A question for the mechanically inclined

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FTO_dude

Joined
Jun 30, 2009
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451
hey guys

i recently had my car serviced, a '99 mitsubishi lancer.
it came back with a few things wrong, totaling about $600.
Now im a pretty poor student so $600 is alot of money to me, so i wasnt planning on getting it all done at once.
I was hoping some of you guys could shed some light on the more critical tasks and maybe the ones i could squeeze a couple more months out of before i got em done

i was quoted with
- Brake fluid flush @ $56.5
- Clutch fluid flush @ $46
- Rocker cover gasket @ $119.87
- Drive belts @ $202
- Drive shaft seal @ $188.90

Cheers,
Zac
 
i was quoted with
- Brake fluid flush @ $56.5
- Clutch fluid flush @ $46
- Rocker cover gasket @ $119.87
- Drive belts @ $202
- Drive shaft seal @ $188.90

fluid flush a money maker for them
Is the gasket leaking a lot
drive belts look at them yourself,if they have cracks yes change them
drive shaft seal,does it leave a puddle when you park,yes change-look under your hood and underneath every now and then

Get another estimate from a trusted mechanic
-But I do my own work or my son does what I can't----Best Regards Butch
 
The fluid flush can be put off, but not forever.

The rocker gasket is an oil leak...hopefully minor. Keep your oil level full.

Same with the driveshaft seal, but that's much more difficult to fill up. So have them at least check and fill the gearbox oil. A standard transmission doesn't hold much oil, so you are not likely to see a puddle, at least not very many before it's empty. But it's also not unusual to have slight leaks from standard transmissions, usually they are minor...until they run out.

Drive belts are a matter of degree; if they are really bad, then they can leave you stuck somewhere. If not, then they can be put off.

You need to ask them how bad the last three items really are, and have them prioritize them for you.
 
thanks for the quick replies guys

i like to consider myself just a little DIY so i might look into doing the fluid flush by myself

i had a minor service 10,000kms ago at a different mechanic and they also mentioned the drive belts were cracking so i do believe them on that one.

and im looking into getting a quote from another mechanic that i know through my father. i might just get the belts and the shaft seal done asap.

cheers
 
changing the drive (serpentine) belt before it breaks is a good thing. breaking a serpentine with the engine running usually means you need a new engine, or at least a complete rebuild.
if the rocker cover is the same as a valve cover, that gasket should cost less than $25 and take a whole 30 minutes or less to change.
if you don't already own one, either buy or check out from the library a Haynes or Chilton's manual for your car -- these give excellent detailed instructions on how to do just about any necessary repair.

good luck!
 
Those prices are not bad, however......
Everytime I do my brakes, I bleed them to remove the residue at the bottom, I do not flush the whole line. The clutch would be the same. They are trying to sell you stuff, but at least they are not unreasonable in their labor costs. They would need to charge about 45 per hour labor for minor issues such as that. If the rocker panel was leaking, that is reasonable. If your u joints in the drive shaft were dry, that is not too bad either. Once you find a reasonable mechanic and they are at least good stick with them. There are many incompetent, and dishonest ones willing to take you for a ride. Other than the flush the lines jobby, I think they are doing ok.
 
Get a turkey baster, and use it to suck out the old fluid from the master cylinder, and refill with the proper brake fluid for your car. DO NOT TOUCH THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH THE MASTER EMPTY!

Do the same with the clutch master cylinder. Probably uses the same brake fluid. Check at the parts store first.

In a couple of weeks, repeat. You are then good to go.

First thing would be the belts, though. Rocker cover, if it is easily accessible, you can change the gasket yourself in about an hour or less.

Oil seal, if it isn't leaking buckets, you can put it off.
 
Mike G said:
Get a turkey baster, and use it to suck out the old fluid from the master cylinder, and refill with the proper brake fluid for your car. DO NOT TOUCH THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH THE MASTER EMPTY!

Do the same with the clutch master cylinder. Probably uses the same brake fluid. Check at the parts store first.

In a couple of weeks, repeat. You are then good to go.

First thing would be the belts, though. Rocker cover, if it is easily accessible, you can change the gasket yourself in about an hour or less.

Oil seal, if it isn't leaking buckets, you can put it off.
Click to expand...

Most of the bad Dot 3 is in the bottom of the wheel cylinders, calipers, or slave cylinder. This is where the water settles, and should be removed. However, thanks for the turkey baster idea, never thought about that. I like rebuilding things, so I do not mind completely redoing a brake master cylinder. :D
 
If your talking serpentine belt, which I think you are, if won't blow up your engine if it breaks, not as long as you don't keep trying to drive it even when it starts overheating. If you (they) are talking about the timing belt, which I don't think you are, yes - that will destroy your engine if it goes. Here's my recommendation and I'm a pretty decent backyard mechanic. Get the drive shaft seal done first, you probably don't want to take that one on yourself and it will cost you more if things down there start seizing up. Don't worry about the clutch fluid or brake fluid, or use the turkey baster method. They actually sell a suction setup at auto part stores for doing this. Fix the serpentine belt yourself with the help of a repair manual, very easy repair and easy to tell if you've screwed it up. You might even be able to find a PDF version of a manual online. Worry about the rocker cover (valve cover) leak last. Just buy an extra court of oil and keep an eye on your level. Once you've done the fluid and belt yourself, maybe try to take the valve cover on, again - worse case if you screw it up is that you'll ruin a gasket and it will leak just as much if not more, but you'll know just by watching it run after you change it.

Fixing your own car is manly and rewarding, don't be afraid to give it a go.
 
As has been said, get a manual, and perhaps consider joining an online forum specializing in (a) your car, and (b) car maintenance.

There is a wealth of knowledge online for the owner/mechanic, there may also be evening classes which focus on car maintenance in your area.

Its not just the knowledge you gain, its the confidence and self sufficiency.

Saving a whole lot of money is as good an incentive as any, and a good starting point.

That apart, its just good to have a practical understanding of your vehicles and equipment, it can be very enjoyable too.

Good luck!
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