So recently, I realized that I had an exhaust leak in my car. Meaning it was leaking into the cabin of my vehicle. This resulted, particularly in the winter, in exhaust getting into the cab of my car when the fan was on and making me high.
I’m not joking, I felt all wonky all the time after driving, and I didn’t realize why my head hurt so bad all the time until J pointed out that it REEKED of exhaust in my car when he got in it.
I guess, because I practically live in my car between work, school, and home, I didn’t even notice the smell; or at least, didn’t see it as a cause for concern.
Well, I’ve lived with that madness for a little under a year, and it was torture. Pair that with only being able to roll down one window (yup, so aware that is illegal), and you have one high/unhappy woman in the summer.
Apparently my car had a missing exhaust manifold gasket.
So, after begging my dad to fix it (it is his car, after all), and his mechanic to fix it (and have my dad pay him), and my boyfriend to fix it (several times), I called several mechanics. The quotes were all around $300, if there wasn’t a stripped bolt. Thing is, there was. They were quoting $500 for that. Ouch.
After my griping and whining about not wanting to fix the vehicle, my boyfriend got fed up and grabbed a wrench. After 2 hours of hard, dirty labour, out came my car, minus an exhaust leak (and loud, annoying noise) and my windows were on their way to being fixed.
Yes, I had to pay for parts, but they weren’t overly expensive. In fact, I only paid about $40 overall, cause my dad had some of them kicking around already. In thanks, I bought J dinner and beer, which cost about $40, which he gladly accepted.
Because of his DIY effort, I saved hundreds of dollars and had my car fixed for just over $80.
What was your last car problem? How much did it cost you?
You have no idea how happy I am you got that fixed!
My last car issue was, yet again, my car wouldn’t shift into or out of gear. It was covered by warranty, again, but I’m getting rid of the car before the warranty runs out and I’m stuck with some seriously nasty bills.
I’m so relieved that it’s done!
So you wouldn’t be able to drive it if it won’t shift, right? Are you selling the car?
I am all about the free labour! Haha. I don’t have a car, so nothing there, but my stepdad is a contractor and I frequently ask (beg) him to come to my place and help fix things around the house. I reward him handsomely with root beer and maybe pizza. He’s the best! Haha.
Haha! Isn’t that the best? Many people in my family are in trades – my boyfriends a contractor and my cousins a plumber, which is great since trades labour is SUPER expensive.
Lucky 😀 I’ve always wanted to marry someone in a trades labor, and have kids in different trades — electrical, plumbing, contracting, mechanic, and I’ll take care of the computers. Then all these services would be free!
Hahah yes! It’s awesome, but it sucks not being able to go out right after work because he’s filthy 🙂
I don’t have a car. But I have recently moved into my own place. There was , and still is, lots of hard manual labour invovled such as lifting heavy furniture, assembling heavy IKEA stuff, wall mounting etc. I get free labour whenever I can, mostly from the bf. This last weekend, I was able to finally get a piece of furniture in place. It requried two people to do the heavy lifting, and I wasn’t strong enough for the task. But my mom’s boyfriend was visiting, and I conveniently let it slip that I was dying to have that taks done. and voila, my monstad mirror from IKEA is finally in place! I agree with you, free labour is the best. Plus I just don’t want to pay the premium on labour when I can pay back the bf with love and free beer/food, I’d rather spend the $ on treating him than some other strangers 🙂
This is great! I am also glad you got this fixed and didn’t die!
Your boyfriend sounds awesome. Free labor is also awesome.
Currently experiencing radiator issues. Cost so far: $39.
Wow! So is it almost fixed? If so, that’s awesome.