# Mechanicin'
### entered on Palm Tungsten C
### 20191104
In the week leading up to getting laid
off, I knew it was coming. It was at
this point my wife's car took a dump.
I decided to just give her my car and
buy myself a used vehicle I could pay
cash for while maintaining my savings.
I found a 1988 Honda Prelude S for
well under budget, and having only
67k miles on it. It needed some work,
and I am not a mechanic, but I
resolved to follow through to save
money.
I do have a friend who has been
helping me, he has been instrumental
in getting this all done. Well, him
and YouTube :). So far here's the
list:
* new front tires
* replaced AC belt
* replaced alternator belt
* verified thru inspection timing belt
was replaced in last 5 years or so
* engine oil change (twice because of
next item)
* replaced hokey aftermarket oil plug
with OEM part
* tranny flush
* valve adjustment
Today was to be the tranny flush, when
I started the car to drive to my
friend's house, the check oil light
came on. When I checked the oil, the
dipstick was clean: no oil in the
engine. It was all on my driveway. The
culprit was the plug in the oil pan.
At some point in this car's life, it
was replaced with an odd cap with a
gasket instead of the crush washer
and bolt Honda's print calls for. This
cost me $4 and 4 quarts of oil. I also
dumped a quart of Bars Stop Leak in my
tranny as it has a leak, along with a
quart of 10W30 (it is a manual
transmission and 10W30 is called for
in the manual). I hope this does the
trick! The test drive went well,
shifting was smooth.
Even after all this work, I am still
under budget.
