When I ask what’s that smell: call a mechanic – I usually don’t. One aspect of car ownership is repairs and fixes – no one really likes them because they tend to be expensive, and you couldn’t do the work yourself if you wanted to. Most people, at least Americans, don’t want to do much more than gas and go with the occasional oil change thrown in. Especially when I was young and brash with my brand new car, a 1997 Honda Civic. The following is the funniest car service call I’ve had about any vehicle I’ve owned and/or operated.
What’s That Smell: Call A Mechanic
I prided myself on my ability to do my oil changes, and other regular maintenance tasks. There was one however, that I simply couldn’t figure out. One summer day, I got a whiff of fuel, and thought, What’s that smell: call a mechanic – before it’s too late. I loved and cared for my car because this was the first one that was brand new, no one owned it and I’m making payments towards it! I was really #adulting at this point.
For weeks I’d been smelling this gasoline smells every time I accelerated or braked. I thought for a hot-second it was a fuel line leak or the exhaust line. I crawled under, over, and scoured the engine bay. I put a piece of cardboard underneath it to catch the fluid drops – nothing! I gave up asking what’s that smell: call a mechanic. I was convinced it was a type of repair that would be covered by warranty so I call the dealership.
I briefly described my issue over the phone with as much technical data and terms. I knew they wouldn’t guarantee anything over the phone, but had appointments open so we agreed on a date and hung up the phone.
A few hours later after dropping off my car at the Lynnwood Honda, I received the courtesy phone call.
“Mr. Bayne?” the caller asks.
“Yes, it’s me. Did you isolate the issue?” I pressed.
“Oh, yes. We did. Do you want the good news first or bad news?”
I paused, “Bad news so the good news can help soothe it.”
The tech continued, “Ok, then. Mr Bayne were you aware that you had a bottle of fuel injector cleaner in your trunk?”
I literally had nothing more than and maybe one of item. “Yes, why?”
“Bad news is that it’s leaking which would explain why you only smelled it when you were on the gas or brake. It was toss it around the trunk as it moved around on the carpet.”
I frowned. “Ok, what’s the good news then?”
“The good news is that it’ll only cost one-hour of labor of $85 plus tax, of course.”
“Of course,” I repeated. “I’ll be there soon,” as I clicked the phone dead without so much as waiting for the usual salutations. I literally paid someone to look into my trunk. I might as well have asked where do the blinker fluid go.
Have you had a funny and/or shareable car problem story? Wanna post it below in the comments? Let us know! Until next time, be good like you should, and if you can’t be good, be good at what you do!
Mic drop *bOoM*
‘los; out
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