Okay, when I bought my Spitfire last year from the DPO, I knew it
needed some work. but little did I know the horror that lie before me.
Around Mid March (17th to be exact), I took the little inca yellow car
out of winter rest and found the brake lines to have air in them.
"No problem" I thought "I can handle that". After 2 hours of bleeding
and no results, I threw in the towl and lumbered the car to the local
repair shop. "Not a big deal. Even though they're not British car
mechanics they can bleed some breaks. And while they're at it they
can weld the broken muffler mount back on."
Note: this was the first mistake that lead to a downward spiral.
Well, after a week of them fidgeting with my car, they instruct me
that my uv joint is bad, and the need to replace the valve cover gasket
due to leaking oil. Among other things (aside from the gasket, the
UV joint replacement, a new exhaust pipe (after manifold upto but
not including muffler), and "remounting the muffler" using a large
rubber-looking piece of hardware attached to the frame of the car, &
I pick-up the car 3 days later (to the tone of $615).
One week later, my hydrolic clutch goes out (lost fluid somewhere).
So, after attempting to unsuccessfully bleed the clutch (I really should
have just bought the stupid vacuum bleeder) I take it back to the same
shop (my parents of course swear by these guys). I figure "Hey, they
just need to bleed the hydrolic clutch. You don't need to be a specialist."
Note: I must have been high on something that week. I don't kno what
I was thinking.
A week later (I love the way they mechanics get around to working on my
car.) I get a call...'Well, the clutch is not a problem, but you need new
break shoes on the rear', so I figure "hey, if they got to do it, they've got
to do it. another -$360 to my bank account. I picked it up on a Saturday
eve.. Oil is getting blown out of every seal on the engine. Of course I can't
talk to anyone because they don't get in until monday...so the LBC sits....
Note: You'd think I'd have learned by now right? also I find out later they
change the shoes, but not the cylinders.
Okay, I call the mech on that monday "Dude, there's oil blowing out of every
oriface on the engine and orifaces that weren't even there before. What's up?"
Mechanic "we didn't touch the engine, must be cooincidence that it happened
right at the same time as you picking it up." Okay. My parents have trusted
this guy for past 20 years. I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt.
Note: I think I'm actually getting more stupid every day that passes.
I take it back to the shop. Another three days pass (I think they have a
"u-store it
for a week THEN we'll look at it policy). "Well, you've blown all he seals on
the lower half of the engine. And since we're changing the seals, you should
let us change the timing chain and timing gears." Two days later: "We can't
get the parts until next tuesday. and the blowing of the seals was caused by a
venting problem from the carbon canister blowing into the engine. But we
fixed it.
(They didn't). Rather than wait another 5 days for my car, I offer to get
them
the parts from a parts place in VA. That weekend, It's ready
again (to the tune of $420) (plus the $140 I paid the parts place for the
parts).
Note: I have had a total of about 10 miles of use out of my car for a total of
$1395 so far. over a 3 week period.
I pick the car up on a Sunday this time...The car is STILL blowing oil out
of the
dip stick (while it's in with a new seal) AND the car is now idling at 1500 rpm
(These guys have a misunderstanding about the fact that it's a Spitfire 1500).
The next day I drive it DIRECTLY to a Triumph MGB specialty place. (I have to
go out of town for a week) I pick up the car yesterday (Wed.)
Mechanic for the great job he's done replacing the cracked intake manifold, the
screwed-up venting that the other mechanics caused, replacing the idiotic hose
configuration they had going to the carbon canister, a new distributor, The car
soudns FANTASTIC. It's humming like a well-oiled british beauty. I've got
exactly
$600 in the bank. The Cool mechanic says "I'll cover you for a month" you
can owe
me the other $180 of the $780 bill." ME: "GREAT! You guys are the best!"
I'm almost in tears having been apart from my beautiful yellow LBC for so
long (a
month and a half now.)
(Grand total so far, $2175) in a time-frame of about 2 months. BUT
THE CAR IS MINE AGAIN! I'M HAPPY.
That is until, I got 20 miles down the road and threw a rod.
Now, I've borrowed $125 to have the car towed back to VA. I have no money
to have any further repairs for atleast a month. My question is:
Does anyone have a gun I can shoot myself with?
-Terry Dumb Previous Owner '76 Spitfire (Rest in Peace)
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