My VX is broke, and and could use some help!

[etlsport]

here is what my shop charges as far as hours for these items...

Timing Belt 2.7 Hours
Water Pump 3.4 Hours
Thermostat 1.8 Hours
(these three should be combined somehow, not 100% sure how)

Upper and Lower Radiator hose 0.6 Hours (or 0.5 for Lower, 0.3 for Upper)

Lower Ball Joint 0.9 Hours
Front Wheel Bearing 2.6 Hours for both (1.4 each for one side)

Blower Motor 0.4 Hours (Does not include AC recharge if needed)

[Triathlete]

Blower Motor 0.4 Hours (Does not include AC recharge if needed)

No AC recharge needed for R&Ring of the blower motor.

[TheUltimateMan]

Wow, what a response- this is exactly why I heart this site!

Thank you everyone for the advice!

So, I picked my car back up without any repairs done yet (neither him or I could possibly get parts until next week). The mechanic said that with the work I need done, that it's only a matter of time before the whole engine could go out on me.

I noticed when I shut the car off, and walked around the hood that it faintly smelled like something was burning, any ideas as to what that's from...?

The consensus I'm getting is that for most of the parts needed, a reliable aftermarket part will work fine. But for the Water Pump, to get the actual Isuzu kit.

So it wouldn't be smart to buy this...?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...#ht_3733wt_778

If yes, then does anyone know where I can buy the official Isuzu Water Pump kit? I'm guessing I can still get it cheaper than a mechanic can (or will).

Also, in the interest of saving just a little money right now (it is Christmas next week) I'm going to put off the suspension stuff for a month, and just focus on all the engine repairs.

That said (and I already PMed NocturnalVX), does anyone know a good mechanic in the Chicagoland area? Right now I'll at least settle for a mechanic who has seen a VehiCross before.

Funny story: the one Isuzu dealership that I used to go to isn't around anymore, and any dealer maintenance is forwarded to a Subaru Dealership down the street. Where all the guys gawk at my Ironman because, of course, none of them have ever seen one before.

Again, thank you everyone, this is a wonderful community- and I really do appreciate all your help and advice!

[MSHardeman]

Do you still have the original muffler in your VX? That burning smell may be the muffler. I get a burning smell too, and it will vary with how the wind is blowing. At first I thought it was something in the rear end burning up (bad bearing, or tire rubbing on something), but one day after driving in the rain I parked the VX and noticed some steam coming out from under the car. When I bent down to investigate what it was I noticed that it had the same burnt odor that I would smell from time to time and that the steam was coming off of the muffler.

[vxaddict]

Wow, what a response- this is exactly why I heart this site!


That said (and I already PMed NocturnalVX), does anyone know a good mechanic in the Chicagoland area? Right now I'll at least settle for a mechanic who has seen a VehiCross before.

Funny story: the one Isuzu dealership that I used to go to isn't around anymore, and any dealer maintenance is forwarded to a Subaru Dealership down the street. Where all the guys gawk at my Ironman because, of course, none of them have ever seen one before.

Again, thank you everyone, this is a wonderful community- and I really do appreciate all your help and advice!

Here's the thread where that talks about the Chicago VX Resource:

http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...hicago+service

I'm also in Chicago and haven't checked this guy out yet. I took her to my local mechanic who I've been using for 10 years. He's doing the basic stuff, but anything VX specific (windows fix, engine problems, etc) I'll probably have that other guy check out first.

Would love to get a Chicago meet sometime, maybe after the winter so that my frozen power door locks would work!