Subject: keeping your puppy alive - Re: Dead Puppy

[J123fs at aol.com]

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Subject: keeping your puppy alive - Re: Dead Puppy

IMO, methinks that it you can actually fix your own car you can come out far
ahead owning an old car. When you start to have to pay a mechanic to diagnose
a problem in a 20 year old car it can get expensive.
My 5cstq had some problems after I rebuilt the head (banged valves, bought
car that way) and installed a new timing belt and pump. The car wouldn't run.
After all my work my office needed my presence so I sent it to the local
"Bosch Auth" dealer for the fuel injection woes.
They took two weeks, messed up my fuel sender, and left the car dirtier than
when I left it.
As it turns out, according to my friend (parts supplier for the shop) the
only prob was the car was out of gas.
 ...When I had the front of the car on ramps the couple gallons of gas did
not reach the pump.....hence no run....
My mistake cost me 200.00 in labor.
I repeat, it was MY MISTAKE.
I could have diagnosed it /fixed it if I didn't run out of time (and it was
damm cold Dec. 2000).
But as an past Audi/Vw mechanic I can also say that with an old car the
mechanics will love you, as diagnosing stuff on an old car can reap big
$$........
That's why I fix my own...I make the time, as paying someone at 60.00 per
hour, costs way more than the 25.00 per hour I make.
But all things being equal, a 350.00 per month car payment (along with the
assoc. insurance prem hikes) adds up fast.
I in my worst dreams I do not think I could spend 350.00 per month on upkeep
unless I was blowing it on 17" wheels, good single malt, Av gas, and petosin!
When I see folks being quoted $1000.00 to replace a tank I think: do it
yourself, take a few days off work, and take your time, make your wife a nice
dinner one night home...ect, and save big dough! Not to mention the job is
done right. The loss of work for a day or two pales verses some of the horror
shows ($$$$) I've read on the list.
Repeat after me DIY, DIY....!
See ya
Johnny