Potential Budget-Buster

Check Engine light has been on/off for some time now. During the last week it began flashing. This, I learned, is not a good [or cheap] thing. The Aamco diagnostics tells me it's $1765. Because the light was not blinking today, I drove the car 18 miles back to my trusted mechanic in my old hometown who maintained my car for 10 years. He found a broken hose. Fixed it for free. No more Check Engine light...at least for now. Mercury Sable has 190k+. My old Sable lasted 226K. All I need is two more years.