Looking for repair facility in SE Wisconsin

[CORNLESS]

Searching for a repair facility in Southeast Wisconsin. I am located just over the border in Illinois. My ford CNG vehicle may need a head gasket. The CNG system is fine but am looking for a mechanic who would also be able to take portions of the CNG system apart and put them back. After many hours of internet searching and phone calls to multiple facilities in Illinois I have had nothing but bad luck locating any Illinois CNG mechanic or facility willing to work on a 97 Taurus. Must be the fact that it is an add on system, not Ford manufactured. It was done by the state of NY so it must have been legal in 1997. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

[cngdude]

Re: Looking for repair facility in SE Wisconsin

Hi, Badger Ford is in Milwaukee but bring your wallet, there are many fill stations in Milwaukee around $1.60, are you sure it is the head gasket, that can be repaired at any auto shop, same as any other auto Bob

[CORNLESS]

Re: Looking for repair facility in SE Wisconsin

Thanks for the info on Badger. Not sure on the head gasket but I have eliminated the radiator, water pump, and thermostat. Electric fan relays appear to be the culprit. My vehicle has a slight leak in the CNG filler valve. Have ordered a replacement but not sure if I want to install it myself.

Have you used Badger ford for CNG related repairs and if so what was your experience? I am familiar with the higher cost of dealer repairs but their mechanics seem to have the most experience with having to work on the same engines every day. I am willing to pay for that sometimes but not always. Still looking for a CNG mechanic when the time comes that I cannot repair it on my own.

[Giterdun]

Re: Looking for repair facility in SE Wisconsin

Looking for a Ford or Chevy cng repair shop in northern Illinois or the Chicago area.

[Amfuel]

Re: Looking for repair facility in SE Wisconsin

I don't know much about that side of the state but there is:

Hendrix Industrial Gastrux in Wauconda, IL 800-359-1369 They are listed as an Impco CNG conversion shop. A cheap call to chek them out.

Schlossmanns Honda City - in the Milwaukee area. Certified CNG shop. ??works on other brands??

[navcdr]

Re: Looking for repair facility in SE Wisconsin

I have a CNG Ford Contour in Milwaukee and the only place I have been able to find a competent mechanic is in Salt Lake City.

[Amfuel]

Re: Looking for repair facility in SE Wisconsin

Try this: www.autotruck.com They do conversions and are near Ohare airport. You'll probably need to call to talk to the guy.

[WildWildMidwest]

Re: Looking for repair facility in SE Wisconsin

I am also interested. I live 15 miles south of Milwaukee and ~50 miles from Chicago. There are currently nine public CNG stations in the metro Milwaukee area. My closest CNG station was charging $1.12/GGE @ 3600 PSI last week when regular unleaded was $4.22. Wow! Sadly, this station only has one CNG pump and it's likely to be occupied by an 18 wheel truck or two just when I'm running late for work.

I will be considering Honda's nationwide GX rollout later this year. I won't buy a GX, or any CNG vehicle until I can find a good mechanic to do repairs. I called my regular mechanic, who is absolutely wonderful with petroleum vehicles but he lacks CNG training. This is a big downside to me from CNG and it might push me to buy a diesel or hybrid car instead.

A Honda GX would pay for itself in about 10 years -- without government incentives, versus a base 2012 Honda Civic -- given my commuting needs and current fuel prices. The actual payback might be 14 years or longer since I never pay MSRP for a gasoline car; I would likely have to pay full $25,000+ MSRP to order a 2012 GX; and CNG prices are unlikely to remain $1.12/GGE. Subtract a few oil changes and lower monthly maintenance costs if a local mechanic can do the work. The payoff to me from a Honda GX still seems at least a decade, as best I can determine from back-of-the-envelope estimates with lots of variables. Who can say what the future availability of local CNG filling stations or mechanics will be?

Peace-of-mind is hard to price accurately.

BTW, my current mechanic advised me to drive a CNG vehicle before making any decision. He's heard CNG vehicles lack acceleration... which doesn't fit with what I'm reading at CNGChat. That issue (if present) wouldn't bother me as much as inability to fill up my tank or to find a reasonably priced, qualified mechanic who can get my car looked at quickly when something goes wrong.

Please post back if anyone finds a good CNG mechanic in SE Wisconsin. Wauconda, IL, is a bit far away if an engine warning is on.

[WildWildMidwest]

Re: Looking for repair facility in SE Wisconsin

Here's the web page for Hendrix Industrial Gastrux in Wauconda, IL. It looks like a high quality CNG conversion shop:

http://www.hendrixsystems.com/

I'll have to give Schlossmanns Honda City of Milwaukee a call to find out how they're preparing for Wisconsin's GX debut. Will share whatever info I find.

[Amfuel]

Re: Looking for repair facility in SE Wisconsin

Schlossmanns is a certified CNG shop.

[WildWildMidwest]

Re: Looking for repair facility in SE Wisconsin

Excellent. Any idea how long they've been doing CNG work?

[Amfuel]

Re: Looking for repair facility in SE Wisconsin

several years