re: Ask a mechanic a question

Code reads at any auto parts store is the biggest scam there is.

Say you have a bad intake manifold gasket sucking unmetered air into the motor.
The code reader will say you need an O2 sensor.
Auto parts stores are in the business of selling parts.
Well the O2 sensor is doing its job. It's reading a lean condition.
You really think an AutoZone parts seller is going to properly diagnose your vehicle?
No. He's going to sell you an O2 sensor. Then when that don't fix it he's going to sell you a Mass airflow meter. Then you'll bring it to me.

That is absolutely ridiculous man.
I have no fricking clue how that happened

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4 Bolts broke on my exhaust manifold holding it to my head. Why? 2014 GMC Sierra. They did nt wanna warranty it iether

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1-What made you decide to bring vehicle to dealer?
2-What was the reasoning for them to not warranty the broken bolts?

A Japanese vehicle I would say no.
Any domestic or German car I would say be very weary. Most trucks in that year frame should be good. If it's a diesel then even better

My wife's jeep is loud as shite now. Sounds like I put pipes on it. Exhaust manifold? What's the cost on something like that, assuming that is what's wrong

'98 wrangler TJ- it's a sweet arse jeep (5 speed)

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Ask a mechanic a question

Are "radiator flushes" really damaging.

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Chemical radiator flushes are.

The best advice I can give you is to only ever put distilled water or antifreeze in your coolant system. Tap water will introduce phosphates into the coolant system allowing electrolysis to occur.
You do not want electrolysis to occur

Why in the frick would you ask that?

A code is just the beginning of diagnosing a vehicle problem.
If I had to guess I would say that 28% over vehicle issues could be properly diagnosed with simply a code reader and a little bit of mechanic knowledge

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Why do mechanics insist on trying to charge customers (sometimes up to $100) to do a diagnostic reading on a car?

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Because time is money. Look at it like paying your copay when you go to a doctor.

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A code reader is just a tool that a mechanic needs to do his job, and is less expensive than many other tools used by a mechanic. I don't understand why you want me to pay for something like this.

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Code reader/diagnostic tools aren't cheap and neither are the constant updates. We love the diy'ers who try to fix things on their own. Usually the vehicle ends up at the dealer and the labor rate increases when techs have to go and check your work to see just how bad you effed it up.

Sounds like it has a blown the frick out muffler to me.