Bit of a moral dilemma regarding mates rates.

[hackett]

Hey folks.

I'm a part time mechanic working on cars more as a hobby but i also do repairs for mates etc. Well i took on a coleagues MG that had a blown head gasket. I quoted the guy mates rates £100 for the whole job and said it would be done that weekend. Anyway i took the head off and saw the extent of the damage. It turns out after i quizzed him that he drove it for 8 miles after it overheated and so after it boiled there was no water and the temp guage was in the red.....but he kept driving until it died completely! Low and behold the head is mega warped and beyond skimming.

Because of this a mate who works at a local engineering place had a look at the block and sure enough it too is warped so the engine is duff.

I told the guy and he asked if i would change the engine and i said ok. But as my wife says i'm too nice and didn't ask for any more money.

Now the engine is out and i've now got to find why it over heated in the first place which could take a day, then i got to source, collect and fit an engine all for £100!

I'm starting to feel like a mug especially because i'm skint and could have done more proffitable work but i'm spending my spare time on this pile of st.

Now the wife says i would be out of order to ask for more cash whilst the engine is out as he doesn't really have a choice but my argument is the engine was shagged before (car wouldn't start at all) so having no engine is no worse than before.

I don't want to make things awkward between me and him but i need the cash......would i be out of order whats the general concensus??

[AlexKP]

I think you just need to have an honest chat with him. If he really is a mate he won't have any problem and would be mortified at the thought he was costing you time and money.

[funk odyssey]

You took on the job for £100 -- it's changed considerably


Offer to do it -at cost if you want or give the whole pile of bits back and let him keep his £100

[Prof Beard]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Nail.. Head...

[Incorrigible]

I've got a spare B engine you can have (unknown state) where abouts are you ?

Re your question: is your mate likely to help you out to the tune of several free days work ?

The answer to your question depends on that IMHO.

[Gargamel]

When you quoted him, you probably though it would take four hours (or something) so £25 an hour.

Tell him it might now take four or five times as long - and work upwards 16 hours times £25

Tell him you won't be offended if he chooses to take it somewhere else..... I bet he doesn't

[The Moose]

Can I be your mate...please :-)

[TheEnd]

yep, you'll just have to tell him 100 quid was for a head gasket swap, but as everything else is fked, it will cost more.
If he complains, take 100 off him, bolt the headgasket in there loosely and tell him he's on his own again.

If he wants to be an arse, then he's not much of a mate

[Jasandjules]

Bottom line, if it had been as he said it would have been done. BUT, as it is now completely s***ed, it's going to take a LOT longer. So I'd just tell the mate what has happened and now it is completely s***ed, there is no way it will be done quickly and will take you a lot longer, which quite frankly you can't afford to do.... A mate will see no problem with that.

Oh, and can he help you out in the same way in future?

[Jonny671]

I'd definately want more money, and wouldn't feel bad about it..

I'm too generous with my money I gave someone £20 to fit a radio for me, it took him 5 minutes.. But he went out of his way to do it for me so its fine.

Same with your mate, he should feel fine with giving you extra money. I'd say even an extra £100 would sound fair really.

Have a chat with him and see what he says, if he gets arsy.. Do the job, but add the cost on the next job he wants doing

[Silver940]

If he's a mate he won't expect the extra work for the same price

[hackett]

Thanks for replies its not an MGB its a frigging MG TF not sure i understand what you mean about several free days work mate.

I think i need to have a chat with him but I also think i should have said initially i wanted more, oh well you live and learn.

This is the lump i need lol

[MonkeyBusiness]

This is going to go on and on because if there is a fault with the new engine, you will be at fault/called upon.

[cs02rm0]

I'd just slip into conversation how much longer it took.

[hackett]

Thats also a worry because i should have added he is leaving our work in 2 months and he owes our boss £2000 as he just bought his car off him so he needs this mg fixed to sell it other wise he ain't getting a good reference lol

This is better than any soap i tell ya!

[TheEnd]

MonkeyBusiness said:

This is going to go on and on because if there is a fault with the new engine, you will be at fault/called upon.

i'd even say it's up to the other guy to sort out the engine, that's gonna be a couple of hundred for starters anyway

[Nolar Dog]

I'd explain to him that the situation is worse than you both imagined (ie: engine swap) and you'll have to charge him more to cover your time and effort.

I'd up the amount to £150-£175 and put this one down to experience.

In future I'd offer to check the car over first to determine what needed doing then quote a price.

[Ron Burgundy]

It is a case of hit and miss, you had the oppertunity to charge him for more money but that time has now passed and cant be found again.

Next time think about the task at hand and empty thier pockets!

[Incorrigible]

hackett said:

Thanks for replies its not an MGB its a frigging MG TF not sure i understand what you mean about several free days work mate.

Dunno why I just assumed B

If the new engine you get comes with the engine harness (ecu to injector multi plug section) I'll buy it off you, as least you can get a few quid back

Free days work - I've got a mate who needed a plate welded on his Land Rover, no problem says I, bring it down I'll do it in the evening. Cue a 2 AM finish, with much "sorry mate I had no idea" from him and much "Don't worry" from me. 4 months later in the only sun we had all summer He put in 8 hours mixing concrete for my extension

I have another mate who needed a similar amount of welding done, I quoted him £300.

[ridds]

Why it overheated? It's a K series, they do it for fun.

I've got one to do next week.

Also, what would you do in 3-6 months if it goes again? Is he going to want warranty with it?

I'd tell him that you want more, an engine swap can be a right pain in the ass.

Also you are too cheap, I've just done a gearbox swap for £150 and that was a right pain in the ass! Found out Citroen would want £600 just to change the clutch!

Still, you live and learn.