This last weekend the check engine light came on and stayed on. And then on Sunday it really didn't want to get above 40 mph (which made Peg miss her flight but that is another story) and really has a bad misfire. So we start a major tune up.
Start with plugs and wires (about $100) - which takes 2 days to do as one of the plugs was cracked.
Took it out for a test drive - still driving like crap - won't go above 40.
Head back to the auto parts store and pick up an ignition coil / module (another $100).
Drives much better - can get it above 40 but now misfires when you add the airconditioner to the mix.
Bucky and Chris fight to get the fuel filter off for about 4 hours (last time it was changed was like 2004) and it drives even better but its just not right.
Take it to the local shop to have them run the codes and figure out what is wrong.
The #1 fuel injector has gone bad and there is a gasket leak. Okay - that we were not going to even try to do ourselves. So that set me back about $500 to have them do it (took about 5 hours).
Today it drives almost like new. There is still a slight hesitation and at stops it sputters like it wants to stall but there is no misfire. I'll drive it more this week and see if the problem goes away. If not back to the shop it goes for more money.
Oh and I need to replace the exhaust - got a really good no exhaust rumble - sounds cool. But that can wait awhile.
I've spent probably close to a grand on the car this year alone but this was going to be the year of the big tune up anyway so I had saved for it. Now I"m going to have to drive the car a couple more years to re-coop my money. Right now putting a grand into it every couple years along with regular oil changes is still cheaper than buying a new car - let me get the other one paid off first please before I even think about getting a new car.
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