Guest Chrislrob Posted April 21, 2004 Share Posted April 21, 2004 Well, I've owned my '97 for 6 months now--love it. It only has 89,000 miles on it. The engine is starting to sound a little rough. I think it's time for a tune up and I'm wondering where to go and get it. Also thinking about having my timing belt changed. I am NOT handy--stopping my gas pedal from sticking a little while ago made me feel like Mr. Goodwrench! I've been trying to decide if I should take it to Pep Boys or a dealer or some other chain. Anyone have good/bad experiences with national chains and their Pathy? Does it make sense to get the timing belt done now or should I wait? How much will all of this cost? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88pathoffroad Posted April 21, 2004 Share Posted April 21, 2004 Pep Boys sucks. Period. They opened a huge store here and it closed less than a year later due to poor service, high prices, and terrible selection. The old Pep Boys store is now a Mexican Supermarketado. Your timing belt isn't due for another 30,000 miles if I'm not mistaken. I'd leave it be for now and just get replacement plugs, cap/rotor, wires and filters. It should keep running just fine that way. The dealership is the best place to go for a t-belt change unless you can do it yourself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k9sar Posted April 21, 2004 Share Posted April 21, 2004 Pep Boys sucks. Period. I definately agree. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Pickles Posted April 21, 2004 Share Posted April 21, 2004 I agree too, and I used to work there at the Puyallup, WA store! It was an in-between job while looking for a *real* one after college. The mechanics ranged from indifferent to just plain no knowledge. One guy even thought it was a step up when he was canned and went across the parking lot to work at Jiffy Lube! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88pathoffroad Posted April 22, 2004 Share Posted April 22, 2004 Hey man. I worked at Jiffy Lube for a while. At least you know SOME people at JL know what they're doing. I was the only one the manager trusted to do tranny pan drop services and flushes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Pickles Posted April 22, 2004 Share Posted April 22, 2004 Don't worry, I'm not knocking Jiffy Lube. Just saying that its not exactly a full service place with full-on mechanics generally. They do have a serious mark-up on prices though! The Pep Boys guys had issues. I remember they refused to change my brother's tires on his Mustang with the exact same size he had been running for 2 years (235/45 17). They said the computer told them they wouldn't fit, so that was that. I got to work the parts counter for a bit, and their solution was, if it wasn't in the computer, then they couldn't help. Period. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k9sar Posted April 22, 2004 Share Posted April 22, 2004 I'm amazed that they even knew how to turn on a computer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Chrislrob Posted April 29, 2004 Share Posted April 29, 2004 thanks for the replies, fellas! For some reason, I didn't get email notification that I had any--probably my fault. I had read that if you were close on the time to change the belt then it was best just to get it done then rather than wait. But I guess I will. Hope this stuff helps. I think I'll go to a dealer just to be safe.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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