I decided to have a guy I know work on my car instead of bringing it in to the shop. I trust the guy even though he is young because I have talked to him a lot at the auto supply where he works. He seemed to have as much knowledge as a proffessional person twice his age. He sold me a stater motor for $180 minus the $70 core value.
I brought the car over to the kids place and he worked for about 2 1/2 hours. I watched but there really wasn't much I could do to help. He took out the radiator fans, pulled off a couple hoses, the alternator, the battery and airbox. He installed the new starter and put everything back together.
It is always amazing to watch an expert work. Even more so, such a young expert. We exchanged a lot of stories about our lives. This guy has been working on cars since he was 8. His father is a proffessor of atomotive mechanics. The kid is now 23 and he has been with his GF for 7 years. They have 2 kids together. The kid was so intelligent, talented and responsible that it really blew my mind when he told me he was a recovering heroin addict. I just don't picture a drug addict to be anything like this guy. He told me it started from taking prescription pain meds for an injury that happened when he worked in a steel mill. This somehow lead to using heroin orally and the steps progressed to injection. He was able to support the habit playing online poker. He was able to sit down for an hour doing online poker (no longer legal) and make $600. He'd hustle some sucker, head to the ATM and then off to his dealer. He had to stop when his GF's father found some needles. Also, everyone he knew who was doing/selling heroin had been arrested. He quit and suffered a heart attack in withdrawal.
The guy showed me the scars on his arms and neck and was proud that they were almost completely gone. He seemed very sad when he told me that his use encouraged GF to do the same thing. They have both been clean for some time. I hope they continue to succeed in staying clean. The kid charged me a hundred bucks but I gave him two-hundred because it would have cost me that plus another 50 for labor at the shop. I used to hate how I got rheemed when I was self employed right out of college. I wanted to reward his motivation and all the work it has taken for him to develop his skill. I wonder a little bit about the drug problem now but I trust he is staying clean. I suppose if that were not the case, he'd be at the casino.
It was an interesting evening. I made a new friend. Just thought I'd share with you guys.
Rook
