Michael,
Boy, were you lucky. I had a 1985 300ZX and it sounds to me like even the
work
that was proposed before you went on vacation was a bargain for all the work he
was
going to do.
Mike MacLean-60 Sprite
Michael Graziano wrote:
> This has made me so happy, I just have to share it.
>
> Just before I went on vacation last week (two thursday's ago), my 300zx
>started
> blowing white smoke out the exhaust. After cursively checking it out, I
> thought it was the head gasket (or head). I brought it to a mechanic that
>came
> highly recommended as trustworthy, excellent, and expensive (but worth it).
> After an initial exam (nothing too technical), he agreed that it was probably
> the head gasket or head. He wanted $900 to change the gasket, do a valve job,
> and change the timing belt and tensioner. Around $200 more if the head needed
> to be replaced. I went on vacation with the instructions to complete the job
>if
> that's truly what was wrong.
>
> WHen I came back, I found out that before starting work, he double checked
>with
> a compression and leak down test. Result: no leak. The white smoke was
>being
> caused by a vacuum modulator in the tranny that had sprouted a leak. Cost of
> job: $135, and no problems in over 100 highway miles.
>
> This mechanic could have completely ripped me off since I gave him the OK for
> $900 in work. He could have fixed the modulator and charged me $900. I
> probably would have never known.
>
> I guarantee I will bring my car(s) there again if I have something to get done
> that's over my head. Occurances like this, and the interaction with mechanics
> on these lists are really restoring my faith in the profession. Thanks guys.
>
> Michael
>
> BTW: THe mechanic is Tom Treacy (Treacy Auto Repair: 718-648-1700) in
>Brooklyn
> NY. He also has a machine shop where I understand he also does an EXCELLENT
> job. Oh yeah, no financial gain in this plug for his shop.
>
> '87 300zx
> '78 MG Midget (About to get ready for the SPRING)
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