N's 84 Honda Civic has been acting up for the past few months. my bro up in bham has been trying to help diagnose over the phone a few times a week after N trys "the next" thing. last weekend he did a few more upgrades & magically, it started. so happy N drove off. a few blocks away its stopped again.
Showing posts with label car woes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label car woes. Show all posts
12/4/08
muffler...
i got a new muffler for the car this week. wasn't going to but..
my aunt had about 1.5 tons of magazines for me saved up. so on turkey day she had them ready. of course i already have a giant emergency kit in the trunk and 2 extra people riding along. it was ok, but i was tense the ride home (odd). as we went over the very last obstacle--this giant speed bump in the parking lot it happened. BANG down went the back end. (i wasn't driving) so since N was driving he got the pleasure of buying the new one. fortunately there's a guy that fixes the work trucks at his job so it was done on tuesday.
i didn't drive my car the rest of the weekend so on monday when i started it and it sounded like a race car with no muffler...i freaked out a little. it's like i know when somethings going to happen, but for some reason i don't know how to stop it from happened or exactly what the cause would be.
N has high cholesterol. so that means diet and exercise before they try to put him on pills. no more dairy :( it's kinda scary for him but i'm glad he found out now so he can get it handled while he's younger...heck i'm sure there's a ton wrong with me but living in no-medical ignorance is bliss...i guess.
my aunt had about 1.5 tons of magazines for me saved up. so on turkey day she had them ready. of course i already have a giant emergency kit in the trunk and 2 extra people riding along. it was ok, but i was tense the ride home (odd). as we went over the very last obstacle--this giant speed bump in the parking lot it happened. BANG down went the back end. (i wasn't driving) so since N was driving he got the pleasure of buying the new one. fortunately there's a guy that fixes the work trucks at his job so it was done on tuesday.
i didn't drive my car the rest of the weekend so on monday when i started it and it sounded like a race car with no muffler...i freaked out a little. it's like i know when somethings going to happen, but for some reason i don't know how to stop it from happened or exactly what the cause would be.
N has high cholesterol. so that means diet and exercise before they try to put him on pills. no more dairy :( it's kinda scary for him but i'm glad he found out now so he can get it handled while he's younger...heck i'm sure there's a ton wrong with me but living in no-medical ignorance is bliss...i guess.
7/21/08
the car went back...
this AM. called and tried to keep myself composed. i managed to sound a little hysterical but i did ok. the guy was pretty rude on the phone..considering this is something they did. he wanted to see it right away and i said i can bring it in but i'll need a rental now. and i got one!
they rent through hertz so i was driven there and picked up the rental. of course i have to pay for the insurance, even though the only reason i'm getting the damm thing is there fuck up. UPDATE -- they just called and said my timing was off 15 degrees or something and tried to use the excuse that something had shifted when they adjusted the distributor cap. tomorrow afternoon i'll go and pick it up and return the rental.
so tonite we'll take a little drive and enjoy the car.
here's what i got:
Chevy HHR Silver and it's fun!
they rent through hertz so i was driven there and picked up the rental. of course i have to pay for the insurance, even though the only reason i'm getting the damm thing is there fuck up. UPDATE -- they just called and said my timing was off 15 degrees or something and tried to use the excuse that something had shifted when they adjusted the distributor cap. tomorrow afternoon i'll go and pick it up and return the rental.
so tonite we'll take a little drive and enjoy the car.
here's what i got:
Chevy HHR Silver and it's fun!
7/20/08
the car came back...
yesterday. today we did a test drive to Pedro's. the cooling issue did fine. when we got off the freeway it didn't start getting super hot. that was good.
on the other hand...now my car has NO acceleration power at all. this is because of the car place. it was fine the day i brought it to them and today it is BAD..i barely got it up to 20mph to get through a light. so i'm pissed. i swear to god if they try to tell me i need a new transmission, i might go a little crazy. there's NO WAY something would suddenly go that wrong when there was no problem the day they got it. so tomorrow i have to call..and they'll treat me like an idiot like car mechanics always do. i'm so angry. so angry right now. when we picked it up no one even came out and talked to us about all the work they did. so frustrating and unprofessional. it's not like i got an oil change or even a new timing belt (did that in february).
on a happy note. i went to J's on friday and we cleaned the shit out of her office. it was great. i totally forgot to do a before and after picture though. douh! S came back from his trip last nite so i can't wait to hear his reaction. it was fun and we burned through it fast. i love to organize and i got delicious drunken noodle for dinner from J! mmmm
on the other hand...now my car has NO acceleration power at all. this is because of the car place. it was fine the day i brought it to them and today it is BAD..i barely got it up to 20mph to get through a light. so i'm pissed. i swear to god if they try to tell me i need a new transmission, i might go a little crazy. there's NO WAY something would suddenly go that wrong when there was no problem the day they got it. so tomorrow i have to call..and they'll treat me like an idiot like car mechanics always do. i'm so angry. so angry right now. when we picked it up no one even came out and talked to us about all the work they did. so frustrating and unprofessional. it's not like i got an oil change or even a new timing belt (did that in february).
on a happy note. i went to J's on friday and we cleaned the shit out of her office. it was great. i totally forgot to do a before and after picture though. douh! S came back from his trip last nite so i can't wait to hear his reaction. it was fun and we burned through it fast. i love to organize and i got delicious drunken noodle for dinner from J! mmmm
7/14/08
funkified...
i'm not sure if that's a real word, but it's how i've been feeling lately. not just funky...but funkified.
the car issues that's been ongoing slowly drained me. we aren't able to go on extended trips (without renting a car) or feel safe just going to Pedro's. i'd love, love to get up to big bear and stay at the cabin again but we don't have a car that will "make it". it's a pretty big climb. renting cars wasn't so bad before...when gas was reasonable.
just thinking that the cost of the car repair is the same as our trip (for 2 (air/hotel/car) to Hawaii for 5 nites. if i had a job now i wouldn't be so funky...although if i was still working at my old job i'd be even more stressed out since it was a long drive so that is good..but bad.
the job search will begin in earnest. i just hope and pray that this will fix the damm car..before i have something go wrong with the transmission.
N brought me home flowers on friday. it was so nice of him. i love the colors he picks out. i've never gone out with anyone who would get me flowers (unless it was a dance). i love anything pretty and not smelly so i'm easy. i like carnations too...even though i know as a girl i'm not supposed to since they're inexpensive. whatever
i rearranged the living room yesterday to try to clear my head too. we moved the computer parallel to the love seat and moved the trunk to the wall behind it. here are some shots. i painted it a long time ago with opps paint from HD. and the pretty flowers:
7/12/08
take it to the head...
gasket that is. as in, i need a new head gasket after all.
took the car to the dealership today and they called with the happy news. bleed the system and found a ton of air and tested the gas parts per something. anyhow you're supposed to be around 6 (of the measurement parts) and i'm at about 58..a cracked head would be about 300+. so my head isn't cracked but there is air getting in. 7 month later and $3500+...JUSTIFICATION i wasn't crazy.
i called my brother to check about this and it all seemed ok to him...sucky of course for me. the test was legit and the other places i've gone may not have had the proper equipment to even test for it. points for the dealership! i could of course just had them bleed it and "see what happens". but i know what will happen, the same thing. and i'm really trying to get over my phobia about cars i ride in having mechanical issues. for the piece of mind in the job hunt-i can't break down trying to get to an interview- i'm using the cc and paying the $1600(including refilling the free-on so the air will work again. why not at this point?). the card is almost maxed and the only other stuff on it is the timing belt and previous work done in the past 6 months. i can feel ok about this since the car was a gift, putting this money into it is justified and it should be good for the next 50,000+ dammit!!
i should get it back towards the end of next week. then we'll do a trial run down to Pedro's. if that is ok we will have to test the In-and-Out drive-thru (longest in existence!). the last test will be up to WH. i'll save that for last since it's the longest away and i'm not sure if my psyche will be ok will anything happening on the first "test trip" further away.
yes. time to seriously begin the job hunt. oh to be independently wealthy or just car lucky.
took the car to the dealership today and they called with the happy news. bleed the system and found a ton of air and tested the gas parts per something. anyhow you're supposed to be around 6 (of the measurement parts) and i'm at about 58..a cracked head would be about 300+. so my head isn't cracked but there is air getting in. 7 month later and $3500+...JUSTIFICATION i wasn't crazy.
i called my brother to check about this and it all seemed ok to him...sucky of course for me. the test was legit and the other places i've gone may not have had the proper equipment to even test for it. points for the dealership! i could of course just had them bleed it and "see what happens". but i know what will happen, the same thing. and i'm really trying to get over my phobia about cars i ride in having mechanical issues. for the piece of mind in the job hunt-i can't break down trying to get to an interview- i'm using the cc and paying the $1600(including refilling the free-on so the air will work again. why not at this point?). the card is almost maxed and the only other stuff on it is the timing belt and previous work done in the past 6 months. i can feel ok about this since the car was a gift, putting this money into it is justified and it should be good for the next 50,000+ dammit!!
i should get it back towards the end of next week. then we'll do a trial run down to Pedro's. if that is ok we will have to test the In-and-Out drive-thru (longest in existence!). the last test will be up to WH. i'll save that for last since it's the longest away and i'm not sure if my psyche will be ok will anything happening on the first "test trip" further away.
yes. time to seriously begin the job hunt. oh to be independently wealthy or just car lucky.
7/11/08
the sunspot made me do it...
yesterday i did something i didn't think i'd do...at least not right now. the recent discovery of my giant forehead sunspot made the difference. 
i got my birthday haircut from J & S. and i got bangs...i got a lot of bangs. i wanted light bangs but they turned out a little thicker. i discovered i can pin up half of it so they'll look ok, but i'm not sure.
i got my birthday haircut from J & S. and i got bangs...i got a lot of bangs. i wanted light bangs but they turned out a little thicker. i discovered i can pin up half of it so they'll look ok, but i'm not sure. maybe someday, once i figure out what to do with them i'll post a picture. the rest of my hair she cut great! a lot shorter for the summer and a bunch of choppy layers. it looks a lot lighter and healthier. i'm not too concerned about the bangs. my hair grows fast and i might just bleach some streaks on it to take the heaviness out and that may help.
in car news. N is calling the dealership today to schedule an appointment for the bleeding of the cooling system. i would call but in the recent experience we've have, i've discovered mechanics definitely DO NOT listen to younger, women...at least not me. some patronized me, some actually cut me off and talked over me. good times. so hopefully we can take it in tomorrow and then maybe do a test run the next day. god i hope this is the end of it. it's amazing how much this has affected me wanting to go places-i don't..because i never know if the car will act up. it sucks! fingers crossed...again.
once it's fixed i'll feel a lot better job hunting to. now i worry it'll happen when i have to go to an interview and screw that up. arggg....
7/2/08
what can i remember...
my bro and D (his gf) came down last thursday and took of last nite. here's a brief re-cap.
Thursday, after getting back from the SD airport in N's car we discovered his transmission was totally leaking oil and it had sprayed up the back bumper too. so that's at N's work right now, waiting for the mechanic who fixes the work trucks to get back into town. a dinner of flank steak and cornflake potatoes was enjoyed by all.
Friday started out with a great trip to SideStreet Cafe for lunch. we then went down to Laguna for some snorkeling and wave fun. it was perfect weather. i tried the snorkeling, but the waves were pretty choppy so it was hard to concentrate on the breathing aspect of the snorkel while i was trying to not get knocked by a wave. soon i gave up on that and had fun bodyboarding and playing in the waves. after we showered up N and i took them downtown to check out main street, the pier and to see the sunset.
Saturday we went over to J's and went down to the beach for the day. it was nice. we were going to have a bonfire that nite, but all the spots were filled up. it was a relaxing, lazy day...however i did notice i now have giant sunspot on my forehead. which drives me insane since i'm totally fanatical about SPF and staying out of the sun. so that sucked to see. it looks half brown ewwww.
Sunday...hmmm what happened sunday? oh yeah! A and D borrowed the bikes and rode down to newport to check it out. i had wanted to go down there with them but i know the parking wouldn't be happening on the weekend so i was really glad they were about to go on the bikes. i cooked up a batch of sloppy joe for dinner then we were off to the Malibu Inn to see reggae. U-Roy and Cornel Campbell were both playing!
Monday A borrowed the jeep and went down to San Onfre to play on the beach there and nap in the sun. that nite we finally got to see all of A's pictures from his european vacation and the stories that went with them. good times!
Tuesday we got up, hung then took off for SD. my car started getting super hot super fast when we got of the 5 for Pedros. so we ate and let it cool down and A tried to get more of the air bubbles out. we were on a bit of a time crunch to get to the airport so many prayers were said. we did make it and as we were dropping them off the temp started it's climb again. so with the heater on and trying to mentally push cars forward, we made it back k on the freeway and got home.
next week i'm taking it into the dealership and asking them to BLEED the system. that's the issue. A said he'd call ahead for me and talk to them so they already will know what we've down and that it ISN"T a friggin head gasket--hello after 5 months of this would i still be driving??? good times. i just want it fixed!!! argggg and it doesn't happen all the time so i was glad it did it with A so he didn't think i was crazy like most people think (not N...he's seen it many times too).
so it was a good time. it was nice to meet D and get to know her a little. and now were back to basics. i'm going to LA to see a movie with J today. she's driving her car so i don't have to stress at all.
Thursday, after getting back from the SD airport in N's car we discovered his transmission was totally leaking oil and it had sprayed up the back bumper too. so that's at N's work right now, waiting for the mechanic who fixes the work trucks to get back into town. a dinner of flank steak and cornflake potatoes was enjoyed by all.
Friday started out with a great trip to SideStreet Cafe for lunch. we then went down to Laguna for some snorkeling and wave fun. it was perfect weather. i tried the snorkeling, but the waves were pretty choppy so it was hard to concentrate on the breathing aspect of the snorkel while i was trying to not get knocked by a wave. soon i gave up on that and had fun bodyboarding and playing in the waves. after we showered up N and i took them downtown to check out main street, the pier and to see the sunset.
Saturday we went over to J's and went down to the beach for the day. it was nice. we were going to have a bonfire that nite, but all the spots were filled up. it was a relaxing, lazy day...however i did notice i now have giant sunspot on my forehead. which drives me insane since i'm totally fanatical about SPF and staying out of the sun. so that sucked to see. it looks half brown ewwww.
Sunday...hmmm what happened sunday? oh yeah! A and D borrowed the bikes and rode down to newport to check it out. i had wanted to go down there with them but i know the parking wouldn't be happening on the weekend so i was really glad they were about to go on the bikes. i cooked up a batch of sloppy joe for dinner then we were off to the Malibu Inn to see reggae. U-Roy and Cornel Campbell were both playing!
Monday A borrowed the jeep and went down to San Onfre to play on the beach there and nap in the sun. that nite we finally got to see all of A's pictures from his european vacation and the stories that went with them. good times!
Tuesday we got up, hung then took off for SD. my car started getting super hot super fast when we got of the 5 for Pedros. so we ate and let it cool down and A tried to get more of the air bubbles out. we were on a bit of a time crunch to get to the airport so many prayers were said. we did make it and as we were dropping them off the temp started it's climb again. so with the heater on and trying to mentally push cars forward, we made it back k on the freeway and got home.
next week i'm taking it into the dealership and asking them to BLEED the system. that's the issue. A said he'd call ahead for me and talk to them so they already will know what we've down and that it ISN"T a friggin head gasket--hello after 5 months of this would i still be driving??? good times. i just want it fixed!!! argggg and it doesn't happen all the time so i was glad it did it with A so he didn't think i was crazy like most people think (not N...he's seen it many times too).
so it was a good time. it was nice to meet D and get to know her a little. and now were back to basics. i'm going to LA to see a movie with J today. she's driving her car so i don't have to stress at all.
4/19/08
take me out...
to the ballgame.
last nite we went to the M's v Angels game. it was ok. we(M's) lost. they almost caught back up but the Angels were catching some crazy balls. the fireworks after were cool as always. it was cold but i had my seat cushion so it wasn't too bad.
today we got new tires for my car. the old ones were cracking.
continue to monitor the overflow reservoir on the coolant. still stable at slightly above the max line. when i got it back on wednesday it was at the min line. i'm hoping it needed to settle and will be fine. if it stays the same for a week, i think i'll be good. next will be to fix the air conditioning.
N brought a treat home from the store last week. Limoncello. today we're going to pick-up some lemonade to mix it with. boy is that stuff strong! no wonder Danny Devito was so out of it on The View.
last nite we went to the M's v Angels game. it was ok. we(M's) lost. they almost caught back up but the Angels were catching some crazy balls. the fireworks after were cool as always. it was cold but i had my seat cushion so it wasn't too bad.
today we got new tires for my car. the old ones were cracking.
continue to monitor the overflow reservoir on the coolant. still stable at slightly above the max line. when i got it back on wednesday it was at the min line. i'm hoping it needed to settle and will be fine. if it stays the same for a week, i think i'll be good. next will be to fix the air conditioning.
N brought a treat home from the store last week. Limoncello. today we're going to pick-up some lemonade to mix it with. boy is that stuff strong! no wonder Danny Devito was so out of it on The View.
4/18/08
unusual silence for me...
it's almost been a week since posting.
i've had some things to write, but lately i haven't had the energy. why don't you have energy to write? it only takes a few minutes, right? true it doesn't take all day to come up with something i want to share with my invisible readers. my mind has been elsewhere.
where are you mind?
oh yeah..there you are. under your car hood looking at THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM YOU BROUGHT YOUR CAR IN ON TUESDAY FOR HAPPENING AGAIN THE DAY YOU GOT IT BACK!
that cap lock felt good. surprisingly. i have to call them again today. i'm so frustrated. it's the only thing i seem to think about anymore. i'm trying to figure out what god i angered or what bad karma i did to deserve this. seriously
my front tires are cracked and coming apart at the seams as well. for some reason the car place didn't believe i actually drive it everyday, and not just have it sitting somewhere. duh! so my plan was to get new tires on saturday. but now i'm sure i'll have to bring the car back in tonite or tomorrow AM. and nothing will be done correctly again. they said on wednesday nite that the problem was the new radiator cap i had put on (which they had taken off on the saturday before when they supposedly bled my coolant, so they didn't put it on right). they replaced it with a factory cap ($14) and said the pressure tested correctly. they even drove it over 40 miles!
today i pop the hood when i get to work and SURPRISE the overflow tank is almost full again and there are bubbles showing that coolant is coming out of my radiator (and not going back in). this is the SAME issue i brought it in for on tuesday/wednesday. i had not had this as a problem before i took it to them on saturday. only the overheating issue which they apparently fixed now-but that will happen again once all the coolant is in my overflow and out of the radiator itself.
ARGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG anyone want a car??
i thought today would be mellow since everyone is out but me and another person. now that person has apparently some "project" they need help on. this person never offers to help me with anything and talks on the phone a lot (personal) and over an hour luch break everyday since they live close by. so do i want to help? NO will i? Yes, because i have to to be a "team player" since other folks can't do their work..keep in mind i was already given a giant project the other person used to handle because it was "too much", but you can throw it to me and all the other stuff i do.
my problem is that i'm too neat. people think a neat desk means you don't have anything to do. wrong. it means you're organized and don't like clutter. and i get my shit done. right away.
Happy Friday!
i've had some things to write, but lately i haven't had the energy. why don't you have energy to write? it only takes a few minutes, right? true it doesn't take all day to come up with something i want to share with my invisible readers. my mind has been elsewhere.
where are you mind?
oh yeah..there you are. under your car hood looking at THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM YOU BROUGHT YOUR CAR IN ON TUESDAY FOR HAPPENING AGAIN THE DAY YOU GOT IT BACK!
that cap lock felt good. surprisingly. i have to call them again today. i'm so frustrated. it's the only thing i seem to think about anymore. i'm trying to figure out what god i angered or what bad karma i did to deserve this. seriously
my front tires are cracked and coming apart at the seams as well. for some reason the car place didn't believe i actually drive it everyday, and not just have it sitting somewhere. duh! so my plan was to get new tires on saturday. but now i'm sure i'll have to bring the car back in tonite or tomorrow AM. and nothing will be done correctly again. they said on wednesday nite that the problem was the new radiator cap i had put on (which they had taken off on the saturday before when they supposedly bled my coolant, so they didn't put it on right). they replaced it with a factory cap ($14) and said the pressure tested correctly. they even drove it over 40 miles!
today i pop the hood when i get to work and SURPRISE the overflow tank is almost full again and there are bubbles showing that coolant is coming out of my radiator (and not going back in). this is the SAME issue i brought it in for on tuesday/wednesday. i had not had this as a problem before i took it to them on saturday. only the overheating issue which they apparently fixed now-but that will happen again once all the coolant is in my overflow and out of the radiator itself.
ARGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG anyone want a car??
i thought today would be mellow since everyone is out but me and another person. now that person has apparently some "project" they need help on. this person never offers to help me with anything and talks on the phone a lot (personal) and over an hour luch break everyday since they live close by. so do i want to help? NO will i? Yes, because i have to to be a "team player" since other folks can't do their work..keep in mind i was already given a giant project the other person used to handle because it was "too much", but you can throw it to me and all the other stuff i do.
my problem is that i'm too neat. people think a neat desk means you don't have anything to do. wrong. it means you're organized and don't like clutter. and i get my shit done. right away.
Happy Friday!
4/12/08
mystery solved?
took the car to the new spot early this morning. the guy listened to what we said had been going on, and what work the other place had already done (timing belt, water pump, thermostat, radiator cap and tune-up).
went to wendy's on the way home for a #8-biscuits & gravy combo meal w/ hashbrowns and a coke. then came home.
a few hours later they called and said it wasn't the temp sensor or the engine fan, but the last place had not flushed the coolant properly and his technician found an air pocket. this was something my brother had suggested earlier, but not something N and i were able to check on our own.
he only charged me the price of the diagnosis so that was cool. $47 later and hopefully it's finally fixed. when we picked it up i popped the hood and checked the coolant level in the reservoir. they had filled it up to the max line, not 2+ inches above it like Gustafson Brothers in Huntington Beach did. that's the spot that did the last two jobs. so now i'm wondering if i even needed the $70 new thermostat since the problem was the air bubble at that time.
i do not recommend going to Gustafson Brothers in Huntington Beach. sure they have a pretty lobby and are nice enough, but they can't fix a car. for the love of god i drive a freakin honda civic-not the most complex car to work on for an "experienced" shop. needless to say, they will be receiving one if my infamous letters.
fingers crossed it is done. we drove around a bit today locally and everything seems fine.
went to wendy's on the way home for a #8-biscuits & gravy combo meal w/ hashbrowns and a coke. then came home.
a few hours later they called and said it wasn't the temp sensor or the engine fan, but the last place had not flushed the coolant properly and his technician found an air pocket. this was something my brother had suggested earlier, but not something N and i were able to check on our own.
he only charged me the price of the diagnosis so that was cool. $47 later and hopefully it's finally fixed. when we picked it up i popped the hood and checked the coolant level in the reservoir. they had filled it up to the max line, not 2+ inches above it like Gustafson Brothers in Huntington Beach did. that's the spot that did the last two jobs. so now i'm wondering if i even needed the $70 new thermostat since the problem was the air bubble at that time.
i do not recommend going to Gustafson Brothers in Huntington Beach. sure they have a pretty lobby and are nice enough, but they can't fix a car. for the love of god i drive a freakin honda civic-not the most complex car to work on for an "experienced" shop. needless to say, they will be receiving one if my infamous letters.
fingers crossed it is done. we drove around a bit today locally and everything seems fine.
4/11/08
another trip to the car doctor...
so tomorrow morning we will again be waking up brite and early to take my car to a new place (first come first serve). we'll get there right before they open.
i've just about lost it. after massive research online, it looks like the problem is either my temp sensor switch or the engine fan. i've found some notes on turning on the AC while overheating to determine if it's one or the other. i'll get to test that on the way home. i'm soooo excited. NOT!
it's about 82 out so i 'll be overheating myself with the heater on. and that always put me in such a fantastic mood. if i had money i could spend it wouldn't be as big a deal. i was really hoping it could wait until georgie sends us our money next month, but it can't.
i'm almost hoping they tell me something that is wrong is something the other place replaced so i can yell at them. i just hope this doesn't cost another arm.
does anyone know a mechanic in HB or CM that is reasonable and good?
i've just about lost it. after massive research online, it looks like the problem is either my temp sensor switch or the engine fan. i've found some notes on turning on the AC while overheating to determine if it's one or the other. i'll get to test that on the way home. i'm soooo excited. NOT!
it's about 82 out so i 'll be overheating myself with the heater on. and that always put me in such a fantastic mood. if i had money i could spend it wouldn't be as big a deal. i was really hoping it could wait until georgie sends us our money next month, but it can't.
i'm almost hoping they tell me something that is wrong is something the other place replaced so i can yell at them. i just hope this doesn't cost another arm.
does anyone know a mechanic in HB or CM that is reasonable and good?
2/25/08
2 posts in 1! "frog & toads wild ride" & "if i dont laugh, i'll never stop crying"
"frog & toads wild ride" or "our trip to big bear":
i took a half day off on friday and N had the whole day off to get stuff ready. at 1pm we went to pick-up our rental car. (whenever we have a strenuous drive ahead, we like to rent a car instead of relying on mine...more on that in post 2) that went smoothly after we found out they changed their pick-up procedure so N had to go to baggage claim to sign in instead of at the drop off in the garage -how we usually do it. he came rollin' back with a sick-ass dodge charger! so nice and we got an excellent rate too! we went to pick-up chains due to the winter storm warning for big bear and headed off. right into....traffic...and more.....traffic. basically we left HB about 2:30p and got to the cabin at 9:30pm. it's only about 150 miles. we made it to the HWY18 turn off about 7:30pm.then we started moving pretty well, until we headed up the hill past the mitsubishi cement plant and there the fun began. the snow started. sometimes it's better when that happens at nite so you can't see how bad it really is. when we were almost to the top it was super icy and there was a turn-out with a state trooper and a bunch of folks putting on chains. keep in mind it is now 8pm at nite. it's windy out and a giant cluster fuck. so we tried to get the "ezy chains" on for about a half hour. poor N was getting so frustrated and it was super windy and cold and hard to think. we had work gloves and headlamps so we were better off then some. then we decided we were close and we were going to go for it. so we did and made it to big bear city. then we tried to drive up the street we had to turn on. no go...sheet of ice uphill!
slowly we backed down the hill and managed to make it back to the main drag and to a vallero. the guy inside said we could chill there and get the chains on. it was much easier there without the stress of other drivers and traffic. it took about a half hour but we got the hang of it eventually. now N is expert chain guy. then we tried it again, made it up the hill, and up the next street and up the next block. the streets where the cabin is were all covered in snow. without chains, there's NO WAY we could have gotten to the cabin on friday nite.
N & charger in front of cabin
me & charger in front of cabin
saturday we went to snow valley. it was the BEST day to be there i think. it took about an hour since we still had the chains on (just in case) so the top speed was 25 on the road. i skied for about 3.5 hrs and N for about 4. i made it off the bunny chair (6) and worked my way up to chair 13! i was proud of that. we skied a little together and a little separate. i wanted N to get in as much as he could and i don't mind skiing alone when i'm just chillin. my new oakley pants and gloves worked great too! THANK YOU A for the gift cert for N's bday! they totally accepted in no problems and it was the best day skiing i've had since whistler!
me @ snow valley
N @ snow valley
N was going to ski on sunday if the conditions were good, but it rained all nite so it was mushy, warm and crappy. we left about 10 and it took only about 2.5 hours to get back. there was a lot of rain on the 15 & 91 but at least we didn't have more snow going down the mountain! returned the car and things were good....until
big bear lake--frozen
we drove down the mountian under this awesome rainbow
"if i don't laugh, i'll never stop crying" or "car fixing fun":
i drove to go pick N up from the car place. a brief history is my car has been having overheating issues of late. i religiously check the coolant before i drive to or from work everyday. the past couple weeks things have gotten worse. and on the way from our house to the airport, the car started heating again-after only 7 miles going 30-45! i got N ok and barely made it home. called work and left messages since i can't drive it and the other car we have doesn't drive on the freeway. took the car in today and i just got "the call".
result: new water pump (that's where my coolant has been going) and the kicker--new timing belt. about $800 total. gotta do it. i need to get to work. these are the times i miss not living in seattle. the busing system was so easy there. another reason to work on finding a closer job. they hope to have it done today. so do i. silly me, i thought i'd get to use my tax return for my next tooth on schedule but i get to use that plus $500 for the car.
donations accepted. :)
10/6/07
SUCCESS!!
the cv boot was fixed this morning. it went to a new place. no more pep boys! they were done in about 2 hours and even washed the car! and the best part...the total was less then the estimate. (which was nice since i forgot to use my AAA card for their discount) freaky stuff. i'm so glad. they didn't try to talk me into anything else.
N did his brakes today too. he also noticed his drivers side cv boot is ripped. so in a couple weeks honda number 2 goes in for a new boot too. i even managed to finish my eye doctor apt and get my pupils dilated. she wouldn't let me do it last time since i didn't have someone with me to drive me home.
the eye doctor was in the walmart by us. i know it's very odd given where i work they don't give us eye coverage. anyway..there's a mcdonalds in the store too. so to kill some time i thought i'd treat myself to a bacon,egg&cheese biscuit (my favorite fast food breakfast) and they don't have biscuits at this mcdonalds location. i wonder how must research was put into that decision. very interesting.
tomorrow not much is planned but football. go HAWKS!
N did his brakes today too. he also noticed his drivers side cv boot is ripped. so in a couple weeks honda number 2 goes in for a new boot too. i even managed to finish my eye doctor apt and get my pupils dilated. she wouldn't let me do it last time since i didn't have someone with me to drive me home.
the eye doctor was in the walmart by us. i know it's very odd given where i work they don't give us eye coverage. anyway..there's a mcdonalds in the store too. so to kill some time i thought i'd treat myself to a bacon,egg&cheese biscuit (my favorite fast food breakfast) and they don't have biscuits at this mcdonalds location. i wonder how must research was put into that decision. very interesting.
tomorrow not much is planned but football. go HAWKS!
10/1/07
Busy weekend -- but what did we do?
i know we were busy on saturday running errands but oddly it doesn't feel like we got much done. laundry is scheduled for tonite.
sunday we were busy and i remember it completely. as you know, my aunt and uncle are down from the great white north for a couple months. we brought over my car for new brake installation. N hadn't ever done it before so he was really stoked to learn. as with all car work, things did not go exactly as planned.
1st- my uncle let me know i'd bought an extra set of brake pads (hey i wasn't taking any chances). that was ok since i could return it later.
2nd-- old brakes come off fine but what to we see?? why a big crack in my drivers side CV Boot. with reassurances from my uncle that it will be "ok" until this saturday when i'll be able to take it in somewhere, i digested this exciting news.
3rd-- the best for last: the brakes i ordered online from kragen were not the same as the brakes that were taken off my car. as my head slowly started spinning i took a deep breath and my uncle and i went to kragen to sort it out. the angels must have been feeling super sorry for me. (as most people who work on cars know, a trip to the parts store to get something ASAP rarely goes as planned) as we approach the counter there are 2 guys and a girl. of course i began hoping we'll get a guy to help us-- based on all my past auto parts store experience it's nothing personal, but most girls can barley work the cash register. she was AMAZING!!! she checked her computer and it came up with the same brakes i bought, but my uncle had brought in the brake off my car so we made sure we got it right this time. she saw the difference too and thought about it for a minute and actually FOUND the correct ones on the second try! i almost took her to dinner for making it so easy. not to outdo herself with the quick find, she even took my wrong pads (and extra set) back right there and the credit should be on my card this week!
for dinner we had a delicious salmon (real pacific nw non-farmed) that my uncle bbq'd up. real salmon is so good! i miss it so much being down here.
next week we'll bring my car to a shop for it's new boot. unfortunately it's not a fix N and my uncle can do. N will change the brakes on his car. he's learning from my experience and going to take one off and bring it in the first time he goes to buy the brakes. smart man.
sunday we were busy and i remember it completely. as you know, my aunt and uncle are down from the great white north for a couple months. we brought over my car for new brake installation. N hadn't ever done it before so he was really stoked to learn. as with all car work, things did not go exactly as planned.
1st- my uncle let me know i'd bought an extra set of brake pads (hey i wasn't taking any chances). that was ok since i could return it later.
2nd-- old brakes come off fine but what to we see?? why a big crack in my drivers side CV Boot. with reassurances from my uncle that it will be "ok" until this saturday when i'll be able to take it in somewhere, i digested this exciting news.
3rd-- the best for last: the brakes i ordered online from kragen were not the same as the brakes that were taken off my car. as my head slowly started spinning i took a deep breath and my uncle and i went to kragen to sort it out. the angels must have been feeling super sorry for me. (as most people who work on cars know, a trip to the parts store to get something ASAP rarely goes as planned) as we approach the counter there are 2 guys and a girl. of course i began hoping we'll get a guy to help us-- based on all my past auto parts store experience it's nothing personal, but most girls can barley work the cash register. she was AMAZING!!! she checked her computer and it came up with the same brakes i bought, but my uncle had brought in the brake off my car so we made sure we got it right this time. she saw the difference too and thought about it for a minute and actually FOUND the correct ones on the second try! i almost took her to dinner for making it so easy. not to outdo herself with the quick find, she even took my wrong pads (and extra set) back right there and the credit should be on my card this week!
for dinner we had a delicious salmon (real pacific nw non-farmed) that my uncle bbq'd up. real salmon is so good! i miss it so much being down here.
next week we'll bring my car to a shop for it's new boot. unfortunately it's not a fix N and my uncle can do. N will change the brakes on his car. he's learning from my experience and going to take one off and bring it in the first time he goes to buy the brakes. smart man.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)