Don't believe it when they tell you....

[snb290]

Recently bought a 96 GL1500 trike. So, the guy says, "Yeah, I changed the oil, oil filter, and air filter recently". Why do I insist on believing someone that is trying to sell something????
That was about a month ago. This picture is from today. Do you think that this filter was recently changed? Looks like the one that came with the new bike, to me anyway.

[snb290]

This picture was supposed to be on the original post. Guess I screwed it up,,,, again. lol

[Rednaxs60]

Never do. A used bike/vehicle may have gone into a shop for work, but unfortunately you don't know exactly what has transpired. My second new-to-me GW in Ontario apparently had a new starter installed at a dealer, PO provided invoices for new. Took it apart because it did not work. Worst armature I had seen in a long time - it was no where close to as new condition, and only three years old.

I expect that nothing has been done, or very little, and if done - pleasantly surprised and strike it off the list.

This is not to say the PO was not being forthright, just time lines get blurred and dealers may not be as trustworthy as one would like. When my father had his service stations, customers used to ask for the used parts back, gave a warm and fuzzy feeling I guess, but it is very easy to substitute. In today's society of instant gratification, litigation and the likes, the only thing left that means anything is your word. If not, we're in for a world of hurt.

Takes all kinds to keep the world going.

Cheers

[Mag]

I semi-believe if I am given shop records that I can verify, but 9 out of 10 times I check over and replace fluids, and basic maintenance replacement (though I do still need to do the timing belts....2018 will be that date, once the garage thaws out).

[Viking]

Like Rednax, I am pleasantly surprised when I find out what has been stated is in fact the truth. However, if someone tells me an oil change has been done recently, it is the easiest thing on the bike to check and I immediately do. If it indeed was, like I said, pleasantly surprised and more likely to believe what ever else I am told. I do not trust dealerships or in fact any service garage to do what they have charged me for having done. I have too often found that I was charged for some stuff done, and also charged for stuff not done. I had never rebuilt a set of forks, so I let the dealership do it, and they also charged me for a double set of front brake pads, saying there was oil on them. I went home and pulled off the pads. They were not new. I returned to the dealership with the old pads, which were quite serviceable, and found that the new pads were on top of the mechanics tool box. Oh, whoops, I forgot, says he to the service manager. Amazingly, he also rides a GL1800. Soooo, I got the pads and I got a refund for his labour on replacing the pads, which was too much money anyway, as he already had it all apart for the forks. He no longer works at the dealership, but I do not know if that was their choice or his. Lessons in life make one a grumpy old dude........ just saying.

[julimike54]

This kind of service has occurred to me also, take bike in to get things taken care of & later figure out they weren't done. Talking with others in the bike service business, they all used to work for dealerships so....., these kind of practices are encouraged by the management, to make more money. Most stated that is why they left the dealerships, too many push this kind of practice.

Until it happened to me, by a dealership, I would have never believed that kind of practice occurred. So the customer sells the bike after paying for service(s) never received, and you get to find it for him. Wonder if that's what occured?

[Rednaxs60]

My brother worked at a service station in Vancouver back in the '70s. He was told to push product. He became very adept at showing the motorist that they needed oil when in fact they did not, slip of the finger so to speak, nicked fan belts, wiper blades and the likes. Happens more often than we want to know.

My daughter took her Hyundai Tiburon into a quick oil change just for an oil change, came out $500.00 CDN lighter. They convinced her to do a rad flush, install new battery, change trans oil (standard), and a few other cursory items. The car did not need anything other than an oil/filter change. I mentioned to her that she should have taken it under advisement and talk to me first. Would have kept some money in her pocket. These shops actually "prey" on the unsuspecting by quoting OEM requirements based on mileage. The backyard expertise that most of us older gents grew up with is quickly disappearing, and the new generations are at the mercy of these shops - these shops are supposed to be "experts".

I will caveat this with mentioning that these places are required, but it is necessary for the consumer to educate themselves about these happenings, get information or find someone who is knowledgeable (doesn't have to be in everything), and go to these places armed with the knowledge to be able to resist the pressures from over zealous sales people. It's easy to go back and have service done. Lots of tricks to employ to ensure work has been done such as marking you oil filter, old trick from many years ago.

Cheers

[chrisz]

Lots of tricks to employ to ensure work has been done such as marking you oil filter, old trick from many years ago.

Interesting to read the part about marking the oil filter, unfortunately my GL1100 uses an internal oil filter, as well as my Toyota Highlander and my Volvo S60.

I don't think any service shop replaces the crush washers..

[Rednaxs60]

Lots of tricks to employ to ensure work has been done such as marking you oil filter, old trick from many years ago.

Interesting to read the part about marking the oil filter, unfortunately my GL1100 uses an internal oil filter, as well as my Toyota Highlander and my Volvo S60.

I don't think any service shop replaces the crush washers..

Marking the oil filter was about cars, not so much the bike, do my own oil/filter changes on the bike(s).

[steve84]

i try to never go to a dealership. prefer to do my own maintenance. i rely on my own ability and goldwing docs for help. welcome aboard.

[Swagonmaster]

I will mention an idea that I have seen used by manufacturers owners and techs, if the part in question can't be marked such as a drain plug that won't be replaced, clean the area well and put a dab of paint on the item and the surrounding area. If the plug or whatever is taken out the paint seal is broken and is hard to duplicate.

[WingAdmin]

I will mention an idea that I have seen used by manufacturers owners and techs, if the part in question can't be marked such as a drain plug that won't be replaced, clean the area well and put a dab of paint on the item and the surrounding area. If the plug or whatever is taken out the paint seal is broken and is hard to duplicate.

Not only that, it's a very common practice on safety-critical items. Look at the bolts and nuts holding down ski lift towers, or pretty much any of the nuts and bolts on a helicopter. They'll all have this paint (called a witness mark) on the nut and bolt, so if the nut has loosened off, it is readily apparent because the paint marks no longer line up.

[rick.sheeley]

Maybe his bike is a heavy smoker!!!!!

[harveysmedlap]

i try to never go to a dealership. prefer to do my own maintenance. i rely on my own ability and goldwing docs for help. welcome aboard.

I'm the same way, I trust myself and the bike only has gone in for recalls. Last bike I sold, it's complete history went with it, along with my phone # and encouragement to call if he had a question, so far two texts only saying how happy he was with the bike.

[jeffcosmo]

Lots of tricks to employ to ensure work has been done such as marking you oil filter, old trick from many years ago.

I don't think any service shop replaces the crush washers..

Not true. As dealership parts counterman, I was required to bill out AND supply a crush washer with every oil change, even those that were not 'our' brand (we ordered different sizes for stock). Though myself, I anneal all copper crush washers, then they're good to go. Aluminium, I replace with copper.

Cosmo

[minimac]

Just because you may bill the customer and give the washer to the mechanic, doesn't mean it gets used. Take a walk through the garage at the dealership and look at the mechanics benches/boxes. They all have a stockpile of crush washers,O rings, new parts, additives, etc., that were supposed to be installed (and billed) but weren't.

[jeffcosmo]

I've seen those guys - they got walked out where I worked.
However, more than a few times the 'extra' parts were double-stocked, in that the car had an 'o' ringed drain plug; or the parts came as a kit, etc.,etc.

What you say has a bit of truth, which is why I do everything to my vehicles and at my house, save refrigeration.

Cosmo

[AZgl1800]

Today,

I spent $32.50 for a can of R-134A

A/C clutch was not turning, but the fan was when the A/C switch was pushed.

Checked the freon pressure cold, and it "seemed low".... so hooked up the can, and added a few oz of R-134A....

that did NOT make the a/c start working, so we decided that it must be electrical instead....

a bit of work, over two hours worth of chasing the power thru all of the fuses and harness, led us up to a piece of wire loom that had a "magic chunk" missing on one side??

hmmmm, stripped the loom back 3 inches and low and behold, there was a wire chewed clean in two.... Added in 4 inches of wire, and wallah! the compressor runs, and the air ducts are cold now.....

If the car had gone to the Chevy dealer, wonder what my bill would have been? and how many parts would they have claimed to change out?

[Jambriwal]

My Daughters car was due for an oil change. So she asked me if anything needed service? After checking it over I told her just an oil change. Off she goes to local (chain) place with coupon in hand. They tried to pressure into air filter, coolant change etc. Getting a little frustrated after saying no several times. She told them look, I only have $ 20.00 on me, whatever you can do for $ 20 go ahead. Got the oil change and drove home. So proud of her.

[Ravyn]

My Daughters car was due for an oil change. So she asked me if anything needed service? After checking it over I told her just an oil change. Off she goes to local (chain) place with coupon in hand. They tried to pressure into air filter, coolant change etc. Getting a little frustrated after saying no several times. She told them look, I only have $ 20.00 on me, whatever you can do for $ 20 go ahead. Got the oil change and drove home. So proud of her.

Good on your daughter Tell her next time that happens to walk out and go someplace else. You need to find a more reputable garage to take your vehicles to !