might have good luck there.

 

[GasX]

This technique sounds simplistic, but I have had good results with it.

Find a mechanic who has a 60's muscle car or two in the lot or better yet on a lift. I guarantee the guy is a good mechanic with a passion for cars. If you have something like a Saab, Volvo or Mercedes, look for a mechanic with those cars in the lot.

 

[Rage187]

DO NOT GO TO A DEALER, you will be paying for more than your getting..

I agree with the whole thing about checking too see what kinda cars he is presentley working on..

 

[MooseKnuckle]

One of my best friends owns a Nissan only shop. Cuz of him, all I buy are Nissans. It's refreshing to know I can take my car to him and not get "hosed".

 

[Suicidal]

Yup, I bought my Audi from a private Audi/VW garage. At least i know they can work on the things.

 

[gittyup]

Word of mouth. Ask your friends who repairs their cars...

 

[Zach]

Yeah well, nobody around here can recommend anyone. It's a college town, and the only people that I know have lived here a while are professors, who as far as I've seen don't drive American cars anyway.

I've been looking at it more too, I shortened one of my upper radiator hoses to see if it helps. It's either that hose, or the water pump is leaking, or something else in there is spurting fluid onto the belt.

Anyone know if I can just hose off my engine, BTW? If I could wash all that green fluid off of the belt I sould get a better idea of what's leaking.

 

[SuperSix]

Word of mouth. Ask friends, relatives.

 

[Zach]

<< Word of mouth. Ask friends, relatives. >>



They are 80 miles away, my friend guesses I can drive about 10 before it dies/ceases.

 

[Zach]

Nobody has a good idea of what questions I could ask over the phone?

 

[Bleep]

Go to the shop and have a look at the tools and the equipment that they have. If there are a lot of pipe wrenches-big hammers-big prybars-crecent wrenches stay away.
Bleep

 

[JohnnyKnoxville]

go to Sears buy a cheap tool set and do it yourself.What are you afraid of breaking a fingernail?

 

[RossMAN]

Word of mouth, I'd ask relatives, friends and co-workers who own a similar car where they take their car to?

 

[BarbeQueGuy]

Reputation is important for any businessman, that is why everyone is telling you to ask someone local. Any mechanic that gives you answers over the phone without looking at your vehicle may not be trustworthy, at least in my opinion.

You can hose off your engine, just make sure it is running when you do it, this will help keep it running. I can remember in my younger days turning it off to wash it and not getting it started till it dried out. If it starts to run rough, stop hosing it down, also try to avoid anything electrical or very hot (exhaust).

 

[Zach]

<< go to Sears buy a cheap tool set and do it yourself.What are you afraid of breaking a fingernail? >>



Like I know how to fix this? I'm afraid of making it worse smart guy. I can play with the hoses, but I don't know how to change a water pump or something like that. I'm thinking about trying though, I have a friend who used to own an auto repair shop. I hate to ask for favors too much though..

I'll probably pick up one of those repair manuals for it though, but I have to have this working by the 15th, might not give me time. Now it's raining too, I'll have a hard time judging how much water is flowing out.. I'll have to swipe a cat litter pan or baking pan if I go for a drive.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

I suggest you look for a place that is recommended by AAA. This should pretty well ensure you are not ripped off.

 

Luck of the draw

Your best bet is by word of mouth.

I am (And have been) a tech for twenty years,Have worked for all the major auto makers and gas stations/repair centers.

 

[UnixFreak]

Ask a tow truck driver. Seriously, they hear the good and the bad everyday, when thier customers ride with them. Generally they know where the good shops are. I know, I used to be one, I figured out in a couple of months the good shops in town, and I would refer people to them all the time. And the driver isnt going to recommend a bad shop, because that reflects badly on his company also.

 

[Thegonagle]

Great advice, UnixFreak.

Try this link to Cartalk Mechan-X-Files

 

[perry]

Check here. Tire Rack's installer page. I checked my zip code and I recognize a few of the shops as having a good reputation. Most of them should also do general work as well. That engine is common enough that most mechanics will have seen it before and should be able to easily diagnose it.

 

[WordSmith2000]

Unix: good advice.
Also, you could do this: Get the manual out (or download this information), and find out what the scheduled mtc is for that car. Then call the local dealer and see how much they will charge to do the mtc. Then start calling local shops and ask the same thing. Most honest repairmen will tell you that most of the things that the dealer &quot;charges for&quot; are services that they offer for free...or will say are not needed. Repair shops that want to gouge you will try to charge for everything on the list, and more.

Also, ask them how they determine their rates. If they say they use Chilton's, you will at least have a way to make sure they do not hose you on the labor charges (where the majority of the cost will lie). Being in a college town, you are likely to get hosed no matter what. Wash off the moter, let it dry, then try to see where the leak is coming from. It could just be a loose hose (which you can tighten with a flathead screwdriver), all the way to a cracked intake manifold (toss out the car, it will cost more than the car is worth to replace it).

OBTW...
Replacing the water pump on a chevy by yourself???? LOL you have to be kidding if you think you can do it yourself. If the coolant system is pressurized, you may not even want to try to replace the hose!

 

[Emulex]

1. Find an enthusiast website. Im not sure but i think there may be a chevy 4 banger website.

2. Ask for references in your area.

3. Go to a small shop. They charge only $50/hr labour.

4. Talk s**t with the mechanic, see what he knows.

5. In my case, my mechanic, who is awesome, drives the same car. Werd.

 

[Zach]

Is it that hard for the water pump? I'll stay away if the water pump is tough. All my hoses have those springy connectors too, crimp connectors? I don't know what they are called. I cut the end of one of the hoses like I said, to see if it would help. I need to wait for all the water and antifreeze to dry out before checking again though, because it's either flying off of the belt somehow (like if the pump leaks) or it was that upper radiator hose connection.

I love UnixFreaks idea though, there's a good one! I never thought of that. Of course, I probably don't want to ask the tow truck place that has it's own shop.

 

[Ameesh]

<< Word of mouth. Ask your friends who repairs their cars... >>



i agree