Washington Mechanics Thread

Very thorough write-up of your delica experiences. Sorry to see how frustrating this was for you. Having worked in the auto industry I fully agree that estimates should be spelled out and agreed upon without the vehicle sitting to long. Appears to me that the missed diagnosed head gasket was a chase at the radiator being bad. Head gasket tester of course would of reiterated your experience of the coolant shooting out of the radiator neck. I do agree with the upsell of the aluminum radiator since your radiator was old? And it would be best to do a full cooling upgrade once so that you aren’t wasting coolant. Glad the engine work appeared to have gone successfully. A four month wait sucks, but this is a JDM vehicle where it takes a month just to get one order of parts (ask me how I know, lol)
Now comes where I don’t understand the shop, stripped lugs, brake issue, loose battery terminals, etc. is just plain silly (drunk?). Sounds to me if the mechanic could just slow down and focus this would have been buttoned up a lot smoother. Communication is key here from both parties. One end is patience the other is trust. Sounds like that degraded for the very beginning. I hope that you enjoy your delica and I hope that the repair shop learned from this to better serve the delica community. For me, I recommend that if able, learn to do the work yourself. (There’s that patience and trust again ;) ) Great write up, thanks!
 
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DustAngel said:
Very thorough write-up of your delica experiences. Sorry to see how frustrating this was for you. Having worked in the auto industry I fully agree that estimates should be spelled out and agreed upon without the vehicle sitting to long. Appears to me that the missed diagnosed head gasket was a chase at the radiator being bad. Head gasket tester of course would of reiterated your experience of the coolant shooting out of the radiator neck. I do agree with the upsell of the aluminum radiator since your radiator was old? And it would be best to do a full cooling upgrade once so that you aren’t wasting coolant. Glad the engine work appeared to have gone successfully. A four month wait sucks, but this is a JDM vehicle where it takes a month just to get one order of parts (ask me how I know, lol)
Now comes where I don’t understand the shop, stripped lugs, brake issue, loose battery terminals, etc. is just plain silly (drunk?). Sounds to me if the mechanic could just slow down and focus this would have been buttoned up a lot smoother. Communication is key here from both parties. One end is patience the other is trust. Sounds like that degraded for the very beginning. I hope that you enjoy your delica and I hope that the repair shop learned from this to better serve the delica community. For me, I recommend that if able, learn to do the work yourself. (There’s that patience and trust again ;) ) Great write up, thanks!
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Thanks for the reply, I came from 25 years in the car biz, there was nothing about this that was done like a real business. All they do is Delicas. Parts are easy, stock the fast movers and consumables. I brought it to them for a full go through. It still doesn’t need a radiator. I’m sitting in it. The more I think about it, the more frustrating it is. No professional shop makes money by dragging a job 4 months. Diagnose it, sell the legit work, and get it done.
 
I have a local diesel mechanic that has worked on Delicas a bunch.

BUT... they work on a Delica when there is no other work.

I understand it from their perspecitve. Imagine you run a shop and you have 4 bays/6 mechanics and 10-20 Ford/Chevy/Dodge that you have fast part availability and known work and you have one or two weird, hard to get parts, not well known Delicas... They have to prioritize work they can do.
So, if I want it done right, I have to be patient with them. But, they are trustworthy and competent.
 
sck_nogas said:
I have a local diesel mechanic that has worked on Delicas a bunch.

BUT... they work on a Delica when there is no other work.

I understand it from their perspecitve. Imagine you run a shop and you have 4 bays/6 mechanics and 10-20 Ford/Chevy/Dodge that you have fast part availability and known work and you have one or two weird, hard to get parts, not well known Delicas... They have to prioritize work they can do.
So, if I want it done right, I have to be patient with them. But, they are trustworthy and competent.
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I agree, if the expectation is set upfront, then it’s up to the customer if they want to wait or not. If the work is done right and diagnosed properly, it’s the price to pay for having a unique and uncommon vehicle. Where I’m baffled, is this is a shop that makes a living and pays their bills just working on Delicas.
 
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Well, the repair drama continues, Nomadic Vans replaced my cylinder head and I’m hoping, also the rocker cover gasket. It’s leaking like a sieve, and now, smoking as I go down the road. Tomorrow, I’ll pull it off and see what’s going on. Sadly, my confidence in any of the work done continues to diminish. I can see it from under the van

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Intrepidor said:
Two more possible shops for the greater Seattle/Eastside area:

Doctor Don's automotive
1136 NW 50th St, Seattle, WA 98107
(206) 783-6303

Loyal Automotive
7724 24th AVE NW Seattle, WA 98117
206.453.5466

Haven't used either of these shops personally, but JDM Car & Motorcycle suggested them. Doctor Don's said they work on a lot of Delicas and I'm (hopefully) having Loyal Automotive take care of my engine swap.
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Did you end up using Loyal for your engine swap?
 
scott635 said:
Did you end up using Loyal for your engine swap?
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No, sadly the engine I bought was DOA and we've since relocated to Michigan, so I'm teaching myself how to rebuild it myself.

I would say, they were a good group of folks to work with; reasonably priced, communicative, and didn't have any qualms dealing with a Delica. That said, make sure they double-check your new engine before they pull your existing one! That would have saved me a lot of headache.
 
I know the dealership I work at won't take them in, but I've asked a few friends at other shops if they will work on Delicas. I'll edit this post with responses.

Juracich moved to Wisconsin a couple years ago.

Willands Tech Auto in Ferndale has done alignments, but they are willing to discuss more work.

www.willands.com

Ferndale Auto Repair - Willands Tech Auto

Willands Tech Auto is your top choice for auto repair out of Ferndale, WA and serving all of Whatcom County including Bellingham, Blaine & Lynden. | Ferndale Auto Repair
www.willands.com www.willands.com

Nitro Autolab in Custer will also work on them. He can possibly do body work, too. You have to find them on Facebook. The owner, Brit worked, some absolute magic with a hammer and dolly on my wife's Acura a little while back and color matched the odd color perfect.

Lastly, who has service manuals for these things? I've been an auto tech for over 20 years now and have a garage (currently has a jeep on jack stands, but that will be disappeared shortly). I would be willing to help diagnose issues when I can find time.
 
XSrcing said:
Lastly, who has service manuals for these things? I've been an auto tech for over 20 years now and have a garage (currently has a jeep on jack stands, but that will be disappeared shortly). I would be willing to help diagnose issues when I can find time.
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Links to the manuals are in the resources section.
 
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