Ok so here is a detail review of Jameel autos: overall rating 8.5/10: RECOMMENDED
1) knowledge/skills: 8.75/10 : I appreciate the fact that irshad and mushtaq both are the only workers. The third person ( a kid) is just for handing over tools. Both of them know where to fit what and how to execute. Apparently no jugaari work. They would tell you which part is faulty and needs to be replaced.
Also, some points for honesty. I brought them a dismantled engine (Head was not fitted but block was) and he could have charged me labor for dismantling the block etc. But he checked the rings and pistons and figured out that they are fine and there is no need for any alterations etc.
They have all sorts of proper tools and meters etc.
However, some deduction because of lack of knowledge of parts. For instance, he didn't know that khyber's Chinese head is not available at all.
2) cleanliness: 8.5/10 . Properly cleaned the outer visible parts/areas of the block and gearbox which was full of mud/grease. Washed and cleaned all parts before assembling (Head, flange, manifold etc.).
Deducting 1.5 point for not clearing out interior rust as I pointed out earlier as well. They Didn't give much importance to that.
3) professionalism/communication: 6/10 . May have been because of my first interaction but they were not entertaining my queries as much as the previous mechanic used to. Yes, they did answer a lot of my queries and explained where things were faulty etc.
A particular problem I faced was regarding the sourcing of parts. He clearly refused to buy any part. Made me go to plaza and parts shop almost 10 times. More so, I showed mushtaq the flange and pcv valve and myself identified that the flange had a minor crack but he checked and said its OK. I specifically asked him to let me know of it needs to be replaced because I was going to plaza but he said its OK. Same for pcv valve too. He blowed air from both sides and told me its not allowing the air to pass even from one side but would hopefully work when we fit it due to the pressure.
However, yesterday night, at the time of fitting 8 pm, he showed me the flange and said k yeh nhi chalega coz it's cracked. He said mene us waqt dekha nhi tha k yeh zyada crack hai etc. Etc. For pcv valve, he was like, bhai risk le lein lekin nhi chala tou wapsi nhi hoga use hone k baad. I told him bhai pehle bta dete.
Also, I had all the parts and nuts/bolts in the car and kept on telling them to check them at once and let me know if something is missing so I may check with the previous mechanic or get it changed. But they would work in their own way. Assembling parts one by one and asking me to source the part at that time only.
4) labor charges : 7.5/10. They charged me 9k for fitting the head and associated parts (manifold, carburettor, etc etc). There was a lot of gap in work as they started working on other cars too but I think it took them a total of 12,14 hours on my car. The skills and tools justify this premium but I would be happy to give them 9k or even 10k if they had identified the parts all at once or either sourced them on his own.
5) Location and workshop: 10/10. Ideal location from.my POV since its very near to my place. However, it's in city center and you can reach plaza/tariq Road market in 10 mins. Also, the shop is clean and tidy. I worked on my laptop for 2 hours on his workshop yesterday and didn't have to worry about dust or mud blowing etc.
