a big leak... but i dunno where its comin from... :'(
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From: Houston, Texas
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From: Australia
2003 Ford F350-gone 2002 Mercedes C200 Kompressor 1998 Suzuki Vitara 1995 Mercedes C180-sold
"Even if"? I don't know how they are down in Oz, but in the Great White North it's pretty much a given that the techs here will employ the trial and error method of troubleshooting at the customer's expense. And these are techs at the corporately controlled dealerships. No indys here in Vancouver. I certainly hope your techs are better than ours.
It took MB 18 months, 6 trips to the dealership, 2 clutch masters and 2 clutch slave cylinders to figure out what was causing my clutch pedal to get sucked to the floor. And even at THAT, *I* was the one who told them about the TSB concerning that particular issue. At $100/hr shop rate I'd expect them to be more expiditious and not just start swapping parts on my nickel because they ran out of ideas.
A coolant leak is actually relatively simple as far as troubleshooting goes: there are only a certain number of places that coolant is likely to leak from unless something catastrophic has happened. And generally speaking, catastrophic failures tend to require little toubleshooting to spot. You just have to be able to get a look from underneath as well.
It took MB 18 months, 6 trips to the dealership, 2 clutch masters and 2 clutch slave cylinders to figure out what was causing my clutch pedal to get sucked to the floor. And even at THAT, *I* was the one who told them about the TSB concerning that particular issue. At $100/hr shop rate I'd expect them to be more expiditious and not just start swapping parts on my nickel because they ran out of ideas.
A coolant leak is actually relatively simple as far as troubleshooting goes: there are only a certain number of places that coolant is likely to leak from unless something catastrophic has happened. And generally speaking, catastrophic failures tend to require little toubleshooting to spot. You just have to be able to get a look from underneath as well.
I wouldn't pay on principal! My mum always said, If your going to buy something, buy the best that way you only have to buy it once! Simmilar idea for the car too, I dont care what it costs me or how long they have it provided it is fixed 100% and they havent taken the **** out of me by replacing working items. Although I dont fully know how honest they are, my cars appear to run very well (touch wood).
BUT
If my car took 18 months to fix a problem, it would be 2 heavys dropping it off to the dealer, let them negotiate, better money spent than $100 p/h shop rates!
Anyway, slightly sidetracked here, what is or was it that was wrong with Jens car anyway I wonder???
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From: Vancouver, BC, Canada
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I wouldn't pay on principal! My mum always said, If your going to buy something, buy the best that way you only have to buy it once! Simmilar idea for the car too, I dont care what it costs me or how long they have it provided it is fixed 100% and they havent taken the **** out of me by replacing working items. Although I dont fully know how honest they are, my cars appear to run very well (touch wood).
BUT
If my car took 18 months to fix a problem, it would be 2 heavys dropping it off to the dealer, let them negotiate, better money spent than $100 p/h shop rates!
Anyway, slightly sidetracked here, what is or was it that was wrong with Jens car anyway I wonder???
My point is that, up here at least, the "Factory Trained Techs" can't troubleshoot their way out of a garage with an open bay door, AND they charge $100/hr shop rate. Given that they are "Factory Trained" and charge such a high shop rate I, as a customer, would expect to not have to troubleshoot the problems myself. Which, ultimately, is what happens. Now I troubleshoot the problems myself to the extent that I can and give the shop and itemized list of things to check and/or replace. Furthermore, I only go to them if the job(s) require tools or equipment that I do not have access to.
To put it into the context of this thread (somewhat), you said take it to an MB specialist. Even if they rob you, at least it's fixed.
First of all, there's no "if" about it - even MB corporate dealerships will rip customers off.
Secondly, you're saying that you wouldn't pay on principle. But in the very next sentence you're saying you don't care what it costs as long as it's fixed. So which is it?
While I agree with your mom's advice there's a difference between paying a fair price for buying the best and paying too much for the perception of quality.
ANd finally, No, we still haven't heard back from Jenn as to the source of her coolant leak.
Perhaps she's an Edmonton Oilers fan and is mourning their recent slide in the standings. :lol:
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 147
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From: Australia
2003 Ford F350-gone 2002 Mercedes C200 Kompressor 1998 Suzuki Vitara 1995 Mercedes C180-sold
Of course I didn't pay for all of the hours and parts that MB put in.
My point is that, up here at least, the "Factory Trained Techs" can't troubleshoot their way out of a garage with an open bay door, AND they charge $100/hr shop rate. Given that they are "Factory Trained" and charge such a high shop rate I, as a customer, would expect to not have to troubleshoot the problems myself. Which, ultimately, is what happens. Now I troubleshoot the problems myself to the extent that I can and give the shop and itemized list of things to check and/or replace. Furthermore, I only go to them if the job(s) require tools or equipment that I do not have access to.
To put it into the context of this thread (somewhat), you said take it to an MB specialist. Even if they rob you, at least it's fixed.
First of all, there's no "if" about it - even MB corporate dealerships will rip customers off.
Secondly, you're saying that you wouldn't pay on principle. But in the very next sentence you're saying you don't care what it costs as long as it's fixed. So which is it?
While I agree with your mom's advice there's a difference between paying a fair price for buying the best and paying too much for the perception of quality.
ANd finally, No, we still haven't heard back from Jenn as to the source of her coolant leak.
Perhaps she's an Edmonton Oilers fan and is mourning their recent slide in the standings. :lol:
My point is that, up here at least, the "Factory Trained Techs" can't troubleshoot their way out of a garage with an open bay door, AND they charge $100/hr shop rate. Given that they are "Factory Trained" and charge such a high shop rate I, as a customer, would expect to not have to troubleshoot the problems myself. Which, ultimately, is what happens. Now I troubleshoot the problems myself to the extent that I can and give the shop and itemized list of things to check and/or replace. Furthermore, I only go to them if the job(s) require tools or equipment that I do not have access to.
To put it into the context of this thread (somewhat), you said take it to an MB specialist. Even if they rob you, at least it's fixed.
First of all, there's no "if" about it - even MB corporate dealerships will rip customers off.
Secondly, you're saying that you wouldn't pay on principle. But in the very next sentence you're saying you don't care what it costs as long as it's fixed. So which is it?
While I agree with your mom's advice there's a difference between paying a fair price for buying the best and paying too much for the perception of quality.
ANd finally, No, we still haven't heard back from Jenn as to the source of her coolant leak.
Perhaps she's an Edmonton Oilers fan and is mourning their recent slide in the standings. :lol:
Yep you are 100% correct
I will pay top dollar to ensure a job is carried out correctly, whatever that job may be.
However, when I feel I have had the **** taken out of me......well I guess it depends on the scenario e.g. If I were you and my car was fixed the first time properly but for $1000 more than it should have cost.......At least its fixed and I couldn't care less.
But If........
Had I payed either by money or time, for a job to be not done, or only done after me getting upset, or worse, me diagnosing myself, no I wouldn't pay, nor would it be me they would be dealing with.
I hope this helps any confusion.
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From: Australia
2003 Ford F350-gone 2002 Mercedes C200 Kompressor 1998 Suzuki Vitara 1995 Mercedes C180-sold
Hey I forgot to add too:
I have a good friend high up at a Toyota Dealer, he Is forever telling me how his technitions get confused by anything other than a service and tune up. He laughs it off but he says this is because of Toyota's build quality that rarely do these guys need to use their brain! Perhaps its the same as MB techs?
I have a good friend high up at a Toyota Dealer, he Is forever telling me how his technitions get confused by anything other than a service and tune up. He laughs it off but he says this is because of Toyota's build quality that rarely do these guys need to use their brain! Perhaps its the same as MB techs?
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Edmonton
300 E
you guys are the best... lots of reading but helpful to say the least..
AND YHLIEM i have full confidence in the oilers... hahah.. that was funny though.. there slide in the standings is all a. . . Stratogy. "A fan" hah u dont even know the half of it.
Anyways back to my problem..
i have determined.. well i THINK that the problem is not my rad because if it was my rad the coolant would continue to leak when my car isnt running.. correct me if im wrong.
so i went through and for like an hour looked to see if i could see the leak.. or feel the leak and i CANT.. ugh its so frusterateing..
i was told by some guy to put some stop leak stuff in my rad.. but i dont know if that would be a good idea or not because .. lets me honest here its not an echo or something and to put some liquid with little black ***** in it into my cars engine didnt seem like a good idea at all.
i've been so busy lately and like to be honest havent taken it in anywhere.. i will call tommarow and see when i can get her in to see someone... untill then she will stay parked on my drive way
ill just drive my other car till then.. its heart breaking but im scared something else will go wrong if i drive it. thanks so much for all the info you guys..
ill post again when the leak is found and let you all know..
thanx
AND YHLIEM i have full confidence in the oilers... hahah.. that was funny though.. there slide in the standings is all a. . . Stratogy. "A fan" hah u dont even know the half of it.
Anyways back to my problem..
i have determined.. well i THINK that the problem is not my rad because if it was my rad the coolant would continue to leak when my car isnt running.. correct me if im wrong.
so i went through and for like an hour looked to see if i could see the leak.. or feel the leak and i CANT.. ugh its so frusterateing..
i was told by some guy to put some stop leak stuff in my rad.. but i dont know if that would be a good idea or not because .. lets me honest here its not an echo or something and to put some liquid with little black ***** in it into my cars engine didnt seem like a good idea at all.
i've been so busy lately and like to be honest havent taken it in anywhere.. i will call tommarow and see when i can get her in to see someone... untill then she will stay parked on my drive way
ill just drive my other car till then.. its heart breaking but im scared something else will go wrong if i drive it. thanks so much for all the info you guys.. ill post again when the leak is found and let you all know..
thanx
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2010 VW Golf TDI
Pretty woman with a nice W124
Another possibility that hasn't been mentioned yet is your water pump. Water pumps are designed to "weep" coolant when the bearings start to fail. If undetected for a while this weeping can turn into a flow which results in a mysterious coolant puddle under the car. Typically there's a weep hole or hose on the water pump. For some reason, MB waterpumps cover up the hole with the fanbelt pulley making diagnosis difficult at times.
I would never use any kind of stop leak anywhere, except a tire. I would keep a large container of water on hand and limit my driving. It may start to leak faster, so be careful and get to the shop.
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From: Vancouver, BC, Canada
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But, don't worry, I won't hold it against you...as long as you can accept that I'm a die-hard Canucks fan Are you finding puddles (or drops) of coolant under your car? If so, where, in relation to the car, are you finding it/them? towards the front/back of the engine? Right side vs. left side? Only in the belly pan?
Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Edmonton
300 E
k wow i FINALLY got the benz into a shop.. can you beleive it?... hehe cause i cant. again thanx for all the help you guys and i will get all the information on what the hell happened to her from the guys at the shop and relay it all back to everyone.
they were quoteing me five months before i could get it in anywhere before but i called today and he was so annoyed with me calling so many times he was like.. 'okay just being it by and ill take i look at it' ... i was so happy hah. the down fall is that he told me NOT to drive it there and to get it towed in because he didnt know what was wrong and something really worse could happen. so now i have to pay and arm and a leg to get it in there, and because its so low i dont even know how they are going to tow it at all.
so all in all its good new about the benz.
thanks everyone for all there help on this.
they were quoteing me five months before i could get it in anywhere before but i called today and he was so annoyed with me calling so many times he was like.. 'okay just being it by and ill take i look at it' ... i was so happy hah. the down fall is that he told me NOT to drive it there and to get it towed in because he didnt know what was wrong and something really worse could happen. so now i have to pay and arm and a leg to get it in there, and because its so low i dont even know how they are going to tow it at all.
so all in all its good new about the benz.
thanks everyone for all there help on this.
