What to do??

[IDB1]

+1 to LGF's suggestion

I also agree with a lot of the people on here Dr S, he should really be told about the car (i guess it will be after you;ve done the work now) but definitely nees to be told.

With pics of the really bad stuff if poss

 

[daj]

There is rampant rot in both sills which has spread into the floors, the seatbelt mounts are heavily corroded with large holes for and aft. Both rear suspension radius arms are rusted out and have cracked, the brake pipes are rusted to the point of bursting and that's just the back half. I'm only halfway down the car. I have been scraping rust off all day.

Does not sound to me to be roadworthy or "fixable" overnight, if its as bad as your saying it would be nothing but dangrous to advise the chap he is driving a accident waiting to happen? :?

 

[Dr S]

I have called him (answerphone) and told him the score.
There is no way it's going to be completed by breakfast time (when my next job comes in) so I'm going to concentrate on getting it roadworthy for his trip home.
Brake pipes are changed (seized solid unions :roll: ) already and just need bleeding. Carpets are out and I'm going to cut out and repair the seatbelt mounts next.
Rear radius arm is going to be a problem but I think a good solid plate over the crackwill get him home.

I've just found lots of play in the front wheel bearings and the rear grunions are worn to add to the woes.

I'm hoping to get away for midnight. If he wants the work doing properly in the future then fine. Such a shame, it's quite a nice old smoker.


@Andy,,, yes you are right. Family should come first. They are growing up so fast. I'll only get one chance to see them grow up. Consider my wrists slapped. Cheers mate.

Right, crack on!

 

[kaya]

Si, If this old fella relay has been having the car serviced and mot'd at the jag main agents. Then I would ask him to come round and look at the condition the vehicle is in.

If its 3 months or less since the mot I would get VOSA involved, Or ask the service manager from the main agents to call round and inspect the vehicle.

This may not be the only car there sending out of there workshop in a unroadworthy condition. Poor workmanship in the motor trade should be a thing of the past be it "backstreet" motors or "main agents" we all have to work to the same standard for mot work.

Tell the old fella let it be his problem and go home to your family, see you soon mate

 

[hamster]

Wise words Kaya.

And Doc: you are too kind and I think that your customers are (unknowingly) exploiting you. You have the ethos of a craftsman, but you and your family deserve to be paid sensibly.

A lot of the best business decisions lie in deciding what NOT to do.

And I do agree that for a rustbucket car like that it probably needs VOSA involved...

 

[lewis1641]

definately have a chat with vosa.

what was the outcome of this?

if you are happy to do extra work for a nice quy i'll bring my beetle for waxoyl - in needs a floor on one side, both heater channels and a rewire!

 

[Dr S]

definately have a chat with vosa.

what was the outcome of this?

if you are happy to do extra work for a nice quy i'll bring my beetle for waxoyl - in needs a floor on one side, both heater channels and a rewire!

Feck off, already too much german junk in here at the moment (Porker engined Karmann Ghia and a Splittie Dormobile)


I went OK. I got finished before midnight and made the car safe enough to get him home. No charge :roll:

Its now booked in for January for the work to be done right. A couple of weeks worth of work. Looks like the Jensen wont be getting its gearbox sorted then as january is usually my month off to sort out my own fleet.

 

[Dr S]

For Lewis, al and all the other Beetle Botherers...
Today's patients at The Surgery.

 

[IDB1]

Like both of those Dr. . . . some crackers in your websites gallery too

 

[al]

They look a tidy pair.

al.