Fixing the Car

My little car has been throwing codes

off and on for a few months.

Knowing that I have to get it smogged

fairly soon, I decided to take it to the

dealer and see what the issue was.

I was hesitant because every time I take

my cars in, it ends up costing me in the thousands.

 

We dropped my baby off on a Friday,

and on Monday we found out what the issues were.

My CV joint was bad, as was my oxygen sensor.

Damage?

Around $800.

 

I talked to Todd that evening,

and we decided that we would have the dealership

fix the CV joint

(because it is a big hassle),

and Todd would fix the oxygen sensor

(with the understanding that I would stay out

in the garage with him and help him fix it).

The CV joint ended up costing me around $380,

which I was actually pretty happy with.

The dealership had quoted me $360 for the oxygen sensor.

Todd went to the local auto parts store and purchased the

sensor for $40, plus an additional $20 for

the special little tool you need to take it out.

 

Todd informed me it would take about 30 minutes

to replace, which I know in Todd speak

 is actually about 3-4 hours.

We started the project around noon on Sunday.

I wasn't particularly excited because I knew that

my main day to relax was going to be shot,

but I was happy because I was going to save money.

 

Todd starting to work on my car.

See the black thing coming out of the silver thing?

That's the oxygen sensor.

 

Todd removed four bolts, pulled off the silver covering...

I then opened the package to the special tool and handed it

to him, he removed the old sensor and put on the new one,

and within 15 minutes he was done.

 

BAM!

$300. saved.

Can I ever get back those 15 minutes of pure torture

having to be in the garage watching a car be worked on,

no, but it was well worth $300.

 

So that is what exciting things we do around

our household on the weekend.

What have you done lately to save extra $.