[quote author=mammanbawa post=99997627][/quote]

see response to @Inception above

Kettlecorn:
@Crocif; I have been in your shoes in the past and know how you feel. I think what you need right now are just some basic tips to help you understand what is going on with your car. @Kelvin30286063 does have some good points about having some basic knowledge of what is going on so let me help you address the main issue; blue smoke on startup. This is an indication of oil leaking past valve guide seals if only on startup, but it may be that you do not notice it when car is running. Here is a simple test you can do along with your wife to narrow down the potential cause. Have your wife stand behind the car and watch the exhaust. Put car in neutral and rev up to 3.5-4k rpm for a few seconds then back off the throttle. If you get blue smoke only when you back off the throttle, your valve guide seals are potentially leaking. If you get blue smoke continuously as you rev the engine, your rings are potentially leaking. The reason for this distinction is that when you back off the throttle, you create a high vacuum on the intake side and it sucks oil past the guides. Another simple thing to check is your PCV valve. If it is stuck closed, crankcase pressure builds up and the results are often smoking. There is a simple cheap DIY tool you can use to look through your sparkplug hole. Its called a wifi enabled endoscope. I have used it in the past to see if oil or moisture is pooled up on top the cylinder and asses their condition.
The cost to remedy each of these causes is on a wide spectrum with replacing the PCV valve being the cheapest, followed by valve guide seals and finally rings at the top. This is why I said in another post that this should be the primary thing that should have asked to be diagnosed, estimated and repaired before anything else.
One more thing which I mentioned before. The crankshaft rear seal leak is a big important job. A catastrophic failure here will lead to rapid oil loss and complete damage to your engine. This may be why you are getting a low oil level light if its leaking rapidly.

Thanks a lot. All your points are noted. I already changed the PCV valve.

The Lead tech at radautoworks confirmed that the smoke is caused by worn valve seals.

Will comment later when the work is completed.

Thanks again.

radautoworks:
Thank you Kettlecorn and adanny01. My issue is with being incorrectly told repeatedly about the engine needing to be replaced by someone who has not seen the vehicle in person. I did acknowledge from my first post that there was no reason for op to have left without being able to have a discussion with our lead tech especially when there were still unresolved issues. The ball was definitely dropped and I appreciate the constructive criticism. If he didn't tell me, I wouldn't have known to improve further on processes.

While you are right and I don't owe anyone except op an explanation, I do believe in transparency and no one is perfect.

Thanks to op for taking advantage of his warranty and bringing the car back in today. I don't know what he is going to say but this is the status when it was brought back. I will update with status once the car is leaving again. I will also update with findings about the repairs that were done, the second diagnosis/remedies done by our lead tech and any errors or omissions if there were any.

STATUS AT VEHICLE RETURN

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOPSS6uclMA


ORIGINAL STATUS at first visit

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3qGlUmJrr4

Hmmmm...

radautoworks:
it's on our list but we need someone who can open a franchise.

Pardon me but I could not help but notice this conversation. Expansion at this time? I am not a financial guru/analyst but I know enough to get by. Was privileged to share a moment with Glen and he talked about his passion for the business and the experience he has amassed over the years. This prompted me (not my business I know) to do a little digging to see how the business has faired since you guys started. I was unable to get info on how well the business is doing in Lagos vis-a-vis the investments put in at start-up (i.e regarding the Lagos arm).

I was, however, fortunate to see a video of the construction works that went on and I couldn't help but notice how happy you and Glen seemed. It was a beautiful thing to see and I was happy for both of you. Like I mentioned to Glen, having a business is wonderful, especially when the business was borne out of passion and becomes successful (these I did not share with him). Though a good thing to expand when the business is thriving but I was thinking (though naively considering that there is a parent company who I believe got your back) that there may be a need to step back and assess the journey so far before making the huge leap of expansion.

Unless I am mistaking, I saw that the business in Nigeria is barely 3 years old. If this is true then the rate of growth has been phenomenal. Goes to show your extraordinary sense for business. Though great but it got me a little worried (I shouldn't be because it is none of my business) and it got me thinking about how sustainable that rate of growth is. It is possible to grow a business too fast but to be sure I thought an assessment needs to be done before going ahead with.....

Sorry, I want to stop there because my conscience is beating me up. It is none of my business. I wish you well.

PS: I am yet to get word from your tech guys about the vehicle. I hope I hear from them soon. Thank you.

Crocif:


Pardon me but I could not help but notice this conversation. Expansion at this time? I am not a financial guru/analyst but I know enough to get by. Was privileged to share a moment with Glen and he talked about his passion for the business and the experience he has amassed over the years. This prompted me (not my business I know) to do a little digging to see how the business has faired since you guys started. I was unable to get info on how well the business is doing in Lagos vis-a-vis the investments put in at start-up (i.e regarding the Lagos arm).

I was, however, fortunate to see a video of the construction works that went on and I couldn't help but notice how happy you and Glen seemed. It was a beautiful thing to see and I was happy for both of you. Like I mentioned to Glen, having a business is wonderful, especially when the business was borne out of passion and becomes successful (these I did not share with him). Though a good thing to expand when the business is thriving but I was thinking (though naively considering that there is a parent company who I believe got your back) that there may be a need to step back and assess the journey so far before making the huge leap of expansion.

Unless I am mistaking, I saw that the business in Nigeria is barely 3 years old. If this is true then the rate of growth has been phenomenal. Goes to show your extraordinary sense for business. Though great but it got me a little worried (I shouldn't be because it is none of my business) and it got me thinking about how sustainable that rate of growth is. It is possible to grow a business too fast but to be sure I thought an assessment needs to be done before going ahead with.....

Sorry, I want to stop there because my conscience is beating me up. It is none of my business. I wish you well.

PS: I am yet to get word from your tech guys about the vehicle. I hope I hear from them soon. Thank you.

you too talk

Inception:


Possible worn valve stem seals, as he said smoke occurs on at engine startup and clears soon after.

Crocif:


Thanks a lot. All your points are noted. I already changed the PCV valve.

The Lead tech at radautoworks confirmed that the smoke is caused by worn valve seals.

Will comment later when the work is completed.

Thanks again.

I sabi book sha!

StarDiamonds:
you too talk

If you're smart you'll understand where he's heading though.

Something along the lines of "don't do it", "you've not and are not likely to recoup what was invested here in Lekki in many more years to come"... Unless you're doing it just for the passion.

Now, thank me for the summary.

valarinz:


If you're smart you'll understand where he's heading though.

Something along the lines of "don't do it", "you've not and are not likely to recoup what was invested here in Lekki in many more years to come"... Unless you're doing it just for the passion.

Now, thank me for the summary.

Maybe he expected him to go straight to the point hence his comment

I think that is why she is going the Franchise way..
She has little or nothing to loose.

The Franchisee bears the heat for using her brand name
Though most times the Franchisee scales through if the brand name is a world class name..

Am subject to corrections though.

Cheers

uote author=Crocif post=100009122]

Pardon me but I could not help but notice this conversation. Expansion at this time? I am not a financial guru/analyst but I know enough to get by. Was privileged to share a moment with Glen and he talked about his passion for the business and the experience he has amassed over the years. This prompted me (not my business I know) to do a little digging to see how the business has faired since you guys started. I was unable to get info on how well the business is doing in Lagos vis-a-vis the investments put in at start-up (i.e regarding the Lagos arm).

I was, however, fortunate to see a video of the construction works that went on and I couldn't help but notice how happy you and Glen seemed. It was a beautiful thing to see and I was happy for both of you. Like I mentioned to Glen, having a business is wonderful, especially when the business was borne out of passion and becomes successful (these I did not share with him). Though a good thing to expand when the business is thriving but I was thinking (though naively considering that there is a parent company who I believe got your back) that there may be a need to step back and assess the journey so far before making the huge leap of expansion.

Unless I am mistaking, I saw that the business in Nigeria is barely 3 years old. If this is true then the rate of growth has been phenomenal. Goes to show your extraordinary sense for business. Though great but it got me a little worried (I shouldn't be because it is none of my business) and it got me thinking about how sustainable that rate of growth is. It is possible to grow a business too fast but to be sure I thought an assessment needs to be done before going ahead with.....

Sorry, I want to stop there because my conscience is beating me up. It is none of my business. I wish you well.

PS: I am yet to get word from your tech guys about the vehicle. I hope I hear from them soon. Thank you.[/quote]

I think that is why she is going the Franchise way..
She has little or nothing to loose.

The Franchisee bears the heat for using her brand name
Though most times the Franchisee scales through if the brand name is a world class name..

Am subject to corrections though.

Cheers

Crocif:


Pardon me but I could not help but notice this conversation. Expansion at this time? I am not a financial guru/analyst but I know enough to get by. Was privileged to share a moment with Glen and he talked about his passion for the business and the experience he has amassed over the years. This prompted me (not my business I know) to do a little digging to see how the business has faired since you guys started. I was unable to get info on how well the business is doing in Lagos vis-a-vis the investments put in at start-up (i.e regarding the Lagos arm).

I was, however, fortunate to see a video of the construction works that went on and I couldn't help but notice how happy you and Glen seemed. It was a beautiful thing to see and I was happy for both of you. Like I mentioned to Glen, having a business is wonderful, especially when the business was borne out of passion and becomes successful (these I did not share with him). Though a good thing to expand when the business is thriving but I was thinking (though naively considering that there is a parent company who I believe got your back) that there may be a need to step back and assess the journey so far before making the huge leap of expansion.

Unless I am mistaking, I saw that the business in Nigeria is barely 3 years old. If this is true then the rate of growth has been phenomenal. Goes to show your extraordinary sense for business. Though great but it got me a little worried (I shouldn't be because it is none of my business) and it got me thinking about how sustainable that rate of growth is. It is possible to grow a business too fast but to be sure I thought an assessment needs to be done before going ahead with.....

Sorry, I want to stop there because my conscience is beating me up. It is none of my business. I wish you well.

PS: I am yet to get word from your tech guys about the vehicle. I hope I hear from them soon. Thank you.

valarinz:


If you're smart you'll understand where he's heading though.

Something along the lines of "don't do it", "you've not and are not likely to recoup what was invested here in Lekki in many more years to come"... Unless you're doing it just for the passion.

Now, thank me for the summary.

I think that is why she is going the Franchise way..
She has little or nothing to loose.

The Franchisee bears the heat for using her brand name
Though most times the Franchisee scales through if the brand name is a world class name..

Am subject to corrections though.

Cheers

Inception:





I sabi book sha!

oya chop knuckle

Crocif:


Pardon me but I could not help but notice this conversation. Expansion at this time? I am not a financial guru/analyst but I know enough to get by. Was privileged to share a moment with Glen and he talked about his passion for the business and the experience he has amassed over the years. This prompted me (not my business I know) to do a little digging to see how the business has faired since you guys started. I was unable to get info on how well the business is doing in Lagos vis-a-vis the investments put in at start-up (i.e regarding the Lagos arm).

I was, however, fortunate to see a video of the construction works that went on and I couldn't help but notice how happy you and Glen seemed. It was a beautiful thing to see and I was happy for both of you. Like I mentioned to Glen, having a business is wonderful, especially when the business was borne out of passion and becomes successful (these I did not share with him). Though a good thing to expand when the business is thriving but I was thinking (though naively considering that there is a parent company who I believe got your back) that there may be a need to step back and assess the journey so far before making the huge leap of expansion.

Unless I am mistaking, I saw that the business in Nigeria is barely 3 years old. If this is true then the rate of growth has been phenomenal. Goes to show your extraordinary sense for business. Though great but it got me a little worried (I shouldn't be because it is none of my business) and it got me thinking about how sustainable that rate of growth is. It is possible to grow a business too fast but to be sure I thought an assessment needs to be done before going ahead with.....

Sorry, I want to stop there because my conscience is beating me up. It is none of my business. I wish you well.

PS: I am yet to get word from your tech guys about the vehicle. I hope I hear from them soon. Thank you.

From what I understood Glen spoke to you and was supposed to call you today.

As far as growing too fast, believe me the expansion was greatly thought out. This is not my first company and I do have an MBA

Even before we started I informed the parent company that there would be a 2-3 year lag before we would even consider franchising a new location. I'm actually the one who has been holding the needed expansion back. The investment put into Lekki is not a small amout. I'm not going to put how much I spent here. Not the parent company, me. Franchises are paid for by the owner not the parent company as is the norm with any franchise.

There are a few things you may not be aware of.

1) We are area developers not franchisees. As such, WE are the parent company in Africa with equivalent powers to Chicago. Our warehouse will also service the Cameron locations when they open as well as the whole of West Africa. I should mention they started their project two years before we did and they are not online yet. Further expansion is in the works down the line and we will be moving to the Lekki Trade Zone when the time comes.

2) The Lekki location is the west african HQ, training center and distribution center. It is not a shop. Shops are a fraction of the size and cost and can be as small as 2 bays. I've put pictures of typical shops compared to the Lekki location below. The Lekki location is 12 bays and over 33,000 sqft. A typical shop may not even be a tenth of that.

3) The Lekki location's primary function is franchise support. Most of the people who you see there actually have been trained for just that purpose- to go help open and train/run new shops on how to run efficiently and maximize profit while maintaining the brand's quality. They are actually not doing their primary jobs yet until other locations open.

4) Despite that, we are running an HQ on the proceeds from a shop and STILL running at a profit. A typical shop in the Mr Transmission-Milex group should have 3-6 employees. We have 27. And yet the income our shop provides (which is about the same or less than other shops will make depending on location) pays for all 27

5) We are being inundated by repairs from around the country causing longer waits. When customers are paying 200k or more to third parties just to tow cars to you, there is a gaping hole in their home markets that need to be filled. These are not just online comments saying "come to xyz". These are actual vehicles coming in on a regular basis. Some have been trying to pay for Glen to go to their states for repairs for months but we are too busy at our location.

6) why don't we just open the next one ourselves you ask? One of the biggest successes of the Mr Transmission-Milex model is all locations are run by their owners. This is non-negotiable. Where you see one person owning multiple locations, husband runs one, wife, adult children and in a couple of very special cases brother/sister run the others. This is because NOONE will ever care for your customers the way you do because you are the one with the investment. There are other reasons that are covered during our 5 week owner/management training.

7)One of the biggest perks of doing repairs with us is not even online yet and that is our nationwide warranties. If you get a repair in Lekki and have a problem in Ibadan, the Ibadan location will honor your warranty at no cost to you. That is why we made sure to handle the logistics end so all stores would have the same access to parts we do as that is the greatest challenge with car repair in Nigeria. Until more locations are open, customers are missing out on that.

I can tell you that the revenue in places like Abuja, Port Harcourt and Ibadan is insane and that's just from the ones towed to shop- and we are running a low margin high volume model. So you be the judges on whether an expansion is prudent or not.

Below are pictures of variety of our shops. The Lekki location is last for comparison. As you can see there is even a three bay shop run out of someone's home! It can be run out of a couple of carports! What matters to our brand is quality of service.

Ogeneigbo1:


I think that is why she is going the Franchise way..
She has little or nothing to loose.

The Franchisee bears the heat for using her brand name
Though most times the Franchisee scales through if the brand name is a world class name..

Am subject to corrections though.

Cheers

Sir... That's not how franchises work...

With a franchise you are buying a name and more importantly a business model. The investment is 100% the franchisee's.

radautoworks:
oya chop knuckle

Knuckle na food?

Inception:


Knuckle na food?

knuckle sandwich

radautoworks:

From what I understood Glen spoke to you and was supposed to call you today.

As far as growing too fast, believe me the expansion was greatly thought out. This is not my first company and I do have an MBA

Even before we started I informed the parent company that there would be a 2-3 year lag before we would even consider franchising a new location. The investment put into Lekki is not a small amout. I'm not going to put how much I spent here. Not the parent company, me. Franchises are paid for by the owner not the parent company as is the norm with any franchise.

There are a few things you may not be aware of.

1) We are area developers not franchisees. As such, WE are the parent company in Africa with equivalent powers to Chicago. Our warehouse will also service the Cameron locations when they open as well as the whole of West Africa. I should mention they started their project two years before we did and they are not online yet. Further expansion is in the works down the line and we will be moving to the Lekki Trade Zone when the time comes.

2) The Lekki location is the west african HQ, training center and distribution center. It is not a shop. Shops are a fraction of the size and cost and can be as small as 2 bays. I've put pictures of typical shops compared to the Lekki location below. The Lekki location is 12 bays and over 33,000 sqft. A typical shop may not even be a tenth of that.

3) The Lekki location's primary function is franchise support. Most of the people who you see there actually have been trained for just that purpose- to go help open and train/run new shops on how to run efficiently and maximize profit while maintaining the brand's quality. They are actually not doing their primary jobs yet until other locations open.

4) Despite that, we are running an HQ on the proceeds from a shop and STILL running at a profit. A typical shop in the Mr Transmission-Milex group should have 3-6 employees. We have 27. And yet the income our shop provides (which is about the same or less than other shops will make depending on location) pays for all 27

5) We are being inundated by repairs from around the country causing longer waits. When customers are paying 200k or more to third parties just to tow cars to you, there is a gaping hole in their home markets that need to be filled. These are not just online comments saying "come to xyz". These are actual vehicles coming in on a regular basis. Some have been trying to pay for Glen to go to their states for repairs for months but we are too busy at our location.

6) why don't we just open the next one ourselves you ask? One of the biggest successes of the Mr Transmission-Milex model is all locations are run by their owners. This is non-negotiable. Where you see one person owning multiple locations, husband runs one, wife, adult children and in a couple of very special cases brother/sister run the others. This is because NOONE will ever care for your customers the way you do because you are the one with the investment. There are other reasons that are covered during our 5 week owner/management training.

7)One of the biggest perks of doing repairs with us is not even online yet and that is our nationwide warranties. If you get a repair in Lekki and have a problem in Ibadan, the Ibadan location will honor your warranty at no cost to you. That is why we made sure to handle the logistics end so all stores would have the same access to parts we do as that is the greatest challenge with car repair in Nigeria. Until more locations are open, customers are missing out on that.

I can tell you that the revenue in places like Abuja, Port Harcourt and Ibadan is insane and that's just from the ones towed to shop- and we are running a low margin high volume model. So you be the judges on whether an expansion is prudent or not.

Below are pictures of variety of our shops. The Lekki location is last for comparison. As you can see there is even a three bay shop run out of someone's home! It can be run out of a couple of carports! What matters to our brand is quality of service.

All the best. If all goes well, I hope you would consider a case study with 'LBS'. Your story sounds interesting. Others may learn from it.

PS: Yeah, Glen called and I am hopeful.

Crocif:


All the best. If all goes well, I hope you would consider a case study with 'LBS'. Your story sounds interesting. Others may learn from it.

PS: Yeah, Glen called and I am hopeful.

What's LBS...? We are currently a case study at international industry conferences I'm proud to say

There are two or three american franchises that already tried and failed in Nigeria so they use as a case study along
with them. Even Fox news got in on it.

The great thing for us is Nigeria is EXACTLY where the USA was with auto care in the 70s. Most of the same market conditions so there is a road map already there to follow and funnily enough, that's why we chose our parent company. They followed the same road map to get to where they are today so if it ain't broke..

https://www.google.com/search?q=adelu+moran&oq=adelu+moran&aqs=chrome..69i57j0i13j0i8i13i30.3916j0j4&client=ms-android-google&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8

radautoworks:


What's LBS...? We are currently a case study at international industry conferences I'm proud to say

There are two or three american franchises that already tried and failed in Nigeria so they use as a case study along
with them. Even Fox news got in on it.

The great thing for us is Nigeria is EXACTLY where the USA was with auto care in the 70s. Most of the same market conditions so there is a road map already there to follow and funnily enough, that's why we chose our parent company. They followed the same road map to get to where they are today so if it ain't broke..

https://www.google.com/search?q=adelu+moran&oq=adelu+moran&aqs=chrome..69i57j0i13j0i8i13i30.3916j0j4&client=ms-android-google&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8

Fantastic.

The Lagos Business School (LBS). Used the inverted commas so we do not mistake the acronym to mean London Business School.

Crocif:


Fantastic.

The Lagos Business School (LBS). Used the inverted commas so we do not mistake the acronym to mean London Business School.

oh! It's down Ajah right?

radautoworks:
oh! It's down Ajah right?

Yes, it is.

radautoworks:


Sir... That's not how franchises work...

With a franchise you are buying a name and more importantly a business model. The investment is 100% the franchisee's.

I think we are saying the same thing.
Are you gonna equip the workshop for the Franchisee, ma'am.?

Ogeneigbo1:


I think we are saying the same thing.
Are you gonna equip the workshop for the Franchisee, ma'am.?

no. Franchises are 100% the owner's investment. We can procure everything and help them get set up but they pay for it. It's your property.

radautoworks:
no. Franchises are 100% the owner's investment. We can procure everything and help them get set up but they pay for it. It's your property.

That is what am saying.
It's the Franchisee that bears the heat.
It's only the Franchisors brand name that is at stake.

Anyway, you are doing great.
I wish am auto tech inclined,I would have applied.

Cheers.

Ogeneigbo1:


That is what am saying.
It's the Franchisee that bears the heat.
It's only the Franchisors brand name that is at stake.

Anyway, you are doing great.
I wish am auto tech inclined,I would have applied.

Cheers.

oh, I understood the reverse when you said "she has little or nothing to lose". We're on the same page then

valarinz:


If you're smart you'll understand where he's heading though.

Something along the lines of "don't do it", "you've not and are not likely to recoup what was invested here in Lekki in many more years to come"... Unless you're doing it just for the passion.

Now, thank me for the summary.

another busy body sighted.
This is not a volvo thread. Comot for here

StarDiamonds:
another busy body sighted.
This is not a volvo thread. Comot for here

Edited : Not worth it

valarinz:


All of una dey jostle for my attention nowadays? Whats going on man?

Oops, just checked your profile out and you turn out to be a nonentity who stands for nothing, crying about car dealers upandan, lol.

This is your 5mins of attention, now get lost, you'll be totally ignored further on

please. Not here.

radautoworks:
please. Not here.

Sorry ma

StarDiamonds:
see this albino chicken..
The energy you used to check my profile would have been used to source for buyers for your scrappy Volvo cars.
I’d knock your bald shiny head in real life.

Valarinz ko, Valencia ni.
Duncehead

LoL.

See me laughing out loud at my regular Bar after a stressful week.

TGIF!