I took the 85 Tercel wagon — we call him the Yodler – to the shop yesterday morning. When I dropped of the key, I told the guy in the jumpsuit this: “It runs a little rough. Plus, we’re going on a road trip, so I’d like to know it’s running well before we hit the highway. The mechanic told me to stop back in around 11 to get their diagnosis.
At 11, I wandered over to the shop. “It’s got some problems,†said Julie, the straight talking woman behind the counter.”We’re working up an estimate right now. I’ll call you when we’re done.” I moaned and asked for the basics. She told me the radiator was leaking – I’d suspected that from the coolant on the road under the car, but I was hoping it was just bad hoses – and the drive belt was really worn. “There’s some other stuff too, we’ll call you when it’s all figured out.”