If the alignment is correct, it could very well be the tires themselves. Swap the fronts from side to side and see if it goes away or pulls the other direction.

You could also have a brake dragging slightly causing it to pull.

Getting the oil hot is one of the most overblown wives tales there is.

Just take the drain plug out and let gravity do its job.

Brakes and tires are a wear item. You will increase the load on them, therefore increasing the wear. But you will not damage anything.

I like Napa because they are a franchise, which means I am doing business with someone who lives in my community, not some nameless, faceless corporate entity.

Depending on the actual location of the leak, probably one of the worst vehicle to do them on.

900 dollars wouldn’t even be enough to cover the parts and thr machine shop sublet for the “engine bore”.

So, no, I wouldn’t trust.

Cooling fan not running will make it overheat at idle.

That is the crank, or the cam?

You have a bad battery.

There are a million reasons as to why that battery didn’t last a year, but let’s start with these questions:

1. Do you drive the car every day?

2. When the car is driven, how long is your typical drive (time, not miles)

3. What brand is the battery?

Some questions:

1. What is an acceptable income level to you as a rookie? In 10-15 years?

2. How important is income level when compared to job security, benefits , retirement plans etc.

3. What other career avenues do you realistically see yourself choosing if you don’t stick with auto mechanics?

4. How open are you to working as a mechanic in other areas such as construction equipment, heavy trucks, forklifts, mining equipment, and generators?