Is it heresy to say I hate cars on an automotive forum site?

[tenguzero]

Well I don't care what you people think! $606 later for one stupid repair, and I'm mad as hell. So my car has been doing this thing on and off for the past half a year or so. Every once and a while, if shut it off and go to pump gas or something, it won't start back up again immediately -- just start for a second then die. It'll act sort of like a flooded engine does. If I give it a minute, then try again, it'll usually start fine and once it's started -- no problems. Well, it flat out wouldn't start for me last night when I got out of work, and after having it towed to Pep Boys down the street, and being told they would run a "non starting" diagnostic test, they tell me it's: fuel pump? No. Clogged filter? No. Throttle Body? No. It's my distributor assembly, which means new plugs and wires as well. Plus the cost of labor (which is more expensive along with everything else nowadays) and I'm looking at 600 bucks. Of all things it had to be friggin' electrical -- which is ALWAYS pricey. Apparently when they sprayed the distributor, electricity started arcing all over the place, which I guess would explain the on-again, off-again erratic behavior I've been experiencing, since it could probably be triggered by rain, humidity, or even excessive electrical buildup (hence my having to wait a few minutes before trying to restart the car after shutting it off for only a few minutes -- once the buildup discharges, then it's good to go.) Does $600 sound right for it though? Not like I have much of a choice at this point, I suppose.

[Officer Redneck]

Before spending that much money, why don't you try buying a new distributor cap and replaceing it yourself. Take the new dist. set it next to your old one, while it is still on the engine, swap the wires over and install the new cap. It is probable cracked and the new one will likely fix the prob.

[twospirits]

You should have bought a Honda. Oh wait, you did. In that case you should have bought a Hyundai.

j/k

Seriously, most car repairs suck in my opinion. They are way too expensive, but they have to be done. Its like death and taxes. Eventually you will get hit with it.

as for the title question. Yeah

TS out

[lamehonda]

I spent $900 on an oil pan that I couldn't get the plug off of. The car was totaled 500 miles later. I never got to do an oil change with the new pan. what a waste of money when you're 18 and in college.

[tenguzero]

Originally Posted by redneck tech

Before spending that much money, why don't you try buying a new distributor cap and replaceing it yourself. Take the new dist. set it next to your old one, while it is still on the engine, swap the wires over and install the new cap. It is probable cracked and the new one will likely fix the prob.

I'm tempted to do it myself, but I'm always extra cautious when it comes to electrical-related repairs. If my Honda were like my roommate's (the basic DX civic, not even a passenger side rearview mirror) I might consider it, seeing as how his car is really little more than an oversized go kart. However, EVERYTHING in my car is electrical (the EX Accord even has a motorized driver's seat height adjustment) and I just hate the thought of the possibility for even costlier repairs down the line if I mess something up. Plus, when I'm not driving to or from work, I'm driving to or from classes, or Aikido. So basically I don't really have the time or oppportunity to monkey around with repairs. Bad enough I'm going to need new rotors on at least the front wheels come inspection time in November (and the 5th gen Accords use a pressed bearing design on the front, so even changing the damn rotors would involve me obtaining a pulling tool, as well as two new bearings to replace the ones that get destroyed upon their forced removal.) Other than this I rarely have to spend money on repairs for the car, so I shouldn't complain too much.

I just can't wait until next year when my place of employment moves to their new location -- conveniently a 5 minute bike ride from my apartment. THEN, if something goes awry with my car, I'm not pressed against the ropes to get the repair done quickly. I'm still frustrated though.