I became an amateur mechanic in 1985, the year I bought a Peugeot 205 diesel. In those days most diesel cars needed an oil and filter service after about 500 miles (if I remember correctly). Took my car to the dealer for its service, waited about three hours in pissy Coatbridge. Collected car, and for some reason I decided to have a look under the bonnet. Oil filter was covered in mud, and on removal of dipstick it was obvious that oil was not new. Confronted dealer service manager, and after some discussion he agreed that it had not been changed due to an oversight (my arse).
In the 1980's and for next 20 odd years you only got a one year warranty on your shiny new car. So I decided from that day onwards I would do all my own servicing. Every car then was almost guaranteed to have a Haynes manual available. So I have removed engines, changed clutches, etc. Self taught. I treat service departments with loads of scepticism, and always check that work has been done. Read my recent horror story regarding the burst fuel line, and the shambolic level of incompetence I experienced at the hand of a main Fiat dealer.
I know this story goes back some 30 years, but it does illustrate that some service department can be ars.....s.
In the 1980's and for next 20 odd years you only got a one year warranty on your shiny new car. So I decided from that day onwards I would do all my own servicing. Every car then was almost guaranteed to have a Haynes manual available. So I have removed engines, changed clutches, etc. Self taught. I treat service departments with loads of scepticism, and always check that work has been done. Read my recent horror story regarding the burst fuel line, and the shambolic level of incompetence I experienced at the hand of a main Fiat dealer.
I know this story goes back some 30 years, but it does illustrate that some service department can be ars.....s.