Car Maintenance

[alphabassettgrrl]

I have trust issues with mechanics, too. I always used to watch them and make them explain *everything*. I was a huge pain in the butt.

I've made it my business to know a few things about cars, so at least I can have a better clue if they're trying to sell me a line of hooey. I've caught two of them trying to con me. I may not be able to work on them, but I know the difference in function between an alternator and a starter (one of the attempted cons).

[MouseWife]

abg~ it does help to know a few things. I knew that I didn't have a belt. And, I know that it is too early for the chain to be broken, replaced.

And, when they told me the noise I heard was normal. I swear, he couldn't look me in the eye when he said that. It was ridiculous.

I'm really sick over this. It isn't like an iPod {which would actually be a serious bummer} but my car. This concert in Irvine this weekend, I won't drive it up there, if I even get it back. Or maybe I should. Give them hell if it breaks down on me.

I think I now need to know more about the law.

[alphabassettgrrl]

Yeah, that's probably a good idea. I don't know anything about law.

I did see that - you knew you didn't have a belt. That's good. I had a timing chain break while I was driving but that was ... I don't remember the mileage, but we bought the car at 80,000 miles and drove it to 200,000. I guess it was about 150,000 miles. I learned I should change it every 80,000 miles and that I could have damaged things by its breaking while the engine was on. Ok. I guess I got lucky.

[MouseWife]

Originally Posted by alphabassettgrrl

Yeah, that's probably a good idea. I don't know anything about law.

I did see that - you knew you didn't have a belt. That's good. I had a timing chain break while I was driving but that was ... I don't remember the mileage, but we bought the car at 80,000 miles and drove it to 200,000. I guess it was about 150,000 miles. I learned I should change it every 80,000 miles and that I could have damaged things by its breaking while the engine was on. Ok. I guess I got lucky.

Oh yeah, I learned about the timing belt with our older cars. We learned later with the other vehicles that they switched to chains.

But, we did learn that you should change those belts every 60,000 miles, before they break, before they do damage. It could have been 80,000 or else, which is probably the case, your vehicle wasn't a Ford.

[alphabassettgrrl]

No, not a Ford, it was a little Toyota Tercel that did everything I asked of him and ran great though he'd had a hard childhood. I think it was a flood-recovered vehicle.

[GusGus]

Originally Posted by alphabassettgrrl

No, not a Ford, it was a little Toyota Tercel that did everything I asked of him and ran great though he'd had a hard childhood. I think it was a flood-recovered vehicle.

hmmm...

I wonder if he was mine. Was he silver?

[MouseWife]

I understand Toyotas have long lives.

We thought we could keep this one going with proper maintenance.

Wow, do you think your vehicle was from New Orleans? Or another flood?

[alphabassettgrrl]

My little red Tercel came from the MidWest... Iowa, I think. This was 1996. It wasn't badly damaged but there were little signs here and there and I don't think his early maintenance was done often or well.

Still, I was happy with that car. The only repairs I had to do- a door lock, a timing chain, and I thought there was something else. Traded the car in in 2002.