The "Ask a Mechanic" Thread (merged)

[skinfan2k]

Is that a 1992 model or a 2001?

---------- Post added February-5th-2013 at 06:43 PM ----------



If say that the prices are fairly reasonable depending on what part of Maryland you're in...

If you can spare the cash it's probably not a bad idea to do it. Fixing the crank seal will stop an oil leak. The other option would be to just monitor the oil level and make sure it doesn't get too low.

The struts would make for a better ride, as long as they are top quality struts.

I'd assume that the spark plugs are platinum or iridium and are probably due to be replaced every 100k or so if not sooner. There's no reason to replace them more frequently.

Thats what i am asking, i am not sure if the prices are legit or not. The crankshaft is 230 and the struts are 564

[twa]

I'm not sure I believe in mechanics. It seems the evidence is pretty shaky.

but the evidence they evolved from primates is fairly obvious

[SpringfieldSkins]

Thats what i am asking, i am not sure if the prices are legit or not. The crankshaft is 230 and the struts are 564

For my area, that's quite fair. My area has some of the highest labor prices in the country though.

[skinfan2k]

For my area, that's quite fair. My area has some of the highest labor prices in the country though.

i'm getting this work done in columbia, md

[SpringfieldSkins]

i'm getting this work done in columbia, md

I'd assume that's a decent price.

It's really hard for me to say whether or not the price that you are quoted is fair or not. Parts and labor prices can vary from area to area, especially labor. My shop has a labor rate of $110 per hour. There are shops in the area that have a labor rate as high as $150 (or more) per hour and some that are as low as $80 per hour. That's just for Springfield and the neighboring areas. You could go 20 miles south and find labor rates as low as $40 or $50. That will make a huge difference in the price of the job to be done. To a lesser extent it's the same with parts.

You could have a job that is $200 in my area that only costs $150 or less elsewhere.

[Malapropismic Depository]

Thanks guys.

I will be taking your advice, and sticking to putting just gas in the gas tank

No oil, no tranny fluid, no sugar, no ketchup, no salt, etc

[twa]

Thanks guys.

I will be taking your advice, and sticking to putting just gas in the gas tank

No oil, no tranny fluid, no sugar, no ketchup, no salt, etc

Have you heard about cow magnets on the gas line?

[Malapropismic Depository]

No, I've only heard of magnets to enhance healing from an injury. Didn't know they could help cars

[RememberOsaka]

No, I've only heard of magnets to enhance healing from an injury. Didn't know they could help cars

A little deer antler spray in the gas tank and you're engine is as good as new....

[Malapropismic Depository]

A little deer antler spray in the gas tank and you're engine is as good as new....

Don't have any, but have some Bear Pepper Spray. Will that work just as well ?

[BayouBrave86]

Alright, I was driving my mom's 2003 Galant and it started smoking. Took it to the shop, had the radiator cap, thermostat with gsk, valve cover gsk set, and cool rec cap replaced. Coolant was flushed. Well, I just got it back and was driving it around to make sure it would be ok to drive (thermostat meter in the car is broken so can't tell how hot things are getting and that was going to cost another 176 in labor that I didn't have right now) and the service engine light came on. I thouhgt it might be low on oil, so bought some oil and poured it in . Light is still on, slight burning smell, but very very faint, and that's only after I lifted up the hood. Car sputtered going up hills. So I'm wondering, what is wrong? Should I take it back into the shop?


Also, when at a stop light, the car rattles a good bit, unless I put it in neutral. Thanks for the help guys, just trying to make sure this car is good to go.

[DCsportsfan53]

Alright, I was driving my mom's 2003 Galant and it started smoking. Took it to the shop, had the radiator cap, thermostat with gsk, valve cover gsk set, and cool rec cap replaced. Coolant was flushed. Well, I just got it back and was driving it around to make sure it would be ok to drive (thermostat meter in the car is broken so can't tell how hot things are getting and that was going to cost another 176 in labor that I didn't have right now) and the service engine light came on. I thouhgt it might be low on oil, so bought some oil and poured it in . Light is still on, slight burning smell, but very very faint, and that's only after I lifted up the hood. Car sputtered going up hills. So I'm wondering, what is wrong? Should I take it back into the shop?


Also, when at a stop light, the car rattles a good bit, unless I put it in neutral. Thanks for the help guys, just trying to make sure this car is good to go.

Was the car actually low on oil when you added and how much did you add?

[BayouBrave86]

Yeah it was low on oil because the shop didn't do an oil change like I thought they would. Picked up one of those little oil bottles at the nearest Exxon and poured it in, it was pretty low. The mechanic told me it had a slight leak and that it would need an oil change soon and some oil. Thanks brah, for letting me drive the car off the lot instead of just going ahead and changing the oil and charging me.

---------- Post added February-7th-2013 at 12:20 AM ----------

I'm just afraid of the car being severely screwed up and it not being diagnosed correctly, sort of like the Wizards and Skins training staffs.

---------- Post added February-7th-2013 at 12:24 AM ----------

Also, was afraid the car wasn't going to make it home.

[SpringfieldSkins]

I'd bring it back to the shop that performed the work, tell them that it is running poorly and the check engine light is on. Explain that it wasn't in this condition before the work was performed. Ask if they would be willing to recheck the work done to make sure that something wasn't missed that could be causing your current condition.

A good shop would be willing to make sure that the customer's car isn't messed up at their hands. It's possible that they did something inadvertently while working on your car that caused it. It's possible that they didn't and this new running condition is something new (and coincidental) is happening. Either way, I'd assume that the shop would be willing to make sure that there isn't something that is a result of the work they just did.

I wouldn't accuse them of any wrong doing, but I would see if they would be nice enough to have another look for you.

[DaGoonie55]

Blew a head gasket on my K-5. 350 w/ TBI.

I'm going to have to clean up the top end before I put it back together. (its an 87 and NO work has been done that we can see - all stock). What do you guys use to clean engine parts? We usually use gasoline, but I want to use something else as I'm older and really don't want my hands to be jacked up (again). Was thinking mineral oil or something like that, but I don't know anything about other products.

I appreciate any and all responses.