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Location: Mableton, GA USA (NW Atlanta suburb, 4 miles OTP)
11,334 posts, read 26,089,277 times
Reputation: 3995
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Quote:
Originally Posted by smokingGun
I don't know the make/model or age of your car but a similar thing happened to my friend's Mustang who had 160k miles. The 1st mechanic said blown head gasket after a compression test, but he took it to an engine specialist who diagnosed it as a bad valve spring and offered to do a valve job. So get a second opinion. Try contacting a AAA approved garage: AAA Auto Club South - AAA Approved Auto Repair
Those cars are notorious for blowing intake manifold gaskets which can give the same symptoms of a blown head gasket, so the head gasket might not be bad.
A private mechanic could probably instal a reconditioned head for half the dealers price.
Once its done make sure you get an oil change as coolant mixing with the oil doesnt lend its self to long engine life.
Location: Mableton, GA USA (NW Atlanta suburb, 4 miles OTP)
11,334 posts, read 26,089,277 times
Reputation: 3995
Okay. Long story short: we decided that we were in the market for a different vehicle, anyway, preferably one with actual cargo space, so we did a trade-in with a dealership and now have another vehicle. As of this evening.
We now have a 2004 Honda Odyssey EX-L with about half the mileage, which I think is a trade up in several respects. Since I've always been a Honda fan (and still love driving my 1994 Accord EX), and since we needed more space, I think we have a winner. Let the next owner (or the dealer) figure out what's wrong with the Grand Am.
My wife's car has been acting strangely recently ... running very rough for a few minutes, and then fine until it's stopped and gets a chance to cool down.
Brought it to a dealer. They say head gasket, and they want over two grand to fix it. We can't pay that.
Any ideas for good mechanics in the NW suburbs? At the very least, I'd like to get a second opinion.
*Sigh*
Thanks for any and all suggestions/recommendations.
I don't trust AAA shops; in Vegas, the tow truck drivers will tell potential customers, You'll get a discount if you take it to a AAA shop. The problem is the shop gives the tow driver a 50$ kickback and then charges the customer a 50$ diagnostic fee to cover it. A month ago a gal called me on a clutch for a Hyundai, about a 700$ job--then the tow driver showed up and she had it taken to the AAA shop for the discount--they quoted her 1100.
A much better bet is to check out iatn--there is a search function for vehicle owners searching for a repair shop--it's no guarantee but the level of professionalism to join this technician support site is a better bet than any other.
Okay. Long story short: we decided that we were in the market for a different vehicle, anyway, preferably one with actual cargo space, so we did a trade-in with a dealership and now have another vehicle. As of this evening.
We now have a 2004 Honda Odyssey EX-L with about half the mileage, which I think is a trade up in several respects. Since I've always been a Honda fan (and still love driving my 1994 Accord EX), and since we needed more space, I think we have a winner. Let the next owner (or the dealer) figure out what's wrong with the Grand Am.
I appreciate the input, folks. Thank you.
Congrats on getting a Honda! So what did the dealership give you for a trade in value for your Grand Am? Since your car had high mileage, they will probably send it off to a wholesale auction.
Location: Mableton, GA USA (NW Atlanta suburb, 4 miles OTP)
11,334 posts, read 26,089,277 times
Reputation: 3995
Quote:
Originally Posted by miu
Congrats on getting a Honda! So what did the dealership give you for a trade in value for your Grand Am? Since your car had high mileage, they will probably send it off to a wholesale auction.
We didn't get much, but given that the repairs were potentially expensive and it needed new tires and brake pads soon anyway, I'm not surprised.
Yeah, they said they were going to auction it off. I'm just glad it was a nonzero value, personally.
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