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My wife had the valve adjustment service done on her car by the main dealer. About 3 miles into driving home, at 70mph clouds of black smoke and the engine made terminal noises as she pulled to the side of the road. 5 hours later she was picked up and the car trailered back to the dealer. They decide to drive it down the hill to their service centre. I asked if that was sensible. They were sure, "it's only 50 yds". We watched them start it up and drive off. Half way there, we heard a loud bang, as the balancer shaft drove a 1/2" hole through the block. Up on the lift we all just started at this hole, with a gravelly syrup dripping out of it. If they didn't have people's lives in their hands, it would have been hilarious. Some folk can't be helped, they are just stupid.
We politely demanded out money back on the car ( less than a year old). They tried to argue it wasn't their fault. Then the car is worth less now as it won't have it's original engine! I had to threaten going to the press and social media, before they final gave us a sensible offer.
On a previous occasion she had a diesel fuel pump changed. They put the wrong clip on the pipe connector. It leaked putting diesel onto her front tyre and her into the hedge. Her mum thinks I'm trying to get rid of her!
It's difficult to find good quality service technicians. It's not just a Harley problem. If I had the skill and equipment I'd do everything myself. I just do what I can to avoid dealers as much as possible.
Walk back into the area in service where the so called techs are, last time I did I saw a 16 year old pimply faced kid servicing my bike, that probably worked at Wal-mart last week.
So I buy a manual and do it myself it aint difficult and a whole lot safer when you are traveling 70 MPH on 2 wheels.
Best/joe
I cringe at the thought of the dealer working on my bike. Always have .
The dealer let my buddy ride off without the left rear spacer on the axle after a tire change. Destroyed alot of parts and if he would have made it to the highway maybe even him. Do these people know they have YOUR life in their hands when working on your bike ? Or maybe they just don't care. Beat advice is to stay far away from them. I'm sure there are some good techs, but they are hard to find.
Ive seen a tech forget to refill a tranny after service.......costly mistake for the dealership.
Just as bad is never empty the fluid out and pour more in. Seals blown and leaked everywhere. Had it back there so many times. They finally got it right and I sold the damn thing. Mechanic was noted for smoking pot all day!!
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