Well, it's all fine & dandy when it isn't your vehicle that it happened to.

So let's use the same exact situation, take Geordi out & insert 'ABC Dodge Jeep dealer' or Joe Schmoe's shop down the street that did the job & did the same thing. I'll bet most of you would say take it back, they did it & it's their fix. No difference here.

Had it went off without a hitch, or handled in the way I feel it should have been handled, I would have not hesitated to given a thumbs up on the job. Being with the way things went, I can not & I will not.

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2000 Dodge SLT 4x4 CTD Intense Blue, a few go fast goodys

2006 Limited CRD 4x4 Inferno Red, GDE ECO tune

Agreed.

Most(okay almost all) are to quick to judge a actual repair shop but not a shade tree mechanic doing discounted work.

The jeep dealer I went to did do something to my jeep and when i immediately brought it back to them their response was, it's an old vehicle with tons of miles, it could be anything and was not our fault. I then proved they were wrong and still I've gotten no where.

Given both sides of the story I've read on here, it sounds like splitting the cost was very reasonable. My local dealer wouldn't even do that for me.

I will say that reading the email chain Geordi posted, things could have been worded differently on both ends and I'm sorry this had to come to posting on the forum, especially over such an immaterial difference.

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sold...05 CRD Limited, GDE Hot Tune, Euro TC, ARP Head Studs, Intake Elbow Kit, Samco CAC Hoses, Etecno 7v glow plugs, OME 790 and Bilstein 916 up front, OME 948 and OME N132L rear, JBA Upper A-Arms, 245/75/16 Duratracs on Moabs, Renegade roof lights, Curt Front Hitch, BTF Kryptonite Diff Cover, JCR Stage 2 Rock Rails, Skid Row Skid Plates

I almost hate to add to the chat over what amounts to $110 or $55 depending on how one wants to split the issue but...

All I will say is geordi has worked on 3 CRDs in my immediate vicinity and in my driveway (mine, stoutdogs and Mikeonabike) with only one issue related to the unfortunate departure of a #3 ceramic glow plug tip during removal. After much mutual onsite discussion, second guessing, hand wringing, fruitless external search for tip, venture into time travel to the future that included weeks kit that could have avoided the issue geordi and I worked out a mutually agreeable solution that involved some extra costs on both our parts, including an extra side trip between Savannah and S. Florida on his part. I have no complaints with his work and will continue to recommend it.

The one semi-unrelated comment I will make as a general public service heads up is that every first serpentine or timing belt change on our CRDs must, yes must, include a fan shroud mod (easiest is to just cut the bottom 1/2 off just below the mounting bolt tabs). Getting the fan and shroud out together without poking the radiator, stressing the plastic hose connections, or cracking the aluminum AC line at the fitting is a cast iron you know what inflicted on us by designers who never have to work on the product they produced. Removal of both at once should never be done more than once, too much risk.

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Sold to LOST member my 05 Ltd, GDE Stg II turbo + TCM tune, SunCoast TC w. Transgo kit, Steiger window regulators, Samcos, Fumoto valve, 2nd gen filter head with Lub. Spec. bleeder, Hayden clutch & 11 blade fan, inverted spare, P-1 battery, BF Goodrich Long Trail TAs, Etecno1 glow plugs, timing belt at 50K miles/8 yrs

Reading through this thread, I imagine geordi has two thoughts. No good deed goes unpunished and should I continue to do this for people on the forum?

From what I understand, geordi travels and does this in an effort to help people on this board. Given the lack of resources on our CRD, this is helpful for a lot of people as demonstrated by the testimonials. It is also my understanding that geordi does not do this for a living, makes far less than market rate, and shows up at the forum member's house...so, basically he is coming to your house as a friend from an online community not an insured business. In other words, he leaves, he is done. I think the problem here is unreasonable expectations. If I had the opportunity to have somebody like geordi come to my house, I would learn as much as I can and be happy that I didn't spend the $1,200 I did the last time I had my timing belt changed. If something goes wrong during that time, come up with a way to fix it and move on. It sounds as though geordi would troubleshoot any issue and he has the skills to do so, but he can't be held responsible when he leaves and goes home. If you are not comfortable having somebody work on your car with this kind of arrangement then don't do it. Given the issue with the original poster, I would have paid the $110 and still been happy that I didn't pay the $1,200 I did last time, and I would be grateful that I now know how to do this myself. If I took it to a shop, my expectations would be different, but I would be nervous about them not knowing anything about the car and how to work on it. It sounds as though the OP should have gone to a shop based on the reaction I saw in this forum.

Working on our Libby's TBs is not any harder than most other overhead twin cam engines, and there is plenty of free on line advice to easily walk you through the job.
Now, here is my opinion. As valuable enthusiast of the forum Geordy is much appreciated, but once he decided to advertise himself in the forum and make claims of expertise he walked in the realms of a business regardless of the size, and that is not an altruistic decision anymore but a money driven one.
I paid my way through college working in a mechanic shop and I have to say that I had to pay for mistakes a couple of times, it's just the business world.

Such drama over a Chrysler radiator that will start leaking WITHOUT a good reason. Long ago they rolled up the Princess's Jeep onto the flatbed for loose TC bolts and the radiator started leaking (and no it didn't hit on anything).
Does this mean I have to take my autographed 8x10 glossy of Geordi off the shop wall....... Nah.

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05 KJ CRD Limited..
08 WK CRD Laredo
03 DR 2500 Cummins
13 Edge Limited AWD

Have to weigh in here for Jim. Was side-by-side with him all day to do a TB and ARB head bolts. Learned a lot and think he did a great job and at super price. He is a GREAT contributor to the board and enriches the dialogue/contributions greatly. Mistakes happen....that is life. I think a little latitude is called for here and hopefully Jim will continue to keep the board a vibrant place to learn and explore to cover the ailments of the DC engineers in stuffing an Italian diesel into a Jeep to meet California standards!

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2005 CRD Limited
SEGR
WEEKS Kit (removed EGR, FCV),
Gen 2 Fuel Head
GDE Eco Tune
ARP studs
Etechno (7v) Glow Plugs
F37
Kap 193 thermostat
Carter Lift Pump (Modified wiring harness)
Fumoto (CRD-108)
Bypass oil filter (2 micron)
Samco
Provent
Sears P-1 Battery
Secondary 2 micron fuel filter

You guys don't give shops/dealers any slack so none should be given here.

From my experience, dealers deserve absolutely no slack. At least the dealer I was involved with.

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2006 Jeep Liberty CRD 142,000 miles New engine 2-2014, Green Eco tune, FS2500 bypass filter Weeks elbow, European Torque converter, brakes front UCA's wheel bearing and front hubs. Front hitch OEM lift pump
98 K2500 Suburban 6.5td
96 K1500 " 6.5td
95 2 door Tahoe 6.5td
94 K3500 cc srw 5 speed 6.5td
91 International Model 6 speed spicer 4700