Cost of various service shops

[konadog]

I have no doubt that there are lots of mechanics out there perfectly capable of wrenching delicas, but who else has Glen's innovatory of delica parts? I was down there just last week with a key that was stuck in the ignition. Darien knew what was up straight off and so it was out with the shifter and some other bits and pieces and in with parts from a wreck. Great, honest service too, but I guess I'm one of those "core group cheerleaders." What can I say - They know my bus, have lots of experience with them and have a huge store of spare parts - and they treat me like a friend too, so... Ra, Ra, ccautaa...

[marsgal42]

A couple of questions that come to mind, that both follow from some of the "bandwagon" postings:

Are Marigold competent at fixing any other cars? Or do they just botch Delicas?

What is a Delica tune? Are people paying money and not knowing what is actually being done to their vehicles? If the injectors are clean and correctly adjusted, and the timing and boost pressure are correct, the engine will run optimally. There isn't much else you can do with it. The Delica is utterly vanilla in this respect: any diesel-friendly shop can do this.

I wasn't aware I had a demographic...

...laura

[JMK]

Sorry if I continue to give the wrong impression.

-I don't for a minute doubt or dispute that CC Autos or CVI are most probably the pre-imminent Delica Service Shops in Canada. If I lived within a few hundred km's of them, I would most certainly seek them out. I had hoped to take advantage of CC Autos a couple of times when I passed through Coombs but unfortunately I always seemed to be getting there on a Saturday.

- I don't think every positive post about CVI originates from a core group of cheerleaders, especially of late. I do think that when I first joined the forum that dynamic seemed like it was taking place.

So one more time I will simply re-state that I don't subscribe to the notion that you have to drive to the lower mainland to get your vehicle worked on, and I will make the observation that there would appear to be numerous others who own Pajero's or even Delicas that don't make use of the resources on this forum but somehow seem to survive quite well none the less.

I apologize if I put anyone's nose out of joint!

[konadog]

Well, I apologise if I seemed like my nose was out of joint! It's pretty big, but it's straight enough I should also add to what I said above about ccautos' parts supply - they ship out. So if you do your own wrenching, or find a good professional, and you need used parts they can be obtained through ccautos, no matter where you are

[JMK]

Thanks for the tip, it is certainly something I will make use of when the need arises, hopefully not within the next 3 days....

[Drumster]

Jeeze... sorry I asked.

[piyeguyo]

Hi

Don't mean to throw more wood on the fire... But I wanted to give my opinion about the Calgary situation.

Don't agree with the name calling, but at the same time I feel there's not a reliable mechanic here in Calgary, or at least I don't personally know one. I have had my Delica for over 2 years now, and I was feeling good with Pro-Active, but after a few months I realized they're not as good as I initially thought. Just one little example... After 24,000 kms all my belts broke, except for the timing belt and the first time I took my van there, I asked them to replace all my belts... What did they do? Just replaced the timing belt and charged me for all of them. Very expensive shop and I know there are good mechanics working there, but I think they use the new/inexperienced mechanics for doing most of the work, and the client has to face the consequences of this inexperience.

I agree with Green1 in the sense that it might be cheaper on the long run to do the trip to Vancouver and take the van to CVI if possible. They're not a fancy shop, they're honest good mechanics. They work on your problem and fix it. Here in Calgary, it's like most things... Very fancy and expensive shop, pretty faces, but they just want to take your money.

And I'm still looking for a mechanic!

Fabio
Calgary

[Green1]

any diesel-friendly shop can do this.

that's a good theory, and I'd love to believe it, but that theory has already cost me well over $2000 without any success. I'm not willing to gamble on another $2000 when I can likely fix everything for $200 worth of fuel and under $1000 to a shop with experience.

How many shops should I pay good money to to actually damage my vehicle further? (yes, I have now had 2 shops that not only didn't fix anything, but actually damaged the vehicle in the process, and all without being willing to own up to any of it)
I've gone to mechanics that have been recommended by people on this site only to be told that they can't handle the problem I'm having, (No offence to JMK, but the mechanic he recommended me turned me down flat out, though I much prefer that to the ones who refuse to admit they can't handle a situation)
I had another shop who didn't fix anything, burned out all my glow plugs and left my temperature sensor broken in to 2 pieces.... that one cost me $1100 plus the new parts which I ended up installing myself.

My starting and smoking problem has baffled the local mechanics, I'm taking it to the coast where people know the vehicle.

[kb&2dogs]

A couple of questions that come to mind, that both follow from some of the "bandwagon" postings:

Are Marigold competent at fixing any other cars? Or do they just botch Delicas?

Does it matter??? Personally, if anyone asks, I wouldn't trust them to put air in my tires, and that would be anything from my bicycle to my deli. The experience we gained was very very expensive, and there is no room for second chances after that series of disasters we suffered at Marigold's hands. JMHO.

who me?? Bitter??

[loki]

A couple of questions that come to mind, that both follow from some of the "bandwagon" postings:

Are Marigold competent at fixing any other cars? Or do they just botch Delicas?

Does it matter??? Personally, if anyone asks, I wouldn't trust them to put air in my tires, and that would be anything from my bicycle to my deli. The experience we gained was very very expensive, and there is no room for second chances after that series of disasters we suffered at Marigold's hands. JMHO.

who me?? Bitter??

indeed, everything they touched on my van had to be redone at ccautos, for the DRL install they twisted the wires together and wrapped electrical tape around it and not very well either. that isn't a deli specific thing, if they do lazy side of the road emergency duct-tape and bailing wire fixes then I wouldn't trust them to wash my windshield.

[Erebus]

Okay, I think JMK and Green1 have to stop talking at each other. Agree to disagree? Or just be disagreeable, and the rest of us can be spectators.

That said, I am one of those in Calgary who has now twice had CVI do work on his Deli. My take on Calgary mechanics:

1) Kirkham. Great, I've been going for years with previous vehicles (any they are walking distance from home). They now seem to be servicing a dozen Delis. The problem is, they don't do diesels or IPs or turbos, so can do anything except the engine. And the shop they normally send diesel stuff to, a small diesel specialist, won't touch Delis. Okay, I'd rather a refusal than a botched job, but still frustrating. I'm hoping we'll get enough Delis to Kirkham that they'll get a diesel mechanic. We're getting close to the numbers

2) Pro-Active. Shop that Crusher (my importer) used. Supposedly great for Land Cruisers. I took mine there for belts and coolant heater. Took a long time, heater's hose clamps weren't tightened, so I had a coolant leak that destroyed the alternator. Hearing Fabio's story of the ripoff makes me worried that they actually did all the belts.

3) Stevos. Are VW specialists, have worked on White Mule's vehicles before. Traced down my Injection Pump leak. Fixed the coolant leak while having the alternator rebuilt. But they overtightened the fuel lines (according to CVI). Took quite a long time to do the work. They were willing to rebuild the IP if I supplied the kit. To me, the jury is still out on them. That's why I went to CVI at Easter (combined with vacation & off-roading/camping) to have the IP rebuilt. (Stevos also will not send anyone to GCL anymore, they've been hugely overcharged by them.)

So, for me, the result in Calgary is:
1 - excellent, but limited (Kirkham)
2 - I won't go near (Pro-Active and GCL)
1 - I'm uncertain about. (Stevos)
And that's why CVI has seen me.

JMK, can you post the info about your mechanic, or the Kimberley mechanic? I'd love to have someone closer than Vancouver.

[JMK]

My guys have had a look at this thread and have sat back scratching their heads. One of them, Greg, has told me just to keep them as far away from these sorts of public squabbles as possbile, hence I'm keeping to your request and I'm done posting on this subject. He has also confirmed what Green1 said, and that is they are not really interested in doing a complete engine rebuild, the closest they would come would be considering a complete engine swap. They also would not do the fuel system items such as acoustic timing or Injector testing and rebuilds, so perhaps it would be time to investigate an alternative closer to home such as THompson Diesel in Kamloops. Unless CVI has the ability to bench test injectors with the proper equipment or do the timing acoustically I will continue to deal with Diesel injection specialists for that sort of thing.

In the meantime they have my Delica in Calgary right now, the details of what they are doing are partly contained in the L300 technical section.

Having said that, if anyone wants to PM me I'm happy to see if I can get things teed up, as has happened already.

[Erebus]

I'm keeping to your request and I'm done posting on this subject.

John, if you are referring to what I said...

I think JMK and Green1 have to stop talking at each other [emphasis added].

I only meant that you and Green1 should be sent to your respective rooms <grin>, not that you should stop posting. You always have good info to share.

[JMK]

Thanks Fred,

You're right, although of course I'd just prefer to lock the pedantic Green1 in a padded room and throw away the key... (just kidding, I must admit he has posted some useful information that I have taken advantage of, but I don't tell anyone where I got it from!) <grin>

Now wait a minute, maybe I got it wrong, in fact wasn't it Erebus that is pedantic ('railroad tie'?) and Green is........

[Erebus]

in fact wasn't it Erebus that is pedantic ('railroad tie'?) and Green is........

Hey, I'm not pedantic, I drive a Delica (and if you get that pun, then you are as sick as I am). Or am I pelagic? In Calgary? HAHAHAHAH