And seamstresses became button sewers...

This post is actually about my car, but it's inspired me to think about this - something I think about often. -- The line is from one of my favorite movies, Seabiscuit :) -- How specialized in tasks we have become - as a world. And how people are either unwilling or unable to debug a problem beyond their scope and template. This is crazily even true in the engineering world. And without readable error codes we are lost.

I'm thinking about this now because my car, sadly enough, is STILL broken! This is just about a classic case for Click-n-Clack. I'm preparing to call. One more shot.

So Tuesday I picked up my Mazda from Collins Mufflers in Loveland (I'm putting in a BIG PLUG for these guys - they are cool - and actually do have brains and are able to debug - and their prices and response to solve something - very good).

I should back up. My little car - 2001 Mazda Protege (yes, it's green, but that can't be a bad color) has been super reliable - up till Oct/Nov timeframe. It's got some good miles - I drive a lot. 132,000+. Well, it was in need of a new fan belt, as it had been exhibiting the classic squeal - for a long time (worst in Moab cuz it's dry). The Mazda LOVES trips to Moab, btw. Well, what drove me to take it into the Dealership is that it started not responding to pressing on the gas, beyond a certain speed (like 40 mph on the flats). This wasn't a constant problem, it was intermittent. And when it happened, the check engine light would start flashing, and when the problem ended, the light would just stay on. Typically once it started, it wouldn't stop until I restarted the car (sometimes that would help). When things got REALLY bad, it would also start shaking/shuddering when stopped b/c it couldn't idle properly.

At the start I wasn't super up on things, car-wise, and the car was getting older. The dealership suggested everything under the sun that needed to be replaced. They assured me that when all these things were done, the car would be all fixed up and good to go. They said the problem was just bad spark plugs. Anyway, replaced the spark plugs, they talked me into replacing the timing belt (which cost both an arm *and* leg), fan belt, and a bunch of other things to run my bill up to a whopping $1600. For my $3000 car. My bike is worth more, but the Mazda has been a good car, and I figure $1600 is way better than buying a new car, which I have a whole other set of thoughts on.

Car gets done - after multiple days. Pick it up, happy to have things done (I'd been biking to/from work, which is a bit of a haul). Picked it up, drove to work, and by the time I get there, it's already acted up and the check engine light is back on. Grrr... They also never changed the oil, which was past due, despite having done a 100 point check (oil must be on another sheet).

Take it back. This time they gave me a rental car, free (thankfully). And that part was cool - it was a new, sporty little Ford Focus. Nothing special, but fancier than the Mazda.

This time they said it was the ignition coil. OK. They only charged me for the part ($145 - still high), but no labor. And they changed the oil.

This *did* fix the press-on-gas-no-more-power problem, but the check engine light was STILL on! By this time, I was fed up with the dealership. Had the engine code checked later at Jiffy Lube, and it simply read that the car was idling fast. Seemed ok.

Since the car was driving well, I put on some new tires - nice ones this time b/c I wear out tires super fast. I ALSO replaced the windshield which was super badly pitted, and I figured if the car is all fixed up, and I'm going to drive it for another 100,000 miles, I might as well be able to see.

Well, a month or so later, problem came back. I drove it this way for a while, till it got super bad. Had an interesting time getting up and over Loveland Pass one day, and later getting up the last hill towards Denver. I needed my car back. Driving the Tahoe takes *way* too much gas.

Took it back to the dealership, since the check engine light was still on from their last job. They told me it was the catalytic converter - at the manifold. And, it would cost $1300 to replace. NO WAY!

This time I decided to compare prices b/c this was getting out of hand, but once again, this still seemed better than a new car.

Well, called Collin Mufflers in Loveland. They were able to do it for $700. Getting the part the same place - the manufacturer. They also took the time to talk about the problem, and what was going on. And also told me that catalytic converters don't just go bad on their own. They are designed to burn fuel that is left unburned in the engine intake manifold. And, if an engine problem is causing excess fuel to be present, you can replace the converter and the new one will go bad again. This was good to know. The dealership didn't bother to tell me this. Collins Mufflers did tell me my converter was indeed bad - off the charts, but recommended I immediately get the car re-checked once replaced. I wondered where, as the dealership surely wouldn't find anything (real). I also should say, Collins Mufflers had limited ability to read the engine codes, so they could only debug so far. They said there was a chance the dealership had replaced all the stuff that caused the converter to go bad at the get-go. That was the hope anyway. Hoping the converter was the last thing to replace. Kinda made sense to me - spark plugs and ignition coil could both affect fuel burning.

Well, picked up the car Tuesday, and none such luck :( Biked to pick the car up. Drove to work, and half-way there on the interstate, got the tell-tale hint of power loss (I'm getting good at feeling any change). Then real power loss hit, and the check engine light flashed, once again. My heart sank. It really did.

My poor car, I've given you everything and have really tried to keep you going. And you are failing me!!! Crap. I've put in so much $.

Those were my immediate thoughts.

Lunchtime I decided to call Collins Mufflers and let them know the check engine light came back on and power loss is back. They said I should get the car checked out right away. Cuz if I just keep driving it, I'll kill my new $700 c.c. I asked where? I told them about my $1600 dealership experience.

They recommended Advantage Automotive in Loveland. Gave me specific guys to talk to. Cool. Thinking positive.

A side story, I called information to get their #, and info greeted me with "Happy April Fools Day!" I have to say, I didn't find this funny.

Dropped the Mazda off this morning, and once again the discussion came to engine codes. Those damn engine codes. I already know the engine codes are not pin-pointing the problem. W/o them though nowadays mechanics are dead in the water. I feel like I should know engines better so I can start debugging on my own. How hard can it be? How many parts are there really that affect fuel burning and can go bad and have the specific symptoms I'm seeing? Feeling a little frustrated. More-so b/c they weren't too curious about hearing the specific car behaviors, which is crazy to me, b/c those are the clues!

Anyway, biked home. Called later in the day to check on progress. Engine codes are telling nothing, BUT I was reassured to hear they were driving it around to get it to act up. So far, the Mazda is playing nice and not showing the issue, so it's staying overnight. I really hope it acts up in the morning.

So, that's the story and status. Still do not know the final issue. I'm hopeful for Advantage Automotive. And, they've told me I've incurred no cost at this point. I'd have to say they are also on the cool end. Maybe not quite as cool as Collins Mufflers, but if they can resolve the issue with the Mazda, they will be WAY UP THERE on my list! :)

So, think good thoughts for my little Mazda car. The ATM (all-terrain-mazda) would be sad missing its trip to Moab this spring!