I deployed to Iraq back in august. I just got back for mid-tour R&R a few days ago. When I went to pick up my car, It wouldn't start. It turned over twice and just whirred from there like the starter wasn't accomplishing anything other than making noise. I had it towed to Milam in Puyallup, WA hoping that I had nothing more than a starter or possible flooding issue.

I got a call this morning from the service manager. Starter is gone, needs new plugs, water pump is leaking and needs replacing. Just from that, I was around $1300. He just called me back and said that they were able to get it running but the throttle body is seized and it wont rev past 1500rpm. They tried to take it off and get it going but that was a no-go. So a new throttle body plus labor in addition to the previous repairs puts me right at about $2000. My car ran like a clock before I deployed. All I had was worn tires which I was planning to replace when I got back from Iraq.

Never store your vehicle outside exposed to the elements. If you have to store it, get it in an indoor climate controlled environment. Let my lesson be yours, I'll pay for it so hopefully you will never have to.

 

Did you have the upgraded starter? You should get the Mazmart water pump and upgraded starter if anything.

 

sorry to hear it man! where'd you store your car? how long are you in town for?

 

No, I did not have the upgraded starter. I'm getting it this time around though. I would love to get the MazMart water pump but I don't have an address to send it to. My address here is on postal hold pending my redeployment from Iraq.

Dondo, I'm leaving for Arizona til monday. I'm in country til the 10th. I was hoping to sneak in on a monthly drive but it doesn't look like one is happening this month. Cars busted anyway. I stored it on post in the unit deployment lot. Basically a fenced in parking lot. I'm free all next week if you wanna hang out. I remember a nw thread about karting..

I keep thinking about what else I could have done to my car with $2k... coilovers, rp-f1's, or maybe a bbk..

 

yuo can get all that and do it yourself with better parts for less than $700

spark plugs $80

mazmart water pump ~about $240?

oem throttle body ~$200, ported+polished throttle body from BDL ~$250

oem starter, not sure if its the upgrade ~$70 ebay

its about $640 to this stuff by your lonesome, most of these are brain dead easy to install with proper guidance and tools, plus most of these parts are way better than the stuff you will get from the stealership. Dont get ripped of by the stealership.

 

Yeah I know, but between the timing, being short on tools and the fact that they've almost finished everything already, I'm kind of stuck. I was really thinking about the MazMart water pump but unfortunately I don't have a shipping address at this point. I was hoping to get tires and do my brakes with a little help from the club but that's gonna have to wait til I get back in August now.
Trust me, I hate paying this much for basic repairs. New cost record for me. I'm sure others have had it worse.

 

LOL yeah they are threatening me with $10000 for a new motor LOL best of luck to you!

 

sorry to hear it man. i'll help out with any install you wanna do. i have a bunch of tools and an address to ship things to.

 

Yeah seriously, that's major overcharge. Nearly triple the price if you were to get them yourself... but then again they have to do the labor too.

Anyway, Good to hear you came back!

How was the "trip"?

 

The "trip" was no fun. It's not over either. I'm headed back on the 10th of May. On a positive note. Money saved during said trip makes me able to afford to bite this big *** financial bullet. That doesn't save this whole situation from being a damn shame, I'm just glad I was able to handle it.

Dondo, If you aren't busy around late August/early September, wanna help me with my brakes and whatever else I can get away with buying at that time?

By the way, thanks everyone. Even if it's just moral support. It helps a lot. I feel better already.

 

of course!