Reputable and Trustworthy Mechanics in Beaverton/Portland OR?
#1
Reputable and Trustworthy Mechanics in Beaverton/Portland OR?
Is anyone in the Beaverton/Tigard/Hillsboro/Portland Oregon area that can recommend a reliable and honest mechanic? My 98 Firebird has a considerable list of things that need to get done, and I feel like every mechanic I go to is taking advantage of me, or they have done bad work that make me never want to return. I should probably mention that I'm a female and am admittedly not mechanically inclined at all (I felt super accomplished by just being able to change my headlight and hatch suspension rods). If anyone happens to be around the area and can refer me to someone I can trust who knows these cars well, I'd so greatly appreciate it!!
Here's the list of known issues she has, if it's of any interest:
Here's the list of known issues she has, if it's of any interest:
- Differential clunks/needs repair or replacement
- Power steering has some sort of leak, I think the steering rack has to be replaced, probably with the hoses also
- Rear defroster doesn’t stay on for longer than a minute at a time, needing usually about 10 minutes to cool down
- Right tail light has some sort of leak/condensation issue and has two different full-height cracks, the whole thing needs to be replaced (I think there's another problem with electrical here, those lights have burned out more times than I can count, even after just replacing them).
- Shocks are completely shot, assuming they need to be replaced
- There seems to be an electrical problem. Sometimes the radio and power windows will randomly stop working (and the battery is new, so that's not the issue)
- Air conditioning is broken, needs at least a new compressor and who knows what else
Last edited by xveganxxxedgex; 01-07-2016 at 04:58 PM. Reason: specified year/model
#4
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#5
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#6
TECH Regular
I'm a female too and I used to take my Camaro to Sal & Vince's Automotive in Sherwood. The owner Sal is a really nice guy and was really helpful with my car. I however do a lot of my own maintenance so I usually only had Sal help with major issues or troubleshooting I couldn't figure out. My sister also goes there and she is not mechanically inclined at all and he does just about anything she needs. Just let him know Jessica recommended you to him.
As for a few of your issues they are pretty easy. The window and radio issue could be the body control module (mine did the same thing when it went out in my Camaro) it may have something to do with the defrost but I'm not 100% sure. The rear shocks take an afternoon to replace and are super easy if I recall, fronts are more involved.
I had Sal redo the A/C on my truck and he did a really good job (I installed everything, he checked for leaks and charged it up).
PM me if you want.
Jessica
As for a few of your issues they are pretty easy. The window and radio issue could be the body control module (mine did the same thing when it went out in my Camaro) it may have something to do with the defrost but I'm not 100% sure. The rear shocks take an afternoon to replace and are super easy if I recall, fronts are more involved.
I had Sal redo the A/C on my truck and he did a really good job (I installed everything, he checked for leaks and charged it up).
PM me if you want.
Jessica
#7
Ooooh that place is a lot closer to where I live, and looks like they are open on Saturdays! I may go take her for an estimate on the differential and the steering rod since those seem to be the worst of the issues. I've been living without AC and as much as it sucks, it's tolerable. I'd rather a reliable, running car without AC over a faulty car with AC. It'd just be nice to get fixed eventually.
That's cool that you've done a lot of your own maintenance, how did you learn, just over time or taught?
Thank you for the referral!
That's cool that you've done a lot of your own maintenance, how did you learn, just over time or taught?
Thank you for the referral!
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#8
TECH Regular
No problem, they are really close to where I work. My sister went there because I think her friend said she liked it and they were nice. So I've got a lot of respect/trust for Sal at this point.
I learned a lot of what I know about cars from my Dad and when he didn't know certain things I did a lot of research and taught myself. Most maintenance on a car is pretty easy if you have directions or help; but it does require tools and a place to do it and that was usually the biggest problem for me.
Jessica
I learned a lot of what I know about cars from my Dad and when he didn't know certain things I did a lot of research and taught myself. Most maintenance on a car is pretty easy if you have directions or help; but it does require tools and a place to do it and that was usually the biggest problem for me.
Jessica
#10
TECH Regular
Lets not get hasty. I've got 3 cars and only 1 is really dependable...and it still has issues from time to time. I've spent the last 10 months working to get my "cheap backup car" in good enough shape to drive around town!
Jessica
Jessica
#11
Figured I'd post an update. I just noticed that now there's a leak of red fluid, so I'm hoping it's related to the power steering, but who knows. I also noticed there's a pretty strong smell, not quite gas, but definitely some fluid, so whatever is leaking is pretty stinky. I tried calling Sal on Saturday a few times, but unfortunately no answer. Tried calling a couple of times today and left a message, so hopefully he gets back to me, sounds like a pretty busy guy!
#12
TECH Regular
Figured I'd post an update. I just noticed that now there's a leak of red fluid, so I'm hoping it's related to the power steering, but who knows. I also noticed there's a pretty strong smell, not quite gas, but definitely some fluid, so whatever is leaking is pretty stinky. I tried calling Sal on Saturday a few times, but unfortunately no answer. Tried calling a couple of times today and left a message, so hopefully he gets back to me, sounds like a pretty busy guy!
Sal usually gets back to me if I leave a message but he is pretty busy sometimes.
Jessica
#13
He ended up calling back, we have an appointment to get her looked at tomorrow morning. I really hope it's not transmission fluid. I had called another mechanic to see if they did free inspections, and he asked some questions and said it could possibly be power steering fluid, so crossing my fingers it's just that since I knew it had to be replaced anyway. I guess we'll know more tomorrow after he looks at her!