Reputable auto shop?

[UAL747400]

Anyone know of any descent auto repair shops in town here? The car is a Oldsmobile cutlass. I will NOT take it to rydell. I need a regular mechanic shop. The problem is engine related. I'd do the work myself normally, but it's cold as hell would have to be to freeze over, and I don't have the tools to diagnose the problem into one thing. Way to many variables.

Any suggestions?

[BuickCFI]

no but if you find one i need a new windshield, cold temps made mine explode 2 days ago

[UAL747400]

Ouch! Did it just shatter and stay up, or did it shatter and fall in the car?

Mine just turned on the check engine light. I disconnected the battery to reset the codes to see if it came on again. It did. There's a trick you can do with the early scanner inputs(OBD-I) where you stick a wire between two terminals and the check engine light will flash out the codes.

My O2 sensor is giving a lean reading. The thing is is my engine is running rich. Lots of steam coming out the exhaust even after warm up and the oil wreaks of gas. There's too many variables that can cause this, and I don't have the tools or money to diagnose and fix this on my own.

[JaceTheAce]

Gateway Autotech.

Tugrul (1989 BMW 535i) uses them, so does my friend Andy (1993 Honda Civic), along with this local lady I met in the Culver's parking lot with a Ferrari 308 (one of the only two Ferraris in Grand Forks...some other guy has a Testarossa). I've heard nothing but good results from them.

[BuickCFI]

Originally Posted by UAL747400

Ouch! Did it just shatter and stay up, or did it shatter and fall in the car?

Mine just turned on the check engine light. I disconnected the battery to reset the codes to see if it came on again. It did. There's a trick you can do with the early scanner inputs(OBD-I) where you stick a wire between two terminals and the check engine light will flash out the codes.

My O2 sensor is giving a lean reading. The thing is is my engine is running rich. Lots of steam coming out the exhaust even after warm up and the oil wreaks of gas. There's too many variables that can cause this, and I don't have the tools or money to diagnose and fix this on my own.

just a small spot, but it will turn into a larger spot. that is what i get for driving when it is -24F air temp i guess, not that i can avoid going to work.....

if your O2 is bad the computer puts the car into a "limp mode" and ignores the O2 and goes with factory set conditions, generally pig rich. get a new O2, reset the code and see if that fixes it first, hell that is all a shop will do

[TXaviator]

Originally Posted by JaceTheAce

Gateway Autotech.

Tugrul (1989 BMW 535i) uses them, so does my friend Andy (1993 Honda Civic), along with this local lady I met in the Culver's parking lot with a Ferrari 308 (one of the only two Ferraris in Grand Forks...some other guy has a Testarossa). I've heard nothing but good results from them.

i use them as well. really good place. not sure how much they work on domestics though, but im sure it shouldnt be a problem for them. always good work, reasonable rates, and willing to accommodate you (let you go find parts for cheaper if they cant get it for a good price, etc)

[UAL747400]

Originally Posted by BuickCFI

just a small spot, but it will turn into a larger spot. that is what i get for driving when it is -24F air temp i guess, not that i can avoid going to work.....

if your O2 is bad the computer puts the car into a "limp mode" and ignores the O2 and goes with factory set conditions, generally pig rich. get a new O2, reset the code and see if that fixes it first, hell that is all a shop will do

It's not as simple as that, otherwise I'd just do the work myself. OBD-1 diagnostic doesn't tell you enough to pinpoint the problem to just one thing. A shop has the tools to figure this out. I know my car is in limp mode by how it drives right now. The lean reading from the 02 sensor very well could be from the air being so cold that it is too dense for the settings that the engine runs on under this particular operating mode.

[BuickCFI]

Originally Posted by UAL747400

It's not as simple as that, otherwise I'd just do the work myself. OBD-1 diagnostic doesn't tell you enough to pinpoint the problem to just one thing. A shop has the tools to figure this out. I know my car is in limp mode by how it drives right now. The lean reading from the 02 sensor very well could be from the air being so cold that it is too dense for the settings that the engine runs on under this particular operating mode.

the diagnostic codes for OBD1 cover the basics well enough. IMHO you just have a bad O2

[StrangerDejaVu]

I've had good experiences with the BP on Demers. They're pretty honest and always fixed things if I didn't think the work was good (they installed a new sensor in my truck, but broke the connector in the process, so they replaced it for free).

[JaceTheAce]

Originally Posted by StrangerDejaVu

I've had good experiences with the BP on Demers. They're pretty honest and always fixed things if I didn't think the work was good (they installed a new sensor in my truck, but broke the connector in the process, so they replaced it for free).

Yes BP on Demers... I had a good experience with them when I had them install a new thermostat. I did NOT want to install a thermostat, as easy as it is to install, in -20 degree weather. It got to the point where the thermostat was stuck open and the car would've ever get up to normal op temp. I'd only trust them, Gateway Autotech, and the Honda dealership... even the Honda dealership has reasonable prices. The dealership wants $160 for a new timing belt job with UND student discount?! CHEAP!

[BuickCFI]

there is a GM dealership in Ada, MN that i usually go too if i need serious work done. labor with gas money spent is still cheaper than up here

[UAL747400]

Originally Posted by BuickCFI

the diagnostic codes for OBD1 cover the basics well enough. IMHO you just have a bad O2

Not really. There's several things that can cause what is going on. Crank position sensor might not be working correctly. I don't have a distributor. This sensor is the back bone of my ignition system. If that's not working correctly this can throw off a lot of things. Another thing could be an injector not working properly. Or something as simple as a busted vacuum line that I can't see. While yes, it could be the O2 sensor. It is on the back side my engine between the firewall and the exhaust manifold. It's in such a place that I might potentially not be able to get it back on after getting it off. I'd consider trying that first if it wasn't in such a bad place.

[TXaviator]

Originally Posted by JaceTheAce

The dealership wants $160 for a new timing belt job with UND student discount?! CHEAP!

holy crap that IS cheap. will they work on toyotas??

mine is probably due for a new timing belt. last time it was changed was oh... 8 or 9 years ago.

haha! go toyota!

[UAL747400]

Haha, you guys and your timing BELTS!

[TXaviator]

Originally Posted by UAL747400

Haha, you guys and your timing BELTS!

o0o0oh tough american car with its chain!!

[UAL747400]

Originally Posted by TXaviator

o0o0oh tough american car with its chain!!

Haha, just joshin ya.

[TXaviator]

Originally Posted by UAL747400

Haha, just joshin ya.

oh granted. i dont ENJOY having to damn near pull my engine to change this stupid belt every so often..... probably why i havent had it done in most of a decade.

[JaceTheAce]

Originally Posted by UAL747400

Haha, you guys and your timing BELTS!

BMWs have chains and outlast American cars

BMW---> <---GMC

[UAL747400]

Originally Posted by JaceTheAce

BMWs have chains and outlast American cars

BMW---> <---GMC

GMC? You're not comparing trucks to cars are you?

I know you meant GM, in that case:

New GM ----> <---- New BMW

[JaceTheAce]

Originally Posted by UAL747400

GMC? You're not comparing trucks to cars are you?

I know you meant GM, in that case:

New GM ----> <---- New BMW

if you were to prefer handling and reliability, which would you choose

there ya go

[UAL747400]

Come on Jace, you know BMW has seriously slacked in the handling department with the new models. I don't know where you're getting that as a brand, GM is less reliable than BMW.

[UAL747400]

We need to have this debate in person someday. I'm mostly just playing devils advocate to you.

[BuickCFI]

Originally Posted by UAL747400

Not really. There's several things that can cause what is going on. Crank position sensor might not be working correctly. I don't have a distributor. This sensor is the back bone of my ignition system. If that's not working correctly this can throw off a lot of things. Another thing could be an injector not working properly. Or something as simple as a busted vacuum line that I can't see. While yes, it could be the O2 sensor. It is on the back side my engine between the firewall and the exhaust manifold. It's in such a place that I might potentially not be able to get it back on after getting it off. I'd consider trying that first if it wasn't in such a bad place.

have you checked the code? if it says crank position, then it is crank position, if it says o2, i can't believe it would lead all the way to the crank sensor

what motor do you have? 3.1 or 3.3?

[UAL747400]

I've got the 3.3. It's closely related to the 3800 except odd fire and smaller displacement. The block is the same I believe.

OBD-I only tells you of abnormal readings from the sensors. It provides no sure way of determining if the sensor is reading correctly. With it reading lean and me smelling gas in the oil along with the crap gas milage points to a possible bad 02 sensor. There are other things that can cause this to happen however.

[JaceTheAce]

Originally Posted by UAL747400

Come on Jace, you know BMW has seriously slacked in the handling department with the new models. I don't know where you're getting that as a brand, GM is less reliable than BMW.

Handling degradation can be argued based on the fact that curb weights have increased, but seriously. If you were to take a car out on the track, which would you choose, a BMW 335i or a Pontiac Grand Prix GXP? (those are in the same "performance sedan" category...and similar power ratings).

And why the heyell did GM throw a huge heavy powerful 5.3 liter V8 in a front wheel drive car?!?!?!???!! That's backwards.

BMW 335i:
29MPG, 300HP, 300 ft-lbs torque, RWD, 3.0 liter Inline-6

Pontiac Grand Prix GXP:
27MPG, 303HP, 323 ft-lbs torque, FWD, 5.3 liter V-8

This:


Or this: