Seeking competant, honest, reasonably-priced auto service. Am I asking too much?

[Muggins]

Hi there,

Used to be on these forums here a lot but haven't for quite some time.

As the title says, I'm looking for a mechanic/technician who's competant, honest and reasonably-priced in the Barrie area. Am I asking for too miuch?

Can I get some recommendations or advice on a good, reliable service shop in or around the Barrie area, or even an independent mechanic who can do some wrenching on myh '02 Golf TDI?

Thanks, Gary

 

[CanadianALH]

Hi there,

Used to be on these forums here a lot but haven't for quite some time.

As the title says, I'm looking for a mechanic/technician who's competant, honest and reasonably-priced in the Barrie area. Am I asking for too miuch?

Can I get some recommendations or advice on a good, reliable service shop in or around the Barrie area, or even an independent mechanic who can do some wrenching on myh '02 Golf TDI?

Thanks, Gary

@MrCypherr and @P2B are Ontario boys I’m sure they will have a good starting point

 

[P2B]

Club members have had good things to say about V Dubbs in Innisfil for more than 10 years, although I have never used them myself.

Anyone know anything about "V-DUBBS" shop in innisfil?

I Drive past this place a lot. Seems the guy has a shop/garage in his backyard etc. Located just east of the hwy400 on Innisfil beach sidrd... Believe the sign on lawn says "V-DUBBS, volkswagen specialist" or something to that effect. Just wondering if anyone has heard of or has any...

forums.tdiclub.com

My go to guy for anything I don't want to do myself is Perjad at Precision Tuning in Vaughan, also in business for many years.

 

[Muggins]

@MrCypherr and @P2B are Ontario boys I’m sure they will have a good starting point

Anyone know anything about "V-DUBBS" shop in innisfil?

I Drive past this place a lot. Seems the guy has a shop/garage in his backyard etc. Located just east of the hwy400 on Innisfil beach sidrd... Believe the sign on lawn says "V-DUBBS, volkswagen specialist" or something to that effect. Just wondering if anyone has heard of or has any...

forums.tdiclub.com

Thank you for the quick response and recommendations, gentleman. I do appreciate your help. I did do business several times a few years ago with VDubbs and the personnel did work which resulted in no comebacks so the competancy seemed fine. But there was not one instance where I did not get the dreaded phone call reporting the need for additional work and his prices were definitely no bargain. Plus he complained that he didn't like working on VWs over 20 years old. I did not get the warm and wanted feeling, that's for sure. During COVID he treated customers or me at least like I had the bubonic plague. No entry; drop keys through the door slot, payment over the phone. Key and work order in car upon retrieval. A bit weird.

I miss the old days of wrenching with TDI club members. I guess those are long gone. Is that correct?

 

[burpod]

time to do it yourself. what do you need done? almost all the info is on here. most of it is quite easy if you hace a couple tools

 

[P2B]

I miss the old days of wrenching with TDI club members. I guess those are long gone. Is that correct?

Most of the members whose cars I have wrenched on decided to move on and sold their MK4:to me

Haven't had much face to face contact with members since I moved to Muskoka...

 

[MrCypherr]

Id goto Precision Tuning if thats within your travel range. Heard nothing but good things with them. Not sure Barrie area, Unless you can find a local member thats willing to help with some things.

 

[Windex]

I do my own wrenching, but point friends and family to perjad @ precision. Have not had a bad outcome yet. Latest was my nephews newer golf going to perjad last month

 

[Johhny04]

I also recommend Perjad at Precision Tuning Motorsports. For stuff I can't do, he is my go to guy.

 

[Muggins]

Precision Tuning sounds good, however, Vaughn is a considerable distance. Not like I can just go home - I'd have to wait there or at least the vicinity.

Wish there was somewhere recommended in or around Barrie.

Latest problem is the fuel tank straps both dissolved - corroded. Currently using a pair of ratchet straps holding up the tank. But the cross member mid-car I'm using for support is also badly corroded and it's the only spot I can see to hook on to. The vile substance that dissolves snow does an equally good if not better job at dissolving metal.

Also getting the flashing red light (master caution?) which of course the owner's manual offers no clue as to the cause. Coolant and oil are both normal.

There's also a loud hissing noise on acceleration - likely a turbo-related air leak either charge-air or exhaust side. Could that cause the flashing red light?

 

[amit9]

I've had good experience with Brandon @ DCB Automotive when he was in the 400/Finch area. Now he's moved his shop to Orillia which is near to your location. There have been mixed experiences noted by other local members...

 

[P2B]

Also getting the flashing red light (master caution?) which of course the owner's manual offers no clue as to the cause.

Which symbol is flashing red? My owner's manual certainly identifies all cluster symbols.

 

[Muggins]

The red flashing symbol is in the speedo dial. I believe it's the low coolant alarm, although it's circular in shape and not the shape illustrated in the manual. The coolant is at normal level, so I don't know if that is specifically what the alarm indicates. My owner's manual does not specifically show this symbol or what it means.

 

[Nuje]

The red flashing symbol is in the speedo dial.

Yes, but which icon is it?
Circular - maybe the parking brake or brake pad sensor....?

Explainer here.

 

[Muggins]

Yes, but which icon is it?
Circular - maybe the parking brake or brake pad sensor....?

Explainer here.

Thanks, man! It's the brake system warning light. Appreciate your help and everyone elses as well. Thank you>

 

[P2B]

Thanks, man! It's the brake system warning light. Appreciate your help and everyone elses as well. Thank you>

Flashing brake system light means low brake fluid, handbrake not fully disengaged, or (in conjunction with ABS light) two or more ABS system faults. Could also be a wiring issue with fluid level sensor or handbrake switch.

 

[Johhny04]

With all these issues you're mentioning, be ready for a sizeable $ estimate for repairs by a shop. If completing the work yourself, it might make economical sense but with a 22 year old car and the items you've mentioned above, don't be shocked at what you get quoted to repair the issues.

 

[P2B]

Latest problem is the fuel tank straps both dissolved - corroded. Currently using a pair of ratchet straps holding up the tank.

The OE straps appear to be NLA and aftermarket were well over $100. I used galvanized pipe strapping from Home Depot, ten bucks with enough left over to do a couple more cars.

 

[oilhammer]

.... Plus he complained that he didn't like working on VWs over 20 years old....

Can't imagine why...

...

Latest problem is the fuel tank straps both dissolved - corroded. Currently using a pair of ratchet straps holding up the tank. But the cross member mid-car I'm using for support is also badly corroded and it's the only spot I can see to hook on to. The vile substance that dissolves snow does an equally good if not better job at dissolving metal.

...

 

[Muggins]

The OE straps appear to be NLA and aftermarket were well over $100. I used galvanized pipe strapping from Home Depot, ten bucks with enough left over to do a couple more cars.

Kudos to you - absolutely brilliant idea to use galvanized pipe strapping rather than the obscenely-priced aftermarket straps. So obvious yet I never thought of it or doing that. But why not? Thanks for that invaluable tip! Really appreciate it!

 

[Muggins]

Can't imagine why...

Ya me neither, given the car is pretty dead simple compared to modern technology and the stuff I've listed is likely not terribly involved. But I guess no excuse is needed to get shafted nowadays. Covid, Covid hangover, supply chain, yadda yadda yadda.

 

[P2B]

Unfortunately even jobs that should be straightforward can easily become a nightmare on cars driven through 20 Ontario winters. It's hardly surprising that a busy shop would prefer less crusty cars with more predictable job times.

 

[Nuje]

It's hardly surprising that a busy shop would prefer less crusty cars with more predictable job times.

Having told people "oh yeah - shouldn't take more than "x" hours"; only to have a captive nut break off inside the subframe, a tie-rod locknut that wouldn't budge, I know of what you speak.

It really is shocking working on a Mk4 car that's spent its whole life here on the west coast vs. one that spent even a few winters where real winter happens.

 

[oilhammer]

Yeah, I don't think I'd take on a car that old in that part of the world either. Rust changes everything... it'll quadruple the job time with one broken bolt. We're so swamped here we turn away a lot of work for all kinds of reasons. Age of the vehicle is certainly one of them.

The ALH cars ARE very simple, but now getting a lot of parts is impossible (the NLA list grows daily), and as stated in your area rust is going to be an issue. We don't have that level of road salt here, and Volkswagens hold up better than some others.

 

[MrCypherr]

I know there is a decent amount of scrapyards and dismantling business' locally that usually have a great amount of older parts for these cars. Check out Next Gen VW Dismantling on facebook or some local scrapyards. They will be used parts but its better than not having parts at all.

 

[CanadianALH]

I know there is a decent amount of scrapyards and dismantling business' locally that usually have a great amount of older parts for these cars. Check out Next Gen VW Dismantling on facebook or some local scrapyards. They will be used parts but its better than not having parts at all.

I think Canada catalyst is localish to you guys.

 

[MrCypherr]

They are but more south kind of which would be a 3 hour drive for OP. I know there are a few that are closer to OP so he can drive and pick up parts in person which is what I would recommend to see the condition of the parts and whatnot.

 

[GP_RZ]

Anyone know anything about "V-DUBBS" shop in innisfil?

I Drive past this place a lot. Seems the guy has a shop/garage in his backyard etc. Located just east of the hwy400 on Innisfil beach sidrd... Believe the sign on lawn says "V-DUBBS, volkswagen specialist" or something to that effect. Just wondering if anyone has heard of or has any...

forums.tdiclub.com

Thank you for the quick response and recommendations, gentleman. I do appreciate your help. I did do business several times a few years ago with VDubbs and the personnel did work which resulted in no comebacks so the competancy seemed fine. But there was not one instance where I did not get the dreaded phone call reporting the need for additional work and his prices were definitely no bargain. Plus he complained that he didn't like working on VWs over 20 years old. I did not get the warm and wanted feeling, that's for sure. During COVID he treated customers or me at least like I had the bubonic plague. No entry; drop keys through the door slot, payment over the phone. Key and work order in car upon retrieval. A bit weird.

I miss the old days of wrenching with TDI club members. I guess those are long gone. Is that correct?

Thats to bad u had a bad experience with Mike @ V Dubbs, he has been decent with me, did my 5 speed swap and timing belt and a boat load of other things, He did mention to me last year that he will only be focusing on the newer stuff as parts availability for the MK4's. I do understand him some as a Painter/prep at a body shop I cringe when i see older stuff roll into the shop.

 

[P2B]

He did mention to me last year that he will only be focusing on the newer stuff as parts availability for the MK4's.

Was that his way of saying he won't do the TB on your wagon next time it's due?

 

[oilhammer]

Yeah, parts availability is a real issue. I have a 2003 J-wagon here with 338k, and a 2006 sedan here with 340k. Mostly normal PM stuff for both, and I'm able to easily get everything I need. But the trim parts as well as some odd parts you run across in need of (like fuel lines under the car that get damaged from things) is all just NLA.