hi all,
I posted on Oct. 3 about my problems with mechanics and getting a diganosis. I have a 1993 saturn SW2 station wagon. Since then, I spent about $550 for the 4th mechanic to change the spark plugs, spark plug ables, and supposedly clean the gasoline out of the engine because, they said, it had washed the rings, but the rings were still operational. Oh, and overcharge for putting a new tire on.
Now it's already starting to have problems again with starting. It's just like before: it seems to start ok in the morning or at night when it's cooler, but in the daytime, it's harder. Or when the engine is warm, it's harder. I have to press the gas pedal all the way to the floor to get the engine to catch, and sometimes it will just die if I take my foot off the pedal. Once it starts, and I'm backed out of the parking spot and moving forward, it's ok.
mecahnic #1 thought it was something electrical, but not anything fuel related. Pep Boys (#2) was worthless. The saturn dealership (#3) thought it was the spark plugs, the valve cover gasket, the fuel filter, the coolant temperature sensor, and thought it needed a fuel injection cleaning. They also wanted to sell me 4 new tires because I had one flat. Advanced Auto Dynamics (#4) decided it was the spark plugs and spark plug wires.
That worked for about a week, and now it's starting up again. Any ideas about what I could suggest to mechanic #5? When I can go, that is....
To answer Larry Moe & Curly from Oct. 3: _________________________________________________________________ Did you pay all those places to fix or diagnose your problem or to merely take your money? I can understand paying a mechanic a diagnostic fee without getting the car fixed, but if they say they're going to fix it or they replace parts, shouldn't your car come back to you with the problem resolved? I hoped you paid by credit card so you can get your money back easily, and if any of the garages are AAA approved, AAA will arbitrate any dispute, even for non-members. Another thing: in some areas AAA has diagnostic centers, but I think they're only for AAA members.
How can a valve cover be in such bad shape that it actually prevents a car from starting? Wouldn't it have to be losing chunks and letting tons of oil drip out? OTOH if it's just leaking a bit, can't you just keep checking the oil level and wipe off the drips every few days? BTW it doesn't take much oil to create a fairly large puddle -- try pouring a tablespoon of water on the driveway and see how much it spreads.
When Pep Boys said that one of the cylinders had no compression, did they actually measure the compression? Because I heard a local Pep Boys tell a customer who was getting a tune-up that his engine had no compression in one cylinder, but I think it was due to the spark plug not firing, not due to a leaky cylinder. BTW don't take a car to Pep Boys for diagnosis because around here they're terrible at that, and in the case of that customer I mentioned, when he asked the mechanic what the printout from the tune-up computer meant, the mechanic said he didn't know.
Wow, $350 to change a valve cover gasket. At some places you can get a head gasket replaced for that price. ______________________________________________________________
yeah, I had to pay those place just to give me their uninformed and dishonest opinions.
AAA....I dunno...they don;t seem to even be able to get my cards sent to me in the mail, even though I called them twice about it. No, unfortunately did not pay by credit card.
Mechanic #4 said it wasn't the valve cover gasket, that there was some leakage but that is common for Saturns, and just to check it each time I get an oil change.
Wow that is a horrible story about Pep boys, and sounds typical. I will never go back there again.
Here's the original thread: