Car Maintenance Makes Me Cry, Phase 3
Sep. 22nd, 2011 04:28 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
bjarvisMy saga of car maintenance continues...
After the timing belt replacement last month, I noticed my car was distinctly louder than it should be. Indeed, much louder than any car should be without the custom look-at-me!-look-at-me! hyper-bass I-have-a-small-dick-and-must-compensate mufflers. After discussing this back at the shop that same day, I was informed that the exhaust system near the manifold was corroding and a hole had developed: the entire system would have to be replaced. Having just dropped $1k that month for a timing belt and water pump, I opted to hold off for a short while to let my bank account recover slightly.
Yesterday morning, I bit the bullet and took my Civic back to the shop for the exhaust work. Initial estimate: $1100.
Yesterday afternoon, they called me to say the exhaust work was complete but now that the engine was quiet enough, they could hear something else not quite right in the proximity of the timing belt which had been replaced last month and asked if they could keep the car another day to investigate to ensure their prior work was solid. I like people who are willing to admit a mistake or seek improvement and I didn't need the car so I agreed.
This afternoon, I got another call: the sound wasn't anything to do with the timing belt or such. It was the alternator. More specifically, a bold & bracket attached to the alternator had corroded --did I mention the car is 10 years old?-- and allowed the alternator to slip a few degrees out of alignment, thus causing excess wear & tear on its bearings. If they could hold onto the car another day, they're over-nighting a replacement alternator, bracket & bolt to replace the dying one and, because I've been a good customer and exceedingly patient through this ordeal, they're waiving labor costs. Still, my bill this visit will top $1550.
sigh I didn't really need to eat anyway.
After the timing belt replacement last month, I noticed my car was distinctly louder than it should be. Indeed, much louder than any car should be without the custom look-at-me!-look-at-me! hyper-bass I-have-a-small-dick-and-must-compensate mufflers. After discussing this back at the shop that same day, I was informed that the exhaust system near the manifold was corroding and a hole had developed: the entire system would have to be replaced. Having just dropped $1k that month for a timing belt and water pump, I opted to hold off for a short while to let my bank account recover slightly.
Yesterday morning, I bit the bullet and took my Civic back to the shop for the exhaust work. Initial estimate: $1100.
Yesterday afternoon, they called me to say the exhaust work was complete but now that the engine was quiet enough, they could hear something else not quite right in the proximity of the timing belt which had been replaced last month and asked if they could keep the car another day to investigate to ensure their prior work was solid. I like people who are willing to admit a mistake or seek improvement and I didn't need the car so I agreed.
This afternoon, I got another call: the sound wasn't anything to do with the timing belt or such. It was the alternator. More specifically, a bold & bracket attached to the alternator had corroded --did I mention the car is 10 years old?-- and allowed the alternator to slip a few degrees out of alignment, thus causing excess wear & tear on its bearings. If they could hold onto the car another day, they're over-nighting a replacement alternator, bracket & bolt to replace the dying one and, because I've been a good customer and exceedingly patient through this ordeal, they're waiving labor costs. Still, my bill this visit will top $1550.
sigh I didn't really need to eat anyway.
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no subject
Date: 2011-09-22 11:39 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-09-23 03:08 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-09-23 03:15 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-09-23 12:01 am (UTC)But I feel for you. We HAVE to have cars for the most part, and I know you have some major commutes to deal with at all hours.
no subject
Date: 2011-09-23 12:18 am (UTC)So I understand how you feel.
no subject
Date: 2011-09-23 12:50 pm (UTC)I can't decide a reasonable threshold where the cost of repairs means I should bite the bullet and find a new-to-me vehicle. I'm thinking a years worth of car payments might be the limit.
no subject
Date: 2011-09-23 01:14 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-09-28 05:04 am (UTC)