ugh!!!! .... camping days may end!

[oklahomajewel]

UGH!!!!!! My car just turned 172,000 miles and creeping higher everyday since I drive 200 miles a week minimum. It's time for a new timing belt and that's gonna be $600 .......

I'm almost afraid to drive lately , it's all highways to work 40 miles round trip and I'm just dying to go camping soon, and mid July and already booked for tubin in August and crawford in Sept and the party of the year in October .......

Just frustrated !!!!!!!!!! and don't want to have to sell my camper!!!

[Oasis Maker]

We watched you with this build and as you searched for just the right color with your stunning paint job and the very cool logo for your tag name. I hope with your situation (as with all us in this country going through tough times) is one that "this too shall pass" applies.

Please count to 10 before selling your hard work and little bundle of joy teardrop. The perfect solution or opportunity might come along when you hit number 8. Please keep us informed so that we can all celebrate that occasion too!

Try and stay positive (always easier said than done, but still the only way to go!)

Scott G.

[Miriam C.]

Julie, find a friend to do the timing belt on a discount. I can't imagine why it is such a high price.

[Eunice]

dont give up until you have counted to 10 at least twice. Cant imagine you selling all your hard work. Things will work out. Just hold on. Talk to Pam in Colorado, remember her truck blew up and she found a van. She lost her job and found another. things will be ok!
find a friend or even check out auto shop at schools. That might be hard during the summer but you will find something.

[dwgriff1]

Look at Danny's post about the gal with 540000 miles on her car.

Our 17 year old chevy only has 165,000 and I figure it is good for at least a hundred grand more -- pulling the tear.

And yes it costs serious money sometimes. i spend a grand one day on shocks and struts, but it is still cheaper than car payments.

dave

[oklahomajewel]

Thanks y'all... just had to vent... Without any savings, and "something always comes up" and I really do NOT want to get a credit card, I'm just stressing.

it's a 2001 Honda Accord... don't know how easy it would be for anyone else to do the timing belt. But if I wait till it snaps, I'll be stranded at the side of the road. Yes, it's still cheaper than a car payment -- it's a Honda so I've got a lot more good miles to go.

[S. Heisley]

Julie:

From what I understand, it is more than being stranded by the side of the road. If the timing belt goes out, it can do a lot of nasty, expensive damage to the engine.

Here's an idea: Even car dealers understand hard times. Why not call the dealer and see if they can open some sort of account for you so you can make payments on it/toward it. You worked too hard on that teardrop to sell it. It is your treasure and a beautiful, unique one at that!

[chorizon]

Julie:

From what I understand, it is more than being stranded by the side of the road. If the timing belt goes out, it can do a lot of nasty, expensive damage to the engine.

That's true. We just had the timing belt replaced on our Saturn. It was $1000. Cheaper than a new engine. To put in perspective that's 3 months worth of new car payments. I'm hoping the Saturn will hold out 'til it hits 200K.

[Loader]

Julie,

Your camping days will not end you enjoy it too much! Sure, the car thing stinks, and it is a lot of cash, but you'll figure it out.

Hang in there.

We'll see you later this year at one of the get togethers.

[mk10108]

might want to check around. Just replaced my belt at 85K for $340 (Toyota Camry) at the dealership. Used the quarterly coupon.

[oklahomajewel]

I am calling a few places on my lunch hour..... a guy here gave me a place to call, and my coworker , Karen, behind me likes where she takes hers... they only work on engines/transmissions and they do all the city and police vehicles. She had original found them thru the BBB.

I'll do some checking... $350 I can do next week.... $600 would be a stretch and you know, it's always something.

I have lots of other options before selling the Jewel Box... that's my last resort !!! I have too many sweet camping friends and those are my vacations too !!!

In fact, I think I'll take a whole week off for LCG and do some nice fall camping in SE Ok. Might take the whole week off before another campout in July and Sept, to make it more relaxing .....

[Nobody]

Julie, I know you & your 'can do' attitude well enough to figure you're gonna beat this thing. Sometimes ya just gotta back off a little & think it thru some more. Don't concentrate on why you can't do it, try to think of ways you can get around it. I definitely ain't a mechanic but in your circle of friends & acquaintances there's gotta be someone who can help you or know someone who can. Best of luck & follow your signature line!

[dreadcptflint]

If you have the tools and the space then you always could give it a shot yourself. The belts are around $40 and there is even a good how to video on Utube.

[MOKI SEAKER]

Shoot, If you can build a Tear: What' s a timing belt. I bet you could get a chilton's manual read it a couple of time's, have your tools and iced tea lined up and have it done in less than 4 hours. Hondas are good engines, but the wages to have something done is awful. They want $310.00 to adjust the valves in my ATV and it is only one cyclinder.. Did it myself in two hrs...Jim G.

[Miriam C.]

No no. You really should not change the timing belt yourself, especially in this heat........ Unless you get the timing right you will harm the car and it could cost more........ Find someone who you know from personal experience knows what they are doing. There is a reason they get away with charging so much............