Quote:
Originally Posted by VT220D
I agree with JB3. The mechanic doesn't want to do it.
|
What they said.
Never lose sight of the fact that mechanics are businessmen too. Each has his own personal guidelines for the sorts of jobs he wants coming in the door. To be fair, on an older car that he isn't familiar with, he also has to cover his butt on stuff that could go wrong. Very few will actually come out and say "I don't want this job." Most will either quote a price they know the customer will probably choke on, or will simply tell the customer the job is too pricey vs. the value of the car. Again, to be fair, put yourself in their shoes: if they encourage a customer with an old car to spend $800 or $1500 or whatever, and something else major fails two months later... who gets blamed, 9/10 times?
Quote:
Originally Posted by VT220D
If you really feel the car is going to be totaled rather than fixed at the quoted price you have little to loose trying to fix it yourself.
|
What he said. Often when we get news like this, when not expected, the immediate effect on us is almost paralyzing. You have just gone through the upheaval of a big move, so you aren't exactly firm on your feet to begin with.
Sleep on it one or two days, take a deep breath, then open the hood and look at it as rationally as you can. It's a matter of undoing bolts and removing parts, then putting it back together. It isn't rebuilding an engine.
Get a can of good quality penetrating lubricant and start soaking every bolt that is going to move. Then slowly begin.