Low-cost parts and rusty seat mounts

Every week, we take your questions about what is going on under the hood of your vehicle and pose them to a knowledgeable mechanic in the Greater Toronto Area. In today’s column we discuss how to talk to your mechanic about what you can afford and how to address rust inside your car.

Dear Ask a Mechanic,

I’m a little tight on money. I know I have some parts that need to be changed on my car when I take it to the mechanic next week. I essentially want them to use the cheapest parts they have. Is this a good idea? How can I have this conversation with my mechanic?

— Tight on money

Barry Butazia, owner of Lucky Eight Auto Repair and Tires Ltd. in Richmond Hill, says every situation is different. A good rule of thumb is to have an open conversation with your mechanic, because suggestions can change depending on what a driver can afford and the type of vehicle they drive. Installing cheaper parts can be an appropriate for an older vehicle that you aren’t planning to use for very much longer. If it’s a newer vehicle, then less-expensive parts may not be the best solution. “You want to put in top-of-the-line stuff. You’re better off spending $20 once rather than $5 six times,” Butazia said. He added he believes it’s best to go with the mid-range options compared to the cheaper ones in most cases, as the driver will get more use out of it. He said with parts that are “bottom barrel, you’re not going to get your money’s worth and it’s only going to lead you to a situation where you’re going to be more frustrated.” Better quality or namebrand parts typically come with a longer warranties as well.

If steps aren’t taken after rust has started to spread, the only way to completely get rid of the issue is get the parts replaced

Dear Ask a Mechanic,

There’s some rust on the driver’s seat mount in my car. I think it happened over the winter through snow and salt on my boots. Any idea on how I can solve this? Is this something I can do myself or do I need a professional?

— Rust free

Butazia says it’s best to contact a professional about this because of how fast rust can spread. Although this isn’t his area of expertise, he’s seen the impact rust can have throughout a vehicle, and added it is also a leading cause of car failures. If steps aren’t taken after rust has started to spread, the only way to completely get rid of the issue is get the parts replaced. “Rust is literally like cancer, and it eats away,” he says. “Once it’s there, it’s not going to go away.” Butazia always recommends getting rust proofing done to slow the spread. However, no external rust treatment will protect internal components. In this case, manually applying a rust preventative — or a rust paint like Tremclad — to the affected component can help slow the corrosion. You must be careful not to cover any mechanisms or electrical parts with this coating. For an individual component, such as a bolt, replacing it with a new one will fix the problem.

Ask a Mechanic is written by Nida Zafar,

reporter at The Pointer who grew up in a house full of mechanics in Scarborough, and occasionally poses your questions to her dad or brother. You can send your questions to wheels@thestar.ca. These answers are for informational purposes only. Please consult a certified mechanic before having any work done to your vehicle.