Finally, a shop that I feel like I can trust, and who does good work for a fair price. I was having problems with my 98 Altima running poorly and had diagnosed to the extent of my knowledge, which is on the level of shadetree mechanic I would say. I was having an engine rattle coming from the front near main belts, and was sure that it was the bearing on the idler pulley. Long story short, the bearing was bad, I replaced it, which was an ordeal, but the noise didn't go away. A few days later it started running worse. I kept working on it, and had the valve cover off, and was playing with the timing chain, which was tight on the upper chain, but I didnt' have a bore scope and couldn't see the lower chain or guides. After checking out some Altima forums, I was pretty convinced that the chain guide was shot and the chain had jumped a tooth, which would explain why it ran so poorly. At this point, I didn't have the time or confidence to do this extensive a repair on my own, especially since I would be making my wife drop me off and pick me up from work for the duration that the Altima was down, and I knew that I would have to re-time the car after the repair.
I took it to a first shop, which took 5 days to diagnose the problem, even when I had narrowed it down for them before I went in! They gave me the run around on the phone, didn't return calls, and then quoted me $1000 for the repair once they finally figured out what I had told them the problem most likely was after all.
A friend of mine recommended Juan and JC Auto Electric, and said they did more than just electrical work. I called and got an estimate over the phone, and told them that I needed a new timing chain kit installed, and they quoted me $400! 60% less than the previous shop! I immediately paid my $65 diagnostic fee from the first unscrupulous shop, and took it to JC that night. First thing in the morning, they confirmed that it was a timing chain tensioner that was shot, and gave me a new estimate which only changed to include a water pump. Juan told me over the phone that the water pump (which was original, 150,000 miles) had a tiny seep in it, and was only a $30 part, and he wouldn't charge me any additional labor since he would already have the whole chain side apart anyway.
They got my car put back together with a new timing chain kit, re-timed the engine, new water pump, and kept the parts so that I could see the damage. The timing chain tensioner on these cars is a composite, and over time they will wear. The one on my car was shredded, and he found some pieces of it in the oil pan as well. I would recommend anyone with any kind of car problem to give JC a call. They do more than just electric, are helpful, honest, and well priced. read more
