Conference vaxcat::friends

    gina's struts and speedo cable (we've got the tools)
    
    /gina

    
    
    	Wow....my own garage! Gee...thanks guys!
    
    
    
    chico

    
    My brakes are being done as we speak, tho I don't believe
    my muffler belongs in my trunk.
    A
    

    mine needs a service!
    
    Jackie

    
    
    	That's a heck of a muffler you got there Ann....where did it break
    off? Right at the end of the pipe that connects in to the muffler from
    the catalytic converter?
    
    chico

    Re .4
    
    Ohh??
    
    I might see if Chico needs an apprentice..
    
    Don
    *8-)

    
    
    	Sure thing Don....if you makes me a Goderator here....;*)
    
    
    chico

    
    I believe part of the pipe broke off and is now inside the muffler.
    I've been calling around checking prices, $109 for 1yr guarantee or
    $129 for a lifetime guarantee.  
    

    
    
    	$109 installed or $109 just for the muffler? Muffler usually costs
    around $70 for a 1yr one and $100 for a lifetime.
    
    	chico
    
    p.s. - go for the lifetime.
    

    
    Of course installed and of course I'd go for the lifetime.  HEY do I
    look blonde!!!! -)))))))))))))))))
    

    What can you do for a leaky roof?  The top on my convertible is leaking
    somewhere getting the drivers seat all wet as well as the floor of the
    car... makes for um, interesting driving experiences... I hope it stops
    raining soon!!!

Re .7
        
    	>>Sure thing Don....if you makes me a Goderator here....;*)
    
 	Ahhh ..some things.. hehehe..
    
        They cost!
    
    Don
    *8-)

    
    
    	Egad, convertibles are a bear to stop leaking.....even the brandy
    new ones don't seal properly � the time. You'd have to find someone who
    knows convertibles better than I do...sorry...:)
    
    RE: Ann
    
    	Wait, ain't you blonde? :*)
    
    	Who gave you the muffler estimate? Speedy? Midas? They buy so many
    mufflers that they get big discounts and can offer low installation
    prices.....
    
    chico

    
    Yes Chico I am, I was just being sarcastic!
    I got the estimate from Speedy.  Maybe I should check
    Cheeky.

    Are us apprentices allowed to take 'em for a spin.. to test them out
    after servicing?
    
    Don
    *8-)

    
    Only if you treat it with the loving care it deserves!
    
    Jackie

    
    
    	RE: Don
    
    	Not joy riding for the apprentices! :)
    
    	RE: Ann
    
    	Check cheeky eh? :*) I don't think I could save you any money....i
    can't get the muffler cheap enough to make much of a difference...
    
    
    chico

    
    Chico, I figure I'll let Speedy do it and have the lifetime guarantee.
    

    
    
    	always a good thing to have that lifetime guarantee! :*)
    
    
    chico

    You, whooooo Chico dear.
    
    Do you do brakes?
    
    Jt

    
    
    	yup....I do brakes...
    
    	what kind you got? drum or disk? 
    
    chico

     I do breaks too but only here at wo*k   :-)
    
     Ben who is just joking around.

On mine... the breaks just happen. That's when I need to go see Chico 8^)

CM

    
    
    	:*)
    
    	Chico's garage, open for business! :*)
    
    
    chico

    
    	Hi CHEEKS...  Could be called CHEEKS Service.... hehehehe  
    	um, nope, better not do that.... not a good slogan...
    
    	"Are you having problems with your vehicle???? Then check your
    	local CHEEKS for a solution"
    
    	ah... well it DOES have a certain ring to it!!!!  hahahaaha  <thud>
    
    	>M<

Let Chico, checko...ver your car!

    Oh Jim.........
    
    Disks I believe - I'll double check later this week - and I'm in the
    process of getting a quote on the rear main seal.
    
    Jt

    
    
    	Most cars are disk fronts and drum backs, but there are some oldies
    with drums all around, and some newer ones with all disks...
    
    
    	chico
    

    
    Hey Chico, Do you do tune-ups on people too? I could use one! My
    *heart* is acking lately! ;-) or maybe you have a *visa* lying around
    somewhere? ;-)))
    
    m. ;-)
    

    Well the beast, I mean the Cougar is ready to roll!  With some creative
    accounting and skilled labor on Chico's part my car is fixed, safe and
    was a reasonable cost!
    
    Thanks Cheeks dear!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    
    Jt

	No prob Jt deary....anything for you...;*)


chico

    
    I'd say..'pip pip Ole Chap! Good Show !'... hehehehehehe

    
    
    Anything, huh Chico?????  hehehehehehe :*)))
    

	I'm open to suggestions Terrie....;*)


chico (working on his own car now!)

    RE .33  exactly what *I* was going to write >:^)
    
    
    Jt

	That's why I love you ladies so....:)

This seems like the best place...

Terrie can now drive home without having to worry about finding me on the side
of the road. Pink Lightning is all better. The short turned out to be the
electric choke which was also causing the engine to hesitate when cold and
diesel when hot. All set and I got in an hour ago. Well see how it works out
since I have a flying contest in Sydney ME this sunday and will make a 4 hour
trip each way.

CM

    
    
    	good luck with it Jim! let us know how you make out....
    
    
    chico

    
    
    Is the garage still open Chico?  I need a lube job.
    What's a reasonable price?
    
    
    Terrie
    

    8^O :^}

    
    
    
    No comment.....
    
    :))))
    
    Chris
    :)

    
    
    	A lube job? Just lubing the grease points or changing all the
    fluids (differential, tranny, etc)?
    
    	For just a lube job I'd say anything over $30 is reaching (I'd look
    for something more like $20). To do all the fluids at a reputable
    dealer (not Jiffy Lube!), I'd say about $60-80.....
    
    all prices are subject to change at a moments notice. :*)
    
    
    chico

    
    Thank you Chico for taking me seriously. :*)  I really did
    want prices on this.  I'm going to do all the fluids.
    
    Will they give estimates on that kind of work?
    
    
    Thanks,
    
    Terrie
    

    
    	
    Just call a garage and ask them how much to change all the fluids and
    give it a lube job (have them repack the wheel bearings while they're
    at it). As long as you give them the year, make, model of the car, they
    should have a price list right in front of them. That's a pretty
    standard job.....
    
    
    	jim

terrie,

Is this on the Camry? I would think you'd want to take it to the dealer so there
isn't any warrenty questions (yes, I know you don't HAVE too but it sure avoids
the finger pointing session)

CautiousMan

    
    
    No finger pointing sessions.  That's what receipts
    are for.  If I go to the dealership I pay $130.00
    for the same job I can get done for $80.00.
    
    
    Terrie
    

Well, receipts only prove it was done, not necessarily done correctly (I'm
playing devil's advocate here since I got burned once). Try collecting on a 
"damaged" part that may have been damaged through a second party's negligence.
Personally, I pay the extra $50 to avoid the court hassles I've been through.

As with anything, your mileage may vary.

    
    
    	I agree with CM. Spend the extra bucks on the dealer until the
    warranty runs out. I had forgotten you have a new car.....
    
    
    chico

    
    Just my two cents.  IF you have a mechanic you TRUST go there and
    forget the dealer.   You save boo-coo $ for the same work.   As long as
    you keep the receipts (and I also keep a service Diary to record what
    I've had done/mileage/etc.),  the dealer will have a very hard time 
    claiming you've violated your warranty.  They practically have to show
    gross neglect.   I've had 4 brand new cars (cuz I drive a LOT) and have
    never had any work other than warranty work done at the dealers.
    
    BUT THE KEY is having a good mechanic.  
    
    /jen
    

    
    
    	I guess I'm just paranoid. I'd rather not take chances.
    
    	Then again, I've only ever owned one new car and it's since been
    sold. Back to the clunkers.
    
    	chico
    

I was burnt on a car that had a transmission blow at 8k miles. It was a lease
car so the lemon law didn't cover it. Small claims court didn't either. I lost
about $1500 partially due to a $30 savings on some maintenance work not done at
the dealer. I refused to pay the lease company and ended up with it on my credit
report. If things do go wrong, it CAN be important and dragging both the dealer
and the 2nd party mechanic into court is a pain in the butt.

Just my experience and I'll leave it at that. 

CourtMangled