"We don't work on Diesels" - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

bgkast · #1 11-03-2006, 07:15 PM

Today I went out to the local European import mechanic to get an estimate on tightening down my driveshaft clamping nut (I don't have a big enough wrench) and to have the oil changed while it was up on the lift. As I pulled into the parking lot the mechanic was looking at another customer’s car.

Him: "Need some work done on that diesel?"
Me: "Yes, but it's not diesel specific. I was wondering ...
Him (interrupting me): "We don't work on diesels here."
Me: "All I need done is to have the clamping nut....
Him (interrupting me again): We won't touch them. They stink up the garage.

Tired of being interrupted I spun gravel out of that lot as fast as I could. Glad I don’t have to try to get work done on these cars on a regular basis. :fork_off:

SirNik84 · #2 11-03-2006, 07:28 PM

I have a friend like that. he is a Mechanic. he tells me... Diesels are to complicated, and messy. not worth my time. I think that is a bunch of bull. I have to admit that every time i work in my car i get greasy stops on me where i can't see them, miss them in the wash after working on my car. i'll walk into the house and my setp mom will point them out to me... i call them "Mercedes Hickys" but thats because i love my car... But complicated... thats a bunch of bull. i asked him, "if a gas engine only takes 3 things to run: Air, Fuel, and Spark. wouldn't an engine only needing Air and Fuel be simpler, not more complicated?" he always replays "Diesels are just not my thing."

I say screw them. I mean its only money the guy was talking away from... who wants money?

SootyPast · #3 11-03-2006, 08:07 PM

I was an arrogant tech in another life. Working and living down the coast in so cal and I would not touch the diesels. They did indeed cramp my style at the time. Cleanup was at least twice as long. That meant I was going to be late to the gym and even later to the Red Onion... and even later to bed again... 25 years later and indeed another life, I love to work with them. It is a mindset/way of life. I wish I had spent more time with them when I was younger. The technology has really come around in the last 20 years though. We have a diesel that won Le Mans this year. That alone says a ton. I do see some of the more affluent tuner types gravitating towards the hi performance tdi's, especially from Audi in europe. My dos pesos.

Hit Man X · #4 11-03-2006, 08:13 PM

They stink up the shop LOL Lazyass bastards.

#5 11-03-2006, 09:01 PM

I prefer to ONLY work on diesels.

Gassers are sloppy, cheap, inefficient and overcomplicated.

Gurkha · #6 11-03-2006, 10:25 PM

They don't need your patronage, all the Euro car garages in Staten Island NY did work on diesels without any trouble, unfortunately, you came across a snob where you live.

catmandoo62 · #7 11-03-2006, 10:25 PM

forced you forgot one (gassers stink up the garage)gas now days is some of the most obnoxious stuff on the planet not to mention the rotten egg smell out the tailpipe.

POS · #8 11-03-2006, 10:59 PM

Be glad you left - I wouldn't do business with a garage like that.

networkboy · #9 11-03-2006, 11:45 PM

My mechanic (was the PO's guy for about the last 12 years or so) said that while he agreed the car was worth less than the total work that it needed, and thus my doing most of it myself was a good idea, he also said he was going to miss the car as it was one of his favorites to work on

Took the PO for a spin last week (mechanic had the car last month to inspect some of my work)* both were blown away by the changes and performance improvements.**
Knowing the mech liked the diesels (both he and his partner (dad?) argue over who gets to play with them) made me much more comfortable letting them work on the car. Telling them "no hurry, I've got my truck to drive" means they are a not trying to squeze it in between the yuppy soccer moms screeching for their SUVs to be done yesterday.
When was the last time you changed the oil ma'am?
I dunno, can you fix it?
Yea but I'll need to order parts and there may be some more damage when I get in there.
I need it tommorow
Sorry, can't do it.
I'll go to the dealer then!
ok.

(nevermind that JJ is at least 5 times faster than the dealer for anything I've enquired about)
-nB

* I figure paying someone who really knows the cars $50 to double check me on the stuff I'm not so sure on is not a bad deal. He said he could tell it wasn't done by a pro, but it wasn't bad either.

** amazing what you get from the real simple stuff (banjo bolt, block a leaky ERG and it's vac line, other little bits).

pawoSD · #10 11-04-2006, 02:47 AM

Our gasser has proven itself to be far more messy than our diesels over the past few days, our minivan's engine spewed oil all over the driveway on Wednesday when my dad got home, big puddle on the ground, and drips leading up to it, he put it in the street and put cardboard under it, oil all over the place, no reading on the dipstick. I looked underneath and it looks like there's oil ALL OVER the underside of the engine/frame/etc... We think it may be the rear main seal on the engine, its a common failure on those engines.

The pan was not damaged, and I couldn't tell if the oil filter was the culprit, I will have to inspect further in the next few days. its a POS. It pings and knocks when cold, it guzzles gas and makes no good power, the cooling system is overheating again (fan/relay failures) and now this massive oil leak. Oh, the tranny leaks too now, forgot to mention that.

As for not working on diesels, the shop we used to go to, an indy mechanic, for minor stuff, one day refused to work on our cars anymore, saying "diesels waste my time, don't bring it back." We were not pleased, and now go to the dealer only. (they always do an excellent job) Thankfully dealer visits have been extremely rare. Last time I had one was January for an alignment, $134, and I was all set. Plus I got to watch a Plasma TV in the waiting room and had free cookies and coffee!

MBeige · #11 11-04-2006, 03:10 AM

You should have left with a huge cloud of smoke, and stink up his garage good before taking off.

#12 11-04-2006, 03:11 AM

Just park near an open door and let it idle a little while.

bgkast · #13 11-04-2006, 04:13 AM

When I sped off I'm sure there was some smoking!

JWJ · #14 11-04-2006, 05:08 AM

I have been told this before too more than once.

One mechanic flatly told me he charges extra because 'the diesels' are so dirty.

My answer - And gas fumes smell so good?

I got the impression it was ignorance on their part.

Ara T. · #15 11-04-2006, 06:34 AM

My dad's mechanic who did the brakes for me told me he doesn't like working on diesels, cause they're evidently dirty. He did compliment my dad's choice on getting a car safe enough for a teenage driver.

Everyone knows diesels put out dirty sooty exhaust, but how's that make it dirtier for the mechanic? Does he run the engine and just breathe in the fumes or what?