My Car may be in Car Heaven!

[FriscoLady]

Ok, I have to admit it, I know absolutely nothing about modern cars! It is times like this that I miss my 1974 Camaro! I could work on it!

This is to all the PTO car buffs, HELP!

Anyway, yesterday morning the timing chain went on my 1998 Hyundai Sonata.

If anyone can give me some idea of what I will have to pay to fix this bloody vehicle, I would appreciate it.

Linda's son says that I should expect to pay at least $110.00 for the timing chain, plus labor. That is, if there is nothing else wrong with it. Like damage to the valves, etc.! He is afraid that the shop may try to jack up the price.

We had to leave the car in Virginia Beach and take the bus home. (Will never ride the bus again if I can help it! lol!) So, I don't know the shop.

Should I have it towed to the dealership? Or will the dealership be more expensive? The dealership is in Virginia Beach, but if it is not economical I won't take it there. Oh, I have already put enough miles on the car to wear out the famous Hyundai warranty!

HELP?

Got to Laugh and keep the humor in life though!

When it rains it pours! LOL!

Patti

[irisheyes66]

Morning, Patti

Ah, yes...Hyundai.

I remember my excitement, when I got my brand-y spanking new Excel some years ago. So clean...so new....such a piece of sh*t. I've heard they are designed much better these days, but my experience was enough to turn me off forever.

As for your dilemma....it's a given that the dealership will charge through the roof for any repairs; Menard Hyundai always raked me over the coals, and I don't see why it would be any different today. But, how well do you know the garage/personnel where the car is? Lately, it seems (at least here in RI) that every time anyone in my family has to go to a mechanic to have something major fixed, the end result is a screw job of epic proportions...no matter how nice/patient we are...or how well we know the mechanic, etc. Have I mentioned how much I hate car trouble? LOL!

From what I remember my Dad saying about this type of repair (and he has done most of the work on the family's vehicles for 40+ years now), a timing "chain" is much cheaper to fix than a timing "belt"....could be the difference of $200-400. When we were shopping for my minivan a few months back, I remember him liking one particular vehicle because it had a "chain" instead of a "belt", making it a much cheaper repair. If memory serves, he told me they tend to let go at 60K and 120K miles.

Not sure if any of what I said helps (in fact, it probably doesn't, LOL)...but if it's any consolation, I have been through the wringer with car repairs in the last few years.

Before finding my van, I was about to invest in a bus pass

(((hugs)))
Susan in Providence

[Shan & Kev]

Oh Lord...the Hyundai.
My ex was our main mechanic in the family and I have to agree with Susan, here. The chain is easier than the belt and doesnt require as much time, skinned knuckles, or swearing as the belt (my memories)..lol
But, you may honestly want to look at the cost of repairs and use that $$ for a new car. We had nothing but problems with ours and got rid of it really fast. If it is a newer one, then maybe they are making them better now, I dunno.
Usually the dealership is WAY over the cost of an independant mechanic if you know one.
But in my past experience, any mechanic (remember my ex?) is usually looking to bend you over on car repair costs..LOL
Good Luck

Shannon

[deb]

Good luck Patti! For the last few years whenever my vehicle gets over a certain mileage and things start going wrong I have been trading them in on a new one.... I've had break downs too many times traveling to see him when this first started and he was in Virginia.... Never again.

Deb

[Phil in Paris]

Sorry Patti !! Well, I suppose you don't expect me to tell you how to fix a car ???

Cars suck !!! As soon as you buy them, you start losing money !!!

Hope everything will work out at low cost for you !!

HUGS

Phil

[FriscoLady]

LOL!

Yes, the Hyundai, is still the car from Hell! I will never own another one!

Deb,

Till, I got into my divorce, cancer, and then the legal problems I would trade a car in every three years. I was hoping to make it till after the legal stuff had settled out. But, if it is too much tomorrow, I guess we will have to break down and start looking for a new - er car LOL!

I still will have to fix it up to just get rid of it

One nice thing out of this, I bought this house, back when the neighborhood was pretty depressed and crime ridden. But, I knew what the city had planned for it, bought cheap and well, I was right the prices of houses have soared! But, to make along story short, we walked to the store today - it was wonderful to see the changes in the neighborhood, that you don't see, at 45 mph in a car!

Keep your fingers crossed for us tomorrow if it is too much to repair - we will be car hunting.

No Hyundai's ever again, back to Chevy!

Thank you all for the advice, Love you all!

Patti

[California Sunshine]

Oh I'm so sorry about your car! I know how much it sucks! Just a few weeks ago my car engine blew and they wanted almost 3 grand to fix it which I don't have and even if I did wouldn't spend that much on it because I made a bad car choice and bought a Daewoo which the company has since went bankrupt so it is basically worthless! That car is sitting at my Mom's and I bought a used Nissan, had to borrow the down payment so now I'm stuck with that loan and a car payment but needed a car to get to work so I had to do something.....Cars are so MUCH TROUBLE!!!!

Best of luck to you

[FriscoLady]

Well, I got really, really lucky this time.

It was the timing chain only!

Eventually had to take it to the dealership, because I had a crooked mechanic that opened up the timing chain area, confirmed it was broke, then without even opening up the valve cover said he would have replace the valves, etc., for $2,000.00. More on that in another post that I already did in Straight Talk. But, that was mostly about my temper and control of it this time!

But, anyway the dealership took the whole top of the engine apart, replaced the timing chain, checked for any further damage and found none. YEAH!

Cost: $509.92!

Linda drove it home tonight!

Got lucky, this time!

Patti

[kreepsgirl]

Dont take your car to the dealership! It will be 2 to 3 times more there. Your problem is you have a Hyundai! Take it from someone who has owned 3 of them. They are crappy cars! My suggestion to you is to get another car when ever possible! But to fix a timing belt will be a couple hundred.

[FriscoLady]

This poor car is paid off. So till I get the legal issues out of the way and the lawyers paid off (maybe I could give them the car. I wish!). My poor Daisy Jane (Yes my car is named after the song) will have to carry on till I can afford to get back to Chevy.

Patti

[deb]

I'm glad it's fixed and running again!!

Deb

[Sunnie]

Linda,

I am glad it all worked out for you. Actually 500.00 and labor for a timing chain was good.
At the dealer no less.

I have a toyota Camry, and when my timing belt snapped, I had to tow it to the dealer and it cost me almost 1,000.