I’m in Maryland for a few more days. It became apparent that my moms car needed some regular maintenance. She buzzes here and there in her 1999 Saturn Wagon with the SL-2 Saturn engine. With my dad not feeling so well, she has a full time job just taking care of the homestead. The car, by and large is in good shape, but with winter coming on I really wanted the car examined closely so she does not have any problems during the cold time of the year.

We took it my friend of 40 plus year who owns a gas station and repair shop in Kensington, Md. He has been taking care of their cars for over 30 years now. Tommy is the best, I remember when he had a 1963 Corvette Stingray with the split windows. After I drove that car for few days when I was teenager, I knew a Vette was in my future, and it came true a few years later. I latched on to a beauty few years later, a 1966 Vette with the 427 Rat motor, the L-72 model engine.

I wanted the whole car examined, this is my list:

1. check the entire cooling system
2. change the engine oil and filter, use Mobil 1 synthetic oil and grease the cahssis
3. examine the front end and steering components and the rear suspension parts.
4. look at the brakes and anything less than one half worn, do a brake job.
5. check all lights, change the wipers and lube the door locks and hinges.
6. change the automatic transmission fluid and differential lube with Mobil1 synthetic ATF and differential lube.
7. check all motor and transmission mounts.
8. find anything else I forgot to write down.
9. check the tires integrity and manufacture date. Tires should be replaced every 5 years no matter what.

I had a feeling an engine mount was bad and the tires were shot in terms of age. Dry rot, not wear. My mom can not afford to get stuck in the dead of cold, BTW: it is 22 degrees this morning. I live in Florida, that is cold for me. With so much traffic around here, it would be a terrible experience for her. And it’s my job as #1 son and 38 plus years as a mechanic by trade to make sure her car is reliable and safe.

I’ll continue this story in my next post after we get the call on what the car needs. We certainly don’t want to hear it needs a replacement engine or the likes. If we did, we would still fix the car. We both subscribe to the same school of thought that says, ‘fix your old car instead of buying a new car‘. I still own my 1988 GMC 1 ton 4×4 pickup, which I bought new. It is mint and runs great. Stay tuned for the rest of the story. GotEngines.com @ 1-888-344-8044.