my 2002 chevy impala has had the check engine light on for a while now i took it to a shop and he said my engine was bad. I asked for the codes he got he said he just told me my engine was bad why do I need codes. I talked to another mechanic this week and he said he’d look at it, that it might not be that because I should of got a print out for what I paid for. SO I got a oil change today and when i left I saw in the comments that they put class 2 oil pan leak and a class 2 transmission leak. Could that be why my check engine light is on? How bad is a class 2 transmission leak?
Very strange that neither mechanic will tell you why the check engine light is on. Sounds like you need a new mechanic. You can get those codes read for free at many auto parts stores.
An oil leak will not initiate a check engine light.
Let us know what mechanic #2 tells you and writes on your copy of the shop order after he looks at it.
Ignore the comments by the oil change place except to monitor your fluid levels, which you should be doing anyway.
Perhaps the mechanic felt that the condition of your failing engine was so obvious that it isn’t worth discussing. What seems obvious to a mechanic is usually not understood by the customer. There might be some details on the shops invoice/repair estimate that explains the problem.
So…how’s the car running??
@insightful Yeah, I was wondering that too.
Edit: to be more specific, is it running smoothly? Are there any knocks or ticks? Is there any smoke? Is it consuming any oil? Just looking for some clues as to why the first mechanic said the engine was “bad”.
ariana23
Impalas From The Generation Including Your 02 (2000 - 2005) Are Very Durable, Reliable, Long Lasting Cars. The 3.8 (3800 Engine) Probably Enjoys More Success Than The 3.4.
*I’m Amazed Astounded Everyday I Drive By How Many Are Seen Still On The Road.
*It’s Been Over Ten Years Since The Last One Was Built And 16 Years For The First Ones!
Our 01 3.8 Impala LS, bought used with 132,000 miles, has nearly 300,000 miles and is still on the road, reliable, quiet, comfortable, good performance, and 30 mpg.
All the above comments from others are good advice. Without specifics of symptoms, the nature of the problem(s), and fault codes, it’s anybody’s guess.
CSA
Yep, new mechanic that can diagnose codes. I gotta say rarely would an engine light signal a ruined engine. I went to the doctor and he told me I was going to die. I asked why and he said what difference does it make? I changed doctors and am still alive. Just kidding but you need a real mechanic.
In case Arieaa comes back stop by an auto parts store that reads codes for free and post them here, or find another mechanic that will tell you what the problem is besides "we need to replace engine?
hmmm … well if the mechanic won’t tell you the codes he discovered, I guess there’s no way you can force them to cough the codes up … lol … seriously, my guess is he never read the codes. Suggest to not ask for the codes. Instead ask him to explain why he thinks the engine is in need of replacement. You should expect to hear things like poor compression, rod knock, low oil pressure, etc. All those would indicate the engine probably does in fact need to be replaced. Especially if the engine isn’t running well and the routine maintenance is up to date.
I have no idea what a Class anything is on an oil leak as I’ve never known a classification being applied to any kind of leak except “minor” and “major”.
Any kind of leak can be bad if ignored and fluid levels are not kept up.
My vote is with Nevada that there may be some obvious and severe problems which make any kind of CEL code(s) a moot point.
I wonder if the engine was rattling and/or smoking…