And they're off for round 2
 

Last night, fired up old sparky, and sparky was not the smooth running machine he had been earlier in the day. Rough engine, felt like a misfire, stupid check engine light came on.

Same thing this morning. Back in the shop, another $200 estimate to diagnose....

Hello, I thought you did a thorough check? Oh yes, we noticed the spark plugs look original to the car (171k miles ago? I don't think so unless the dealership in VA did something screwy at the 65k tune up or the later replacement of plugs) I can't help that the plugs look like those that would be original to the car, uh, Buick dealership would be using GM parts, right?

Anyway, this morning I am now annoyed :mad:

Well, the story goes something like this, the mechanic did a full check on the car last week, at least under their laundry list of things to check. The engine light goes off, as I said, and now I fond out, it's not the plugs. They're involved, but the problem is now coolant is hitting the plugs (something from the top of the intake manifold) and this is something I do need to address. This to the tune of another $1000 (on top of the $200 I just spent today).

Le sigh.......color me depressed today.

(((HUGS))) So sorry Snowflake. Bleh. I need to go get my struts done this week. Goodness knows what else they'll find.

poor sparky :(

You drive an electric chair?

Whatever is going around, I really don't want to catch it. But, something is going on with my Volvo.

It it time for regular service. i made an appointment with my trusted mechanic for Monday. Yesterday, it started idling rough when I was stopped. Today, it got worse. I think it is just something a nice tune-up with take care of, but I'm still keeping my fingers crossed. It's been many, many moons since I've had car trouble and I'm out of practice.

Seriously, it has been a while {knocking on particle board}.

I hate when the mechanics don't check everything and then it costs more $$.

Good luck you guys.

Make sure your AAA card is up to date - just in case.

My AAA car is up to date, thank god. I did think I was going to have to use it earlier today. I actually switched cars at the train station (which was also fun, since I had to do a little parking space dance with 2 cars and one person).

Or, it could just be I got some bad gas. Do they makep Gas-X for cars? ;)

Ugh, I had given my husband my card to check in to a hotel and felt so lost without it. Ugh again, I lost my cell phone. I feel so vulnerable.

Especially when I almost ran headon in to a divider. Or when I was stuck in a traffic situation on the 5 when a boat/truck jackknifed. Or when I was so low on gas {same traffic situation but then more traffic and missed offramp because of it...}.

Got my card back yesterday. Now I must get another phone. I don't want one but it seems I am noticing people on the side of the road more...scary.