Thanks to everyone for your input. I will definitely take your advice into consideration next time something goes wrong.
Clear one point up: It's not that I'm not "mechanically inclined", I've just never been eager to figure out how cars work. I do that with 'puters. So yes, it probably is worth it to pay top dollar for someone else to do it, and hopefully do it right.
Have a great day!
kc pepe
