What would you do?

I read a post from a gen 2 owner on another site. A shop gave him an estimate of $1650 to do some work on his car.
basically, the 3 codes indicate mis fire on cylinder #1 and #8.

They saw a small amount of oil on one plug(typical valve cover seal seepage), and his coil boot had oil on it(both #1 and #8)

The car has 73k on it.

I looked at his profile, and turns out, he lives 45 miles from me(what are the odds).
I offered to have him bring it to me, and I'd install 8 new plugs, clean the oil out of the holes, and use my spare set of COP's(with new boots) to diagnose the misfire.
I am sure the misfire was due to cracked boots, oil in the wells, and old plugs(originals, BTW).

well, he wont drive it due to the rough idle, and CE light, so he was going to pay to have it towed.

I told him dont bother, and Id go to his house to do the work for him to save him the tow bill.

So, this Sunday, before the big game, I am going to drive to his house(I dont know him, nor have I ever met him), and try to set this car straight.

I am pretty confident that its plugs, and coil boots, as we all know, the symptoms match.

so..am I nuts? I love working on these cars, and I dont charge money for my labor...never have. I have recieved parts for my car in trade, but that was considered a "gift". Those folks showed up to get the work done, and handed me parts.

so, should I charge him anything for my labor? I told him he'd have to pay for any of my COP's or COP boots I might need to use.

advise please...I dont feel right taking money for doing what I love...and if I can save someone from getting ripped off, I will sleep pretty good that night.

I mean, lets face it... 8 plugs, a couple COP's...what, an hour maybe?

thanks gang.

RE: What would you do?

make him buy the beer.

RE: What would you do?

well, since I dont even "sip" and drive.. I'd be taking it "to go".

Thats what I was thinking...when I get home, if that Black 97 LSC is banging on all 8 when I leave him...that beer is going to taste awesome going down!

Thanks Dave.

RE: What would you do?

[div class="dcquote"][strong]Quote[/strong]
make him buy the beer.
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make it LOTS OF BEER

Keg ? }(

RE: What would you do?

Pay for a massage with a happy ending?

RE: What would you do?

one piece of advice I wasd given:

if they offer, decline. If they offer again, decline again.

if they offer a third time...oblige.

I go deaf after the second offer!

I have decided to not charge...if he wants to(insists)...a 6-pack of Widmer Hefeweisen....delivered, on 2/12, at the Nor-Cal Dyno day near my house.

Who knows, maybe he is a painter, and can swing me a deal on my "clear coat" problem that is spreading like ants at a picnic.

RE: What would you do?

[div class="dcquote"][strong]Quote[/strong]
one piece of advice I wasd given:if they offer, decline. If they offer again, decline again.if they offer a third time...oblige.I go deaf after the second offer!I have decided to not charge...if he wants to(insists)...a 6-pack of Widmer Hefeweisen....delivered, on 2/12, at the Nor-Cal Dyno day near my house.Who knows, maybe he is a painter, and can swing me a deal on my "clear coat" problem that is spreading like ants at a picnic.

RE: What would you do?

Let him know about this site while your there.

I have to agree with Stanley, you sound like you have a great heart. Not many people willing to do what are doing for this guy.

RE: What would you do?

I'd say go for beer.

Yep, it's a very kind thing you are doing.

But I believe in Karma, what goes around comes around. So you can't go wrong no matter what. (As long as you don't get taken advantage of.)

Also, random acts of kindness. They seem to make the world a better place.

RE: What would you do?

Well, its all done. I went this morning to meet the guy. Nice brand new home, in a brand new development(not even finished yet). 3 car garage, and (sorry folks) the CLEANEST 97 Mark VIII LSC I have ever laid eyes on...and I have seen more than my fair share.

There wasnt ONE flaw on this whole car....Black/prarie tan, chrome 10-spokes, and maybe 1 spec of dust on the intake....but it could have been a sleepy in my eye.

anyway...8 new plugs, 1 cop boot, and a cleared CE light, and the car runs like a champ.

Then, since he had never driven a Gen 1, I let him drive mine!!! He was actually pretty impressed...to the point of saying "maybe we could work a trade". He was blown away with the handling of my gen 1, especially the Addco bar, the quick steering, the magnaflows, and (yup) my coils. He decided to look into getting a gen 1 as well some day.

It was a nice gesture.

anyway, after lots of thinking, and taking some of your advice, money never changed hands. He offered to "give me something", and I extended my hand for him to shake.

it was a good day. I made a new friend,(yes, I told him about this site), and saw a pristine example of what I want my next Mark to look like(only with black interior and O-stars)...but a Black Gen 2 none the less.

It was a good day. He got his car fixed, saved $1650, and met a new friend as well(me). He is now going to contact me about GGM8, NCLOA, LOD, and if all goes well...CLUB 16!

RE: What would you do?

I give you http://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif http://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif

RE: What would you do?

Glad to hear that all went well. Good job, Craig!

RE: What would you do?

Hear, hear!!


Bud Pytko
'97 LSC Silver Frost
'92 F250 Banks TurboDiesel Bimini Blue
'92 Prowler 5th Wheel
http://myfilelocker.comcast.net/charlespytko/Lincoln/BudPytko97LSC.JPG

RE: What would you do?

That was really cool of you, Craig! Now, how about heading over to MA? I have this strange noise coming from.......