How to tell

[bruiser]

Your dealer has ripped you off. Had the wife's bike in on March 26, 2013 for a service prior to a trip. The dealer noted on the repair that they changed the plugs, adjusted the belt, changed oil and filter and checked battery and charging system. Bike was ok. Last week after I changed the clutch fluid wife took the bike out for a short run. She was gone less than 2 minutes when she came back and said something wasn't right. The bike was shaking and vibrating. I checked it over and decided that it was down a cylinder. Ordered plugs and wires from Ron.

Today, changed plugs and wires. Rear plug, as most of you know is easy. Plug wire came off fairly easy, took some effort, but not too bad. Plug came out ok but I noticed some "drag" on the threads as it was coming out. Having turned wrenches on anything from vacuum cleaners to jet fighters for the past 44 years, you come to understand what I mean when I say dry threads. Anyway, first thing I notice is there's no heat sink paste on the threads. I see that the plug is a DCPR8E. Ok, that's the plug BRP went to in 2011 for the RT. Plug doesn't look to bad since it's only been in around 7,000 miles, firing tip not to worn. Top tip is still shiny.

On to the dreaded front plug. Air box comes off after about twenty minutes work. Biggest thing is cutting all the zip ties. The front plug cable is a b**ch. Pulling, prying, cussing, using all manner of tool, it ain't coming off. I have to cut the boot to get it off. Clean the hole with compressed air, important step, Plug won't budge. Break out the big boy tools, 1/2 drive with an extended ratchet handle. Plug breaks loose. Out it comes, hmmmm, no drag on the threads. Plug is out.

Wait, what's this? The plug has heat sink paste on the threads. Hey, what the he** is this? This plug is a DCPR9E. That is the original factory plug! The firing tip is worn. The last three threads are soot covered. The top tip is dark gray from heat.

I was ripped off.

Ok, anyway, the bike runs a lot better.

What's the takeaway? Well, I haven't used this dealer for awhile anyway. And I'm damn sure not going back now.

90806

[Wiredux]

Glad to hear you got it all fixed.

[ARtraveler]

I would ask the dealer for a refund since the work was not done.

I have also suspected some dealers charging $600 for valve adjustment services and never doing any work--since most of the machines do not require anything be done. A great profit booster for a crooked dealer--IMO.

[oldgoat]

Makes you sick when you read things like this.

I know a lot of people can't do their own maintenance due to maybe lack of mechanical aptitude or physical injury. I am lucky in that I can do mine & have lots of time to do it. I often curse away when I'm doing it because my knee hurts or I've just banged my knuckles (always manage that bit) or whatever else.

In future when I pull myself upstairs using the banister & am tired & grumpy, I will stop & say to myself that at least the job has been done properly.

[Elembytes]

Your dealer has ripped you off. Had the wife's bike in on March 26, 2013 for a service prior to a trip. The dealer noted on the repair that they changed the plugs, adjusted the belt, changed oil and filter and checked battery and charging system. Bike was ok. Last week after I changed the clutch fluid wife took the bike out for a short run. She was gone less than 2 minutes when she came back and said something wasn't right. The bike was shaking and vibrating. I checked it over and decided that it was down a cylinder. Ordered plugs and wires from Ron.

Today, changed plugs and wires. Rear plug, as most of you know is easy. Plug wire came off fairly easy, took some effort, but not too bad. Plug came out ok but I noticed some "drag" on the threads as it was coming out. Having turned wrenches on anything from vacuum cleaners to jet fighters for the past 44 years, you come to understand what I mean when I say dry threads. Anyway, first thing I notice is there's no heat sink paste on the threads. I see that the plug is a DCPR8E. Ok, that's the plug BRP went to in 2011 for the RT. Plug doesn't look to bad since it's only been in around 7,000 miles, firing tip not to worn. Top tip is still shiny.

On to the dreaded front plug. Air box comes off after about twenty minutes work. Biggest thing is cutting all the zip ties. The front plug cable is a b**ch. Pulling, prying, cussing, using all manner of tool, it ain't coming off. I have to cut the boot to get it off. Clean the hole with compressed air, important step, Plug won't budge. Break out the big boy tools, 1/2 drive with an extended ratchet handle. Plug breaks loose. Out it comes, hmmmm, no drag on the threads. Plug is out.

Wait, what's this? The plug has heat sink paste on the threads. Hey, what the he** is this? This plug is a DCPR9E. That is the original factory plug! The firing tip is worn. The last three threads are soot covered. The top tip is dark gray from heat.

I was ripped off.

Ok, anyway, the bike runs a lot better.

What's the takeaway? Well, I haven't used this dealer for awhile anyway. And I'm damn sure not going back now.

90806


When I was 16 year old---(now 52) my dad drove a 1973 Volvo----the stupid engineers had designed the engine so poorly that you had to remove or loosen the A/C. compressor to get to the #1 spark plug. (Something we found later they were too lazy to do....read on) After my Dad paid hundreds for a tune-up and the car ran bad I suspected he too had been getting ripped off. SO, I marked ALL the plugs and distributor points. When he took his car in for service--we said, 'We want all old parts in a box". When we went to pick up the car---we had 3 plugs with my mark on them---points and condenser---We went into the service Manager---told him and he said 'well how do you know the work wasn't done?" I said, "I have the old parts here" pulled out the box showed him my marks and one plug without a mark. His face turned red---and he knew he'd been caught! I even told him that I knew some Fire Department people and his garage was not up to code with extinguishers on the walls with broken horns etc., We never took the car back to that shop---but I stopped in one day to pick up parts---I looked in the garage and it was like brand new--fire extinguishers had been fixed and I got the feeling they changed their tune---but we still never went back with the car to them. Makes me sick that American Businesses have stooped this low. What is wrong with us? I hope and pray it never happens to you ever again----Keep the faith---stay diligent!!!!!

Make sure you let BRP know of this incident---either they will take care of this dealer and the lack of true service or they will NOT allow them to be a BRP dealer. If we don't all stand up and say ENOUGH of this---it will never change----

[Bob Denman]

Take the plugs back to the dealer, and land them right in front of the service manager... Then, give him your best dance! :gaah::gaah::gaah::gaah::gaah:
You've got absolute proof that they didn't do what they charged you for! After you get done with him; go see the boss! :sour:
Good luck, and please let us know what they do to make this right... :2thumbs:

[Yazz]

Had something like that happen to me. Was going on a long trip and asked the dealer to go through the Springer and do a total maintenance package. It cost dearly, but it was peace of mind.

Coming into El Paso during rush hour, my rear brake went out. We found a hotel next to a dealership and brought her in the next morning. The mech said the brake pad was toast and the original guy should have found it when he was repacking the rear bearing. Hmmm...

After we got back from our trip, went back to the dealer. Told the tech manager I wanted my rear bearing repacked because I had paid for it earlier and it wasn't done. Showed him my receipt for the total maintenance package.

He stood between me and my bike and said it would cost $75.00 and they can't with good conscience let my bike go until it was done.

Let's just say things got a little heated and the mechs had circled behind me. The manager relented and let me in the wrench area to watch over the procedure. The original tech did the job. First the front tire came off. The bearing had sweet green grease. Then came the rear bearing. He took it out and showed it to me. The grease was black with chunks in it. "Let's show this to the manager and see what he thinks."

Don't care how many discounts they gave me. Never went back to that :cus: place.

[Chupaca]

happens way to often. Mechanics work on flat rate which is fine if you have honest work force. If you can beat the flate rate you make more money (or you have more free time). The mistake is that some customers can work on their bikes and find half done or poorly done work. They figure it is time consuming and difficult so customer will never know. Now this boy not only did half the job but he did the other half badly...:gaah:

[Oldmanzues]

This thread concerns me. I can not do much anymnore on the Spyder or my truck due to Old age.
It happens to car dealers as well. A couple years ago, had several scheduled maintanice items down. they had the truck for 2 hours from the time I left it till they called to say it was ready. they wanted almost $900 labor cost. They chargd flat rate for each item although they over laped a lot. They said, I had to be fair to the mechanic. I lost it and told them I understood flat and I also unstood fraud and the bill had better change. All at once, I had around $600.00 in credit. I never went back for service and told the salesman, why I would never buy from him again, same dealership.
Oldmanzues

[M109Dreamer]

Thats why I always ask for the old parts. I asked for the wifes Spyder plugs and was told by yhe mechanic that he already threw them away. I forgot to mention it when I dropped it off. I have a funny feeling he didnt change crap except the oil because when he drained the oil and filters he just let the oil go everywhere and I spent the next 3 hrs cleaning it when I got home. With the maintenance plan all done with Ill just do the work myself for now on.

[bruiser]

I was a service rep for a large company for 24 years. I took pride in my work. If I made a mistake I owned it. If I couldn't fix the problem, I made sure the customer knew why and when it would be completed. I had very few flat rate jobs. Of those I had, the job was completed. If I went over the flat rate time, it was on me, not the customer. That rarely happened though. It was what the company demanded and the customer expected. Having said that, not all of our reps acted that way. Those that didn't were gone. While my car and truck were under warranty, I had them serviced at the dealer. I never had an issue with the service being done. One time the tech backed the car off the rack, he got to close to the side and put a deep scratch on the quarter panel. The tech, service writer and service manager all took responsibility. The dealer fixed the scratch. You couldn't even tell where the repair was done. I still use the dealer although the wife's new Impala has two years free service. I service my truck myself.

So here's what burns me. If I pay for a job to be done, I expect it to be done, completely. Not half a**. If you have one, two or 12 cylinders, change all the plugs. If it takes longer because of poor design, that's on me because I bought the product. And I will pay the extra labor.

It took me 3 hours from start to finish to change both plugs and wires. This is the first time I've changed the plugs. I'll be doing it next on my 2012 when they're due.

I will be visiting the service manager Tuesday. One other thing. A friend wanted to buy a Spyder. I took him to the dealer I use now, two hours away. He bought two Spyders from them.

[bruiser]

Went to the dealer this morning after doing escort/flag line for one of our fallen warriors.

The service manager wasn't in, the owner (sm's brother) was occupied so I snagged the head mechanic. Showed him the two different spark plugs and told him how I found them. Showed him the receipt and work order. He said "looks like they installed one wrong plug". No I said. That is an original factory plug. They never changed the front plug. "oh" he said. "How did you find it?" I told him the front cylinder went down on the bike."You know that front one is a bear to get to". Yes I said. But I paid for two plugs and only got one. "It's been over a year so I don't know who did the work. I'm sorry it happened. Remind me next time you come in and I'll make it right for you".

I'm not going back.

He did say they just had a Limited in with the same problem, front cylinder down. Hope that owner gets the proper service.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Went to the dealer this morning after doing escort/flag line for one of our fallen warriors.

The service manager wasn't in, the owner (sm's brother) was occupied so I snagged the head mechanic. Showed him the two different spark plugs and told him how I found them. Showed him the receipt and work order. He said "looks like they installed one wrong plug". No I said. That is an original factory plug. They never changed the front plug. "oh" he said. "How did you find it?" I told him the front cylinder went down on the bike."You know that front one is a bear to get to". Yes I said. But I paid for two plugs and only got one. "It's been over a year so I don't know who did the work. I'm sorry it happened. Remind me next time you come in and I'll make it right for you".

I'm not going back.

He did say they just had a Limited in with the same problem, front cylinder down. Hope that owner gets the proper service.
:gaah::gaah::gaah:..I truly feel for you Bro.....................got any bricks lying around you have no immediate use for :roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflb lack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack:............ ............Mikeguyver :roflblack:

[Eagle1]

I would be going back to the dealer, in addition to sending an email to the dealer owners.

[bruiser]

I'm not going to worry about it anymore. I figure they know they got caught. They took a hit in sales anyway. I helped sell three Spyders at a competing dealer. Figure that was payback enough.

[Bob Denman]

:D The best revenge; is always to live well! :2thumbs:

[freebob]

Your dealer has ripped you off. Had the wife's bike in on March 26, 2013 for a service prior to a trip. The dealer noted on the repair that they changed the plugs, adjusted the belt, changed oil and filter and checked battery and charging system. Bike was ok. Last week after I changed the clutch fluid wife took the bike out for a short run. She was gone less than 2 minutes when she came back and said something wasn't right. The bike was shaking and vibrating. I checked it over and decided that it was down a cylinder. Ordered plugs and wires from Ron.

Today, changed plugs and wires. Rear plug, as most of you know is easy. Plug wire came off fairly easy, took some effort, but not too bad. Plug came out ok but I noticed some "drag" on the threads as it was coming out. Having turned wrenches on anything from vacuum cleaners to jet fighters for the past 44 years, you come to understand what I mean when I say dry threads. Anyway, first thing I notice is there's no heat sink paste on the threads. I see that the plug is a DCPR8E. Ok, that's the plug BRP went to in 2011 for the RT. Plug doesn't look to bad since it's only been in around 7,000 miles, firing tip not to worn. Top tip is still shiny.

On to the dreaded front plug. Air box comes off after about twenty minutes work. Biggest thing is cutting all the zip ties. The front plug cable is a b**ch. Pulling, prying, cussing, using all manner of tool, it ain't coming off. I have to cut the boot to get it off. Clean the hole with compressed air, important step, Plug won't budge. Break out the big boy tools, 1/2 drive with an extended ratchet handle. Plug breaks loose. Out it comes, hmmmm, no drag on the threads. Plug is out.

Wait, what's this? The plug has heat sink paste on the threads. Hey, what the he** is this? This plug is a DCPR9E. That is the original factory plug! The firing tip is worn. The last three threads are soot covered. The top tip is dark gray from heat.

I was ripped off.

Ok, anyway, the bike runs a lot better.

What's the takeaway? Well, I haven't used this dealer for awhile anyway. And I'm damn sure not going back now.

90806

s\Sorry u got ripped they only changed one plug easy one on left side....

[bruiser]

Sorry, I don't post dealer names if I don't have anything good to say about them.

[Commander]

...With proof like that I would have no problem sending or calling BRP and the owner and telling both of them that that was the last time you will be going to that dealership