C-5 Mechanics

[Big Beer]

I am curious what certification/training a C5specialist get? :confused I am looking for a new dealer (for service) and I want to seek out someone qualified to work on my car, and be able to ask the dealer if they have such a mechanic on staff. So what certification from GM makes a C-5 specialist?

I say this having read the "Dealer dropped my C-5" and reading about a dealer that put 180 miles on another Corvette that was brought in for service. My dealer is not that bad, however I feel they are not up to speed on my service needs, I base this on the several expierences...

1. 39,000 mile service (for the C-5) scheduled two weeks in advanced, they were unable to complete the service becuase they did not have the fuel filter in stock.

2. Oil Change (C-5), when I popped the hood to check the work, I discovered the hoodlight was disconnected, I know it was connected prior to service, and suspect it was disconnected for the service (becuase the hood was up for a while, but not reconnected...no biggy really but it shows no ATTENTION to Detail...)

3. While my Avalanche was being serviced, me and the Mrs. went to the local eatery for lunch; two of the mechanics wearing their dealer uniforms came in and had several Beers with their lunch, now I personnally don't think one Beer at lunch is a big deal, however when I picked the car up, I saw both mechanics, working after the lunch, after having more than one beer.

The above all happened at one dealership...

I had another Dealer (Ford) where I brought the truck (F-150 4x4) in for an oil change, the oil pressure gauge would go to 0 then kick up to where it should be so I asked the service writer to have the mechanic look at the oil pressure sending unit and maybe clean the contact/wire while they had in (or replace the Oil Pressure Sending Unit if needed), she replied that "that needs an appointment, a mechanic needs to do that", so I inquired to the qualifications of the guy doing the oil change (which was an appointment not a walk in)...(looking for ASE or similiar) and she said that the person doing the oil change had no qualifications ...of course this esculated to why should I bring it in to be serviced by the dealer if the person doing the oil change has no qualifications? ad

Anyway, what do I ask the dealer to ensure a mechanic is a C-5 mech? The average GM mechanic (at least at the dealership I have been using) does not seem to be working out...

Disgruntled with Factory Service

Beer

 

[c4c5specialist]

Hi there,
Unfortunately, there is no actual certification for a Corvette Technician. There is only GM certification for a given area of expertise, like engine mechanical, transmissions, electrical, and other areas of a vehicle.
The last time there was a GM certification for the Corvette was ZR1.
It is unfortunate that some technicians are not as detailed as others.
My only suggestion, is to talk to some of the c5 owners in the area.
See who gets good service and accurate repairs.
Noone is perfect in this service area, but the average mistakes are few by a good technician.
And then when you decide to go to a dealership, as to talk to the mechanic who is working on your car. See how much they like the car, and working on them.
Alot of times, 10 mins with the technician is worth alot.
Allthebest, c4c5

 

[CAPN17]

There are over 30 GM training courses offered on the C5 for mechanic certification. The Vette specialist at the dealership where I purchased my car had them all and the dealership put them on the salesroom walls. He has since departed there and gone to work for Buick, go figure, must be the money. I am now looking for another shop with a certified C5 mechanic. Most dealerships in Illinois have no idea what to do with a Vette or how to work on one and I am not letting them use mine for a lab.

 

[c4c5specialist]

HI there,
I would be very interested to know of what courses you are talking about????
General training certifications are very diversified, and are very broad in the knowledge that are there.
Engine mechanical, which entails Gen 3 small block is including the truck line, Camaro/Firebird, and others that use the Gen 3.
Electronics entails all models and systems.
Please post these courses so that we may all learn more of this training, because I know I am interested.
Allthebest, c4c5

 

[CAPN17]

I will try to find out, but since Bill left I have lost touch with him. It may take a couple of times looking but I will look for him. He took all his paper with him.

 

[Big Beer]

Good advice, I will get with my local Corvette Club (maybe see if they have or would host a message board for this topic) and check out their experiences with the local Dealers for service.

Thanks for the feedback, if I learn any more in my "quest" concerning GM certs/classes or C-5 specific training I will post here .

Cheers
Beer

 

[ltlvt]

my dealer has 4

My Dealer has 4 mechs that don't work on anything but Vettes. Frank Para in Irving Texas. They sell a lot of Vettes too... My 3 cents Terry

 

[1g1yy]

What I hate most about having a dealership work on my car is that I can't watch them while they are doing the work. The last time I had it in for some warrantee work they left a shop rag under the hood!! I will almost be glad when my extended warrantee runs out because then it will never see a dealership service bay again!