Having some van repair work done today

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rickryan.com

rickryan.com

Mac Daddy DJ
ODJT Supporter
Dec 9, 2009
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Hendersonville, TN
www.rickryan.com
Some of you may remember, I bought an 08 Chevy Express van last year. 140k miles and I got it for $5200. Have noticed some stuttering at 65mph and a strange clicking noise and finally, the check engine light came on. Took it to the transmission shop and was bracing for a couple grand to drop a new transmission.

The trans guy called and said "transmission is fine, it's an exhaust manifold leak causing the clicking and you need a tune-up". He sent it next door. Their estimate (assuming the old manifold bolts don't break, requiring a re-tap) is $750 to replace the manifold, plugs, wires and distributor cap. He also said I need a new muffler but that will be a different shop. Assuming the bolts don't break (fingers crossed), I should have $6300 invested in a van that would probably fetch $7k-$8k and it's an excellent gear-hauler.

Thanks for listening. Cross your fingers with me, please.
 
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I feel you because this coming Tuesday I've got to get my van fixed too. I believe the thermistate is going bad. I just hope it holds up till Tuesday. I bought the van I did because it was a 2002 and had less then 100,000 miles at the time. I'm now up to over 110,000 I think and it cost me over 5k after taxes and license fees. I've had it for I guess well over 2 years now and I've had break work done and bought 2 new tires. I need 2 more and will look to get them in the future. Great running vehicle and I couldn't be happier. No real major issues with this van unless you count this one.
 
MIXMASTERMACHOM said:
I feel you because this coming Tuesday I've got to get my van fixed too. I believe the thermistate is going bad. I just hope it holds up till Tuesday. I bought the van I did because it was a 2002 and had less then 100,000 miles at the time. I'm now up to over 110,000 I think and it cost me over 5k after taxes and license fees. I've had it for I guess well over 2 years now and I've had break work done and bought 2 new tires. I need 2 more and will look to get them in the future. Great running vehicle and I couldn't be happier. No real major issues with this van unless you count this one.
Click to expand...

You do realize a thermostat is a 10 minute, DIY job, right?
 
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rickryan.com said:
You do realize a thermostat is a 10 minute, DIY job, right?
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I'm not a mechanic. I'll leave it to the professional that knows what they are doing. If I do it the van may never run again. That's much like someone who thinks DJing is easy and all we have to do is play music. So anyone can play music. What's the big deal?
 
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Just remember, Rick....
if $750 is all you spend on the van this year...
it's still less than 12-months of car payments on a new van.

But I do understand.
I drive a 2003 and I cross my fingers every April when it gets inspected.
 
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MIXMASTERMACHOM said:
I'm not a mechanic. I'll leave it to the professional that knows what they are doing. If I do it the van may never run again. That's much like someone who thinks DJing is easy and all we have to do is play music. So anyone can play music. What's the big deal?
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So, rather than take care of a MINOR issue yourself, you think it's more prudent to take the chance that your van is going to breakdown and cause you to be a no-show. Not to mention that if you let that thing overheat, you're likely going to ruin the engine. Mix, let me explain it to you. It's a $5 thermostat, $2 gasket, and a $10 socket wrench. Follow the big hose from your radiator, back to the engine. Remove the 2 bolts, pull the hose and mounting plate off, scrape off the old gasket, put in the new thermostat and gasket, then put the 2 bolts back in.

Smart move.

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Ausumm said:
Just remember, Rick....
if $750 is all you spend on the van this year...
it's still less than 12-months of car payments on a new van.

But I do understand.
I drive a 2003 and I cross my fingers every April when it gets inspected.
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You'd better believe it's cheaper. Total bill was $900. I also need to replace the muffler, but not pressing. The van runs great. No stutters, and more power. I'm absolutely thrilled that it's not $3k for a transmission but even with that, it would've been cheaper to fix than take on a van payment.
 
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Rick the issue is it would take his 14 partners and their GFs to do this job. Much easier to take it to a shop.
 
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Plus buying a socket set will cost the profit from the next gig as well.
 
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steve149 said:
Plus buying a socket set will cost the profit from the next gig as well.
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Unless he buys Chinese tools, where the socket breaks as soon as it touches the bolt or nut. Snap On and Craftsman forever!!! ;)
 
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Never owned a Snap-On, but all my sockets, and most of my screwdrivers and wrenches, are Craftsman. I do like (and have used) their lifetime replacement.
 
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steve149 said:
Never owned a Snap-On, but all my sockets, and most of my screwdrivers and wrenches, are Craftsman. I do like (and have used) their lifetime replacement.
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I just busted an el-cheapo socket, trying to break the mount bolts loose on my son's A/C Compressor, night before last. Good sockets and wrenches are worth every penny.
 
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Either you break the socket or strip the bolt .. cheaper sockets tend to not be as dimensionally accurate as others. Craftsman, SnapOn, Mac are go to brands. Lowes' Kobalt brand and Home Depot's Husky aren't too bad either. I bought some specialty sockets from Harbor Freight .. not worth the tax that was charged.
 
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My first set of tools (1987) were Stanley and they are still alive today. Once I got seriously involved with drag and road racing I spent a lot of $$$$ in gear that was going to last and have had minor problems that were quickly taken care of by Sears and Snap On. Rick I would recommend padded gloves next time you are forced to use cheap sockets and wrenches your knuckles will be grateful ;)
 
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I have my Dads S&K tools that he purchased new in 1965 when he worked at a Caterpillar plant, every thing from the smallest fractional sizes all the up to 3 inch stuff, great tools lifetime warranty, but they are harder to find, most Grainger parts houses carry them
 
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I suggest we move this thread to the "Easy Auto Repair for Dummies" section.
 
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DJ SVO said:
My first set of tools (1987) were Stanley and they are still alive today. Once I got seriously involved with drag and road racing I spent a lot of $$$$ in gear that was going to last and have had minor problems that were quickly taken care of by Sears and Snap On. Rick I would recommend padded gloves next time you are forced to use cheap sockets and wrenches your knuckles will be grateful ;)
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Oh man, you're a bit late. Tore a nice 1" gash in my index finger, starting at the knuckle.

IMG_20130829_154833_623.jpg
 
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