Hello faithful readers and welcome to another week of adventures from the KAM team. We have been very busy this week as you continue to heed the call and more and more of your cars are being restored to perfect health. You can leave your comments, questions and queries at www.twitter.com/dr_kev.
This week we received a visit from Miss K, a new customer at KAM. She arrived at our Heanor depot and seemed quite depressed as she approached the forecourt. “As she got closer a thunderous noise could be heard and she almost seemed unable to control it. As she parked up the Ford KA she breathed a sigh of relief, happy that she had made it to the KAM offices. “Oh Kev that was a frightening journey, I have never heard it be that loud before.” Miss K was relatively young but had already suffered at the hand of rogue mechanics and was not going to be taken for a ride again. She explained her car’s recent problems “You see Kev, I heard this noise a few weeks ago, it was not as loud so I thought I’d take it to my local garage.” I had a feeling that I knew where this story was going and I was proved right as she continued. “Well Kev they saw that I was a young woman and they just wanted to make some fast money. They replaced the clutch and I got a hefty bill. But the noise continued and they weren’t interested in finding out what the true root of the problem was.” So Miss K’s problem continued, with the noise gradually getting louder and now she needed some answers. “I’ve heard and read all good things about you and the KAM team Kev and so please say you can help.” Miss K was in desperate need of the KAM team’s help and we could not let her down and leave her with the lasting image of all garages being unlawful and using untoward methods. We took all of Miss K’s details and then reassured her that we would find and fix the problem and that no unnecessary work would be undertaken. She was happy to leave the car in the KAM team’s care and she was whisked away in one of our courtesy cars.
We got straight to work and this week’s mystery was to be solved by our new mechanic Curious Craig. Craig is a new member of the expanding KAM team and comes to our company with a wealth of knowledge. He has expertise in all areas and is equipped to work on all makes and models. His specialty lies in clutches and we hope that he will be solving mechanical mysteries for many years to come. This week would be his first mystery and he was on a mission to prove himself to our veteran KAM boys.
He got straight to work and took the car on a long road test to see the true extent of the problem. He returned a while later and as he approached we again heard the awful noise resonating from the engine. The boys were covering their ears and finally the car was hoisted up onto the ramp. Within seconds Craig’s head was under the bonnet trying to find the lurking gremlins. He looked around for a few minutes and proceeded to take of the auxiliary belt (most of you will know this as the fan belt) and tested the various pulleys, such as the tensioner, water pump etc. He had a hunch and he was going to go with it. After a short time the famous words rang through the workshop “I’ve got it Kev.” It so transpired that the noise was coming from worn bearings on the alternator drive pulley. This had caused the pulley to move up and down, resulting in the horrific noises.
This was a relatively quick diagnosis and after a quick call to our fantastic suppliers, Craig got to work fitting the new parts. All that was required was a new alternator and Craig had successfully completed his first mystery at KAM.
Before we went on the road test Miss K insisted that she go along to ensure that the fault was fixed and that she was not being duped again. So she and Craig embarked on the road test and as the key was turned in the ignition everyone, including Miss K waited in anticipation. The key turned and… the car purred away with no trace of the previous noise.
“Wow Kev, I can’t believe it. You really helped me out and have definitely renewed my faith in hard working, reliable and honest garages.”
Remember faithful reader, our team of dedicated and hardworking staff at the branches in Sutton, Long Eaton, Bulwell and Belper along with our bodywork shop are open every day of the week, EXCLUDING Sunday’s, while the lads at our Sawley and Heanor workshops are at your service seven days a week, keeping your car where it belongs. ON THE ROAD.
So until next week faithful reader. Drive safely and keep it shiny side up.
Dr. Kev.
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