It is extremely rare for me to take my car(s) to anyone else. It has to be something that I don't have enough of the right tools to do (and I have a lot of tools), know I don't have the technical knowledge, or something I just don't like to do (like exhaust work). I decided a long time ago that I could completely botch many repairs and still be ahead money-wise compared with paying others to do the work. My difficulty now is that so many friends and family come to me for help that I'm forced to say "no" sometimes. I'm over 50 now, and got a lift for the garage because I just don't have the strength to do some things that used to come easily. Undoubtedly, the best tool purchase I've ever made.

Recently, a former co-worker called me begging me to look at his son's car (2001 Chevy Impala). He'd had a long-term coolant leak and the dealer had already replaced the intake manifold gaskets, which are known weak points for that engine. Still losing coolant, and dealer diagnosed leaking head gasket and $2000 estimated repair bill. I didn't want to tackle this job because he wasn't necessarily a close friend, and it's a major undertaking for playing sport mechanic. I rarely take money for helping folks out, but would have charged for this one. He has the car flatbedded to the house and I get it in the garage. It's late, but I figure might as well take a quick look and begin diagnosis. Hook up a cooling system tester, and it's definitely showing a leak somewhere. I start looking around for anything external - and find a small puddle forming on the transmission housing. Some time ago, someone installed one of those plastic TEEs in the heater hose to make flushing easier. It was leaking at the TEE because the cap was not tightened enough! I snipped a replacement hose (always keep lots of hose sizes in a box) and threw out the old hose with the TEE. System tested fine.

I have other stories like this, with completely wrong diagnosis from folks who should definitely know better. Oh......fair compensation for me was a new jug of coolant kept in the car.