I would post this in the Garage but I want some other opinions than just the Garage gang.

I've got a 97 Nissan Sentra. A friend of mine came over the other day to put in a new distributor. He marked on the new distributor the exact position as the old distributor. After everything was put in, the car still didn't start. I don't think the distributor was aligned right and I need to get it fixed by Wednesday.

I'd prefer the mechanic to be in Cary because I don't want to have to tow it too far. Southwest Raleigh would be fine too.

11/24/2008 8:27:38 PM

Get your own Chat Box! Go Large!

11/24/2008 8:30:55 PM

Kenny Hawkin's Automotive

11/24/2008 8:32:45 PM

lol he said inexpensive (although i dont know much bout kenny hawkins auto, just his body shop)

either way

post in the garage. this may just be something someone will do for a beer. all they need is a timing light

hell you can do it yourself

BTW take it out an turn it 180degree and try it again. goto autozone and rent a timing light too if you can get it started after

[Edited on November 24, 2008 at 8:36 PM. Reason : ]

11/24/2008 8:36:01 PM

obligatory PM zxappeal

11/24/2008 8:36:02 PM

I will post in your thread.

11/24/2008 8:37:06 PM

^^I PMed him awhile ago about this but he never got back to me.

I would ask one of the garage guys but I need it done by Wednesday.

I'm also not 100% sure that its the timing.

[Edited on November 24, 2008 at 8:38 PM. Reason : yo]

11/24/2008 8:38:02 PM

well if the distributor was the only thing removed and put back on, then i dont know... sounds like a timing issue. unless of course something happened that you didnt see.

btw, you just decided to swap dist.? does it even crank?

[Edited on November 24, 2008 at 8:39 PM. Reason : ]

11/24/2008 8:39:21 PM

I swapped the distributor because the mechanic I originally took the car to said I needed a new distributor. He also said I would have to replace the spark plugs and wires soon.

Then he was trying to charge me $1000 to do it. I got the car towed back to my house, bought the part for $200 and then had a buddy put it in.

Also, the starter and the alternator for this car was replaced 2 months ago.

It cranked before I put in the distributor but never started. Now that the distributor was replaced ther is an odd sounding crank when I try to start it.

[Edited on November 24, 2008 at 8:50 PM. Reason : yo]

11/24/2008 8:46:46 PM

Modern Auto in downtown Cary has always treated my family right. So for about 50 years.

11/24/2008 9:36:37 PM

^I'll take a look into it

thanks for the suggestion

more are welcome

11/25/2008 1:17:32 AM

bttt

11/25/2008 10:20:27 AM

I know we take our company vehicles to Frantz Automotive, dont know how the pricing compares but I can vouch for them fixing my car which had an ongoing problem for over 2 years that no other place could figure out including the dealership I got it from.

11/25/2008 10:33:45 AM

Theres a guy out in Willow Springs that does a great job and at half of the cost since he works out of his own garage. (It's a legit mechanic garage, but its on his land so not much overhead). Prior to opening this garage he was a auto technician at Honda for 9 years and has built well over 20 mustangs, camaroes, and other muscle cars from the ground up. Heres a list of what I've had done there or what friends/family have had done:

1. Rebuilt 1992 Mustang 5.0 Engine including new cylinderheads, intake manifold, cam.. and tons of other things. Here's some pics from that http://www.flickr.com/photos/26125388@N03/sets/72157605029315345/

2. My dad had him replace an engine in a 1988 Ford 150.

3. Roomate had 100k service done there (flushed all fluids, spark plugs, new sensors..etc) on his 1999 Ford Explorer.

4. Buddy at work had the front suspension from his 1998 Ford Explorer replaced.

Everytime I have been out there he has about 10+ cars ranging from volvos-bmw's-hondas-toyota to every type of domestic car/truck. He really does great work and a fraction of the cost. If you would like his number just pm me.

11/25/2008 12:14:36 PM