Mechanic in Los Angeles? (Jack's Fiat experiences)

[muzeon]

Good to know, RJ80... shall keep that in mind! Thanks.

2 weeks and 4 four days that our car is at Jack's Fiat shop. Hope it'll be done tomorrow!!!

Is it normal for a mechanic to take that long on a car? We're talking about changing engine oil, steering oil, transmission oil, install rust filter for gas tank, reconnect hoses to engine fan, change out the rusty electric connectors for most of the car, etc... bunch of small stuff... not talking about rebuilding engine and transmission here...

granted, past 2 weeks were holidays.

Only my husband had a chance to drive the car... I haven't even driven it yet! Though his experience driving with the gear shift not working has sorta ruined his excitement about driving a Fiat 500... oops... I guess as long as Jack fixes the problem, and not make it worse... we should be back in square one.

[mdrburchette]

It's not unusual for a small shop to put big jobs ahead of small ones, especially if they know it's not your daily driver. They'll work on the smaller jobs while waiting for parts on the bigger ones. It may be an advantage to you costwise since he's not working on it straight out and doing it in his "spare" time vs all at once.

[TulsaSpider]

I too am looking for someone to do some front-end suspension work in the near future. I would not reccomend Santo's Italian Car Repair in Northridge. Took my '79 Spider there half a year ago for a non-start issue and was talked into a tune-up, fluid change, and clutch cable replacement on an otherwise well-running car (when it would start). While the car was running when I got it back -- over $300 later -- two days later it failed to start again. The shop told me they were unable to replicate the problem. I later tracked the problem down myself to a loose connection near the coil and have not had a related issue since. While I appreciated the fluid change and clutch cable replacement, my car now backfires on decleration after their "tune-up." I suspect they have set the car to run quite rich -- an issue as I need to smog it soon and it was running just fine beforehand. Friendly, seemingly nice mechanics, but I feel I overpaid for a disappointing service that failed to fix the initial problem and has my car running slightly worse as a result.

Sorry you felt you had a bad experience there. We all have those stories! Unfortunately.. or fortunately depending on how you look at it. There is no one in this state who will work on my car so I have relied on this wonderful forum , my own two hands, and some cursing heheh... $300 doesn't seem too crazy. I am not sure your mechanical aptitudes and such but if you prefer to do things yourself then yea I see your point. There are 5 fluids, rear end, tranny, oil, gearbox, antifreeze, in your car which ones did they change? Electrical problems are very tricky everyone has experienced those gremlins. Did they tell you they couldn't find an issue when you picked it up?? If they didn't I would be upset too! The clutch cables on these cars are easy to replace but you don't want to get stranded somewhere! Is your car carb'd? It sounds like it is running a bit lean to me perhaps instead of rich?? not sure but that was my experience on my 78. Did the performance actually go down?? I haven't been there but if I lived near enough and had to take my car to a shop it would definatelty be Mark's

[RJ80]

Funny you ask, I just looked at my receipt to check it out. Though they said they were going to replace diff, trans fluid and engine oil, all they did was engine oil -- to the tune of $45 parts/labor! Ouch! Guess I was so happy to get the car back after weeks of inactivity that I overlooked the billing details. 5 quarts of oil was $20. Do our cars really require that much oil? Mine's a 2-liter. Total cost of repairs wasn't bad -- had they actually fixed the issue. Clutch cable was reasonable to me at $75 parts/labor.

As I understand, backfiring through the carb would indicate lean condition, but rich if through the exhaust. Mine is definately through the exhaust. As for the no-start issue, they told me that I "just wasn't starting it properly," and that it needed a tune-up. Also told me I had to depress the gas pedal a few times beofre starting (though I was already doing that to activate the choke from cold).

The shop was highly reccomended in the local Alfa community (most cars in the shop were Alfas), and as I say friendly guys and all that. Maybe I just had a bad experience. Called ahead to make sure they could handle my specific car and they replied that it would be no problem. Oh well, lesson learned.

[TulsaSpider]

OUCH INDEED!
I guess it's good that you looked at your invoice, now you know that there are still some very important fluids that still need to be changed! 5 quarts is fine BTW.

[TVST*R]

Hi,

New here. We actually don't own a Spider, but just got our '71 Fiat 500L 5 days ago. We started running into gear shift issues. Need a mechanic as the car only drives in 1 or 2nd gear ONLY!

We brought the car to Imported Car Service (formerly Tony's Imports), and now Jack's Fiat (Speedway Imports). Trying to troubleshoot the problem still. Jack is going to repair the linkages. Hope it's not the transmission as it has been rebuilt 1 or 2 years ago.

So, has anyone have any experiences with Jack's Fiat?

Also, just in case if Jack can't fix the problem, any other mechanics in Los Angeles area that you trust?

Need a mechanic who doesn't fix one thing and breaks 2 more, who takes weeks, or is not honest. I know, tough call... but figured you guys have all the experiences... any thoughts greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Just saw this post...
I used Jack before I knew SoCalMark and now I make the drive to Upland for all my repair work.
Jack is actually a very good, conscientious mechanic but he only takes cash, starts work at 3pm and normally doesn't like drop ins.
If you ever need help getting to Upland, let me know. I'm in Santa Monica.
Tom

[RJ80]

I just got my car back today from having some brake work and a front end rebuild done at Mark's shop in Upland and got to meet the man in person as well. Mark (and assistant) couldn't have been nicer, the price of the work done was extremely reasonable (he even cut my springs for free!) and driving the 50-odd miles back home was an absolute revelation. The car was brilliant and rode/handled as I imagined it should for the first time in my ownership experience! It's nice to slow down from highway speeds without worrying about veering under the wheels of the semi truck in the right hand lane! All the free play in the steering is gone as well and the car no longer crashes and bangs over bumps like a wooden ox cart.

Thanks Mark for a job well done, I've found my new regular mechanic! Hope to be attending some club meets with you soon!

[TVST*R]

I just got my car back today from having some brake work and a front end rebuild done at Mark's shop in Upland and got to meet the man in person as well. Mark (and assistant) couldn't have been nicer, the price of the work done was extremely reasonable (he even cut my springs for free!) and driving the 50-odd miles back home was an absolute revelation. The car was brilliant and rode/handled as I imagined it should for the first time in my ownership experience! It's nice to slow down from highway speeds without worrying about veering under the wheels of the semi truck in the right hand lane! All the free play in the steering is gone as well and the car no longer crashes and bangs over bumps like a wooden ox cart.

Thanks Mark for a job well done, I've found my new regular mechanic! Hope to be attending some club meets with you soon!

Mark is the best!
I actually look forward to my trips out to UPland (from LA) as it gives me some fun freeway time. I am always thrilled at how fast these cars are and it always seems there is more power on demand.
The best part is getting something fixed that has been nagging you for awhile and then having an hour drive home with your new goodies. I am due some new front Ferodo pads so now am taking it easy...but once Mark puts them on I am back to terrorizing old ladies and small children...hehe
Tom

[muzeon]

Hey Tom,

Believe it or not. Car is still at Jack's shop. Been at least 2 months now. So tired of it, told him to wrap up the things that he has the parts for cos one way or another we are picking up the car on Sat and will bring payment with, go over what is done.

I can only hope the car drives for at least 20min. Last time drove for 2.5 miles, engine died while MOVING.

Jack is meticulous. Knows what he is doing. But way too slow. See a whole bunch of cars come and go since, but my car is the only one still sitting there. 3pm to 6pm on a good work day is just killing my joy out of having this car. And he is not cheap either.

I have not driven this car yet since I bought it.

So one way or another I will be taking the car out of his shop this Saturday. Wish me luck.

2 Fiat owners highly reccomended another Jack, in Reseda. Also I spoke to Vittorio at Alfa Italia Inc in Burbank, sounds like he know the Fiat 500 well, but pricey. So, if anyone has any experience with these guys, love to hear your thoughts. Thanks.

[muzeon]

Oh, btw love to bring it to Mark. But if the engine doesn't run, can't afford to tow 50miles!

[TVST*R]

Oh, btw love to bring it to Mark. But if the engine doesn't run, can't afford to tow 50miles!

I noticed Mark has a truck and trailor...maybe you could bribe him....going out friday for brakes.
Tom

[fiasco]

Don't want to commit someone else to anything, but Ryan (SpiderHead) has a custom tow bar that attaches to the bumper shocks. We used it to tow my car from Mark's place to my house today. Maybe he'd let you borrow it - he's in Long Beach.

-- se

[muzeon]

Thanks guys for the towing suggestions! I have a Fiat microcar, Fiat 500. So, needs to be on a trailer or flatbed. Yes, it's a fussy car.

[muzeon]

So, we picked up the car Saturday. Told Jack to do something he is unwilling to do: plug the fuel return output on the carb of our upgraded engine (original Fiat 500s don't have a fuel return line).

We have been driving the car for at least 30miles. City street driving. No stalls and hot starts are good too! Get to drive it for the first time since we got the car in mid-Dec!!! Loving it!

Still need quite a few work to be done -wheel alignment, a stuck accel pedal, heat vent tube, etc.

Will try out Vittorio at Alfa Italia (Burbank) this time around. He sounded like he knows Fiat 500s well enough (so far the most for a mechanic in Los Angeles area I have spoken to).

So thanks for the help and tips so far! Cheers!

[NJFIAT1981]

Hello,
I have had dealings with Jack over the internet via parts purchases. He is extremely knowledgeable and was more than willing to invest his time in answering many basic questions that I had. I am a First time East Coast Spider owner. Seems to really know his stuff. Good luck