A rough day

[raevyncait]

  a few miles from home, I blew a radiator hose this evening. I was blessed to have a very nice couple stop, he looked to see if it was something he could take care of, but alas it was not so they followed me to the nearest open mechanic, and mad sure I had transportation to get home.  The mechanic, who I know was trying to prepare me for the worst case scenario, expressed some concern about the integrity of the engine, but I'm hopeful that since it was such a short trip, there's hope for me to keep the car on the road.

At any rate, I'd appreciate any prayers, good vibes, positive energies, and anything else ya'll could spare, because I do not have the funds to buy another car, or pay for an expensive fix on this one.

[Merlin the Elder]

On the way, Raevyncait...

[Baron Frederick]

Good thoughts are on the way !!!!

[Rani Zemirah]

Oh, I most certainly am sending all the healthy engine energy I can muster directly to you and your vehicle, Raevyn! 


I'm so very glad someone felt the call to stop and help you, as much as they were able... and wish the same for everyone who finds themselves stranded, and unable to get where they need to be.

[raevyncait]

thanks ya'll. A new water pump, radiator flush & oil change have her road-ready again. They did recommend a new thermostat & new hoses (an additional $300 that I just don't have right now) in the near future. Hopefully tomorrow I'll be able to get her picked up after work. The mechanic did say that the engine seems to have been well maintained, and is in great condition, given her age (she's a '91 Taurus).

[Rani Zemirah]

Oh, HUZZAH!!!  I'm so glad it was a relatively easy fix, and not an engine issue!  I'm a bit shocked at the $300 sticker for hoses and thermostat, though!  You might want to call your usual mechanic and ask about that.  They might have just been trying to pad your bill... a LOT!  And if you actually DO need all new hoses (which seems unlikely, because they don't all get the same amount of wear at the same time) you might just have one replaced a month, instead of doing them all at the same time, so it's not that big a chunk of change. 

[raevyncait]

Oh, HUZZAH!!!  I'm so glad it was a relatively easy fix, and not an engine issue!  I'm a bit shocked at the $300 sticker for hoses and thermostat, though!  You might want to call your usual mechanic and ask about that.  They might have just been trying to pad your bill... a LOT!  And if you actually DO need all new hoses (which seems unlikely, because they don't all get the same amount of wear at the same time) you might just have one replaced a month, instead of doing them all at the same time, so it's not that big a chunk of change. 

Well, it's Firestone, not my first choice, but the only thing open when I broke down. If it had happened when I was still in Granbury (where I work), I would have taken it to one of the two shops the company uses, one of them, or the shadetree guy who did my brakes on my other car last year will do it for less, I'm sure, AND I'll be able to drop it off in the morning & get it back the same day.

My favorite, most awesome mechanic is an hour's drive away, and no longer open on Saturdays. He was awesome, he worked on my cars for more than 10 years, and more than once allowed me to pay out major repairs, even if it took me over a year, paying an extra $10 or so when I had the oil changed or whatever. That's what I miss most about being in Arlington....

[Baron Frederick]

Raevyncait,so glad it turned out to be something not super serious

[raevyncait]

Thanks again ya'll. I've got a new thermostat, and a friend who is going to install it for me, hopefully this afternoon before I go home. Next will be replacing my air filter (as I'm SURE it's time, given the fact that from August through a couple of weeks ago I was on a relatively dusty jobsite daily, plus 2 weekends of Scarby parking lot dust) and my fuel filter. My friend looked at the hoses and has declared them in fine condition in that they aren't starting to rot or get stiff, so I'll probably just do those one or two at a time starting next month.