I don't have a bad attitude towards him. I'm sorry that I'm not as trusting as you when it comes to mechanics. Obviously you know enough not to ever get cheated so yea, easy for you to trust the work because you know exactly what work is being done.

Not everyone on this planet is like you though. I'm simply trying to get as many opinions as I can. $1000 is not chump change to me. It's not like I'm making a big deal over a couple hundred bucks. He did good work for me before, but it was a radiator replacement. Even I know exactly what needs to be done with that. I just don't have the handiness or tools to do it myself.

This is obviously a bigger issue. The guy over the phone didn't give me a diagnosis. He was judging the diagnosis that the other mechanic gave based on 1 test in 1 valve. Even I thought the test was too simple for him to immediately conclude that it's a head gasket. He did a comp test in one valve. That's it. Didn't check anything else. This is what the mechanic I talked to over the phone questioned.

Mxmikie mentioned one of the possible issues I came across... timing belt. I was fully expecting it to be the timing belt when I had the mechanic come take a look, but it turned out to be something completely different.

As for cornflakes, you pissed in them. You can't be condescending towards someone with comments like "There's a new site called Google." Is this how you act in real life to strangers or do you only do that on the Internet? Jeez, I was just asking for help after exhausting the Google option.

 

my humour obviously doesnt transmit well. That was jeering at worst,
yanks seem to have a time of comprehending nz humour...
and yes, im the same irl with everyone i know. They just have the benefit of smirk and haughty chortle so as they know i aint srius.
=D

Anyhow. Thats not a comp test. Go and get your 85$ back. A comp test is every cylinder.
Altho i get a feeling that the guy may know your car

OR he's fishing for business.
Not being there irl, perhaps youre a better gauge of his character, but a PROPER comp test should def. be done for a PROPER DIAGNOSIS.
Unfortunately this isnt something i can do over the internet...

 

Actually, us yanks can be both more cruel and sarcastic than other nationalities. But you see, I'm a Korean American. I've learned to treat others with respect and not get into potentially insulting discourse with people I do not know. But now we know each other enough that we can let the sarcastic comments fly. I'm glad I don't know you in real life, I probably wouldn't understand your horrible accent (i keed i keed).

Yea, I figured the test wasn't conclusive enough. That's why I made sure to include every detail like him just sticking it in one valve.

I won't even attempt to get my money back. I'm cutting my losses and taking it to the shop. I don't feel like arguing over $85 for something I'm going to end up spending over $1,000 on. I'll view that $85 as the cost of me using a mobile mechanic rather than shop. Lesson learned.

Thanks man.