My 2005 Honda Accord started stammering. It had a bad oxygen sensor (that I knew of), but I had been advised that I could afford to ride it a bit further without any trouble. Immediately after it starts stammering, I take it to the North Mayaguez Pep Boys store. Got to the store at 10:55 AM, local time. Had the service counter guy discuss the situation with me at 11:20 AM. I didn't get triage until just before 1 PM: a $64.99 diagnostics session.
Just before 3 PM I get news from the service guys telling me that there's nothing wrong with the car: it did have two diagnostics codes on, but they had tested it, and the car didn't stammer. I insist. The service technician is baffled; I suggest another test drive, at the same places in town where the car stammered at. The car behaves well this time. I do notice that the two test drives have spent an inordinate amount of fuel; from having about 1/4 of a gas tank, it is now about to hit the E mark after merely 5 miles of testing.
I suggest that they check the fuel pump, the gas filter, even the transmission. They tell me not to worry... however, their claim is that I do change air filters, recently changed oil, that I clean the injectors (done two weeks ago). I told them to take care of the codes, starting with the nagging oxygen sensor. The service guy insisted rather vehemently that I do all other "preventive" maintenance issues that the car "evidently" needs. I told him he could, provided they fix the oxygen sensor. Turns out that the car has two, one before, and one after the clutch. The service technician claims it is the one before it; otherwise, the sensor would have had to be ordered elsewhere. They turn the codes off.
Near 4:30 PM, and $517 poorer, I get my car. I drive it home, park it over the weekend. I turn it on this morning, and it stammers again, big time. The check engine indicator turns on again.
The guys at the store did a nice job of selling me a full solution... for problems that I didn't have. Don't bother taking your car there, ever.
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