Psycho Civic

So this week my car started running like crap. The engine would stutter at idle and any RPM and overall power was down. Yesterday it would not start at all. So this morning I called a shop and the guy came and towed the car back to his shop. He called me an hour ago and said that he can't get it started and wants to give it a tune up. He said that the ignition parts for sure are old and worn. As part of the tune up he said he would be doing oil change as well because since the engine has been flooding the gas has been getting into the oil and now the oil needs to be changed. Sounds like bs to me.

So I don't think he's made much effort into diagnosing anything besides noticing the ignition parts are worn. I don't think he even measured fuel pressure to factor out clogged filter or bad fuel pump. I asked him if he's tested any sensors or anything and he said it's a 1994 so the diagnostic system is primitive. So far it's $500 for the tune up and the tow and I think it's just gonna get more expensive. The car is only worth ~$1800. What do I do if the tune up doesn't solve the problem? Should I just keep letting him throw parts at it?

I would normally love to do the work and fix it myself but I moved to a new city recently and don't have my tools with me or a garage to work in. This is my first time ever going to a mechanic besides for new tires and wheel alignment and it is scary! I wish he would let me in the shop and let me do it myself!

b20bFourDoorCivicLX

Your already there. You should of found a Honda Specialist and had them handle it, make sure that you dont pay if the car still does the problem

JDMswagSerf

Man wtf is the 500$ for?
Wore down ign components could be causing the car to run poorly
Such as plugs and cap&rotor even distributor.
Are any cel on?
Bad fuel filter and bad pump could also be the problem.

A simple ign tune up such as new plugs and wires and cap and rotor and fuel filter should be able to be changed with a 20$ tool set and shouldn't take more than an hr or much effort and will be cheaper than 500$ and a simple oil change at a lube shop.
But then again idk your living conditions or if your allowed to work on cars where you live.
If you do go ahead and do the quick tune up, id check compression real quick while changing the plugs, takes about 5-10 min extra
Or you can try and source a new mechanic.

Psycho Civic

Ok so the car runs good after the tune up. So I just paid $484.79 for a TUNE UP...something I have routinely been doing for 10 years for ~$100 each time. Instead of taking care of my car I waiting until it died and didn't think that tune up was the culprit and paid the price for my stupidity. He charged 223.79 just for parts and I looked them up and I could of bought everything there for $122 for same exact part numbers if I bought directly at advanced auto parts myself!!!!! WOW WHAT A MARKUP!!!

Seriously don't be dumb like me. Do routine maintenance on your car or else you get to take in up the rear like I just did. Lesson learned.

JDMswagSerf

Made 100$ off parts and labor charge. Damn

EJ8mike

Yes u got raped.....

But hey man, u were in a tough spot. Now u need to focus on getting ur tools and whatnot.

ej1995

Thats pretty much anywhere you go now as far as the markup is concerned. Any nationwide chain is usually double the price at a minimum. Some smaller shops dont do that but others do so that they can charge less for labor, making you think that you are paying less.

slowcivic2k

You need to educate yourself. Most mechanics are not your friend, they are there to take whatever pitiful sum of money you have for their own. The only person looking out for your own well-being is you. You need to educate yourself and start taking change of your car problems, or else you will get shafted regularly with a 1000 dollar repair bill.

I've had enough of the industry as it sits today, I only do side work now.

dirty19

iTrader: (1)

No KY before the reaming huh?
223.00 for parts
261.00 for labor
This guy is a joke. Yelp him an ugly one.

street_racer_271

iTrader: (8)

way she goes. I don't work for free. I'm sure he has mouths to feed too. If you can't do the work yourself, you're gonna pay big dollars to someone who can.

Former User

This is a non-technical topic posted in a technical forum. PM me if you want this thread moved to GDD rather than closed.