/// UPDATE 05-20-2022 ///
If allowed this thread is open for discussion on all things related to complex auto diagnostics people might like.
I'm a big fan of Scanner Danner and some are fans of Patt Goss and others as seen below so feel free to post links, videos or whatever is relevant to proper diagnostics and your favorite tech who rants or has info about proper diagnosis- just for fun!



Hi friends,
Hopefully some Scanner Danner fans on here.
Who's never been a "Part's Changer" when trying to diagnose a complicated problem hoping for the best?
Hate to admit but I know I have... lolol

 

Exactly. Pat Goss, the Lead Technician for Motorweek, has spoken of this numerous times in his call-in show. After a code is indicated by the scanning-device, a specific step-procedure for trouble-shooting has to be followed for that code...a series of individual steps to identify and isolate the problem once and for all. That proper procedure is listed in the vehicle's Service Manual and info-sources like All-Data. Otherwise, by just reacting to a code and nothing else, the Technician is just throwing new parts at a problem that may or many not actually solve it.

 

I don't know this guy but if you like his work plz feel free to post up a video for us.

All I know is I've seen several threads on here of people getting work done based on codes and failed(myself included).
People I know have heard mechanics say as long as the engine is running they don't want to see their car until it thowing codes or wait until it throws a code and then call for appointment.

 

Sure. Be glad to. He's done videos on the subject, and dealt with it on his talk show. Here's a couple of them:

https://www.motorweek.org/features/g...e/code-readers

https://www.goss-garage.com/2012/05/...-check-basics/

 

Generally I agree with not throwing parts at a problem without a thorough diagnoses. Some DIY folks, however, don't have the shop manuals for following the trouble-shooting procedures. Or, don't have the tools or skills necessary. But, with the aid of internet research, one can still make an educated guess and change-out parts known to have high-failure rates. Even if the parts don't fix the problem, if they have high-failure rates, like coils for instance, it can be thought of as preventive maintenance.

Sometimes even professionals throw parts at problems without a proper diagnoses. They can make more money this way, charging the customer all along the way! In the end they explain to the customer that all of the parts were "contributing" to the problem, and 99.9% of customers don't even question it. This is one more reason I do all my own work!

 

Thank You mmarshall, I watched the video link and he pretty much says same thing. I like his style and will keep an eye out for his videos when I see them come up on youtube. Other than Scanner Danner and a few others I don't have many others I like to recommend or think they add much value but I know there must me many out there.

That's the way I see it too.
I have struggled with rough idle on my 2004 RX330 a couple times now.
Never throwing a code but one time was due to intermittent weak spark from my fake "OEM china clone ignition coils when I was ignorant they were selling fake stuff on ebay. Drove me crazy because scanned everything and analyzed wave forms for crank, cams, ignition, fuel injectors, etc, etc and found nothing wrong.

Finally said same thing you did with the idea that I have an old car with 150k miles and I'm sure it needs motor mounts anyway for preventative maintenance. Helped a little and then said maybe I'll replace the MAF and O2 sensors too even though I find no fault in them so I can have new parts and keep old ones for a spare.

Yeah I was getting desparate but I knew if I took it to a shop they wouldn't spend the time to figure it out either- especially without a code to work from. lol
Finally the intermittent rough idle grew persistently worse until I could figure out what was going on but not till after several months of aggrevation.

 

My father has gone to Pat Goss’ shop for over 30 years. It used to be about 20 minutes away but now he opened up a shop in my town so it’s 5 minutes away. Good guy and I used to get my cars serviced there too.

 

Goss is excellent (one of the best) when it comes to diagnosing electrical problems and issues. But, he may (?) be going a little overboard in some of his service-recommendations.....and he's a big one for flushing everything out. If you listened to everything he said literally, you'd be flushing out all of the systems underhood (and the brake lines) every 2 years /24,000 miles....probably spending more on maintenance than what the vehicle cost in the first place.

 

Agreed. Yes, we can extend the life of our vehicle's components to some degree with flushing all the fluids regularly, but one has to do a cost/benefit calculation to know if it is worth it, especially if the services are beyond what the manufacturer recommends. However, another cost to consider is the environmental one. Sending spent fluids to the waste stream should be factored in as well. Shops who "over-maintain" are profiting and their customers might sleep better at night, but the planet unnecessarily suffers.

 

Funny you say that as I thought their suggested maintenance was way overboard compared to what I thought was fine so I would bring it in for maintenance when I thought it was necessary.

 

mmarshall,

Just remembered going back and forth about Pat Goss in this thread not too long ago and just heard of his unexpected passing. Total bummer as my father used to go to his shop for years and I remember a long time ago sitting in the car with my father while he listened to his talk radio show in the weekends about cars.

 

Yep....Thanks for the heads-up. Pat has indeed ridden off into the sunset. He will always be remembered for his unusually sharp ability to diagnose and treat auto-problems....particularly electronic issues. He had previously lost his wife, Bonnie, three years ago. Who is going to take over and/or run his repair-shop, I guess, remains to be seen....if it is not sold off in his estate.

 

Ah I forgot about Bonnie, I used to deal with her when I took my cars to their shop in Seabrook. I didn’t know she passed too.

 

Sorry to hear about Pat. I enjoyed his low key style. He'll be hard to replace in MW's format.

 

I've learned many tricks and tips from Pat Goss over the years. He will be missed!