Blow a gasket...

or a catalytic converter.
A catalytic converter is device that converts exhaust from the engine into a non-toxic substance.
A couple weeks ago the service engine light came on in the car.
Bud brought it to Auto Zone to get a diagnostic run only to be told it was our catalytic converter.
We brought it to Pep Boys and they ran their test and told us they had to fix an oil leak on the car.
We knew about the oil leak and we agreed to the fix.

When we got our vehicle back I could still hear the sound of a maraca when I attempted to speed up.
My RPMs wouldn't respond like they should and around 2500 RPM the sound of a maraca.
That might be a festive sound if you didn't know that it meant something was wrong.
So we went back to Pep Boys and they told us they couldn't find anything wrong with the vehicle and that if it was the catalytic converter that was an exhaust issue and they didn't work with exhaust issues.
A co-worker of Bud's told him about a local mechanic and that mechanic confirmed what we knew.
The new converter was ordered and installed Tuesday, only to have the local mechanic tell us that we had an oil leak...did we know about it?
At this point we were beyond irritated!
Pep Boys should have fixed all the oil leaks.
Bud is now in the process of contacting Pep Boys corporate office to let them know he will not be paying for something that should have already been repaired.
We are hoping for a speedy repair job.
We are hoping that this is the last repair on the vehicle.
This vehicle is supposed to last us for AT LEAST 18 months.
I'd prefer 24 months.
This confirms that when we go to see my brother-in-law and his wife in Indiana for Christmas we will be renting a car.
The moral of this story is that if you hear a maraca in your engine, more than likely, it's not a mini-mariachi band....it's probably your catalytic converter....and more than likely a $450 repair job.

Wishing all of you happy vehicle health!
I hope you had a Blessed Wednesday!

P.S. Don't forget to come back on Black Friday to find out and enter my 1st give away!