ALLDATA Repair has revealed its Labour Times feature has helped a workshop justify a nine-hour labour charge, after discovering the engine must be removed to replace the vibration damper on a Mercedes A-Class (Type 169).
A customer drove their vehicle into an independent workshop recently, concerned about a squeaking noise coming from the engine. This noise began as the engine warmed up and changed with engine speed.
The technician took it for a test drive and confirmed the noise was emanating from the serpentine belt area and suspected the tensioning device, reportedly a common issue in these vehicles. Using his ALLDATA Repair subscription, he read the OEM repair instructions and labour times but discovered to replace the tensioning device, the engine needed to be lowered with the front axle carrier.
Without this information, the workshop would have been unable to quote for the job accurately, either risking undercharging or an incomplete repair.
However, while replacing the tensioning device made the noise quieter, it didn’t disappear. The customer returned to the workshop the following day, frustrated the problem remained. A team of technicians dug deeper to conclude it was the vibration damper bolt causing the noise.
Attempting to remove it, though, they soon realised the vibration damper screw was too long and too wide in diameter, hitting the support, preventing removal.
Returning to ALLDATA Repair to check the correct procedure, it revealed nine hours of labour time was required to completely remove the engine and replace the vibration damper.
Without the support and evidence of genuine OEM repair, diagnostic and maintenance data and OEM-sourced labour times, as illustrated in this real-life example, it is said to be nigh-on impossible to quote accurately, justify repair times and labour costs to customers, and prevent undercharging and lost profitability.
When the customer received proof, OEM instructions and labour time, it validated the workshop’s quote. Vitally, the customer understood and agreed to the work being carried out. Ultimately, the customer’s car was repaired, the workshop’s reputation was bolstered and the relationship between both parties was solidified.
This latest example is confirmation experience and guesswork aren’t enough, vehicle repair is complex and manufacturer-specific data is vital in ensuring safe, efficient and accurate repairs.
ALLDATA Repair comprises of more than 100 million articles, over nine million technical drawings and wiring diagrams with electrical connector views. This equates to procedures for more than 165,000 year, make, model and powertrain combinations or 97% of vehicles on the road today.
