As many of you know I've had a bad cat for some time, but my car still ran fine and all. The other day when i was leaving for work my car wouldn't start. It was trying to, but just wouldn't. I held the gas down, kept the key turned, and slowly let off on the gas, and it finally started. Only thing was a huge amount of white smoke comes out from the exhaust! I drove it home fine, but the next day it wouldn't start, even after completely removing my cat. I got the car towed to Mazda, and they said something about low compression and it needs a new engine, and would cost over 6 grand... I don't have the money for that, and now can't even get to my job. And the worst part is the car isn't paid off. I don't know what to do, so i need you guy's opinions. Thanks so much!

 

You knowingly drove around on a bad converter, and as a result you ruined the engine. What kind of opinions are you looking for exactly?

 

Brick - there's not much you can do. New engine from the dealer, something cheaper by getting an economy rebuild, or maybe find a used engine in a junkyard. But any of those are likely to cost you more than I suspect you have.

You may be stuck with writing it off and finding a beater to use to get to work.

Ken

 

Yeh you killed it driving with a bad cat. That 6k price is realy high I've seen standard rebuilds go for 3k and this I'd by pro shops. Your going to have to get another car till you can fix the 8. But the 6k is duble what I've seen for a new engine even with labor that's to high.