I'm with Ya_Know on getting a third opinion for your car. It's very common for mechanics, through greed or altruistic concern, to suggest maintenance and repairs to women which are not critical.

The second opinion is so far removed from the first I'd check it one more time just to make sure.

As for replacing that tech of dubious integrity, you can't go wrong in this situation. Your reputation being spread by word of mouth is better than gold.