my lil'Chomel

My car's air cond really want to kaput. I really have to part with large sum of money. Why me?!? Why now?!? I guess my car's old age-ness means more repairs to come... Ouch!! Touch wood touch wood. So, I must learn how to take care of my car better, right? "Yeah right" says Hubby. Prior to the news that I have a major repair work to do...

Symtoms:
The air cond was blowing fine one minute. The next minute no cool air coming out. I thought the gas leaked so I asked the mechanic to check the gas. They found a burnt fuse and fill-up the gas.
One month later, the same thing happened again. The mechanic replace the fuse and it was burnt the minute he place it in the fuse slot (with the engine runnig).

Diagnosis:
A burnt fuse may indicate a short circuit.

Initial recommendation:
I was told that I have to replace the air cond's compressor and it will cost me RM500 in total for the repair (RM380 for the air compressor + workmanship + other parts that needs replacing).

I felt like I need a second opinion. Now feeling a bit cheated cos I might not even need to fill up my gas in the first place!

Second opinion:
"Why do you need to change the compressor when only the coil is spoilt?" asked Hubby's mechanic in his hometown. So, Hubby offered to drive down to his hometown to get it repaired since he has to do some work there. God is great! The mechanic changed the coil, replace the gasket and some other things and it cost me RM200!

Lesson learned:
1. Always get second opinion for major repair or send it to someone you really really trust.
2. Mechanics nowadays want to cut corners whenever they can i.e. change the whole assembly instead of checking the part one-by-one. Time is money to them. Don't trust them entirely (almost similar to point no 1)
3. Go to a smaller town like your hometown to do any car repair. Or when you are visiting/ on holidays in smaller towns... change tyres also cheaper le.
4. Last but not least, take care of your car. Susah lah macam ini.

Shida, why didn't I ask your brother about this ah? Aiyaya.