Valve Cover Gasket, Rotors, and A/C

When the engine started smoking after the Philly trip, I sorta freaked out and just drove it right over to my mechanic and asked if I could leave it with him, maybe forever, just kidding…okay partially kidding.

I had also noticed that it was HOT AS HELL on that road trip, despite my best efforts at cooling the car. And by best efforts I mean forcefully and repeatedly turning the air conditioner knob to the “max cool” position while saying “start working asshole!”. It didn’t listen.

Anyway, the latest list of problems:

1. Might explode

2. Vibrates like a motel bed

3. Is an actual oven

My mechanic called me back after a few days and told me that the small oil leak he spotted during the first round of repairs, that one that wasn't a concern at this time…is.

Additionally, the rear rotors are shot and needed to be replaced (go me, I guessed that one). And the air conditioner simply needs to be recharged.

At this point my mechanic tried to talk sense into me, by politely reminding me that “this repair will exceed the value of the car”. Then I reminded him that “the paint on the car exceeds the value of the car”.

Gotta just keep moving forward!

[7 weeks elapse]

I think my mechanic was dreading doing this job. The van just sat there for weeks and weeks without any progress made. Then I started getting annoying, calling for daily updates, getting pushy, etc. – which I really quite enjoy normally – but less so with my mechanic, because he’s a really nice guy and he‘s probably sick of working on this car.

Anyway, in the end, the bill was $960, which covered:

• New valve cover gasket

• New rear rotors

• Recharged air conditioner

Been driving it around for a few days and we seem to be back in business and running smoke, heat, and vibration free.