Are technitions stupid or lazy at dealers

[n-gin]

No offense to any techs. I used to work as a teck at the dealer. I'm just getting a little ticked about returning a car five times before it actually gets fixed.
As you guys know I purchaced two neons. Well my wife is experiencing steering wheel woble at 20-35 mph, missfire and stuble while driving and at idle, and steering wheel vibrates at idle. Before I dropped it off I already knew what the problems where before I dropped it off. I didnot look at the car, but I know what is wrong from being in the feild for while.
Anyways a couple of days go by and I pick the car up. They said that the computer needed reprograming so they did it. Well upon looking at the reprograming TSB They did. I notice its for the 1-2 shift shutter in the trans.. Needless to say it still missfires, wobbles and vibrates the steering. It shifts better though :D . So I tak it home and look at the car. Sure enough the top engine mount is broken making the steering wheel vibrate at idle, The tire psi was at 22 psi in all tires, and the spark plug tips were melted and the gap was .045 when its suppose to be .035. I buy a set of double platinum champs gap them at .040, and through them in TA DAAA missfire gone, I replace the top engine mount and steering no longer vibrates at idle. Increased the tire psi to 33 psi and wobble is gone.
Any ways I just wanted to blow off steam. Sometimes its more of a hastle taking a vehical in under warrenty then it is to just do it your self. Hope this helps. HAPPY WRENCHING :)

[Hemi Pete]

I worked at Northstate Motors in Orland California for awhile.

When new vehicles come in for problems: most are new to the vehicle lineup and information from the General for the specific electronic problem was simply not finalized yet as it was still under investigation by the Engineers.

It happens with every new model, that's why I buy used.

[rice_eater]

Platinums arent supposed to work well in neons for some reason (something to do with the DIS). Let us know if you see any problems arise from them. I'm curious to know the truth.

I set my tires at 38psi in the front and 36psi in the rear. A little high yes, but i have not noticed any abnormal wear, and checking into it i found autocrossers generally run 40psi in the front and 38psi in the rears. I think the recommended tire pressure is 34-36psi, but i could be wrong.

I've found most mechanically minded people know more about there own cars than the tech guys at the garage do, but they simply do not have the time or the tools to fix the problem. The techs need a more general knowledge, and usually dont know specific details about any particular model. Still... motor mount would be an obvious thing to check in my mind, LOL.

[n-gin]

If a car comes in for a rough running the first thing to check if no engine light is on is the t-up. I guess techs with common sence and a little elbow grease a hard to find now a days???

I'l let you guys know how the plugs are doing. The car recamends .035 gap on regulars, The plat. come with .045 originally, so I went in between at .040.