i don't gettit. every mechanic who looks at my car says how it's in "amazing shape" and how it looks like it was restored "yesterday" both cosmetically and mechanically speaking.

well - then why do i keep having these little farts? so i pick it up from getting the alternater and battery replaced and as soon as i pull outta the shop... ! it's not going into 2nd gear (it's a "turbo-hydra automatic"). so i bring it back like, WTF????

they get it up on a lift and notice that this (forgive me here - i totally don't have the terminology)... well, this little metal pipe/hose which was connected to it's receptacle with a short (2 inch) rubber connector tube had come loose.

they replaced the connector tube with a new one and zip tied it. they totally couldn't give me a good explanation of 1) what this thing was, and 2) if this would need further attention.

when i brought it in it was running PERFECT. how the hell did this happen if they weren't even NEAR the transmission to fix the alternator and didn't even jack the car up to fix the alternator? but how could this be just blatant coincidence that it decided to come loose while in their shop?

either way, i don't really care about that part bc they didn't charge me to fix that or anything....

more importantly... what WAS that and do i need to give it further attention???

 

That was the vacuum modulator, helps the trans. determine the shift points. The rubber gets loose if it has any oil on it, and it can pop off. No biggie.

 

See? There ya go, an aswer already, all ya got to do it ask in here,
Thats a hint, Lots of "Mechanics" are out to do you the dirty where the sun don't shine
Get yourself a rental space/garage and learn some stuff

 

okay okay i get the picture. so i'll get a garage space for about $500 (hey - san francisco) and then spend my weekends underneath my car.


NOT!!!

 

If you're not comfortable or interested in doing any work on this car, I have two suggestions.

1) Find out what your neighborhood mechanic likes and buy him a lot of it. Booze, hookers, fine food. Whatever.

2) Get used to little incidents like this. Your car is 36 years old. Regardless of how well it was restored (and it looks from the pics like it was very well restored) there are parts on it that were born before you were. Stupid little parts like the modulator valve hose will fall off, come loose or break all the time. Take it for a spin down Lombard and see if it falls off again. At least now you can fix it yourself if you want to.

You're right about the cost of space though. I live in the tri-valley and still pay $250 for my storage for mine. Fixing it in the street probably isn't such a good idea either.

 

You have to remember that your vette isn't like every other Honda that most shops these days work on. I'll bet anything that your car did indeed make it up on a lift and that every mechanic in the shop had his hands all over it.
If you were single and a had an opportunity to put your hands all over a hot chick wouldn't you?

 

Take it for a spin down Lombard

....and you'll find out real fast what kind of shape your brakes/steering are in

 

I've been told that I can be cynical...but I think your mechanic's taking you for "a ride". You just got your battery and alternator changed there (why? what was the problem?), and all of a sudden...your modulator hose is disconnected. My, my, what a surprise. This is an age-old trick to drum up transmission repair business. If you know the mechanic well and trust him, maybe it really was an "accident". I really don't know how a modulator hose would come off from under the car when the repair was in the engine compartment. Wake up!!! Smell the coffee!!!! [Find a new repair shop.]

 

While what you're saying may well be true, remember that the metal tube that leads from the modulator valve starts at the back of the intake manifold. Doesn't take all that much pressure on the top of the tube if the hose is worn or loose fitting. You could bump something back there taking off the air filter housing and you may do that when changing the alternator.

 

i can't argue with any of your logic.... i was afraid i'd be ostracized from the cf just 'cuz i'm not doing alot of the work myself. what can i say, i'm a city slicker? but i really love this car and am wlling to do what i must to maintain it properly....

i'll look into another mechanic. cheers

gotta go to mother's day brunch with the in-laws... UGH!!!!