Trouble having work done on my vehicle

[nxski]

Here's the story...

I had some vibration problems, so I took my van to Midas to have it fixed (since I was working and Midas is right next door). They screw up and get the wrong part. So I go again and they fix the u-joints. Unfortunately, there is still vibration which can be felt under foot and in the seat. My thoughts were that it was coming from the front suspension. Because I don't trust Midas, I brought the vehicle in to CVI. Butch was my passenger as I tried to explain my problem, but apparently it's hard to feel from the passenger seat. We both thought it was the fact that I had rotated my tires and the rough tread on the front is now wearing away because the wheel isn't aligned (I will be fixing this problem when I get new tires). Because I drive to North Van from Tsawwassen every day, I needed to use my last day off to sort out any problems, so I asked CVI to replace my fuel filter and do an inspection. Changing the fuel filter really helped with getting the engine to run more smoothly, but apparently everything looked good upon inspection. That being said, I'm a little doubtful that an inspection was done. I was charged a higher amount than quoted for the fuel filter install, but wasn't charged for an inspection (some shops do this for free so I'm not sure, but they did a very quick inspection if one was done).

Since purchasing my Delica, I have yet to leave a mechanics feeling content with the work done, but the point of this isn't to review mechanics. What I'm wondering is, how I can have my vehicle serviced considering I can't take any days off work right now, and, as mentioned before, am relying heavily on my vehicle. When I had my Civic, I would go in for servicing on a Saturday, sit in the waiting room for a couple hours and get a nice clean vehicle back that was running perfectly. Nothing ever came up out of the blue because the mechanics would inspect the vehicle thoroughly and inform you of what needed doing. They would give you an estimate of how long you were alright to drive before coming back and having the problem fixed, as well as being told the cost of the repair (everything had a set price). You pay a bit more for service like this, but I always had peace of mind. Currently I'm missing this level of service and am getting so frustrated dealing with mechanics that I will start contemplating selling my van at times (a horrible thought, I know).

I'm looking for a mechanic that's open on a weekend, that will actually care about customer service and that ideally has a loaner vehicle. Anyone know of this mechanic, or could this be the end of Hermione?

[Firesong]

I know this isn't what you want to hear,
but as to your vibration.. have you taken your auto or manual hubs
apart, cleaned and re-greased them?

FS

[nxski]

I know this isn't what you want to hear,
but as to your vibration.. have you taken your auto or manual hubs
apart, cleaned and re-greased them?

FS

I don't mind hearing suggestions about how to deal with the vibration trouble. In fact, I wish the many mechanics i've taken my vehicle to would suggest things like this and then do the work to remedy it. Unfortunately, as much as I would like to save some money and tackle a job like this, I just don't have any time. Is there any way to know for sure if it's the auto hubs causing vibration? It sucks to pay someone to guess and do lots of work, but never actually fix the problem.

[glenn]

You are suffering from what is know as "I drive a van over 15 years old" syndrome.

My dad used to drive a B-train for a living. One of the mechanics gave him some advice once that I have never forgotten. When my dad brought the truck back one day, he told the mechanic about a mystery sound/rattle/vibration (it's not important what it was). The mechanic had no idea what he was describing. He kind of shrugged his shoulders and said, "it's either going to go away, or it's going to get worse."

I call it a little perspective.

This is the same advice I would give you. Wait, and all will be clear. It will go away, or get worse.

You run a business using your van, you can't afford to be without it. Join BCAA and have a week long white van rental fund in the event of something unforeseen. The most you would loose is 1/2 day of work.

Keep maintaining your van as well as you do, keep listening for strange noises - have an emergency plan. If this still makes you uncomfortable, maybe your right - time to consider a new lease for worry free driving.

[sub-arctic]

if your wheel lock light is coming on, chances are the hubs are trying to lock when they shouldnt. Last winter my auto hubs were screwing up and trying to engage when the van was in 2WD. They arent too bad to look at, if the caps arent too tight, they just unscrew and you can clean the auto hubs out and pack some new grease in, should take about 15-20 mins at most i would say.

[nxski]

No light is coming on, but maybe the symptoms aren't bad enough yet!? It's been suggested that I try RJD for servicing as they're close to my work in North Van. I'll look into that option, I can't figure out what their hours are or if they have a loaner vehicle. I'm surprised shops still make it work with no online presence or even a pre-recorded message on the phone with information about hours. I've attempted to take my hubs apart before but ran into some troubles. How much meeds to be disassembled, or do you just take the cap off and shove some more grease into it? Do I use regular grease from my big bucket or is there something special for auto hubs?

I really don't want to sell my van, my hope is that I can make it work until the end of this year when I plan to move. Then I will have enough space to buy a Mitsubishi Evo and keep the Delica as a project vehicle and use it for camping trips. I do have a back-up plan, it consists of 4.5 hours a day on transit...definitely my last resort!

[del400]

That's a great suggestion Glen.

My dad is a mechanic and he hates the fact that i got the Deli. He doesn't understand how i went from driving a brand new 2010 diesel VW to this.?!?! Sometimes i scratch my head as well about that. But only sometimes. I definitely have my BCCA and just in case even scoped out the local car coops (just in case).

As for mechanics. I've never had any issues with CVI. And They are open on saturdays too (i think). But I understand where you are coming from about trusting that the work has been done. I sometimes stay and just ask to watch for educational purposes (they don't like that sometimes) but I even offer to pay extra because i'm genuinely interested. Then they don't seem to mind.

I totally agree with Glen though. Wait it out.

You are suffering from what is know as "I drive a van over 15 years old" syndrome.

My dad used to drive a B-train for a living. One of the mechanics gave him some advice once that I have never forgotten. When my dad brought the truck back one day, he told the mechanic about a mystery sound/rattle/vibration (it's not important what it was). The mechanic had no idea what he was describing. He kind of shrugged his shoulders and said, "it's either going to go away, or it's going to get worse."

I call it a little perspective.

This is the same advice I would give you. Wait, and all will be clear. It will go away, or get worse.

You run a business using your van, you can't afford to be without it. Join BCAA and have a week long white van rental fund in the event of something unforeseen. The most you would loose is 1/2 day of work.

Keep maintaining your van as well as you do, keep listening for strange noises - have an emergency plan. If this still makes you uncomfortable, maybe your right - time to consider a new lease for worry free driving.

[nxski]

I have BCAA as well and I don't have a problem with CVI. Sometime they are very busy and I feel their work suffers, but it's also an indication that they're doing something right (not open Saturdays though). I was more just trying to give a background to my problem. Rezdiver gave me a good suggestion on my trip with regards to turning up my sound system and forgetting about the problems in order to enjoy the experience. I always think something disastrous will happen and so I worry. If someone told me "keep driving it, the worst that will happen is..." or "Don't drive it, this might happen..." I would feel fine and follow that advice. I feel like I'm a bit of a vehicle hypochondriac.

[pajerry]

I had the same 'problem' with CVI and general maintenance of the truck. They're always great, but its almost like they don't want my money sometimes! I swear I have to twist their arm to work on the vehicle if I would like it done. Its always, "buy this two dollar part and do it yourself, you're a handy guy", or "you don't need that, just drive it until it breaks." etc etc. Hardly a complaint :) Im not sure I would suggest their alignments though, also could be uneven tire wear though.. If you want ass kissing service and smiles in a shiny showroom and then having your oil cap forgotten, and Im pretty sure 3w30 put in your diesel cube van, go to Kal Tire in Richmond.

Alot of the pajero's gremlins have actually fixed themselves through solid usage. No joke, earlier this winter my wipers were blocked, barely working. After some good 4x4 last weekend, good as new. Better than ever. Same has happened with a couple vibrations, noises, rough starts, idle issues etc. over the years. THey kinda work themselves out most of the time. Silly I know.


I'm sorry to see you dump so much into that thing Nick! Didn't you have the Ujoints and work done in the states last year? That didnt work out?

[nxski]

I had the same 'problem' with CVI and general maintenance of the truck. They're always great, but its almost like they don't want my money sometimes! I swear I have to twist their arm to work on the vehicle if I would like it done. Its always, "buy this two dollar part and do it yourself, you're a handy guy", or "you don't need that, just drive it until it breaks." etc etc. Hardly a complaint :)

I've found this too and have told them that I'm too busy to do it myself and am willing to pay for the service. Since I've dropped around $15,000 there in the past 2 years, I would have thought they'd be eager to keep me happy and as a returning customer. I still will be a returning customer, but am hoping I won't be overcharged again and that maybe they will hire another mechanic so they won't have to rush through everything anymore.

I think you've nailed it on the head Pajerry. I'm not looking for kiss-ass service, but it would be nice for a shop to explain what's wrong with your vehicle, set you up with a general time-line that you can expect out of components that are on their way out and suggest coming back again in x months for more work to be done. This allows one to budget for future repairs, have an idea of what's gone wrong when something does go wrong as well as set the shop up for a long term relationship. Consistency in service and good service are things I value just as much as having the work done right. I'm definitely getting uneven tire wear and that is contributing to some of the vibration, but definitely not all of it (It can bounce the van sometimes at slower speeds). CVI has in fact really improve their alignments, they've done two bad alignments for me, but apparently adjusted the machinery and it worked great from October until recently. You're right, I have dumped a lot of money into my van, but I've also driven it A LOT. The u-joints were replaced in Santa-Fe, but I've driven about 80,000km since then with a lift, so I'm not too surprised that they needed replacing again. As I don't make a lot of money, I want the work done right the first time instead of having to pay 2, 3 or 4 times for the same thing to be done, which it seems I have been doing.

[psilosin]

Oh c'mon who are you kidding. With all the money you have dumped into that L300 you know you can't just walk away from it. Face it young Skywalker...like it or not you are married to Hermione.

[Yokohama]

I am thinking a alignment/camber problem. If the tires are wearing oddly because of a camber issue, then you will get vibration and sound from the front.

I would also take this time to have the torsion bars adjusted before you do an alignment so that everything is dialed in.

The torsion bar adjustment should be done with a full tank of gas/petrol, some weights in the front driver's seat that weigh the same as you, and all the seats installed (to simulate normal load conditions). Don't put any other weight in the van when doing the adjustment.

Just if you are interested in learning how this is done: http://www.mdocuk.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=19608

[bionic]

Although there seems to be a lot of people on this forum that support certain shops simple because they like these vans.. which I think is fine, but I have not had good experiences with some because of their lack of true mechanical ability. Sometimes I wonder if people chose a shop simply because they are the "cool" choice, not necessarily the best. If a shop cannot address your issues nxski, use another shop, no reason to have on-going issues with such a simple vehicle. Gary at Valley Alignment in Langley is awesome, and he admits he is not a "fan" of Delica's (or my VW Syncro either) but man that guy is good at what he does. Same with Marty at Amazing Auto...slow as molassas, but he addressed more than a few of my issues just fine, so I keep going back.(trans/IP) I have owned three delicas, and have had 3 different shops do the timing belts/seals/rad etc at the time of purchase, the only one that totally screwed things up (almost cost me a motor ) seems to be the one who's name is touted on this forum as being the best... go figure.

[nxski]

Oh c'mon who are you kidding. With all the money you have dumped into that L300 you know you can't just walk away from it. Face it young Skywalker...like it or not you are married to Hermione.

Sadly, this is very true!

I don't blindly go to any given shop, I understand that some are better than others for certain applications. I also understand that a mistake can be made here and there and as long as it's rectified and doesn't happen all the time, I'm ok with it. As mentioned, the alignment and camber are out which is causing some vibration, the fact that it will be very bad on occasion and that I hear clunking now and then makes me think more is at play. My most recent of many alignments was done at CVI in October, they had their own specs for use on LHD roads and cranked the torsion bars at the time. My torsion bars are still fine, but the alignment, which was working very well for a few months, is now out again.

[sub-arctic]

No light is coming on, but maybe the symptoms aren't bad enough yet!? It's been suggested that I try RJD for servicing as they're close to my work in North Van. I'll look into that option, I can't figure out what their hours are or if they have a loaner vehicle. I'm surprised shops still make it work with no online presence or even a pre-recorded message on the phone with information about hours. I've attempted to take my hubs apart before but ran into some troubles. How much meeds to be disassembled, or do you just take the cap off and shove some more grease into it? Do I use regular grease from my big bucket or is there something special for auto hubs?

I really don't want to sell my van, my hope is that I can make it work until the end of this year when I plan to move. Then I will have enough space to buy a Mitsubishi Evo and keep the Delica as a project vehicle and use it for camping trips. I do have a back-up plan, it consists of 4.5 hours a day on transit...definitely my last resort!

Regular bearing grease should do the trick, just stuff some in the end of the hub if it needs any, I would recommend manual locking hubs, provided you dont rush and screw with them in the cold ( refer to my other thread) But it sounds like thats not your problem anyhow. if your alignment is getting screwed up, I would be taking a look at all the bits that will affect that, so ball joints, control arm bushings etc. They all relate to each other, and the more worn they become the faster other stuff will break.

hope this helps!