Thread:

Stuck with a F*** up

I got a call today from a very good customer, that has a fleet of trucks.

He tells me that one of his international bobtail trucks is having trouble the driver is having to add water everyday any ideas

I said yes, first we test and not guess !!!

I tell him a quick pressue test and we can check for external leaks first and if we dont find it, we will take a oil sample and have it checked for coolent in the oil.

If we have coolent in the oil we will drop the pan and do a second presure test and check for a leaking sleeve or a pin hole in the sleeve. If thats good we may have a injector copper in the head.

He tells me that sounds good only one problem the driver took the motor all apart and its a basket case and he in way over his head and I need the truck up and running ASAP

And he still has a job?

Fix it! Just hit 'em in the wallet $$$ and be sure to explain that it would have been much less expensive if they'd just brought it to you in the first place.

Originally Posted by BigSteve

He tells me that sounds good only one problem the driver took the motor all apart and its a basket case and he in way over his head and I need the truck up and running ASAP

"all apart" could mean different things to different people. he might have taken the air cleaner off... after all, it's the driver...

Handle the job ASAP...for a very good customer always.
The price depends on how much of a mess it is to begin with.
If it's bad just make sure he knows it's really really bad...Give him the really really bad price....and just charge him the bad price.
That way he gets his rig back to work making him money, you make your money...customer is happy for the service and the very good customer discount..

It's not always how you treat a customer...It's how he thinks you treated him.

I would suggest he buy a "crate" engine to immediately get the truck back on the road making money. Expensive? Yes....BUT, if he has a fleet of trucks he should have a spare engine kicking around anyway..Then you can rebuild the one the driver took apart in the next month or so after doing all the necessary tests/machine work..... The next time an engine fails he'll have the spare sitting their ready to rock and keep the truck making money..... It is then he will really appreciate your advice this time.... It is amazing how much a truck could have earned while it sits waiting for an engine to be rebuilt.... That figure isn't exactly what it would have earned, but to an owner it sure seems like it.........Yes I know those motors aren't cheap, but the cost is deductible!!!!!
Ray