Ripoff mechanics

ajbuwalda · Post by **ajbuwalda** » Wed Aug 31, 2011 5:30 pm

The ea81 push rod engine is pretty basic, however after i went to ask a local mechanic if he had a thermostat housing spare he tried to convince me that before i do anything to the motor i should take it in to him to do the timing belts.

Now anyone with a simple knowledge knows that there is no timing belt on this motor, they are timing gears. Anyone had this problem of being riped off? Also why did car companies ever get rid of timing gears for belts? After 300k the ea81 timing gears were still the exact same as they were when they were built and timing belts have to be replaced every however long, isnt that a waste of time and money?

littlewhiteute · Post by **littlewhiteute** » Wed Aug 31, 2011 6:23 pm

I'd give him the benefit of the doubt, and assume he didn't know about the Brumby having a pushrod OHV engine.

Any OHC engine will be chain or belt driven, some pushrod OHV motors are gear driven from factory, some are chain and can be altered to geardrive.

Belt drive is the most quiet, but they have a service life and should be replaced at 60000-150000km depending on the engine manufacturer.

If you feel he trying to rip you, ask him for a quote including parts breakdown, make sure you stipulate "EA81" engine.

And ask for the old belt back.

Silverbullet · Post by **Silverbullet** » Wed Aug 31, 2011 6:29 pm

littlewhiteute wrote:And ask for the old belt back.

Good one

I had a similar sort of experience over the phone, was desperately looking for EA81' head gaskets and calling everywhere. One guy said he wouldn't recommend doing head gaskets myself because it's a wet sleeve engine

mud_king91 · Post by **mud_king91** » Wed Aug 31, 2011 7:16 pm

i wouldnt give him benefit of the doubt... every mechanic iv worked with is retarded to boot and doesnt know the difference between a piston and a valve i remember working for one guy who told me to put engine oil in the power steering as its the same thing ( it,s not)

sven '2' · Post by **sven '2'** » Wed Aug 31, 2011 7:42 pm

Note you are in SA

See Steve at Rising Sun Gepps X 8349 6960 for any servicing requirements.

Reckon he'll probably know the difference between an EA82 and 81

Brumby Kid · Post by **Brumby Kid** » Wed Aug 31, 2011 7:55 pm

A Reputable chain of South Aus Subaru dealer / mechanics i went to didn't know what the ea81 in my brumby was. (pussrod / overhead cam ) I was asking about head gaskets. Im 15 and I knew which one it was.

discopotato03 · Post by **discopotato03** » Wed Aug 31, 2011 8:20 pm

Pussrod , err different .

A .

ajbuwalda · Post by **ajbuwalda** » Wed Aug 31, 2011 8:57 pm

I am quiet tempted to drop the car in there and see if he tries to chage me for a job that just isnt possible

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Wed Aug 31, 2011 8:58 pm

Book it in for timing belts and new thermostat housing ! Some parts listings would have you believe EA82's were in Brumbys.

sven '2' · Post by **sven '2'** » Wed Aug 31, 2011 9:00 pm

ajbuwalda wrote:I am quiet tempted to drop the car in there and see if he tries to chage me for a job that just isnt possible

Why go searching for a war? Just move on

FROG · Post by **FROG** » Wed Aug 31, 2011 9:17 pm

ajbuwalda wrote:I am quiet tempted to drop the car in there and see if he tries to chage me for a job that just isnt possible

thats not an overly outstanding way of starting a relationship

may I suggest he hasnt had much to do with the old stuff and has thrown it in the ej basket ??? maybe too optimistic ? I'd like to think not

sven '2' wrote:Why go searching for a war? Just move on

+1

steptoe wrote:Book it in for timing belts and new thermostat housing ! Some parts listings would have you believe EA82's were in Brumbys.

yes I have come across such listings in my endevours - had me confused and asking questions

discopotato03 wrote:Pussrod , err different .

A .

+1

Matt · Post by **Matt** » Wed Aug 31, 2011 9:32 pm

steptoe wrote:Book it in for timing belts and new thermostat housing ! Some parts listings would have you believe EA82's were in Brumbys.

+1
Also been asked if MY Series 2 Brumby has a Series 1 on EA71!!! And also once whether it has an EJ in it! lol

spike · Post by **spike** » Thu Sep 01, 2011 12:23 pm

steve at rising sun or paul at subawreck
i havent delt with steve personally (keep meanign to go in and meet him) but ive only heard good things

paul and the team can be a bit over the top, rude and whatnot but ive never had a problem with them.

can i ask who this mechanic was? not a name and shame thing cause to me it doesnt sound like one of the really dodgy people just a computer jockey

daza · Post by **daza** » Thu Sep 01, 2011 1:44 pm

Cheap mechanics are not cheap when it takes them four times as long to fix things cause they don't know the car.
Pay a bit extra for an expert and it'll be done quickly, and done right.
in Adelaide Subaru expert = Steve.

sven '2' wrote:Note you are in SA

See Steve at Rising Sun Gepps X 8349 6960 for any servicing requirements.

Reckon he'll probably know the difference between an EA82 and 81

Daza.

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Thu Sep 01, 2011 3:43 pm

steptoe wrote:Some parts listings would have you believe EA82's were in Brumbys.

Yep! My local parts joint is becoming really good at deciphering the parts book! The L series also seems to be the black sheep of the subaru family in a few ways including the parts book!

Cheers

Bennie

greeny · Post by **greeny** » Sat Sep 10, 2011 6:37 pm

i had a melbourne subaru service centre quote $300 for a tube of sealant for the transmission pan seal as they thought it was leaking from there. I had looked at it myself before i took it in and it was NOT leaking from the pan seal, otherwise I would have done that myself. Needless to say i told them not to fix it and took the car elsewhere.

Brumby Kid · Post by **Brumby Kid** » Sat Sep 10, 2011 7:11 pm

I may already have said this but i went to subaru to get a quote for the headgaskets. $2500. I then went to a Auto store out at geps cross, and they said for a DIY valve regind kit $125. If that is my problem i know which one im choosing even if i have to do it myself.

Cheers Cam