More main stealer ignorance

Sid_the_Squid · Post by **Sid_the_Squid** » 23 Jul 2010, 17:16

Hi all,
Today managed to get a bit of free time to give the GG her regular service, decided to be prudent and change the gearbox oil as well as I'm at the 129k miles mark! Now usually I get the Esso LT 71141 from citroen hatfield who seem to be quite on the ball at getting the right parts from part numbers, however today I went to my local (from home) citroen Hemel. Aweful bunch of rejects working in the parts dept, tried to sell me Castrol Dexron stuff twice saying it was the only thing appearing on the computer, only after finally showing them a picture of a bottle of Esso LT 71141 did they managed to find some, which clearly showed the part number on the bottle!
When confronted with the actual bottle proudly displaying the part number I had origionally given them, the part number which seems to work fine at hatfield, I was told oh its superseeded mate, thats why could not find it.

Its worse still Citroen Hemel have also told a neighbour of mine (the one with the sliver Xantia) that his LX is a Hydractive model! I had a look today its very clearly not.

No such trouble getting all the other sundries at eurocar parts though, did you guys know euro car parts web prices are more expensive than their in store ones? I was geared up to spend £71 there, based on a list form the internet, but all parts came to £63, guy at the counter told me its a common thing for their store and web prices not to match..

Anyone else had undue trouble getting Esso LT 71141 from Citroen dealers recently?

Homer · Post by **Homer** » 23 Jul 2010, 19:48

Not tried recently but I was told once in no uncertain terms that my BX19 TZI was a diesel, and by another dealer that the 2.0CT turbo engine in the Xantia didn't exist.

addo · Post by **addo** » 23 Jul 2010, 22:40

LT71141 has been (or is being) superseded by Esso (not PSA) apparently, but that's no reason to use DII instead!

I barely need the main dealers for anything. I registered ownership just in case of a recall or other issue, but to them I'm an inconvenience - owners with mechanical skills/experience are difficult to brush aside...

JohnD · Post by **JohnD** » 24 Jul 2010, 08:34

Sid_the_Squid wrote:Hi all,
did you guys know euro car parts web prices are more expensive than their in store ones? ?

Maybe that's how they can do 'free' delivery!

Sid_the_Squid · Post by **Sid_the_Squid** » 24 Jul 2010, 08:41

That thought did indeed cross my mind JohnD

JohnD · Post by **JohnD** » 24 Jul 2010, 09:44

As they say - Nothing is for free!

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 24 Jul 2010, 11:35

is there a need to buy oil's from the main dealer, if possible it must be fare cheaper to go to a motor factors,

how much dose the dealer charge for this oil,

regards malcolm

Sid_the_Squid · Post by **Sid_the_Squid** » 24 Jul 2010, 11:53

Only for the Esso LT 71141 Malcolm, Jim found a place which sells it in bulk, but if you only want 4 liters per year, and dont have the storage space, I think its dealer only.

Price seems to vary, its just under £20 for 2 liters, expensive yes, but a whole lot cheaper than a new auto box.

Post by **CitroJim** » 25 Jul 2010, 09:45

Have a word with these boys for a 20L drum of the stuff...

addo wrote:LT71141 has been (or is being) superseded by Esso (not PSA) apparently, but that's no reason to use DII instead!

Adam, what is LT71141 being superseded by then?

No, absolutely, NEVER use DII in a 4HP20 unless you wish to kill it!

My only contact with Main Stealers is to give them part numbers to order in. Our local factors on the other hand have exceedingly competent staff at the counter.

Post by **myglaren** » 25 Jul 2010, 09:58

CitroJim wrote:Have a word with these boys for a 20L drum of the stuff...

addo wrote:LT71141 has been (or is being) superseded by Esso (not PSA) apparently, but that's no reason to use DII instead!
Adam, what is LT71141 being superseded by then?

No, absolutely, NEVER use DII in a 4HP20 unless you wish to kill it!

My only contact with Main Stealers is to give them part numbers to order in. Our local factors on the other hand have exceedingly competent staff at the counter.

Mobil LT 71141, apparently.

Post by **CitroJim** » 25 Jul 2010, 10:41

myglaren wrote: Mobil LT 71141, apparently.

Thanks Steve

A rose by any other name....

Post by **myglaren** » 25 Jul 2010, 11:17

I don't think I'd want to be growing any roses that smelled like that stuff

Post by **CitroJim** » 25 Jul 2010, 12:51

Not quite dealer ignorance this, rather dealer incompetence

Robyn asked me to look at her 206 because the gears were stiff, especially first and sometimes she had real trouble engaging first, especially when hot.

The linkages were fine so I checked the oil.

Firstly it was necessary to use a breaker bar on the level and drain plugs...

Secondly, the 'box was massively overfilled and thirdly....

It was filled with bloody DEXRON

What half-witted inbred did that? Even the BoL states that only BV 75W-80 must be used

Needless to say, with the right stuff in the right quantity things are now a lot better

Seriously, if they can't get it right on a simple car like a 206, what hope is there for the more complex ones out there..

I despair

ACTIVE8 · Post by **ACTIVE8** » 30 Jul 2010, 17:19

CitroJim wrote:Not quite dealer ignorance this, rather dealer incompetence

Robyn asked me to look at her 206 because the gears were stiff, especially first and sometimes she had real trouble engaging first, especially when hot.

The linkages were fine so I checked the oil.

Firstly it was necessary to use a breaker bar on the level and drain plugs...

Secondly, the 'box was massively overfilled and thirdly....

It was filled with bloody DEXRON

What half-witted inbred did that? Even the BoL states that only BV 75W-80 must be used

Needless to say, with the right stuff in the right quantity things are now a lot better

Seriously, if they can't get it right on a simple car like a 206, what hope is there for the more complex ones out there..

I despair

They want extra money for their services, and their parts, and yet the quality of the work can be very bad, and too expensive.

The parts are also overpriced so they end up getting less work, and parts bought off them.

Not having proper skilled staff is down to HR, and tight fisted suits who don't pay enough for the good staff to remain at the main stealer.

They end up leaving and setting up as an independant, and provide better quality work at a cheaper rate.

The main stealer is stocked with a good supply of detritus I.E. F/wits at a loss to do the right/correct thing/task.

To be avoided at all (expensive) costs.

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 30 Jul 2010, 20:55

ACTIVA wrote
"The parts are also overpriced"

you can say that again,
when i enquired with our local F**T part department for a set of front brake pads for my daughters frenid's 07 punko still just under warenty,

i was told 73 quid pluss VAT trade,,

all because they require you to purchase genuine equipment whilst under warenty,

my local factors was asking 18 quid pluss VAT for Motorquip pads,

regards malcolm

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More main stealer ignorance

More main stealer ignorance

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