[Karadjgne]

My carb was warped beyond repair. The middle section developed a crack at the Tps and was warped. So I got a reman from National Carb. It was somewhat dialed in, so would start and run, but all these engines are slightly different so any of them will require a little further tinkering possible. But, it came with a brand spanking new fuel filter already installed.

My point being, you may or may not have a new filter, don't see why you wouldn't from Nat. Carb, so any and all of that junk/dirt could possibly be leftover in the lines. Which means without a good flush of the feed And return lines, as clean as your tank started out, there's a possibility it's now got a bunch of junk in it. Depending upon whether the return line is a culprit or not.

 

[Old Bear]

David, don't go to inline glass fuel filters. Although you can see through them, they can break which has been known to cause fires.

 

[cyberray]

I'll contact him and see what I can do.

The tank had been flushed and ultrasonic cleaned by the dealer, but he left the old fuel filter on which was just full of crap. I'll plumb in a couple of in-line doohickeys to keep an eye on the issue.

yeah, get a bunch of those disposable inline clear plastic filters. they're dirt cheap and you can use them until your fuel runs clear.
and you REALLY need to get that QJet back. send it to the guy who supposedly knows stuff, your #1 choice, and have him do it proper.

 

[RoadToad84]

I'm feeling sick as a dog here. The guy charged me nigh on $1000 for the carb. Seems they're available for a quarter of that. Even with shipping to the UK that's outrageous. He's also asking for $140 to cover the surcharge to get the old unit back.

Lesson learned I guess. Won't be going back there

 

[Karadjgne]

That's crazy pricing. As well as questionable business practice. There's not a single shop I've Ever dealt with that charges customers to return any parts taken off a vehicle and replaced, and that includes everything from tires to oil. When I bought my carb, National Carb was very up front about core charges, fees etc and conditions of return. My old carb is not usable as anything but a couple of spare parts, so to be honest, I didn't send it to them and demand a core charge return. With what you spent, that should easily have included shipping you the original carb back, it's the UK he could have driven it back and personally handed you the carb in a couple of hours.

Good mechanics often get a bad reputation simply due to shady practices from snake-oil salesmen like that dude. If there's a Better Business Bureau or Angie's List or similar, that'd be my next step. A nicely worded backhand b**ch slap of a write up complaint.

 

[pbr400]

Ouch! For that kind of money I’d really be asking what carb he bought. (Maybe there’s some explanation other than his name is Ben Dover).
Patrick

 

[Hat Trick]

In the US, that is pretty close to fuel injection price. I get 20 mpg (not imperial) highway with my 79. 305 turbo 350, 241 rear with the quadrajet.
Tom

 

[RoadToad84]

Ouch! For that kind of money I’d really be asking what carb he bought. (Maybe there’s some explanation other than his name is Ben Dover).
Patrick

I've only had a quick look under the air cleaner, and it does look like a new unit in fairness. Brand new solenoids too.

I guess with shipping and taxes then a $300 part could become a $500 part fairly easily. He's charged me £650+tax (20%).

I have queried it, but am not expecting much.

I'm glad to have the car running, and I was well out of my depth with trying to fix the old carb, I just feel he's done the bare minimum and charged top rate.

Lesson learned I guess.

 

[cyberray]

I've only had a quick look under the air cleaner, and it does look like a new unit in fairness. Brand new solenoids too.

I guess with shipping and taxes then a $300 part could become a $500 part fairly easily. He's charged me £650+tax (20%).

I have queried it, but am not expecting much.

I'm glad to have the car running, and I was well out of my depth with trying to fix the old carb, I just feel he's done the bare minimum and charged top rate.

Lesson learned I guess.

" I just feel he's done the bare minimum and charged top rate."

that about sums it up. knowing all about the high prices in Europe and the VAT tax added on at all levels, I can't comment on the pricing. his business practices however........

in the future, please do consult us before pulling the trigger on anything. we're here to help

 

[RoadToad84]

" I just feel he's done the bare minimum and charged top rate."

that about sums it up. knowing all about the high prices in Europe and the VAT tax added on at all levels, I can't comment on the pricing. his business practices however........

in the future, please do consult us before pulling the trigger on anything. we're here to help

I had the car sent over to him as it wasn't driveable. He was terrible at keeping me updated and very vague when I pressed him for details. Unfortunately it was all done via email as I can't access my phone during working hours. Only found out what he had done and how much he was charging me when I got down to pick the car up.
I'm bummed, but at least I do have a car that runs and drives.

 

[Karadjgne]

The only way I can see his price tag, is not just for the carb, but the installation (whole swap takes less than half an hour) but also dialing in the carb for your motor, which admittedly can take quite a bit of time since setting fast idle has to be done cold, idle and timing has to be done hot and hunting down any vacuum leaks and then redoing everything over after that changes air/fuel ratios and idle speeds several times can take days.

 

[RoadToad84]

The only way I can see his price tag, is not just for the carb, but the installation (whole swap takes less than half an hour) but also dialing in the carb for your motor, which admittedly can take quite a bit of time since setting fast idle has to be done cold, idle and timing has to be done hot and hunting down any vacuum leaks and then redoing everything over after that changes air/fuel ratios and idle speeds several times can take days.

Yeah... except the adjustment screws are still blanked off, and he charged me 16 hours labour...

 

[Karadjgne]

That's just wrong. Sorry.

 

[cyberray]

Yeah... except the adjustment screws are still blanked off, and he charged me 16 hours labour...

" he charged me 16 hours labour..."

oh really? request a detailed bill that shows the exact work done and how long each step took (0.25, 0.5, 1.25 hrs, etc). if he balks tell him that your accountant is requiring it for your taxes. if you don't get it, then Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs will have to come to him for the data ("nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!")
with the detailed bill that also shows time/date of when the work was performed you can also see how much fluff he is putting into it and whether he knows how to do the job

 

[Karadjgne]

Yes.