Son stuck in Myrtle Beach, please help (credit, insurance)

[mbmouse]

Hello all,
My step son (20) went to Myrtle Beach yesterday afternoon with a few friends for a few days. A few hours ago they stopped at a store, shopped, came back out and his car wouldn't go! It started but would not drive. It is making all kinds of noise but he does not know what is wrong. His dad and I are trying very hard to help him over the phone but we are in TN. We believe it might be as simple as spark plug gone bad, but it is a 99 Chevy Malibu that has those plug boots verses wires and the kid is not very mechanically inclined and having a hard time checking out things. He has had it towed back to his friends time share place but this is where we are stuck.
Does anyone know of a good mechanic in Myrtle Beach that 1. will not take advantage of a young kid and tell him he needs a new engine or something crazy like that. 2. A mechanic that will go to the car? I know, that is a lot to ask a mechanic and we have no problem paying a trip fee but if this happens to be a big problem, we have no place but the time share place to put the car and even then not sure about this situation. It also seems crazy to have the car towed to a shop if it is something simple.
He is a good Christian kid, all of them are. They just need some local help.
Anyone? I would appreciate it very much!

[moedog]

Have your son look in the yellow pages under "traveler's aid" or some similar heading(or they may be listed in the community services section in the front of the phone book). There are organizations in MYB who are dedicated to helping travelers in distress, including some church organizations. one of them can possibly give your boy's advice and support. Good luck.

[mbmouse]

Thank you! I will see if we can find that listing and get something done. But it looks like hubby is going to be driving down there tomorrow and see if he can fix it. Boy would sure like to know if it something simple before we drive 300 plus miles, but oh well, such is the parenting life right?

[mbmouse]

Actually after doing a Internet search for that organization ( because called son, there is no phone book in the time share!) I found that MB has Mobile mechanics! How cool is that? Never heard of that, what a great business idea. I never would have even thought to look for that if you didn't tell me about that service (which I could not find ) and the son couldn't find the phone book, so again, thank you.
I know this thread makes my son sound very incompetent, but he really isn't! hahahahah This is his first experience with this kind of thing.

[rrufast]

Try the Mobile Mechanic. 843-294-4204. They have been around here for a few years now and I've not heard anything bad about them. My old boss knew the owner and I know that they called him out to fix their son's vehicle at least once.. A benefit to this is that he takes Credit Cards.

Another option is the A-1 Mobil auto mechanic at 843-421-6954. The ad shows that they are ASE certified, as is the Mobile Mechanic.

By the sounds of things, if it cranks and runs, but won't actually drive, it's the transmission. Hope you get it worked out and be sure to post up and let us know what you found the problem to be.

[mbmouse]

Originally Posted by rrufast

Try the Mobile Mechanic. 843-294-4204. They have been around here for a few years now and I've not heard anything bad about them. My old boss knew the owner and I know that they called him out to fix their son's vehicle at least once.. A benefit to this is that he takes Credit Cards.

Another option is the A-1 Mobil auto mechanic at 843-421-6954. The ad shows that they are ASE certified, as is the Mobile Mechanic.

By the sounds of things, if it cranks and runs, but won't actually drive, it's the transmission. Hope you get it worked out and be sure to post up and let us know what you found the problem to be.

Thank you! Those are two of the ones I found numbers for just a few minutes ago, glad to hear they have a good reputation. We don't think it is the transmission because it takes a while to start it but it shakes and makes racket before he even puts in in gear, it will drive, just not without it like being on a bun-ken bronco. That is what is leaning us towards (and hoping) it is something as simple as a plug, if only 3 cylinders are firing, it could cause this. We are praying it is not the transmission!
Thank you again for your help, I appreciate you.

[rrufast]

Glad to help.. I always like thinking that someone would be so kind as to do the same if I, or my wife, were ever in need...

Hopefully it's something simple..

[southernlady5464]

Another option for future reference is to enroll all members in AAA. Liz

[rrufast]

any word on what the problem was?

[groove1]

Originally Posted by southernlady5464

Another option for future reference is to enroll all members in AAA. Liz

You can get 24/7 roadside assistance for less than $10 a year through most auto insurance companies too.