Rebuild

[RoadRunner_51]

Ok so I go to a supposed expert Buick shop at a dealership in PA for a check up, after they look at it for 10 minutes they tell me it needs a rebuild cause it's quite rough.

They tell me it has an exhaust leak that they weren't specififc about and the Turbo isn't working effectively and that it is in bad shape they can't do anything today and they didn't charge me

Gotta love the brush off !!

Now I drive it sparingly and it runs hard, chirps the tires from 2 to 3rd when I'm gunning it and with the exception of the oil fill needing to be replaced I feel she runs hard and well.

Am I nutz ?

 

[cool 84]

Don't even think of listening to them. I've never seen a GN that idles smooth. Plus if it does have an exhaust leak that can definately make it idle and run bad. Did they do a compression or leak down test to determine if it needs a motor? Probably not. Turbo not working effectively?? Sounds like they were pretty vague, on purpose. I think you need a new mechanic. I took my GN to a Buick dealership when I first got it to check it out and they said it was too modified to work on. It had a downpipe, K&N, and intercooler and they were afraid of it.

 

[Buick From Hell]

Back in 1989 my ex took my car to a local dealer (she didn't think I knew $hit about bein' a mechanic ). It had about 70,000 miles on it at the time.

A mechanic checked it out a bit, then took it for a spin. Afterwards he told her "The engine in this thing is damaged beyond repair." The only reason this clown could've came to that conclusion was because of all the detonation (the ESC module wasn't working!). I'm still not sure if the guy was trying to make a scam sale, or was too lazy to be bothered with it.

Funny how I drove it another 85,000 miles before it actually DID need a rebuild!

 

[HOTSIX]

My opinion - two words: DEALERSHIPS SUCK.

I have had bad experience with ALL of the dealers I have dealt with - they are only in it for the cold hard cash - that's it - nothing else. They now charge 100 / hr CDN to look at your car- UNREAL.

In 10 mins they could have hardly done any kind of testing to see what the motor is or is not doing. Keep clear of them unless you have one that's tried, tested and true (Chevy, call your lawyers). I too have an 85 GN project car that is nearing completion. I had to car trailer it to my driveway due to the serious engine problems she had. Can't imagine what a dealer would have told me had I brought it in to them in the state it was in.

After my engine rebuild - it's mint. All is painted, replaced, rebuilt to spec and its running great now. If it needs a rebuild, do it right - you will be impressed, I was.

Do all the usual tests to see if it need a rebuild. Leak down test, etc. Obviously you must have felt that something was not right in order to have taken it to a shop right ?

 

[RoadRunner_51]

Only reason I went to the shop was to get a " honest " once over and healthy look at. And I didn't even get that,

Not being a expert mechanic I figured at least get some insight from the supposed " Local expert ". And I got bupkis !!

Someday I will get rebuild but not today on the advice of Joe Shmoe GM Notsogoodwrench !

I was half tempted to do a burn-out right there in the lot infront of the GOD AWFULL ASSTEK that they were using as a loaner.....

Man those things are UGLY !!

 

[national84]

I agree with you guys that the diagnosis on this was B.S., but let me just tell you a little about these cars...THEY ARE RARE. There was very little problem with these cars, and the dealer mechanics didn't work on them very often. Also, it has been quite as few years since most of these guys have worked on one. Many mechanics dont know much at all about TR's because they have never done anymore than maintenance. GM didn't make a whole heck of a lot of cars like ours. That's what makes them so special.
And, as you all know, the cars hold up extremely well.

I used to be a Buick mechanic, and whenever a TR came in, whoever got the ticket always came to me, because I was the only one experienced with these cars. Why, because I had one.

I agree alot of those boneheads make guesses and hang parts. But they aren't all out to screw you over.

 

[Buick From Hell]

Back when these cars were nearly new, the mechanics would cringe when they saw one come in! The '84 turbo regal was the first car with SFI, and nobody knew much about 'em. They ARE hard to work on, and I think a lot of mechanics just don't want to mess with 'em.

If you want more than a "bupkis" assessment, check around your area for other TR owners!