# Know any good Chicago auto mechanics? or: What's wrong with my car? Win a prize! **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 10, 2004, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-any-good-chicago-auto-mechanics-or-whats-wrong-with-my-car-win-a-prize/244516 "2004-05-10T20:48:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Gaudere](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e495f1/32.png) [@Gaudere](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gaudere)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2004, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-any-good-chicago-auto-mechanics-or-whats-wrong-with-my-car-win-a-prize/244516/1 "2004-05-10T20:48:58Z")
Ok, so my car’s been idling rough off and on for about a month now (1995 Dodge Intrepid 3.5L). I thought it might have been bad gas but it wasn’t fixed by a new tank. Then it started shifting roughly (auto transmission), and yesterday it died at idle. So I can no longer put off going to the shop. Know anyone who will not rip me off? Also, guess what is wrong with my car and how much it will cost me. The person who is closest will win a free membership (if not a charter member) or a $14.95 amazon gift certificate (or other such gift of their choice). I fear it is the tranny. This makes me sad. Tranny problems sound expensive. ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2004, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-any-good-chicago-auto-mechanics-or-whats-wrong-with-my-car-win-a-prize/244516/2 "2004-05-10T20:54:24Z")
Just to start off with the obvious, Have you replaced the fuel filter and checked the Tranny fluid level? ---
**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2004, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-any-good-chicago-auto-mechanics-or-whats-wrong-with-my-car-win-a-prize/244516/3 "2004-05-10T21:07:33Z")
I am **definitely** not the person you want to diagnose your car. However, I have a wonderful mechanic who has never screwed me and who doesn’t treat women like idiots: Omar @ O&J Auto 6417 N. Ravenswood 773-465-0163 He’s not as cheap as the crazy guy who was a semi-retired multimillionaire who liked to fix cars for fun (he used to give me invoices scribbled in pencil on the back of envelopes that had line items like “wiper fluid: $0.07” – boy, was I bummed when that guy moved out of state), but he’s reasonable and won’t jerk you around. ---
**Author:** ![Gaudere](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e495f1/32.png) [@Gaudere](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gaudere)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2004, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-any-good-chicago-auto-mechanics-or-whats-wrong-with-my-car-win-a-prize/244516/4 "2004-05-10T21:07:38Z")
Tranny fluid was at good level and good color. Fuel filter, no I didn’t. Is that something the average person without many tools could do? I was going to change the air filter but the screws were rusted shut and I haven’t gotten any pentrated oil yet. ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2004, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-any-good-chicago-auto-mechanics-or-whats-wrong-with-my-car-win-a-prize/244516/5 "2004-05-10T21:19:35Z")
> [@](#): > > Is that something the average person without many tools could do? On most cars yes. Unfortunately in a little web research about the interpid. I found. [http://www.all-parts.com/diagnostics/mechanics/Dodge\_Intrepid.html](http://www.all-parts.com/diagnostics/mechanics/Dodge_Intrepid.html) near the bottom, relating to a 94 intrepid. > [@](#): > > Fuel System Other When driving When warm > Q: where is fuel filter located? > A: Its part of fuel pump in tank… And if yours in in the tank as well, no it’s not particularly easy. (Stupid Dodges making me look like an idiot) ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2004, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-any-good-chicago-auto-mechanics-or-whats-wrong-with-my-car-win-a-prize/244516/6 "2004-05-10T21:27:42Z")
wait I found something better. [http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?ForwardPage=az/cds/en\_us/0900823d/80/18/16/9d/0900823d8018169d.jsp](http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?ForwardPage=az/cds/en_us/0900823d/80/18/16/9d/0900823d8018169d.jsp) It’s not in the tank just near it. It’s a moderatly pain in the ass procedure, Involving jacking the car up, removing the bracket and putting the new one on. It your gas tank is pretty low you could just get someone to hold their thumb of the open end, and you should spill much, rather than “relieving the fuel pressure”. No fancy tools required, but not as easy as cars with the fuel filter under the hood. ---
**Author:** ![Gaudere](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e495f1/32.png) [@Gaudere](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gaudere)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2004, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-any-good-chicago-auto-mechanics-or-whats-wrong-with-my-car-win-a-prize/244516/7 "2004-05-10T21:39:24Z")
Eva, thanks for the rec. It’s even close by where I live. wolfman, I think if it requires jacking the car up and two people I’ll have the mechanic do it. 🙂 Oh, there’s also a not-very-loud intermittant squeaking coming from the front wheels anytime the brake is not applied. I’m thinking I need new pads. ---
**Author:** ![ParentalAdvisory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/53a042/32.png) [@ParentalAdvisory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParentalAdvisory)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2004, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-any-good-chicago-auto-mechanics-or-whats-wrong-with-my-car-win-a-prize/244516/8 "2004-05-10T22:11:17Z")
My money is on the fuel pump itself. I bet that sucker is pumping out something around 10-15 psi. It should be close to 35-45 psi, depending on it’s requirements. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2004, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-any-good-chicago-auto-mechanics-or-whats-wrong-with-my-car-win-a-prize/244516/9 "2004-05-10T22:28:27Z")
Have him check your air filter. If it is really gunked up and in need of changing, it can block the air intake and cause hesitation and eventual stalling. Before totally effing up your transmission. I know, I’ve been there and had to rebuild the transmission. ( all because of a stinkin’ mouse. I hate mices.) ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2004, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-any-good-chicago-auto-mechanics-or-whats-wrong-with-my-car-win-a-prize/244516/10 "2004-05-10T23:20:15Z")
Go to [www.iatn.net](http://www.iatn.net) . At the bottom of the “Shop Finder” box, click on “member directory,” then select your state, then browse through the listings for the cities and towns that are convenient to you. Look for a shop or an individual in blue, indicating a sponsor. Click on the name in blue and in some cases you’ll get a webpage with further information, alternatively find the shop in your local phonebook. The International Auto Technicians Network is an internet association of auto repair professionals. Membership is free to those with the proper credentials, but sponsoring memberships are available for a modest fee. My experience is that sponsors of this network tend to be shops and mechanics who are competent, trustworthy, and concerned about treating people right. Though I haven’t personally met most of them, I would feel comfortable referring my sister to an iATN sponsor. As it turns out, O & J Auto recommended above is an iATN sponsoring shop. Here is their iATN webpage: [http://www.iatn.net/cgi-bin/s.plex?p=/atn/o\_and\_j.html](http://www.iatn.net/cgi-bin/s.plex?p=/atn/o_and_j.html)