Car Troubles
 

moving this out of the So.... thread.

Took my car in today for a second opinion. The shop is doing their standard check over ($149) which covers everything from under the hood to dings in the doors, the check list they showed me is a mile long.

Secondly they are inspecting for the oil leak and using a dye in the oil to determine (1) how bad the leak is and (2) to determine where it is leaking. I showed them the sheet I received from mechanic 1 and they told me, this is an awful lot to do, it could be one of these three things and not necessarily all of them. (valve cover gaskets, oil pan gasket and intake manifold) but they would do the check to determine.

So, I'm comfortable with investing $250 to have them check the car over and find out what they feel needs to be done.

Fingers crossed the job needed is less than the 1180 I was quoted yesterday.

Fingers and toesies crossed!

These guys sound better. It's doubtful the valve cover, oil pan, and intake manifold are all leaking simultaneously. With any luck, a valve cover replacement would do it. With most oil leaks, tightening the bolts will stop the leak, unless the gasket has been compressed too much.

agreed, these guys want to 'fix the problem' not 'chase everything it COULD be and charge you for it'

good luck

Thanks Dread, WB and Capt. Jack. I'm hopeful for a reasonable result and, failing that, a honest deal, even if it is an expensive fix.

Good luck!!! I just forked over $800 for brakes and a tune-up.!

Okay, so here is the lowdown:

Oil Pan - needs doing, that has a significant leak

So, they are keeping the car, calling enterprise for me to have a rental and my car will be done tomorrow.

they are also replacing the air filter and wiper blades

other items needed in time (in order of urgency)

2 tires in the front
front struts are soft
transmission fluid needs a flush out
radiator/heater hoses need checking

So, even with the $250 for the check and then including the oil pan and the wiper blades and air filter, I will be getting out of there for significantly less than $1180. So, that is a relief.

The other items, other than replacing the tires, are not too bad. Whew, I guess I now have a new mechanic. :snap:

Glad it's not as bad as you thought. I hate having to deal with car stuff too. I have no idea what's what so it's very difficult to know if you're being taken or not.

Good luck with it.

Though I have heard that these tranny flushes are not all than nessisary. frankly, I have had a number of cars that I have NEVER changed the fluid, just keep up the fluid level and have had no problems.

That's great, and now you have a list that you can take a bite out of over time, instead of all at once.

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.

I now have AAA renewed, and my car sits in the shop, waiting for that final estimate, so far sitting at 2000 for this visit. But, could be worse. I'm merely hoping that when I get the phone call on Monday there is no additional bad news, honest Mr. Mechanic, I can't afford it!

$2000 is still better than 5 years of car payments.


See, the glass IS half full! ;)

:D Believe me, I'm not complaining, just hoping it's not more of a hit. And, you are 100% right, much better than another 5 years of car payments. In fact, as of Monday, I will officially have 3 more car payments. Come July I will be hosting a bonfire, to burn the payment coupon books.

Le sigh, $2400 for the car today.
I will be happy to have it back, I'm grateful only 3 more car payments, I have a current AAA card.
But still, can I just say ouch. $875 for repairs in March, another $250 for analysis and now $2400. I could have gone to someplace really fun on that money! ;)

So let me say this loud and clear OUCH

Yes, but now you can drvie somewhere fun!

My car is in the shop today as well. It's just getting regular service and figuring out why it was idling so poorly. But, I don't expect anything major. Or, I hope it's not anything major. It shouldn't be.

Ooo, I would definitely say ouch.

I pray to the mechanical Gods in your favor NA. May your wagon roll on for many miles, hassle free and may all the repairs be minor.

There's an obscure Adam and the Ants song called "Car Trouble" and it's been going through my head for days. I'm sorry it is so obscure and that others won't have this joy I feel.

okay, now I am depressed. New starter motor, new total $2700.

I'm done, stick a fork in me.

Ouch. Sorry to hear that, Snowflake.

Ouch Ouch Ouch - I feel for you.

:(