Trusted TDI Mechanics - By State

[POWERSTROKE]

This is the last thing I'm going to post on this subject. Most of you people steer people away from "stealerships" but have no problem drinking this "guru" "trusted mechanic" kool aid. Do as you wish.

 

[40X40]

This is the last thing I'm going to post on this subject. Most of you people steer people away from "stealerships" but have no problem drinking this "guru" "trusted mechanic" kool aid. Do as you wish.

1. Just because someone is on the 'trusted mechanic list does not mean they are a GURU. There IS NO GURU LIST.

2. If YOU won't tell us who YOU had a bad experience with, then YOU are keeping the system from working.

3. If you could bring yourself to post an actual review of your experiences with this person who you mistook for a GURU, then he could be removed from the trusted mechanic list and others who might follow in your footsteps would be forewarned.
This cannot happen if you won't tell us who you dealt with.

Simple. Now climb down off your high horse and work with us.

Bill

 

[VeeDubTDI]

Question for you, Frank.

The mechanic in question - the one you made seven 170-mile round trips to see about your air conditioner - is he certified in automotive HVAC?

 

[POWERSTROKE]

Yeah, he is. He is ase certified as well. I guess those certificates don't mean all that much. Even if he wasn't, it doesn't explain very loose lugnuts, disconnected inter-cooler piping, broken pressure line valves, disconnected speedometers, starters, and leaky oil pans after botched rear main installations.

 

[bhtooefr]

Name names, please.

 

[TDIJetta99]

I just noticed.. I'm about 85 miles form where Powerstroke is located... It wasn't me that he had that bad experience with..

 

[POWERSTROKE]

No, it's not TDIJetta99. Sorry to implicate you in any way.

 

[TDIJetta99]

Nah dude I didn't feel implicated.. It just dawned on me that Staten Island is about that far away and wanted to make sure that others weren't assuming it was me..

 

[ymz]

We know you're unreliable, Jason... you keep on running away and getting married, among other frivolous pursuits...


Y.

 

[Losha]

We know you're unreliable, Jason... you keep on running away and getting married, among other frivolous pursuits...


Y.

Hey Yuri, you cant just spent whole your life working all the time, gotta go enjoy life too, take some time off. Right Jason?

 

[tditom]

1. Just because someone is on the 'trusted mechanic list does not mean they are a GURU. There IS NO GURU LIST.

2. If YOU won't tell us who YOU had a bad experience with, then YOU are keeping the system from working.

3. If you could bring yourself to post an actual review of your experiences with this person who you mistook for a GURU, then he could be removed from the trusted mechanic list and others who might follow in your footsteps would be forewarned.
This cannot happen if you won't tell us who you dealt with.

....

I concur. This can only work with honest and complete input.

 

[POWERSTROKE]

I think the problem is that most people are one step behind from what I have done. I don't feel comfortable ruining a guys livelihood for no reason. But I posted that there was a problem with the rating system on the site. Most people are in fact either skeptical or feel badly about pointing someone else's mistakes out because it directly affects their income, or at least has the ability to do so. The way for this to work is that every time someone goes to a trusted mechanic they would have to post both good and bad results under some sort of "scouts honor" system. I do think we should create a system where each mechanic had his own page like yelp, or be required to have a yelp page. We then could hotlink the yelp over to these forums. I think that would work.
And I've already posted a complete review of the work done. It's actually quite complete. It's linked in this thread a couple posts up.
The guys name is irrelevant unless there is a plan to change how we go about putting these guys on a list. Any good guru or trusted tdi guy I have dealt with specializes in volkswagens and/or only deals with volkswagens. Also, I have always noticed problems when the mechanic has himself hopping between different cars rather than finishing one at a time.

 

[JSWTDI09]

I posted that there was a problem with the rating system on the site.

The real problem is that there is no rating system on this site. There is only a list of mechanics that someone has recommended (in the past). Mechanics change jobs and move around to different shops. What was an excellent shop 2 years ago could have totally different management and different techs today. Our "Trusted Mechanics List" is much better than nothing, but it is far from perfect. It is probably impossible to be perfect all the time. Improvements are possible, but agreeing on how those improvements should be made can be difficult. The important thing for everyone to know is that "it is what it is". If you are aware of the weaknesses and limitations of the system, you can live with it. If people continue to post good things about a particular shop, it can go onto the list. If people start reporting problems with a particular shop, it should come off of the list. If people do not share information (good or bad) the list will remain the same. Keeping the list as good (and as up-to-date) as possible requires the help and support of all of us.

Have Fun!

Don

 

[PhDwannabe]

Marcellus Street Garage is the place to go in Syracuse

Just want to give a shout out to a mechanic on the list that is still doing great work here in CNY. I recently had my 98 Jetta TDi inspected and serviced by Ed Karpinski at Marcellus Street Garage in Syracuse. Nice guy and he knows his VWs. I would recommend him to anyone with a VW. The only downside is his hours are not too work friendly (9am -330pmish) but he has a drop box and will arrange to get you your car after hours too. Give him a call, 315-475-7034, if you need any work done. I don't know what he charges for big jobs like timing belts and such but at least he has the right tools and knowledge to do the job correctly.

 

[tditom]

.... I don't feel comfortable ruining a guys livelihood for no reason...
...The guys name is irrelevant unless there is a plan to change how we go about putting these guys on a list...

I don't think you'd be ruining his livelihood, and if you did it would not be without reason.
The guy's name is about the only thing that is relevant. If I were him I'd be on here telling people my version of the story and how I've learned from this incident. You're doing the club a disservice by letting a name remain on the recommended list when you yourself would never recommend anyone from going to him.

Please post the name.

 

[prijken]

Good TDI mechanic in Lakeland, FL

VW Parts Unlimited
2115 W. Yeats St.
Lakeland, FL. 33815
Tel: 863-683-3270
jandrvw1@yahoo.com
Website: http://vw-parts-unlimited.com

Owner Jose Santana is ASE certified in VW, specializes in diesels. I have been going to him for many years, excellent service and honest mechanic. Has VAG-COM.

 

[POWERSTROKE]

I would not use hevster1 again. He is sloppy and makes a lot of mistakes. He has 4 or 5 jobs going on at a time every time I have ever gone there ad can't concentrate on one thing. His prices are low at the expense of his quality of work. Not impressed. I'm mechanically competent and pointed out many mistakes and points of forgetfulness, made 7 trips back and forth for an ac problem. Not impressed. Service became worse when his bigger shop opened and stopped working from his home. This guy is not a guru. You would think after the 2nd, 3rd or even 4th trip back for the ac allhe work and connections would have been double or triple checked, to make sure everything was right. But it took 7 trips, a lot of unpaid days at work and much frustration. I get he impression he doesn't care. I wish I didn't have to write this but it's only fair.

 

[sohccammer427]

FYI

Storx
New Bern, NC 28560
(252) 675-2693

Listed as a trusted here at Tdi Club, however that phone number is not for his business. Guy who answered said he get calls now and then but he is not a VW/Audi wrench. Mod maybe you can verify and remove? I am sure the current business owner would appreciate.

Anyhow, need a timing belt job by years end. Will be contacting some on the list. Dealer has quoted me $900.00 That does not include replacing the acessory belt. Not sure if they replace belt tensioner and idler roller. Does not matter, I won't be going there.

I'm in Eastern NC if anyone has a recommendation.

 

[storx]

Ya that's old info for me I been deployed 2 times since then... I know someone near u who can do if u want he is Vw mechanic

 

[sohccammer427]

yes storx, Please pm me with that info, and...

THANK YOU for your service to our Nation!

 

[VeeDubTDI]

storx,

Please PM me with your current contact information and I will make sure that your entry on the Google Map is accurate.

Thanks,
Lawson

 

[POWERSTROKE]

Well it has been a week since I posted my review a couple posts above with no response after people hounded me for the name. I'll give the suggestion myself to take hevster1 off the list.

 

[tditom]

Well it has been a week since I posted my review a couple posts above with no response after people hounded me for the name. I'll give the suggestion myself to take hevster1 off the list.

Unless hevster comes forward with an explanation or refutes the story given by PS, then I think we have no choice but to eliminate him from the list.
VeeDubTdi, what is the procedure for making changes to the list?

 

[RedTDIowner]

Do not trust Volksdoktor in Louisville KY. They sold me Febi-Bilstein hydraulic fluid as the proper power steering fluid for my 2002 TDI and now my steering rack is leaking. Upon doing research I have found out that I should have only put Pentosin CHF11S in my power steering reservoir. Well I called them up today and asked them about it. They swear it is the correct and VW approved fluid for my ALH. In fact, they even went as far as to say the guys on TDIclub are wrong, which ticked me off.

 

[tditom]

Do not trust Volksdoktor in Louisville KY. They sold me Febi-Bilstein hydraulic fluid as the proper power steering fluid for my 2002 TDI and now my steering rack is leaking. Upon doing research I have found out that I should have only put Pentosin CHF11S in my power steering reservoir. Well I called them up today and asked them about it. They swear it is the correct and VW approved fluid for my ALH. In fact, they even went as far as to say the guys on TDIclub are wrong, which ticked me off.

Febi-Bilstein does make VW approved fluids. Which one did they give you?

Believe me, us "guys on TDIclub" are often wrong

 

[RedTDIowner]

Here is the thread where we are discussing it and its also where dieseldorf tells me I was sold the wrong fluid. Its Febi-Bilstein hydraulic fluid ZH-M. Click the link and scroll down to see mine and his posts which continues onto the following page.

http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=67297&page=2

 

[TDIJetta99]

The Febi-Bilstein green "Central Hydraulic Fluid" is approved for our power steering systems that use G.002.000 fluid.. The number on the bottle should be 06161. I think the bottle might be green too

 

[TDIJetta99]

The ZH-M fluid If I remember correctly is mostly specified for convertible tops and electro-hydraulic suspension systems.. Mercedes 343.0 comes to mind...

 

[RedTDIowner]

Here is a pic of the bottle of power steering fluid they sold me for my 2002 TDI Jetta.

 

[tditom]

Correct- that is the wrong fluid for your car.

Here is a brochure for the various F-B products:
http://www.eoltas.lt/index.php/atsi...iaga/171-febi-tepalu-ir-skysciu-specifikacija

You need this for your VW:
FEBI 06161