On top of that, I had them check the coolant system because I've been suspecting a head gasket leak, and sure enough, there is one.
Head gasket is seriously labor intensive. The gasket itself is a couple bucks, but it's pretty much tearing the engine apart to do it, and having the head machined-- we're talking upwards of $2k, and combined that's beyond the resale value of the 'Sploder. It's got over 180k miles on it, so it's been expected for a while.
I gave the go-ahead on the fuel pump, and I'm gonna try and milk the head gasket and coolant leak while I save up another down payment. It's drivable, and it's not spewing coolant, but winter is pretty much ready to go and it's not going to be good. Gonna stock up on antifreeze and hope for the best.
In the meantime, I have to start looking for a new vehicle. And taking on a car payment isn't really something that I want to do right now; it's a chunk of change every month that I really can't afford.
So hey, Christmas is pretty much out, you ain't gettin' no presents from me. Work on the house is pretty much sucked dry.
This is gonna suck.