Discussion
I don't want to put a downer on things but as a new person to this TVR lark I need to ask something
The car I have bought came with a service history, the more recent work being carried out by Thames Valley.
The last invoice (December 2002) was written charging the previous owner two hours labour (£90) for removing manifolds, fitting manifold gaskets and replacing said manifolds.
I have since spoken to two companies (SFR and RT) who both laughed at this and said that none of the manifold bolts look like thay have had a spanner near tham since the car was built.
RT went on to quote me twelve hours labour (thats if all the bolts come out OK) to remove manifolds and fit new gaskets. With the parts I reckon thats about £460.
Can someone please enlighten me - I feel really saddened by my experiences and what I seem to be learning about TVR ownership generally. Is this really how it is ??
>>> Edited by Ren Dao on Friday 11th April 00:19
The car I have bought came with a service history, the more recent work being carried out by Thames Valley.
The last invoice (December 2002) was written charging the previous owner two hours labour (£90) for removing manifolds, fitting manifold gaskets and replacing said manifolds.
I have since spoken to two companies (SFR and RT) who both laughed at this and said that none of the manifold bolts look like thay have had a spanner near tham since the car was built.
RT went on to quote me twelve hours labour (thats if all the bolts come out OK) to remove manifolds and fit new gaskets. With the parts I reckon thats about £460.
Can someone please enlighten me - I feel really saddened by my experiences and what I seem to be learning about TVR ownership generally. Is this really how it is ??
>>> Edited by Ren Dao on Friday 11th April 00:19
In this instance either you have been mislead by the garage offering to do the work, the previous owner or the garage who did the work in 2002. Given that JSG is still a contributing member on this forum and that many people would like it to stay that way I would suggest contacting each party in turn to find out what has exactly happened before you start to speculate in public and cast aspersions on JSG or the 2 companies involved. It seems like a fairly straight forward job to pursue this line of questioning and you may even get some warranty work or recompense from the people who did the work last time.
Just my opinion of course.
Mark
Just my opinion of course.
Mark
ditto what dern said. I get my car looked after at Thames Valley. If the receipt is genuine give them a call, they appear to have a fairly good system for keeping records on cars they have worked on. They are always willing to chat and I would find it very hard to believe they would charge for work that they had not even started!
All imho of course
All imho of course
dern said: Given that JSG is still a contributing member on this forum and that many people would like it to stay that way I would suggest contacting each party in turn to find out what has exactly happened before you start to speculate in public and cast aspersions on JSG or the 2 companies involved.
Just my opinion of course.
Mark
Didn't mean to cast any aspersions, certainly not on John, in my book he's a top banana who paid for the work in the first place.I will phone TV and see what went on.
I had my exhaust manifold gaskets replaced on my V8S recently, as I remember it the gaskets were about £25 from Peninsula and I got a local garage to do the work for about £100. The labour charge you have been quoted seems OTT to say the least! Remember the exhaust manifolds will not need to be removed to replace the gaskets as they are flexible enough to allow removement/replacement of the gaskets in situ (see 'the bible'). I have heard that removal of the bolts can be a pain though if they have not been loosened for ages, however I was lucky!
Ren Dao said:
GreenV8S said: Inlet or exhaust?
Aghh a technical question !!!
Erm inlet, I think, where the manifold attaches to the engine - can it really be done without taking the whole exhaust off - how long do you think it would take?
>> Edited by Ren Dao on Friday 11th April 14:44
I think Pete meant inlet to engine or exhaust from engine - not input to exhaust manifold!
So the rusty bit (exhaust) outside the vee or the Ally bit (inlet manifold) inside the vee, and is the bill for one and the quote for t'other?
Ren Dao said:
GreenV8S said: Inlet or exhaust?
Aghh a technical question !!!
Erm inlet, I think, where the manifold attaches to the engine - can it really be done without taking the whole exhaust off - how long do you think it would take?
>> Edited by Ren Dao on Friday 11th April 14:44
What i think Peter is asking is wether the Dec 2002 manifold gasket replacement was for the inlet or the exhaust manifolds? If they did the inlet manifold, then that would account for the bolts on the exhaust manifold looking untouched.
RT are hedging their bets and guessing that a few of the bolts won't come out and they will have to drill and helicoil the block, so they appear to be adding extra time in to cover that.
If all the bolts do come out OK then it is a fairly straight forward job and the exhaust and the manifold can remain pretty much in situ.
Are you replacing the manifolds? I seem to remember that you had a cracked one a little while ago or did this turn out to be a gasket only?
Andy
Ren,
It was the exhaust manifold gaskets. They quote a 2 hour fixed price even if it takes longer. Bear in mind Steve (who was there at the time) prepares racing Tuscans and they would suggest longer than 2 hours is a rip off.
As per the paperwork you had they said that the exhaust(manifold) needed welding and quoted a labour time for it.
The gaskets look new (or did in Dec) and I saw the car with the manifolds off, so I know the work was done.
Some one may be trying to rip you off now.
Oh PS, can you get it sorted quick and lend me the car for the PH drag racing weekend as now I don't own it I can really give it a sound caning down the quarter mile.
It was the exhaust manifold gaskets. They quote a 2 hour fixed price even if it takes longer. Bear in mind Steve (who was there at the time) prepares racing Tuscans and they would suggest longer than 2 hours is a rip off.
As per the paperwork you had they said that the exhaust(manifold) needed welding and quoted a labour time for it.
The gaskets look new (or did in Dec) and I saw the car with the manifolds off, so I know the work was done.
Some one may be trying to rip you off now.
Oh PS, can you get it sorted quick and lend me the car for the PH drag racing weekend as now I don't own it I can really give it a sound caning down the quarter mile.
JSG said: Ren,
It was the exhaust manifold gaskets. They quote a 2 hour fixed price even if it takes longer. Bear in mind Steve (who was there at the time) prepares racing Tuscans and they would suggest longer than 2 hours is a rip off.
As per the paperwork you had they said that the exhaust(manifold) needed welding and quoted a labour time for it.
The gaskets look new (or did in Dec) and I saw the car with the manifolds off, so I know the work was done.
Some one may be trying to rip you off now.
Oh PS, can you get it sorted quick and lend me the car for the PH drag racing weekend as now I don't own it I can really give it a sound caning down the quarter mile.
Hi John god to hear from you. The work on the manifold - I am told is not vital - it just causes a knocking - suspension and poly bushes just fitted - collecting it this morning - As to lending you the car - sure no problem just let me polish it for you - it will increase the drag co efficient no end
. Hope you are going through a better patch and that you don't find giving up the car too high a price.
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