My girlfriend brought her car in to fix an overheating problem. While there, the mechanic did a safety inspection. In doing so, the brakes, which may have had trouble coming, broke. Should she pay to repair? Photo inside.
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posted by compartment
on Apr 2, 2013 -
12 answers
[Chicago Filter] My car needs new brakes, like, a year ago. (Seriously.) I need to find a good (reasonably priced, will get the job done) mechanic in Chicago because the Toyota dealership wants payment in first born children.
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posted by phunniemee
on Mar 12, 2013 -
14 answers
I am moving to Newburyport, MA in two weeks. Please help me land smoothly with recommendations for hairstylists, dog care, preferred ISPs, and anything else that pops to mind.
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posted by amelioration
on Mar 9, 2013 -
6 answers
I'm looking for a good mechanic around Mount Pleasant or East Vancouver. I have a 1999 toyota corolla and honestly, it's getting to the point where I know something important is going to go.
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posted by concreteforest
on Jan 11, 2013 -
3 answers
I broke a part of my car's tire valve (the TPMS sensor, maybe?), dropped my car off at the tire shop and realized I have no idea how much this will set me back. Does anyone have an idea what these repairs might run me?
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posted by JannaK
on Dec 19, 2012 -
11 answers
My mechanic says the leak from my car looks like it is because a wash plug between the gear box and engine block needs replacing. He says it's not a simple job because he'll have to remove the gearbox. He is quoting me "at least" $600. (Bearing in mind that in this city mechanic labour alone is around $80-100 an hour) does that sound reasonable?
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posted by lollusc
on Dec 19, 2012 -
17 answers
How can I find a trustworthy mechanic in a new city (Toronto) without breaking the bank?
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posted by cacofonie
on Dec 19, 2012 -
9 answers
Please help me determine what happened to my car recently - was it the battery, the alternator, or something else?
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posted by schmoo
on Nov 12, 2012 -
12 answers
Can anyone recommend a good Saab mechanic in Seattle? I have a Saab 9-2X and I was hoping to find a place to take it close to Capitol Hill (or at least a straightforward bus ride away from the hill or downtown). None of my friends own Saabs, so that route hasn't yielded any recommendations.. The car doesn't currently have any major problems, but I'm tired of driving all over town (and taking multiple buses back!) when something does come up.
posted by Blue Jello Elf
on Nov 11, 2012 -
5 answers
I am worried about the sounds emanating from my car. Could it be an alignment issue?
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posted by Loto
on Oct 16, 2012 -
14 answers
Great gift ideas that would delight a mechanics shop. Diesel repair in TN, if that matters. In the $50-75 range.
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posted by Vaike
on Aug 7, 2012 -
12 answers
If I wanted to make a paying hobby out of restoring and updating old bikes, what are some resources that would help me improve my skills, research the right bikes/components, and find the right places to buy them?
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posted by Scientist
on Jun 11, 2012 -
22 answers
Should my mother's mechanic have caught a failing fuel pump when he repaired a closely related relay?
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posted by aaronbeekay
on Mar 21, 2012 -
10 answers
[OhioMechanicFilter] I'm driving to Columbus (and maybe Akron) tomorrow to try to buy a car, since I can't find my dream car in Pittsburgh. Before I buy used, I want to have a mechanic go over it, since I don't know enough to spot problems on my own. Any recommendations of who I should go to?
posted by Metasyntactic
on Feb 2, 2012 -
6 answers
How does a person become a mechanic, ideally, and is this line of work compatible with social anxiety?
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posted by MrFish
on Jan 16, 2012 -
27 answers
Do you have a go to place for getting trusted reviews for service related occupations like doctors, dentists and mechanics? Angie's list is paid, free is preferable
posted by radsqd
on Jan 4, 2012 -
5 answers
I'm starting to think I'd like to learn a trade, but I don't know which. I have no experience and have been a graphics guy (half corporate, half freelance) since graduating college with a BA in psychology (I'm 37 now). I really like the idea of making something, of being able to fix things, of having a skill that is useful in its own right, and of not sitting in front of a computer all day. I'm willing to go to school and/or apprentice, but I'd like to have the possibility of making decent money (>$60k) after doing it for a 2-3 years.
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posted by SampleSize
on Dec 1, 2011 -
21 answers
Career change filter: Is it possible for an experienced professional in a (mostly) unrelated field to fast-track the apprenticeship portion of trades training?
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posted by blockhead
on Nov 14, 2011 -
5 answers
Finding a good motorcycle or scooter mechanic in Arizona? Web directory with customer reviews?
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posted by MeatyBean
on Nov 10, 2011 -
3 answers
I just had to replace my car's entire powertrain. What could've happened? How do I prevent it from happening AGAIN?
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posted by julthumbscrew
on Nov 7, 2011 -
13 answers
Answer me these questions three: Do you live in Seattle, do you have a Toyota and do you have a mechanic that you absolutely love? Hook a brother up then!
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posted by friendlyjuan
on Oct 23, 2011 -
5 answers
Anyone have any recommendations on a good Volvo mechanic in Seattle? Bonus points for West Seattle...
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posted by stenseng
on Sep 8, 2011 -
4 answers
'03 Toyota Matrix makes terrible noise when even slightly lugging engine. What's wrong?
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posted by cman
on Sep 1, 2011 -
4 answers
If oil was vodka, my '05 Pontiac Vibe would be F. Scott Fitzgerald. Should we have the engine rebuilt or replaced? Automotive snowflakiness inside!
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posted by julthumbscrew
on Aug 22, 2011 -
8 answers
I would like to not feel panicky when things go wrong with my car. Where can I learn the basics of how cars work and how to troubleshoot them?
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posted by JDHarper
on Aug 7, 2011 -
13 answers
Can (should) I ask my mechanic not to do a job we agreed they would do, after they've ordered the part?
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posted by ramenopres
on Jun 20, 2011 -
10 answers
What is the likelihood that my car overheating yesterday is completely unrelated to the quick lube-type service I got the day before yesterday?
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posted by katybird
on May 15, 2011 -
22 answers
Anyone have any recommendations for a reputable (and affordable?) motorcycle mechanic in Portland Oregon?
posted by Sharakov
on May 13, 2011 -
1 answer
Check engine light came on this morning. Auto repair guy is giving me a very large estimate and an offer to just buy the car off my hands. I know next-to-nothing about cars, so can't tell if he's robbing me or not. People who know cars, help me figure this out?
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posted by paultopia
on Apr 16, 2011 -
28 answers
HALP! Can you suggest an auto mechanic within about 10-15 miles of King of Prussia, PA who might be able to do a better price than the dealership on a full clutch replacement? 2006 Subaru Impreza. Difficulty: I need to call back in about an hour.
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posted by Netzapper
on Jan 24, 2011 -
9 answers
Should I repair my damaged car for significantly more than its original cost, or buy a new cheap used vehicle?
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posted by ajarbaday
on Nov 30, 2010 -
13 answers
Chicago mechanic filter-I need some help finding a mechanic, a few stipulations inside. Guesses on estimates welcome, too.
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posted by shesaysgo
on Oct 29, 2010 -
4 answers
It's way past time to change my timing belt - like almost 30,000 miles past! Help me find the right Honda/Acura dealership in West Central Florida (Tampa to Gainesville) to change the timing belt on my 1994 Acura Integra.
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posted by toodleydoodley
on Sep 15, 2010 -
13 answers
2001 Toyota corolla (75k) makes a whirring/grinding noise which is clearly coming from the passenger side of the engine compartment. Noise stops when actively turning the steering wheel. Noise is present when idling and moving forward. It's also getting louder from day to day.
Any thoughts? I'll be taking it to a mechanic but mine is closed for the holiday weekend. Can I safely keep driving this?
posted by jz
on Jul 2, 2010 -
9 answers
Fix-my-car-filter! I have a '92 Honda Accord LE that's showing starting problems; it acts like the battery is dead... but it can't be, can it?
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posted by WidgetAlley
on Jun 13, 2010 -
28 answers
A friend just moved to the Spring Valley area of Las Vegas and he needs a good mechanic for his 745i. A non dealer BMW mechanic is preferred as I've learned from personal experience that while BMW dealer shops are always more expensive they aren't always as knowledgeable. Cheers in advance for your help!
posted by chosemerveilleux
on Jun 3, 2010 -
2 answers
Help me identify this book or short story: A man accidentally creates a cult of super-mechanics when he recruits a native tribe to help him fix his plane. They mix religion and an obsession with mechanical detail. I might have seen this on MeFi, but I can't find it.
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posted by atrazine
on May 30, 2010 -
2 answers
What factors do you consider when thinking about getting rid of your old car and buying a new one?
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posted by reenum
on May 13, 2010 -
17 answers
Help me transition from being a system administrator to being some flavour of mechanic or tell me if I shouldn't bother.
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posted by talkingmuffin
on May 7, 2010 -
5 answers
