MoonandBean
02-01-2010, 08:52 AM
So...I have learned over the past 2 years that you guys know everything! :)
I took my car in to the dealer right before Christmas for that "give us all your money" 115,000 mile check up. Everything checked out ok and they said my car was "good for winter". The price was about one car payment so I figured it was well worth it to prevent having to pay monthly car payments for a new car.
One week ago, my check engine light came on. I took it into another mechanic (not a dealer) and they said my catalytic converter needed to be replaced. He said I could continue to drive it and it would be about $850.00 (I have a Suburu). I did some research on line and learned that not all 'catalytic converter problems' are really catalytic converter problems and that I shouldn't bother to get it fixed unless I was having performance problems.
I picked the car up and it ran fine for 3 days but on Friday night when I got home from work, I noticed the engine was smoking and the hood was not closed fully (careful mechanics, I guess) :mad:. My friends dad came over and looked at it, he said my radiator was full but the reserve container was completely empty. He filled it half way with antifreeze.
This morning, I drove into work and while my car ran fine and there was no more smoke, there is a strong fumey smell. I'm thinking that is the catalytic converter issue and am probably just going to park my car until I can afford to have it fixed. My lungs have felt funny the last few days so I'm wondering if there is a lot of Carbon Monoxide being released and for my own health and the health of the ozone, I'd rather not drive it.
I guess I'm just looking for a few more opinions. Does this sound like the catalytic converter (the fumes) and the smoking the other day was the empty reservoir for the radiatior or does it sound like a more serious problem. When I do take it back in, should I take it to the dealer?
Thanks :)
I took my car in to the dealer right before Christmas for that "give us all your money" 115,000 mile check up. Everything checked out ok and they said my car was "good for winter". The price was about one car payment so I figured it was well worth it to prevent having to pay monthly car payments for a new car.
One week ago, my check engine light came on. I took it into another mechanic (not a dealer) and they said my catalytic converter needed to be replaced. He said I could continue to drive it and it would be about $850.00 (I have a Suburu). I did some research on line and learned that not all 'catalytic converter problems' are really catalytic converter problems and that I shouldn't bother to get it fixed unless I was having performance problems.
I picked the car up and it ran fine for 3 days but on Friday night when I got home from work, I noticed the engine was smoking and the hood was not closed fully (careful mechanics, I guess) :mad:. My friends dad came over and looked at it, he said my radiator was full but the reserve container was completely empty. He filled it half way with antifreeze.
This morning, I drove into work and while my car ran fine and there was no more smoke, there is a strong fumey smell. I'm thinking that is the catalytic converter issue and am probably just going to park my car until I can afford to have it fixed. My lungs have felt funny the last few days so I'm wondering if there is a lot of Carbon Monoxide being released and for my own health and the health of the ozone, I'd rather not drive it.
I guess I'm just looking for a few more opinions. Does this sound like the catalytic converter (the fumes) and the smoking the other day was the empty reservoir for the radiatior or does it sound like a more serious problem. When I do take it back in, should I take it to the dealer?
Thanks :)