34 — Friday, May 11, 1990 - North Shore News AUTOM OTIVE S % ASK THE ¢ Sy) EXPERT ASK THE Expert is a weekly column in the North Shore News’ Automotives section. Each week a reader’s question will be answered by an expert from the British Colu.nbia Automobile Association (BCAA). This week’s question is: My car had no oil pressure when | drove it to work. So I took it in for an oi! change thinking @ it might be the result of a clogged oil filter — still no oil pressure. I then took it to a mechanic. I left my phone numbers and received no phone cail so [ called them. They had replaced the oil pump at a cost of approximately $300 and sent out the radiator to be recoiled at a cost of approximately $200 more. I hadn’t authorized any of this work. Where do I legally stand and what can I do to prevent this from happening again? Darlene Anderson North Vancouver It is difficult to advise where you stand legally without addi- tional information, however, | think your question may be an- swered through an explanation of what should be done when taking your car to any repair shop. Know the reputation of the repair shop you choose. Check with friends or colleagues on shops they would recommend based on experience. If you are a BCAA member, look for an approved auto repair service (AARS) facility. Have the repair shop complete a proper repair order (RO)listing all the work you would like to have done. Make sure the RO has all of the following information: Your name and address, telephone number where you can be reached during the time your car is in the repair shop, all vehicle identification, and odometer reading. Be sure that the repair facility personnel have a complete under- standing of what you want done. Do not assume they know! Ask for an estimate before work is started. Sometimes it is wise to ask for a written estimate. Ask to have all repiaced parts returned to you. A repair order when signed becomes a [egal contract. Before you sign, make sure that you are in complete agreement with everything written on the work order and that it is filled out to your satisfaction. Peter Lange, BCAA’s AARS Supervisor If you have an auto-related question, write to: ‘‘Ask the Expert,” North Shore News, 1139 Lonsdale Avenue, North Vancouver, B.C. V7M 2H4. Noise may mear trouble PUT YOURSELF in this scenario: _you hit a bump and your muffler falls off. The clatter and bang of the fall- en debris gets unwanted attention from surrounding pedestrians and drivers, especially the person behind you whose car took your muffler right in the left headlight aud grille, Now the roar of your engine’s unsilenced exhaust draws more at- tention to your plight. Annoying, embarrassing and expensive, this kind of incident can be avoided with a few preventive measures. According to the Car Care Council of the Automotive Industries Association, the loss of a muffler, and sometimes the pipes that go with it, usually is due to a broken support (or ‘‘hanger’’) that secures the system to the frame of your car, These flexible brackets are vul- nerable to damage from clements, flying stones and engine vibra- tions. The rattling and banging of an exhaust pipe against tie underneath of your car is the first sign that one has broken. That’s your warning to have necessary parts replaced. Frequently the mufflers that fall by the side of the road are perfect- ly good. It’s the inexpensive brackets that need to be replaced. The exhaust system should be inspected whenever the car is on a lift for oi] change and lubrication services. In between times, check for potential trouble by reaching down and shaking the tail pipe (when it’s cool!) to note unusual looseness or contact with your car's body. When in doubt, have your mechanic check it out for you. Another, more common, warn- ing noise comes from a leaking ex- haust system, This can be the fa- miliar rumble or roar of a blown muffler, or, in its early stages, a faint “‘pfft ... pfft... pf?’ froma stnall hole. The sooner you replace defective exhaust parts the better. Because of their carbon monoxide content, colorless, odorless extiaust fumes seeping into a closed car are lethal, | BE IN THE “NO” DRINKING DRIVING *ALL-STAR VOLLEYBALL CAMPS *ALL-STAR BASKETBALL CAMPS ePEE-WEE PLUS SPORTS CAMPS *FUTURE SUCCESS ENRICHMENT CARIPS Compliments of the North Shore News 20 KIDS TO WIN! For the past 27 years All Star Basketball and Volleyball Camps have been providing high quality instruction for boys and girls for grades 5-12. Week-long camps conducted throughout the North Shore and Vancouver give boys and girls a jump on next season. This year the All Star Camps have expanded to include a Pee-Wee Plus Sports Camp for Grades 2, 3 and 4. Also new this year is FUTURE SUCCESS ENRICHMENT CAMPS which will focus on personal develop- ment, motivation, lifeskills, career vision and more! For brochures and registration forms, call 925-3758. SEND IN YOUR ENTRY FORM BEFORE MAY 13 AND BE ELIGIBLE FOR 12 EARLY BIRD PRIZES iNCLUDING ¢ Awesome sweatshirts from Pepsi, Much Music and TSN e Plus more e Mr. Big Skateboard © Air Jordan Runners EARLY BIRD CONTEST CLOSES MAY 13, 1990, CONTEST FOR FREE WEEK ENDS MAY 27/90. ALL WINNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED BY PHONE. Enter below and send or drop off to the NORTH SHORE NEWS, 1139 Lonsdale Avenue, Nonh Vancouver, V7M 2017, Attention: Summer Excitement “90 Contest. All winners will be notified by telephone and aames will be published at the conclusion af the contest, Name: Address: Postal Code: Telephone: Youngsters in Grades 2-12 are eligibie to win Tee voice or NORTH AND wist VANCOUVER north shore — St htt yyy ‘ UTRATE COUS fete SPORTS Rucanor“