I see both points. If it aint broke, dont fix it.


Dude, do the plugs yourself. Use the proper wratchet, and when you put it over the plug, grab the base of the socket so it dont crack the plug in half by accident.

there are a lot of good and valit points here so I am going to comment on what I have opinions on. In no special order.

I have 6 bucks to last me until the snow melt, ground dries out, and warms up to where I can begin to landscape again. Or until it warms up enough to detail cars. (my 2 jobs)

Yes it leaks, and no its not going outside the engine that I have been able to see. The exhaust over the past few months has also developed a nice sweet smell too it, almost like dexcool. (hmm wonder why)

Yeah it leaks, because I have to top off the coolant tank.

I tried to get them done then, but it never sank in that at some point they would have to pay to take it all appart again.

that'* what I think.

Definatly do the plugs yourself (just watch out for the 'x' on the fan...it can get mighty sharp )

I regret not doing my lower gasket when I replaced my upper. Coolant still disappeared. Now I'm replacing my engine.

Preventative Maintainance is an absolute must! Why do you think you change the oil every 3,000 miles. I mean, why don't you just drive until there is none left and just refill it then?

See I want it done now because the car will become mine and the next week the engine will fail, my parents will blame it on me, and I will have to drop the $$ to get it fixed. When in reality if they listened to me in the first place the engine wouldn't have been ingesting coolant for over a year and the engine would still work.

If i didn't start changing the oil my mom would run it until it was dry and then have it refilled.

Yipes! If you are losing coolant and you can smell it in the exhaust, you obviously have an internal coolant leak. In this case, waiting to fix the problem is asking for a much bigger repair bill.

[aside: I'll bet your parents would be much more wiling to spend the money to fix the car if you were willing to do the work on it yourself. You could buy the tools, service manuals and parts you need to fix this for much less than you would pay someone to do it. If you have little mechanical skill or experience, you might find a friend or a friend of your parents who is willing to work with you to kind of show you the ropes. Learning the skills to repair your own car will pay you huge dividends for the rest of your life. Plus, it is really satisfying to drive a car you have fixed yourself. Just my $.02]

I completely agree with Bill here. Working on your car is very satisfying [once you get it running, until then it is a frustrating nightmare]. Also it can pay major dividends with the ladies. Just say you'll do the work at cost.. plus it gives them an excuse to come over


-justin

dont change ur plugs untill u get the coolant problem fixed.... ive heard of coolant staining plugs and destroying the porcalin (or however its spelled)...


if ur parents blame u for ur car breaking down just after they give it to u, put the blame back on them, when u take it to a mechanic bring ur parents, and ask if preventative maintainance would have helped.

I have all the tools and the skill to do it. I dont have the paitance to deal with my dad bitching at me for removing something wrong. Since I share the car with my mom I can't work on the car in the afternoons because god forbid she misses going out to lunch or something stupid like that (she doesn't work) and refuses to drive my dad'* car.

I plan on opening a small garage someday not only to allow other people to repair their cars (I WILL have a lift someday) but also make a little extra money repairing things for them also.

interesting advice on the plugs.

Sounds like you're in a Catch 22. Not much you can do. I'm sure venting helps, though!

If it fails while I am driving there will be a pretty good chance of serious engine damage...the only idle time it see'* is at red lights.


It really does help. Although I hate to bitch and moan(especially to other people), I am glad I have a nice place filled with great people. Views from others on both sides does help.