Interviewing a Mechanic

Let's face it, you care a LOT about your bus. You also probably know more about it than most people and most  mechanics in particular.

Another fact you'll face from time to time is that sometimes you get to a point where another set of eyes, trained eyes, can pay off.

I reached that point about 6 weeks ago. I finally fixed all my electrical problems and was able to start the bus. After an hour of it running and both me and Julie trying, we couldn't get the thing into gear. I have a new Gene Berg Shifter, followed the instructions and still couldn't get it into gear.

By-The-Way: This is how my whole restoration started. I had bought a quick shift kit, tried installing it and couldn't get it into gear. Then figured it might be the shift rod bushings, took out the engine and never stopped.

Anyway, so I was at the same frustration point. So close to getting this thing drivable and decided to quick path it. Take it too a mechanic. The place that had gotten me a bunch of parts, FornParts, had recommended a local mechanic so I called them up, they said they would give it a shot and I had it towed over there.

This was my first mistake. It's been at the mechanic for 6 weeks now. Every time I call I get told about hardships they face in working on my bus. It's 32 years old, waaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh. I seriously have heard enough that it's my bus' fault that it's taking so long.

When I brought it to them they identified the transmission problem and immediately volunteered that they had a resource who would be working on this. Someone "German Trained" and worked on these buses new. They said THEY COULD DO IT.

6 weeks later, their resource has probably worked on the bus a total of 5 days.

I am mad, but I want my bus back and working. At this point I am biting my tongue so that they'll finish the bus. It's not cheap to have a trans rebuilt. I've had to do way more than I thought I should have to do. I've sourced parts, ordered them... I feel like I've done project management and kept the urgency on them.  Uggh.

Anyway, so here's my advice. Questions I would ask in the future when interviewing a mechanic.

Prep Work:

• List out the items that you would like to look at and prioritize them. 
• Make a list of any changes you or others have to the stock bus. If you don't know, tell them that. 

Questions to ask:

• Do they work on Air Cooled Volkswagens? Buses?
• When was the last time they worked on a Air Cooled Volkswagen? 
• Can they give you a reference name and number to check on the work?
• If you know specifically what is wrong or you think is wrong with your bus:
• Have they worked on that before?
• When was the last time, etc, etc?

If they are doing transmission work or you suspect transmission is involved in the problem:

GO TO A TRANSMISSION PLACE OR FIND ONE THAT DOES AND HAS EXPERIENCE WITH THOSE.

This is where I'm getting burned right now.

Remember:

• YOU have an antique bus. 
• YOU care more about your bus than they or others do. 
• YOU probably know more about your bus than they do.
• YOU HAVE OPTIONS. There are more mechanics and in this economy very few are doing work on hobby cars. 
• YOUR bus is a iconic piece of American culture. Having it in their shop will bring in business. 

If you have more suggestions, comment and share them here.

In retrospect, I should have bought a rebuilt transmission and been done. What I'm dealing with right now is insane. With the money  and TIME I've spent, paying more for a rebuit and having it back in 2 weeks as opposed to 6 would have totally been worth it.

Casey