Archive for November, 2009
i just saw this small yet quite deep scratch at the side of my car today. i am weighing different options on how to deal with it. but given that i am not that ‘handy man’ guy that can fix this kind of problem, how much would it cost me to have it fixed in a local auto body shop? the scratch is about 1/4 inch, but it’s semi deep. please, i need advice on this. thanks.
A good local detailer should be able to take care of it for you for under $100.00
My wife has a T Reg Automatic VW Polo. It has done just under 87000 miles. As far as I am aware (I do not have the FULL history of the car) the Cam Belt has never been changed. Our car is due for its annual service on 17th April. We will be having the Cam Belt changed then however since the garage mentioned it my wife has been worried sick that it will break between now and next week. Also the starter motor is quite noisy when the car is started. Any comments???
i totally disagree with all the other answers if your cam belt snaps its a very expensive job to put right i would be more worried about this than the starter but it is not likely to snap before next week if it dose go don’t try and turn the engine over as tis will do even more damage to the car good luck
Dobbs is charging me 650 dollars to replace a cracked power steering hose. The hose costs 10 bucks at auto-zone. There charging me 640 dollars for labor. Dobbs is a company that extorts its customers and I will not support it. Does anyone know where I can get my car fixed for less than this?
They know your car isn’t drivable. They are using extortion tactics to get your money.
You don’t say what city you’re in. But I’m sure you can look in the phone book for other places. It shouldn’t cost more than about $100-$125 parts & labor.
They apparently have other customer service issues. This is from ripoffreport.com
Dobbs alleged to have repaired sways bars on vehicle. The mechanic alleged to have repaired bearing but overlooks sways bars that are right in front of him when he repairs the bearing. The company has 63 report filed against them with Better Business Bureau within the last three years 23 reports within 2007 Consumer complaints not having repairs done, damaging of vehicle and charging more than initial price quoted before.
The Missouri Attorney General has 14 complaints pending. Many are the same or similar complaints. Individuals have your vehicle checked buy another mechanic if you have repairs done to your vehicles. This company almost caused me to lose my life because repairs were not made. Call the better business bureau and Attorney General Office to verify this information. I have the sway bars to prove these repairs were not done.
To diagnose problems with a car starting, check the owner’s manual for a troubleshooting section, and follow instructions for running diagnostic tests. If no reason is found for the engine failure, take a car that won’t start to a mechanic with advice from a certified master mechanic in this free video on auto repair.
Duration : 0:1:9
Pretty straight forward I think. This one went very smoothly and I was pleased with the outcome. I think this video accurately describes the best way to jump start a dead battery. I want to thank Jennifer Sharon for submitting this question via e-mail at EricTheCarGuy.com, I thought it was an excellent topic to cover. I do wish to hold some kind of contest for the best car question submitted but I need to work out the details (I’m also hoping to gain more subs from it so I think I want to make that part of the contest). In the mean time if you have a question you would like answered please feel free to submit it at any time as a response to this video or visit the EricTheCarGuy forum, or EricTheCarGuy.com for a direct conduit to me.
Till next time be safe and stay dirty
ETCG
Duration : 0:7:22
I drive an Enzo Ferrari – which is taking forever to pay for – and I’m having trouble loosening that thingamajig just below that damned cylinder behind that other black thing that I don’t know the name of. I’ve tried reving the engine to 5600 RPMs and then blowing it out my exhaust – which used to work for me, but not this time. Do you have any advice?
well with all of that clear and concise info- my advice is to use a bigger hammer
I’m really in a tight bind so please any help would be really helpful. My car doesnt start at all. When i put the key in the ignition, all the normal lights come on, but when i turn it, absolutely nothing happens. It clicks one time and thats it. This one guy thinks i need my starter replaced because the battery was new. So if you think its my starter 1) how much does a starter replacement cost? 2)How long does it take to repair?
Oh and let me know if you think it could be something else please.
Thanks so much to everyone who answers and helps me out! I’m so stuck right now.
First of all, it is very helpful to know the year, make, model, engine, and transmission of the vehicle so that the advice will be accurate.
The first thing to check is the condition of the battery and the connections on the battery terminals. One click could indicate a bad terminal connection, low battery voltage, or a bad starter.
If the battery is fully charged, and the connections are clean and tight, the next step is to get under the car, and locate the starter. Take a hammer and tap the starter while someone turns the key. A bad starter will often then engage.
The cost of a rebuilt started will depend on the vehicle. A good shop can replace most starters (after the part comes in) in under an hour,from the time they get it into the bay..
My car needs some exhaust work. My local mechanic priced it out based on all new parts. The Midas muffler guy priced it out based on reusing some of the exhaust part.
My question is, if he starts working on the car and figures out he can’t reuse those parts is he obligated to still fix the car for the price quoted. Or is he allowed to put in new parts and adjust the final cost as needed?
I’ve used Midas before and I was impressed with their honesty and thoroughness. I know each Midas Shop has differences but they seem to operate to a high standard. They weren’t the cheapest estimate, but they repaired thoroughly and quickly.
While my auto was being repaired; I saw/heard one of the mechanics explain in great detail his findings on a recently inspected auto for a woman. He spent over 20 minutes explaining his findings, repair options, time and costs involved, etc.; only to have the woman say, "you have to call my husband and tell him that!" And the mechanic did just that.
Just some experience with Midas.-JT
I am going to buy a used car with budget of 8000-8500AUS
Manual and EngineCC under 2000
could someone give me advice which make is good?
my friend suggest me not to buy Euro car,because the parts would cost me a lot if the car need repair, Is that true in Australia?
yes it is true itl cost a lot of money if it needs repair. buy a reliable car like a honda civic under 2000cc. it will save you a lot on fuel too.
other reliable car suggestions
holden astra 1.8
http://www.queenslandscheapestcaravans.com.au/images/2002HOLDEN%20ASTRA%20SIDE%20VIEW.JPG
Honda civic
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/archive/2/25/20090103030925!Honda_Civic_2000.jpg
We have a 1998 Suburban and, our car broke down on Sunday. My husband was desperate and sent it to a mechanic we have never used before, got his name from a "good samaritan" who stopped. He had our two of the kids in the car, two dogs, and was hauling a camper, so he made the decision without really thinking it through.
Anyways, the guy called yesterday and said he thinks the fuel pump needs to be replace and it will be $700 to repair. My husband said OK, replace the fuel pump. Well, he called last night around 10 pm and said after replacing the fuel pump he realized it was low on anti freeze and when the engine is running all of the anti freeze is leaking from the engine block. He stated we need a new engine. This is sending up a huge red flag to us, we go from a fuel pump to an engine. I told my husband we need to get a second opinion and not let some guy we don’t know just replace the engine. Does this sound legitimate?
Well, that mechanic jumped the gun. He should have noticed a big coolant leak while he was under your truck. I would take it to a mechanic you trust, because leaking antifreeze, even from the block, does not neccessarily mean you need a new engine. Just the fact the engine started and ran means it isnt seized and no major internal parts are broken. It could be a popped freeze plug, or a blown head gasket, both of which are considerably cheaper to fix than replacing the engine.
I have a bad feeling about that mechanic. If anti freeze was leaking that bad, I’m sure you or your husband would have noticed a big puddle under the truck, and you sure would have smelled it, because anti freeze has a very distinct odor. It would have overheated and that would have turned on the coolant temp. light and probably the check engine light on the dash as well. Get it to someone you trust, and dont let that mechanic do anything else until you know for sure.
