Looking for a good/honest mechanic

[SilverIntrepid]

Few weeks back I took my Intrepid to a ASE certified shop to have them change out a cam sensor. After they completed the work I drove home with no issues. The next day I drive the car to work (it started making a funny sound then stopped after a few minutes), and the temp gauge never once moved. I pull in the parking lot and noticed a puddle of coolant under my car. Pop the hood, and low and behold not a ounce of coolant in the tank. As I was refilling the tank, it was coming out the bottom of the car literally just as fast. Cracked line? Broke line? Heck if I know! Soooo instead of going back to the place that I took it to, does anyone here recommend a good shop to take her to? Also the car will not start after sitting for so long. So either a jump or a new battery too. :(

[huntr1]

Jimmy Rader in Hughesville. I trust him completely with my cars. I drop it off and tell him "fix it and let me know when it's done."

[SilverIntrepid]

Originally Posted by huntr1

Jimmy Rader in Hughesville. I trust him completely with my cars. I drop it off and tell him "fix it and let me know when it's done."

Does he work out of his home or from a business? How are his prices? What other info can you give me? I am just tired of these places around here telling me one price then when I pick up the car the bill is always a few hundred bucks more, and a few days later something new breaks in the vicinity of where the last issue was. :(

[huntr1]

He has a shop. If you turn onto 231 in Hughesville like you are heading toward Calvert, pass the Jazzercize on the left, turn into the industrial park on the right. He is on the corner in the back. 301-274-0858

I do not know how his prices compare to other shops. He is the only one I use down here. I've been using him ever since we moved down here 7 years ago.

I called him and told him about a problem I was having with the wife's van (fuel leak at pressure regulator), and he made a hole in his schedule that day to get her in. Van was done the next morning.

When I needed the AC compressor replaced on my Pontiac a couple years ago, he called me and gave me the price on a new comp ($$$) and offered to see if parts were available to repair mine and if not, to get a used unit for me. I went with the used unit as the parts were more than a whole new unit would have cost. He went thru 4 or 5 compressors looking for the best one for me. My compressor was used for only about 6 months before the factory changed to a different one that used a different bracket, so he did a lot of work to find the right one for me.

[SilverIntrepid]

Originally Posted by huntr1

He has a shop. If you turn onto 231 in Hughesville like you are heading toward Calvert, pass the Jazzercize on the left, turn into the industrial park on the right. He is on the corner in the back. 301-274-0858

I do not know how his prices compare to other shops. He is the only one I use down here. I've been using him ever since we moved down here 7 years ago.

I called him and told him about a problem I was having with the wife's van (fuel leak at pressure regulator), and he made a hole in his schedule that day to get her in. Van was done the next morning.

When I needed the AC compressor replaced on my Pontiac a couple years ago, he called me and gave me the price on a new comp ($$$) and offered to see if parts were available to repair mine and if not, to get a used unit for me. I went with the used unit as the parts were more than a whole new unit would have cost. He went thru 4 or 5 compressors looking for the best one for me. My compressor was used for only about 6 months before the factory changed to a different one that used a different bracket, so he did a lot of work to find the right one for me.

Hughesville...
That poses a problem as the car is not drivable. Tank will not hold any coolant at all, and the battery is dead. And even if I did replace the battery, I am not willing to risk driving it that far with the chance of the car overheating on the road. Unless I have AAA tow it there.

[aps45819]

Hewitt's
Rt. 235 across from San Souci

[SilverIntrepid]

Originally Posted by aps45819

Hewitt's
Rt. 235 across from San Souci

How are their prices and reliability?

I can get the car towed with AAA (fiance told me that I am on her plan).

[aps45819]

Originally Posted by SilverIntrepid

How are their prices and reliability?

I can get the car towed with AAA (fiance told me that I am on her plan).

Most places charge the same for labor. They follow ASE guidelines.

I once had Hewitts send me to someone else because the other shop specialized in what I needed done and could do a better job.
To me that said a lot about their ethics.

[aps45819]

...but the first think I'd do is look at the leak, it might be just a loose hose clamp.

[SilverIntrepid]

Originally Posted by aps45819

...but the first think I'd do is look at the leak, it might be just a loose hose clamp.

I looked at the hoses near the coolant tank. I am not a car guy, so I have no idea what I am looking at. I tried to trace the hoses but I would have to crawl underneath the car and look. And the darn thing sits too low for me to do that. And I don't have any jacks either.