What have you learned in your old age about car and home repair
that you feel should perhaps be taught to high school students?
What have you learned in your old age about car and home repair
that you feel should perhaps be taught to high school students?
What have you learned in your old age about car and home repair
that you feel should perhaps be taught to high school students?
On 12/27/2021 02:58 PM, knuttle wrote:
What have you learned in your old age about car and home repair
that you feel should perhaps be taught to high school students?
That you can save a ton of money by learning to fix things yourself. We didn't have the benefit of youtube videos for just about anything that's broken -- we had to learn it the hard way.
My junior high (middle school now) required everyone, regardless of sex,
to take a semester of shop and one of home ec. Neither gave us any
actual useful knowledge (I made a wooden number thing for our house and
some really nasty chipped beef on toast), other than that we could
actually use tools and machinery to accomplish tasks. Good enough.
Car repair is a difficult question. Certainly how to change a tire and replenish the fluids. I do my own oil changes but when I'm looking at
cars I make sure the filter and drain plug are accessible. This may not
be the case for some cars.
What should be a simple task like changing a burned out bulb may require
a youtube video these days. Counting the bikes I have three carburetted vehicles but I'm not sure rebuilding a Carter or Mikuni is useful.
Diagnosing problems with the ignition system may be obsolete. The Toyota doesn't even have ignition wires.
In many cases it's replace not repair. One of the Suzuki bikes has a
fairly conventional engine design but when it failed to start the trail
lead to the ECM. At that point you get on the net and hunt down a new
one. Not much you can do with a brick.
Except for the Harley I haven't had to mess around with brakes in 20
years and even them it was just new pads.
I've got a wealth of knowledge and even the tools to deal with a 197
Chevy Malibu but most of that is ancient history.
As for home repair, wiring, plumbing, general carpentry, and roof
repairing wouldn't hurt. For the latter, I recently learned cats can
climb aluminum ladders but can't go down them for sour owl shit. Damn
cat just had to see what I was doing.
I grew up in an older house so my first important lesson was nothing is square or plumb. Plan on improvising.
On 12/27/2021 7:53 PM, The Real Bev wrote:
On 12/27/2021 02:58 PM, knuttle wrote:
What have you learned in your old age about car and home repair
that you feel should perhaps be taught to high school students?
That you can save a ton of money by learning to fix things yourself. We
didn't have the benefit of youtube videos for just about anything that's
broken -- we had to learn it the hard way.
My junior high (middle school now) required everyone, regardless of sex,
to take a semester of shop and one of home ec. Neither gave us any
actual useful knowledge (I made a wooden number thing for our house and
some really nasty chipped beef on toast), other than that we could
actually use tools and machinery to accomplish tasks. Good enough.
Like today, when my neighbor told me his kitchen faucet had no cold
water due to the cold blast we are in. I glanced at his house, and told
him the first thing to do is disconnect that hose from his frost free
hose spigot.
I then told him ways to get heat to the frozen pipe it attached to.
On 12/27/2021 08:09 PM, Bob F wrote:
On 12/27/2021 7:53 PM, The Real Bev wrote:
On 12/27/2021 02:58 PM, knuttle wrote:
What have you learned in your old age about car and home repair
that you feel should perhaps be taught to high school students?
That you can save a ton of money by learning to fix things yourself. We >>> didn't have the benefit of youtube videos for just about anything that's >>> broken -- we had to learn it the hard way.
My junior high (middle school now) required everyone, regardless of sex, >>> to take a semester of shop and one of home ec. Neither gave us any
actual useful knowledge (I made a wooden number thing for our house and
some really nasty chipped beef on toast), other than that we could
actually use tools and machinery to accomplish tasks. Good enough.
Like today, when my neighbor told me his kitchen faucet had no cold
water due to the cold blast we are in. I glanced at his house, and told
him the first thing to do is disconnect that hose from his frost free
hose spigot.
I then told him ways to get heat to the frozen pipe it attached to.
I'm from SoCal. What are "frozen pipes"?
I would suggest "car understanding" more than perhaps "car repair", where I >would propose we teach all our high school kids the basics of the various >systems (cooling system, drive train, lubrication system, suspension system, >heater and air conditioning system, electrical system, etc.).
On 12/27/2021 02:58 PM, knuttle wrote:
What have you learned in your old age about car and home repair
that you feel should perhaps be taught to high school students?
That you can save a ton of money by learning to fix things yourself. We >didn't have the benefit of youtube videos for just about anything that's >broken -- we had to learn it the hard way.
My junior high (middle school now) required everyone, regardless of sex,
to take a semester of shop and one of home ec. Neither gave us any
actual useful knowledge (I made a wooden number thing for our house and
some really nasty chipped beef on toast),
other than that we could
actually use tools and machinery to accomplish tasks. Good enough.
On 12/27/2021 8:15 PM, rbowman wrote:
Car repair is a difficult question. Certainly how to change a tire and
replenish the fluids. I do my own oil changes but when I'm looking at
cars I make sure the filter and drain plug are accessible. This may
not be the case for some cars.
I would suggest "car understanding" more than perhaps "car repair", where I would propose we teach all our high school kids the basics of the various systems (cooling system, drive train, lubrication system, suspension
system,
heater and air conditioning system, electrical system, etc.).
On 12/27/2021 08:09 PM, Bob F wrote:
On 12/27/2021 7:53 PM, The Real Bev wrote:
On 12/27/2021 02:58 PM, knuttle wrote:
What have you learned in your old age about car and home repair
that you feel should perhaps be taught to high school students?
That you can save a ton of money by learning to fix things yourself. We >>> didn't have the benefit of youtube videos for just about anything that's >>> broken -- we had to learn it the hard way.
My junior high (middle school now) required everyone, regardless of sex, >>> to take a semester of shop and one of home ec. Neither gave us any
actual useful knowledge (I made a wooden number thing for our house and
some really nasty chipped beef on toast), other than that we could
actually use tools and machinery to accomplish tasks. Good enough.
Like today, when my neighbor told me his kitchen faucet had no cold
water due to the cold blast we are in. I glanced at his house, and told
him the first thing to do is disconnect that hose from his frost free
hose spigot.
I then told him ways to get heat to the frozen pipe it attached to.
I'm from SoCal. What are "frozen pipes"?
On 12/27/2021 09:38 PM, knuttle wrote:
On 12/27/2021 8:15 PM, rbowman wrote:
Car repair is a difficult question. Certainly how to change a tire and
replenish the fluids. I do my own oil changes but when I'm looking at
cars I make sure the filter and drain plug are accessible. This may
not be the case for some cars.
I would suggest "car understanding" more than perhaps "car repair", where I >> would propose we teach all our high school kids the basics of the various
systems (cooling system, drive train, lubrication system, suspension
system, heater and air conditioning system, electrical system, etc.).
You're right. I didn't even think at the understanding level. My early experience involved repair usually. When the car overheats because the phenolic impeller in the water pump detached from the shaft you learn
about cooling systems to say nothing of Chrysler's decision to use a
plastic impeller. Chrysler product also taught you not all threads a
right handed.
I'd guess the average high school kid knows as much about how a car
works as how their iPhone does. It's all magic.
On 12/27/2021 8:15 PM, rbowman wrote:
Car repair is a difficult question. Certainly how to change a tire and
replenish the fluids. I do my own oil changes but when I'm looking at
cars I make sure the filter and drain plug are accessible. This may
not be the case for some cars.
I would suggest "car understanding" more than perhaps "car repair", where I would propose we teach all our high school kids the basics of the various systems (cooling system, drive train, lubrication system, suspension
system,
heater and air conditioning system, electrical system, etc.).
On 12/27/2021 08:09 PM, Bob F wrote:
On 12/27/2021 7:53 PM, The Real Bev wrote:
On 12/27/2021 02:58 PM, knuttle wrote:
What have you learned in your old age about car and home repair
that you feel should perhaps be taught to high school students?
That you can save a ton of money by learning to fix things yourself. We >>> didn't have the benefit of youtube videos for just about anything that's >>> broken -- we had to learn it the hard way.
My junior high (middle school now) required everyone, regardless of sex, >>> to take a semester of shop and one of home ec. Neither gave us any
actual useful knowledge (I made a wooden number thing for our house and
some really nasty chipped beef on toast), other than that we could
actually use tools and machinery to accomplish tasks. Good enough.
Like today, when my neighbor told me his kitchen faucet had no cold
water due to the cold blast we are in. I glanced at his house, and told
him the first thing to do is disconnect that hose from his frost free
hose spigot.
I then told him ways to get heat to the frozen pipe it attached to.
I'm from SoCal. What are "frozen pipes"?
On 12/27/2021 23:38, knuttle wrote:
On 12/27/2021 8:15 PM, rbowman wrote:
Car repair is a difficult question. Certainly how to change a tire and
replenish the fluids. I do my own oil changes but when I'm looking at
cars I make sure the filter and drain plug are accessible. This may
not be the case for some cars.
I would suggest "car understanding" more than perhaps "car repair",
where I
would propose we teach all our high school kids the basics of the various
systems (cooling system, drive train, lubrication system, suspension
system,
heater and air conditioning system, electrical system, etc.).
I agree, the only relative thing to share is how the basic systems work now. I drive older 90's and back cars, where repair information can be helpful. There are fewer and fewer automotive systems that you can
repair at home as cars get newer. Unless someone is working on a
classic car, most knowledge gathered over the years will do almost
nothing for cars from the past 10 years.
On 12/27/2021 09:38 PM, knuttle wrote:
I would suggest "car understanding" more than perhaps "car repair",
where I
would propose we teach all our high school kids the basics of the various
systems (cooling system, drive train, lubrication system, suspension
system,
heater and air conditioning system, electrical system, etc.).
You're right. I didn't even think at the understanding level. My early experience involved repair usually. When the car overheats because the phenolic impeller in the water pump detached from the shaft you learn
about cooling systems to say nothing of Chrysler's decision to use a
plastic impeller. Chrysler product also taught you not all threads a
right handed.
I'd guess the average high school kid knows as much about how a car
works as how their iPhone does. It's all magic.
What have you learned in your old age about car and home repair
that you feel should perhaps be taught to high school students?
I agree, the only relative thing to share is how the basic systems work
now. I drive older 90's and back cars, where repair information can be >helpful. There are fewer and fewer automotive systems that you can
repair at home as cars get newer. Unless someone is working on a
classic car, most knowledge gathered over the years will do almost
nothing for cars from the past 10 years.
That car stuff can be hand buy out Junior year highs school English
teacher was more practical.
He came into class and said "close the doors" and proceeded to tell us
about VD and how to prevent it. Rather progressive in a Catholic school
in 1962.
You're right. I didn't even think at the understanding level. My early experience involved repair usually. When the car overheats because the phenolic impeller in the water pump detached from the shaft you learn
about cooling systems to say nothing of Chrysler's decision to use a
plastic impeller. Chrysler product also taught you not all threads a
right handed.
You're right. I didn't even think at the understanding level.
My early experience involved repair usually. When the car overheats because the
phenolic impeller in the water pump detached from the shaft you learn
about cooling systems to say nothing of Chrysler's decision to use a
plastic impeller.
Chrysler product also taught you not all threads a
right handed.
I'd guess the average high school kid knows as much about how a car
works as how their iPhone does. It's all magic.
most knowledge gathered over the years will do almost
nothing for cars from the past 10 years.
It hasn't stopped me from maintaining my own cars. Past knowledge
combined with new knowledge is all I need.
If you pull up the data on the scan
tool, you can see inside the engine of a modern car with much more detail than you ever could with old cars.
In article <j2vna8F4u7pU1@mid.individual.net>, bowman@montana.comMy Karmann Ghia was like that to. Theoretically, it is a good idea but
says...
You're right. I didn't even think at the understanding level. My early
experience involved repair usually. When the car overheats because the
phenolic impeller in the water pump detached from the shaft you learn
about cooling systems to say nothing of Chrysler's decision to use a
plastic impeller. Chrysler product also taught you not all threads a
right handed.
Even tghe Chrysler lugnuts on one side was left handed and the other
right handed. Not sure if they are now or not as that was back around
1970 that I worked at Sears changing tires and plugs and simple things.
Now almost all new cars require very little for the first 50 to 100
thousand miles other than an oil change every 5000 t0 10,000 miles.
No more than I drive now it is just changed at the state inspection
time.
On 12/28/2021 2:08 AM, Bob F wrote:
It hasn't stopped me from maintaining my own cars. Past knowledge
combined with new knowledge is all I need.
I agree that cars haven't changed mechanically all that much over time. However it's an interesting question to ask what _has_ changed over time.
What's new now in a car of the 2000's that didn't exist in the 1950s?
On 12/28/2021 13:01, knuttle wrote:
On 12/28/2021 2:21 PM, Scott Dorsey wrote:
If you pull up the data on the scan tool, you can see inside the
engine of a modern car with much more detail than you ever could with
old cars.
I agree with those who would say not only have cars remained essentially
unchanged from what we learned about them in the fifties, but in
almost all
cases they're even _easier_ to maintain now for a huge number of reasons.
We have better scanners now (such as OBDII).
We have better DIYs now (such as those on YouTube).
Some systems are far more reliable (such as the fuel & spark ignition).
etc.
Take the cooling system for example as a critical system which has
remained
essentially unchanged. What has changed over the years? Not much right?
a. The system used to be open and now it's closed (no big deal)
b. The thermostat used to be mechanical and now some are controlled
c. The fluid used to be green and now we have blue & pink to deal with
d. That fluid used to be a concentrate and now it's often pre diluted
e. The tank ends (and nipples) are often plastic instead of brass
etc.
Those are all minor differences, right?
(One difference I remember is crimping corroded pipes inside the radiator
which I don't think anyone does today. Is that due to aluminum over
brass?)
It's a good question to ponder though.
What has _changed_ since the cars of the fifties and sixties we
learned on?
Here is the issue that I have. There are too many things that have changed. Look how tightly everything is packed into the engine compartment. Nothing is easy to get to. My mother's newer Buick has electronic power steering. How the heck does that work?
Many car makes are using the computerized systems to their advantage to prevent backyard mechanics. Some newer cars like BMW's have to be reprogrammed at a dealer when the battery is taken out. They just don't work when connected back up. I was told that service can cost $400, and
it forces you to visit a dealer to buy a battery.
https://autovfix.com/bmw-battery-replacement-reprogramming-bmw-battery-registration-procedure/
What a wash! OBD2 can help with diagnosing some things, but all you
find now are more and more sensors. Sorry, in whole, I firmly disagree
that cars are getting easier to work on. It used to be straightforward,
but cars are designed to NOT be straightforward now.
In article <j2vna8F4u7pU1@mid.individual.net>, bowman@montana.com
says...
You're right. I didn't even think at the understanding level. My early
experience involved repair usually. When the car overheats because the
phenolic impeller in the water pump detached from the shaft you learn
about cooling systems to say nothing of Chrysler's decision to use a
plastic impeller. Chrysler product also taught you not all threads a
right handed.
Even tghe Chrysler lugnuts on one side was left handed and the other
right handed. Not sure if they are now or not as that was back around
1970 that I worked at Sears changing tires and plugs and simple things.
Now almost all new cars require very little for the first 50 to 100
thousand miles other than an oil change every 5000 t0 10,000 miles.
No more than I drive now it is just changed at the state inspection
time.
On 12/27/2021 09:57 PM, rbowman wrote:
On 12/27/2021 09:38 PM, knuttle wrote:
On 12/27/2021 8:15 PM, rbowman wrote:
Car repair is a difficult question. Certainly how to change a tire and >>>> replenish the fluids. I do my own oil changes but when I'm looking at
cars I make sure the filter and drain plug are accessible. This may
not be the case for some cars.
And don't buy the cheap Harbor Freight open ends no matter how pretty
they are. I broke one on a drain plug.
On 12/28/2021 2:21 PM, Scott Dorsey wrote:
If you pull up the data on the scan tool, you can see inside the
engine of a modern car with much more detail than you ever could with
old cars.
I agree with those who would say not only have cars remained essentially unchanged from what we learned about them in the fifties, but in almost all cases they're even _easier_ to maintain now for a huge number of reasons.
We have better scanners now (such as OBDII).
We have better DIYs now (such as those on YouTube).
Some systems are far more reliable (such as the fuel & spark ignition).
etc.
Take the cooling system for example as a critical system which has remained essentially unchanged. What has changed over the years? Not much right?
a. The system used to be open and now it's closed (no big deal)
b. The thermostat used to be mechanical and now some are controlled
c. The fluid used to be green and now we have blue & pink to deal with
d. That fluid used to be a concentrate and now it's often pre diluted
e. The tank ends (and nipples) are often plastic instead of brass
etc.
Those are all minor differences, right?
(One difference I remember is crimping corroded pipes inside the radiator which I don't think anyone does today. Is that due to aluminum over brass?)
It's a good question to ponder though.
What has _changed_ since the cars of the fifties and sixties we learned on?
The basic method of making power and getting it to the wheel for motion
is still the same but so much more sophisticated.
So, you can get a
lesson in physics and mechanics but what else is of much value?
Is more than one out of 1000 ever going to change a fuel pump in the
tank? Those that have serious interest in the mechanics, like in the
past, will learn how to do it.
I used to do 100% of my car repair and
maintenance. In the past 15 years or so, most I've done is add
windshield wiper fluid.
And don't buy the cheap Harbor Freight open ends no matter how pretty
they are. I broke one on a drain plug.
I've never broken an open end but I approach Harbor Freight stuff with caution. I stocked the tool tube on my V-Strom. They're a step up from
the Suzuki tools but if someone rips off the tube I'm only out about
$40. They are not the tools I use for working on the bike at home.
On 12/28/2021 1:41 PM, rbowman wrote:
And don't buy the cheap Harbor Freight open ends no matter how pretty
they are. I broke one on a drain plug.
I've never broken an open end but I approach Harbor Freight stuff with
caution. I stocked the tool tube on my V-Strom. They're a step up from
the Suzuki tools but if someone rips off the tube I'm only out about
$40. They are not the tools I use for working on the bike at home.
On principle I've never been inside a harbor freight store (or Walmart) but
I do lately lament the loss of easy access to the Sears stores because all
my old tools are Craftsman tools.
What has replaced Craftsman for decent quality for the homeowner nowadays?
Is more than one out of 1000 ever going to change a fuel pump in the
tank? Those that have serious interest in the mechanics, like in the
past, will learn how to do it. I used to do 100% of my car repair and maintenance. In the past 15 years or so, most I've done is add
windshield wiper fluid.
On 12/28/2021 2:57 AM, rbowman wrote:
You're right. I didn't even think at the understanding level.
That's where I'm leaning, which means the entire class can be taught inside the classroom like most of the other classes are.
I would think there should be a chapter each on each "thing" kids need to know about (perhaps homes, vehicles, measurements, debugging, PCs, etc.).
In each chapter I would think it could dive down into the "systems"
involved
such as the cooling system for a car, or the plumbing system for a house or the electrical system for a computer.
My early experience involved repair usually. When the car overheats
because the phenolic impeller in the water pump detached from the
shaft you learn about cooling systems to say nothing of Chrysler's
decision to use a plastic impeller.
Repair starts with debug.
Debug ends with isolation of the failed component.
But debug starts with understanding the systems & isolation of the failure.
Without understanding of the system, there's no repair possible unless we teach the kids to just throw parts at the problem.
Admittedly, a _lot_ of cars are fixed by people throwing parts at them! :)
Chrysler product also taught you not all threads a right handed.
My first Chrysler was a New Yorker which, as I recall, had reverse threaded lug bolts on one side, but normally threaded lug bolts on the other.
Nobody told me this. After doing the one side, I wrenched off two or three before I realized "something" was very wrong on the other side.
There were no "warning labels" in those days. :)
I'd guess the average high school kid knows as much about how a car
works as how their iPhone does. It's all magic.
This is a good observation, where we could add a systems approach to how basic electronics work also (sci.electronics.repair).
Michael Trew <michael.trew@att.net> wrote:
I agree, the only relative thing to share is how the basic systems work
now. I drive older 90's and back cars, where repair information can be
helpful. There are fewer and fewer automotive systems that you can
repair at home as cars get newer. Unless someone is working on a
classic car, most knowledge gathered over the years will do almost
nothing for cars from the past 10 years.
But that is the most important part. If you pull up the data on the scan tool, you can see inside the engine of a modern car with much more detail than you ever could with old cars. But you still need to understand what
all those plots mean, and that means understanding how engines work.
Learning on old cars is certainly useful, in that you get to do things
like make the mixture leaner or richer and see what happens. Then when
you encounter the same conditions on new cars you can say "the plot on the computer says the engine is too lean but the exhaust smells like the engine is too rich... something is wrong with a sensor somewhere."
--scott
On 12/28/2021 10:06 AM, knuttle wrote:
On 12/28/2021 2:57 AM, rbowman wrote:
You're right. I didn't even think at the understanding
level.
That's where I'm leaning, which means the entire class can
be taught inside
the classroom like most of the other classes are.
I would think there should be a chapter each on each
"thing" kids need to
know about (perhaps homes, vehicles, measurements,
debugging, PCs, etc.).
In each chapter I would think it could dive down into the
"systems"
involved
such as the cooling system for a car, or the plumbing
system for a house or
the electrical system for a computer.
My early experience involved repair usually. When the car
overheats
because the phenolic impeller in the water pump detached
from the
shaft you learn about cooling systems to say nothing of
Chrysler's
decision to use a plastic impeller.
Repair starts with debug.
Debug ends with isolation of the failed component.
But debug starts with understanding the systems &
isolation of the failure.
Without understanding of the system, there's no repair
possible unless we
teach the kids to just throw parts at the problem.
Admittedly, a _lot_ of cars are fixed by people throwing
parts at them! :)
Debugging is more complex. My first go around was with my
'82 Firebird which was early in the computer controlled
game. It would run fine, stumble at odd and inconvenient
intervals, and then run fine. Carb problem. but what, with
the oxygen sensor, etc. Of course, running down the tree the
measurements were on the low side of the acceptable range. I
finally pulled the carb. There was a solenoid controlled
valve to control the mixture. The problem was what looked
like a little piece of neoprene that would randomly hold the
needle open.
I didn't feel bad as the guy running the project was having
problems with his Pontiac and it was in and out of the shop
as they tried to debug it. His son was the service manager
so they weren't screwing him over.
Another friend bought a Cadillac around the same time that
also turned into a shop queen. He went to visit the car one
day to find all the mechanics standing around poking at the
computer like it had fallen off a passing UFO.
Chrysler product also taught you not all threads a right
handed.
My first Chrysler was a New Yorker which, as I recall, had
reverse threaded
lug bolts on one side, but normally threaded lug bolts on
the other.
Nobody told me this. After doing the one side, I wrenched
off two or three
before I realized "something" was very wrong on the other
side.
There were no "warning labels" in those days. :)
It stimulated the market for replacement studs. Most of them
did have an L stamped on the end but who looks at the end of
the stud when changing a tire?
I'd guess the average high school kid knows as much about
how a car
works as how their iPhone does. It's all magic.
This is a good observation, where we could add a systems
approach to how
basic electronics work also (sci.electronics.repair).
We have a new library that finally opened after a year delay
for the virus. It has a large and well-equipped 'maker
space' that I'm hoping attracts at least some kids. There
are several 3D printers, laser cutters, work stations, 3D
scanners and so forth. I think there is a selection of
Arduinos and rPis with peripherals too. The library also
subscribes to Make magazine.
https://makezine.com/
There a media labs and so forth for the kids that swing that
way. The opportunities are all there and free except for
nominal charges for the 3D printer materials.
The question is what per cent of the kids will make use of
it. I don't have high hopes. Like it always was the smart
kids will have a field day. The rest will be watching TikTok
videos and could care less. Like Shaw said when defining
'horticulture', you can lead a whore to culture but you
can't make her think.
On 12/28/2021 1:13 AM, Michael Trew wrote:
most knowledge gathered over the years will do almost nothing for cars
from the past 10 years.
It's always depressing when I hear people say that.
Every single time I hear this I think of people who say they got cold from being cold. It sounds like it would make sense. But it's dead wrong.
I hear these uneducated misconceptions in all sorts of related things, such as people who claim that high test gas gives them better performance in
their pinto.
A car, like the human body or a home or even something as simple as a pair
of shoes hasn't fundamentally changed one bit since it's initial invention.
Almost _everything_ you learned about cars in the 40's applies to cars in
the 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's, 2000's, 2010's, 2020's, and beyond.
The drive train is the same.
The cooling system is the same.
The heating and air conditioning systems are the same.
The tires/wheels/valves/braking systems are the same.
On 12/28/2021 1:41 PM, rbowman wrote:
And don't buy the cheap Harbor Freight open ends no
matter how pretty
they are. I broke one on a drain plug.
I've never broken an open end but I approach Harbor
Freight stuff with caution. I stocked the tool tube on my
V-Strom. They're a step up from the Suzuki tools but if
someone rips off the tube I'm only out about $40. They are
not the tools I use for working on the bike at home.
On principle I've never been inside a harbor freight store
(or Walmart) but
I do lately lament the loss of easy access to the Sears
stores because all
my old tools are Craftsman tools.
What has replaced Craftsman for decent quality for the
homeowner nowadays?
Here is the issue that I have. There are too many things that have
changed. Look how tightly everything is packed into the engine
compartment. Nothing is easy to get to. My mother's newer Buick has >electronic power steering. How the heck does that work?
Many car makes are using the computerized systems to their advantage to >prevent backyard mechanics. Some newer cars like BMW's have to be >reprogrammed at a dealer when the battery is taken out. They just don't
work when connected back up. I was told that service can cost $400, and
it forces you to visit a dealer to buy a battery.
Everything being packed more tightly IS a problem, but by the same token we also have better tools for getting into places than we ever had before.
It's a good question to ponder though.
What has _changed_ since the cars of the fifties and sixties we learned on?
On my '55 Harley the ignition system was simple,
points, manual spark advance, coil, wires, and plugs.
Many car makes are using the computerized systems to their advantage to >prevent backyard mechanics. [snip]
What a wash! OBD2 can help with diagnosing some things, but all you
find now are more and more sensors. Sorry, in whole, I firmly disagree
that cars are getting easier to work on. It used to be straightforward,
but cars are designed to NOT be straightforward now.
The magnets spun at engine speed inside a three-wire set of static coils.
The biggest change??? Undoubtably it is Unleaded fuel. No lead means
no phosphorous - which makes oi last longer. No lead makes plugs last
longer. No phosphorous mkes exhaust last longer. No phosphorous makes
engine internal parts last longer. No lead makes valves last longer.
Add electronic controls and you get away from running too rich cold
which makes EVERYTHING last longer. No carb and choke adjustments. No
point adjustment or change. No timing adjustment. Now no plug wires,
cap and rotor, distributor advance,
Basically NO TUNE UP.
No valve adjustment, no valve grinds, no re-rings or bearing
replacements for the life of the car - which is a MINIMUM of 4 times
what it used to be.
That's the MECHANICAL end.
Then we get to the bodywork Cars used to be rusted away junk within 6
years. It was common to have competely repainted a car at least once
in it's short lifetime. By 1971 my1963 Valiant had been repainted
twice. It was not uncommon to have the transmission replaced or
rebuilt before 60000 miles and replacing the exhaust was pretty much
an annual occurence.
On 12/28/2021 2:08 AM, Bob F wrote:
It hasn't stopped me from maintaining my own cars. Past knowledge
combined with new knowledge is all I need.
I agree that cars haven't changed mechanically all that much over time. However it's an interesting question to ask what _has_ changed over time.
What's new now in a car of the 2000's that didn't exist in the 1950s?
On 12/28/2021 13:03, knuttle wrote:
On 12/28/2021 2:08 AM, Bob F wrote:
It hasn't stopped me from maintaining my own cars. Past knowledge
combined with new knowledge is all I need.
I agree that cars haven't changed mechanically all that much over time.
However it's an interesting question to ask what _has_ changed over time.
What's new now in a car of the 2000's that didn't exist in the 1950s?
Primarily Computers! Tons of computerized systems. Started with
electronic ignition in the mid 70's and they kept adding more electronic systems.
I own 11 cars now, from the 60s/70's on up, and the only one that still
has points would be my '68 Ford Galaxie. I can work on all of them, but
the newest is right at the end of being too modern. Up until I bought
the 2005 Hyundai Elantra, the newest was a '94 Geo Metro. You can't get
more simple than the Geo for a 90's car that's easy to wrench on.
On 12/28/2021 10:36 AM, Ralph Mowery wrote:
In article <j2vna8F4u7pU1@mid.individual.net>, bowman@montana.comMy Karmann Ghia was like that to. Theoretically, it is a good idea but
says...
You're right. I didn't even think at the understanding level. My early
experience involved repair usually. When the car overheats because the
phenolic impeller in the water pump detached from the shaft you learn
about cooling systems to say nothing of Chrysler's decision to use a
plastic impeller. Chrysler product also taught you not all threads a
right handed.
Even tghe Chrysler lugnuts on one side was left handed and the other
right handed. Not sure if they are now or not as that was back around
1970 that I worked at Sears changing tires and plugs and simple things.
Now almost all new cars require very little for the first 50 to 100
thousand miles other than an oil change every 5000 t0 10,000 miles.
No more than I drive now it is just changed at the state inspection
time.
in practice, never was a problem having both sides the same.
On 12/28/2021 1:25 PM, Michael Trew wrote:
On 12/28/2021 13:01, knuttle wrote:
On 12/28/2021 2:21 PM, Scott Dorsey wrote:
If you pull up the data on the scan tool, you can see inside the
engine of a modern car with much more detail than you ever could with
old cars.
I agree with those who would say not only have cars remained essentially >>> unchanged from what we learned about them in the fifties, but in
almost all
cases they're even _easier_ to maintain now for a huge number of
reasons.
We have better scanners now (such as OBDII).
We have better DIYs now (such as those on YouTube).
Some systems are far more reliable (such as the fuel & spark ignition).
etc.
Take the cooling system for example as a critical system which has
remained
essentially unchanged. What has changed over the years? Not much right?
a. The system used to be open and now it's closed (no big deal)
b. The thermostat used to be mechanical and now some are controlled
c. The fluid used to be green and now we have blue & pink to deal with
d. That fluid used to be a concentrate and now it's often pre diluted
e. The tank ends (and nipples) are often plastic instead of brass
etc.
Those are all minor differences, right?
(One difference I remember is crimping corroded pipes inside the
radiator
which I don't think anyone does today. Is that due to aluminum over
brass?)
It's a good question to ponder though.
What has _changed_ since the cars of the fifties and sixties we
learned on?
Here is the issue that I have. There are too many things that have
changed. Look how tightly everything is packed into the engine
compartment. Nothing is easy to get to. My mother's newer Buick has
electronic power steering. How the heck does that work?
Many car makes are using the computerized systems to their advantage
to prevent backyard mechanics. Some newer cars like BMW's have to be
reprogrammed at a dealer when the battery is taken out. They just
don't work when connected back up. I was told that service can cost
$400, and it forces you to visit a dealer to buy a battery.
https://autovfix.com/bmw-battery-replacement-reprogramming-bmw-battery-registration-procedure/
What a wash! OBD2 can help with diagnosing some things, but all you
find now are more and more sensors. Sorry, in whole, I firmly
disagree that cars are getting easier to work on. It used to be
straightforward, but cars are designed to NOT be straightforward now.
The basic method of making power and getting it to the wheel for motion
is still the same but so much more sophisticated. So, you can get a
lesson in physics and mechanics but what else is of much value?
Is more than one out of 1000 ever going to change a fuel pump in the
tank? Those that have serious interest in the mechanics, like in the
past, will learn how to do it. I used to do 100% of my car repair and maintenance. In the past 15 years or so, most I've done is add
windshield wiper fluid.
Michael Trew <michael.trew@att.net> wrote:
Here is the issue that I have. There are too many things that haveYou should read a book! The electronic power steering is very cool and it is in fact pretty much like the hydraulic steering system except there's a sensor and a servomotor instead of hoses.
changed. Look how tightly everything is packed into the engine
compartment. Nothing is easy to get to. My mother's newer Buick has
electronic power steering. How the heck does that work?
Because there's a computer mediating between the sensor and the motor you need to understand how to watch the data going through the computer controls, but you CAN watch that, and much more easily than watching pressures at the steering rack on that old Galaxie.
Everything being packed more tightly IS a problem, but by the same token we also have better tools for getting into places than we ever had before.
Luckily with fuel injected cars and with electronic spark control, and with cleaner gasolines, and with radial tires, and with corrosion resistant oils and coolants, and with the almost universal advent of disc brakes, etc.,
the
maintenance on a car is easier now than ever before, isn't it?
In article <sqg1hu$n4r$1@panix2.panix.com>, kludge@panix.com says...
Everything being packed more tightly IS a problem, but by the same token we >> also have better tools for getting into places than we ever had before.
Try telling that to the simple (spin off oil filter) new way Toyota has
for the oil filter change.
On 12/28/2021 11:09 AM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
On 12/28/2021 10:36 AM, Ralph Mowery wrote:
In article <j2vna8F4u7pU1@mid.individual.net>, bowman@montana.comMy Karmann Ghia was like that to. Theoretically, it is a good idea but
says...
You're right. I didn't even think at the understanding level. My early >>>> experience involved repair usually. When the car overheats because the >>>> phenolic impeller in the water pump detached from the shaft you learn
about cooling systems to say nothing of Chrysler's decision to use a
plastic impeller. Chrysler product also taught you not all threads a
right handed.
Even tghe Chrysler lugnuts on one side was left handed and the other
right handed. Not sure if they are now or not as that was back around
1970 that I worked at Sears changing tires and plugs and simple things.
Now almost all new cars require very little for the first 50 to 100
thousand miles other than an oil change every 5000 t0 10,000 miles.
No more than I drive now it is just changed at the state inspection
time.
in practice, never was a problem having both sides the same.
left handed? Oddly for a person of my generation I never owned a VW and
only ever drove on about 50 yards to get it clear of a loading dock. The closest I came was an Audi.
I always wanted one. The concept appealed to me. Simple, cheap and you
could mix and match pieces and parts over a number of years when
American cars were changing every year. The New Beetle missed the cheap
part.
On 12/28/2021 1:41 PM, rbowman wrote:
And don't buy the cheap Harbor Freight open ends no matter how pretty
they are. I broke one on a drain plug.
I've never broken an open end but I approach Harbor Freight stuff with
caution. I stocked the tool tube on my V-Strom. They're a step up from
the Suzuki tools but if someone rips off the tube I'm only out about
$40. They are not the tools I use for working on the bike at home.
On principle I've never been inside a harbor freight store (or Walmart) but
I do lately lament the loss of easy access to the Sears stores because all
my old tools are Craftsman tools.
What has replaced Craftsman for decent quality for the homeowner nowadays?
On 12/28/2021 1:28 PM, rbowman wrote:
On 12/28/2021 10:06 AM, knuttle wrote:
On 12/28/2021 2:57 AM, rbowman wrote:
You're right. I didn't even think at the understanding
level.
That's where I'm leaning, which means the entire class can
be taught inside
the classroom like most of the other classes are.
I would think there should be a chapter each on each
"thing" kids need to
know about (perhaps homes, vehicles, measurements,
debugging, PCs, etc.).
In each chapter I would think it could dive down into the
"systems"
involved
such as the cooling system for a car, or the plumbing
system for a house or
the electrical system for a computer.
My early experience involved repair usually. When the car
overheats
because the phenolic impeller in the water pump detached
from the
shaft you learn about cooling systems to say nothing of
Chrysler's
decision to use a plastic impeller.
Repair starts with debug.
Debug ends with isolation of the failed component.
But debug starts with understanding the systems &
isolation of the failure.
Without understanding of the system, there's no repair
possible unless we
teach the kids to just throw parts at the problem.
Admittedly, a _lot_ of cars are fixed by people throwing
parts at them! :)
Debugging is more complex. My first go around was with my
'82 Firebird which was early in the computer controlled
game. It would run fine, stumble at odd and inconvenient
intervals, and then run fine. Carb problem. but what, with
the oxygen sensor, etc. Of course, running down the tree the
measurements were on the low side of the acceptable range. I
finally pulled the carb. There was a solenoid controlled
valve to control the mixture. The problem was what looked
like a little piece of neoprene that would randomly hold the
needle open.
I didn't feel bad as the guy running the project was having
problems with his Pontiac and it was in and out of the shop
as they tried to debug it. His son was the service manager
so they weren't screwing him over.
Another friend bought a Cadillac around the same time that
also turned into a shop queen. He went to visit the car one
day to find all the mechanics standing around poking at the
computer like it had fallen off a passing UFO.
Chrysler product also taught you not all threads a right
handed.
My first Chrysler was a New Yorker which, as I recall, had
reverse threaded
lug bolts on one side, but normally threaded lug bolts on
the other.
Nobody told me this. After doing the one side, I wrenched
off two or three
before I realized "something" was very wrong on the other
side.
There were no "warning labels" in those days. :)
It stimulated the market for replacement studs. Most of them
did have an L stamped on the end but who looks at the end of
the stud when changing a tire?
I'd guess the average high school kid knows as much about
how a car
works as how their iPhone does. It's all magic.
This is a good observation, where we could add a systems
approach to how
basic electronics work also (sci.electronics.repair).
We have a new library that finally opened after a year delay
for the virus. It has a large and well-equipped 'maker
space' that I'm hoping attracts at least some kids. There
are several 3D printers, laser cutters, work stations, 3D
scanners and so forth. I think there is a selection of
Arduinos and rPis with peripherals too. The library also
subscribes to Make magazine.
https://makezine.com/
There a media labs and so forth for the kids that swing that
way. The opportunities are all there and free except for
nominal charges for the 3D printer materials.
The question is what per cent of the kids will make use of
it. I don't have high hopes. Like it always was the smart
kids will have a field day. The rest will be watching TikTok
videos and could care less. Like Shaw said when defining
'horticulture', you can lead a whore to culture but you
can't make her think.
Ahem.
That was the sainted Dorothy Parker.
Lug BOLTS on the early Mopars too Conversion studs were available -
put them in with extra strength loc-tite and use nuts from then on.
Required to install many of the "mag" wheels available in the 60s and
70s that used shouldered nuts.
Fortunately I've got enough Craftsman tools to last this lifetime but I
do miss Sears for that reason.
On 12/29/2021 3:12 AM, Clare Snyder wrote:
 Lug BOLTS on the early Mopars too Conversion studs were available -
put them in with extra strength loc-tite and use nuts from then on.
Required to install many of the "mag" wheels available in the 60s and
70s that used shouldered nuts.
Obviously both the lug bolts and lug nuts would need the same threading.
I broke a few of those reverse-threaded lug bolts on those Chryslers simply because I was unaware that one side was different from the other.
IT was a foreign concept to me at that time that there would be no obvious warning in that you were simply expected to either know the difference, or you were expected to figure it out (even if it was the first
reverse-threaded bolt you'd ever encountered in your life).
I was ignorant.
Luckily, ignorance can be cured quite quickly (nearly instantly, in fact).
I didn't use loctite (nor did I likely even know about it in those days)
but
what I loved was the gruff quick-responding auto parts counter guy cured my ignorance quickly - by telling me in no uncertain terms I was an idiot because _everyone_ knows that one side is threaded differently than the other!
That was quick education in curing my reverse-threaded ignorance for sure.
Even with the education the counter guy barked at me, I haven't encountered reverse-threaded lug bolts or reverse threaded lug nuts since, other
than in
that one early seventies Dodge I owned in addition to that first late
sixties Chrysler.
Every once in a while though, I do run into reverse threaded connections.
I can't think of any common ones offhand though.
What else in a vehicle of today is typically reverse threaded?
Debugging is more complex.
On 12/29/2021 12:38 AM, rbowman wrote:
Fortunately I've got enough Craftsman tools to last this
lifetime but I do miss Sears for that reason.
You seem to understand more than most people here do so I'm
going to ask a
question of you that you don't need to look up - just let me
know if you
already know the answer to the question from your own
experience.
Craftsman only warranted the "hand" tools for life, which
almost never break
(unless you abuse them like by using a flathead screwdriver
as a pry bar).
The screwdrivers do wear out a bit (especially the Phillips
& Reed ones).
Unfortunately for me I do have a Craftsman ratchet that is
sketchy. I'm sure
something inside is worn or out of place. Do you know if
it's even possible
to get them replaced nowadays (perhaps by mailing them in to
someone)?
If you don't know offhand, don't look it up for me. I can
look it up.
But if you do know, then just let me and everyone else know
what you know.
"Discussing vaccination with a doctor is like discussing vegetarianism
with a butcher."
https://www.azquotes.com/author/13418-George_Bernard_Shaw
Apropos to some of the threads in this group...
On 12/29/2021 2:12 PM, knuttle wrote:
Normal people: It's a difficult decision given the risk of death is
almost
zero (it's 99.8% likely you won't die in the USA overall and 99.9998%
likely
to survive if you're a child aged from 5 to 11 in the USA from October
2020
to October 2021 according to the CDC's own figures).
I want all the statements I make to be completely scientifically correct.
Normal people: It's a difficult decision given the risk of death is almost zero (it's 99.8% likely you won't die in the USA overall and 99.9998% likely to survive if you're a child aged from 5 to 11 in the USA from October 2020 to October 2021 according to the CDC's own figures).
The magnets spun at engine speed inside a three-wire set of static coils.
Actually the permanent magnets may have spun _outside_ the static coils.
I forget which - but the concept is the same either way - is it not?
On 12/28/2021 9:55 PM, rbowman wrote:
On my '55 Harley the ignition system was simple, points, manual spark
advance, coil, wires, and plugs.
In my humble opinion, almost nothing has changed in our lifetimes.
Nothing fundamental anyway.
For example what generates the electrical power on those bikes?
I've seen friends rebuild a rice-burner "alternator" whose field (B)
current
was simply a ring of magnets connected to the engine crankshaft.
The magnets spun at engine speed inside a three-wire set of static coils.
Two coils were connected when the handlebar light switch was off (in the
days when there was a handlebar light switch anyway), three coils
otherwise.
A voltage regulator hung on the three-wire output.
In essence, that's the same concept today (although with coils replacing
the
[B] magnet) on most of our gasoline powered vehicles even today, is it not?
Those rice burners were only missing the battery charge "sense" logic.
Obviously both the lug bolts and lug nuts would need the same threading.
I won't say replacing the serpentine belt on a Geo is difficult but it
is a bit tight. I had the 4 cylinder; maybe the 3 cylinder was roomier.
Interestingly, the home built airplane people love that engine. Light, dependable, and cheap.
I liked the Geo enough that I looked at a Suzuki, but that was about the
time Suzuki automotive was going down the toilet. I've got a couple of
Suzuki bikes and that division is still going strong.
I keep the old pickup around to have
something to fiddle with. I've even thought about converting it back to points.
On 12/27/2021 09:30 PM, The Real Bev wrote:
On 12/27/2021 08:09 PM, Bob F wrote:
On 12/27/2021 7:53 PM, The Real Bev wrote:
On 12/27/2021 02:58 PM, knuttle wrote:
What have you learned in your old age about car and home repair
that you feel should perhaps be taught to high school students?
That you can save a ton of money by learning to fix things yourself. We >>>> didn't have the benefit of youtube videos for just about anything that's >>>> broken -- we had to learn it the hard way.
My junior high (middle school now) required everyone, regardless of sex, >>>> to take a semester of shop and one of home ec. Neither gave us any
actual useful knowledge (I made a wooden number thing for our house and >>>> some really nasty chipped beef on toast), other than that we could
actually use tools and machinery to accomplish tasks. Good enough.
Like today, when my neighbor told me his kitchen faucet had no cold
water due to the cold blast we are in. I glanced at his house, and told
him the first thing to do is disconnect that hose from his frost free
hose spigot.
I then told him ways to get heat to the frozen pipe it attached to.
I'm from SoCal. What are "frozen pipes"?
Those are those things that lead to burning the house down when you
slither into the crawl space with a propane torch.
SoCal isn't exempt. I forget which year it was but driving east from LA
I saw all the irrigation pipes at Rancho Cucamonga had turned into ice sculpture. Even at Vegas the fountains were frozen.
Changing the fuel pump in my '86 F150 was easy :) However now I have
fuel up to the carb but it's no go again. I think the float is sticking
but I'll deal with that in the spring.
On 12/28/2021 7:08 PM, Clare Snyder wrote:
The biggest change??? Undoubtably it is Unleaded fuel. No lead means
no phosphorous - which makes oi last longer. No lead makes plugs last
longer. No phosphorous mkes exhaust last longer. No phosphorous makes
engine internal parts last longer. No lead makes valves last longer.
Add electronic controls and you get away from running too rich cold
which makes EVERYTHING last longer. No carb and choke adjustments. No
point adjustment or change. No timing adjustment. Now no plug wires,
cap and rotor, distributor advance,
Basically NO TUNE UP.
No valve adjustment, no valve grinds, no re-rings or bearing
replacements for the life of the car - which is a MINIMUM of 4 times
what it used to be.
That's the MECHANICAL end.
Then we get to the bodywork Cars used to be rusted away junk within 6
years. It was common to have competely repainted a car at least once
in it's short lifetime. By 1971 my1963 Valiant had been repainted
twice. It was not uncommon to have the transmission replaced or
rebuilt before 60000 miles and replacing the exhaust was pretty much
an annual occurence.
That's an interesting take on the biggest change being the loss of leaded fuel. But didn't valve seats have to change in order to compensate for it?
On 12/28/2021 1:41 PM, rbowman wrote:
And don't buy the cheap Harbor Freight open ends no matter how pretty
they are. I broke one on a drain plug.
I've never broken an open end but I approach Harbor Freight stuff with
caution. I stocked the tool tube on my V-Strom. They're a step up from
the Suzuki tools but if someone rips off the tube I'm only out about
$40. They are not the tools I use for working on the bike at home.
On principle I've never been inside a harbor freight store (or Walmart) but
I do lately lament the loss of easy access to the Sears stores because all
my old tools are Craftsman tools.
What has replaced Craftsman for decent quality for the homeowner nowadays?
On 12/28/2021 08:36 AM, Ralph Mowery wrote:
In article <j2vna8F4u7pU1@mid.individual.net>, bowman@montana.com
says...
You're right. I didn't even think at the understanding level. My early
experience involved repair usually. When the car overheats because the
phenolic impeller in the water pump detached from the shaft you learn
about cooling systems to say nothing of Chrysler's decision to use a
plastic impeller. Chrysler product also taught you not all threads a
right handed.
Even tghe Chrysler lugnuts on one side was left handed and the other
right handed. Not sure if they are now or not as that was back around
1970 that I worked at Sears changing tires and plugs and simple things.
Now almost all new cars require very little for the first 50 to 100
thousand miles other than an oil change every 5000 t0 10,000 miles.
No more than I drive now it is just changed at the state inspection
time.
The Toyota manual is pretty boring. Change the oil every 5000 miles and rotate the tires. The 2007 version said to change the antifreeze at
50000 iirc but even that is missing in the 2018 manual. I run studs in
the winter so I count that as rotating the tires.
I bought the car in March of 01, CE (Covid Era) on the day this county
locked down. I even called the dealer to make sure they would be open
that Saturday. I noticed the odometer yesterday and it was up to 11000 something. The car will last forever at this rate.
On 12/28/2021 11:10 PM, rbowman wrote:
On 12/28/2021 11:09 AM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
On 12/28/2021 10:36 AM, Ralph Mowery wrote:
In article <j2vna8F4u7pU1@mid.individual.net>, bowman@montana.comMy Karmann Ghia was like that to. Theoretically, it is a good idea but
says...
You're right. I didn't even think at the understanding level. My early >>>>> experience involved repair usually. When the car overheats because the >>>>> phenolic impeller in the water pump detached from the shaft you learn >>>>> about cooling systems to say nothing of Chrysler's decision to use a >>>>> plastic impeller. Chrysler product also taught you not all threads a >>>>> right handed.
Even tghe Chrysler lugnuts on one side was left handed and the other
right handed. Not sure if they are now or not as that was back around >>>> 1970 that I worked at Sears changing tires and plugs and simple things. >>>>
Now almost all new cars require very little for the first 50 to 100
thousand miles other than an oil change every 5000 t0 10,000 miles.
No more than I drive now it is just changed at the state inspection
time.
in practice, never was a problem having both sides the same.
left handed? Oddly for a person of my generation I never owned a VW
and only ever drove on about 50 yards to get it clear of a loading
dock. The closest I came was an Audi.
I always wanted one. The concept appealed to me. Simple, cheap and you
could mix and match pieces and parts over a number of years when
American cars were changing every year. The New Beetle missed the
cheap part.
Left handed. Not lug nuts but lug bolts. always a PITA to get the
first one in.
On 12/29/2021 12:38 AM, rbowman wrote:
Fortunately I've got enough Craftsman tools to last this lifetime but
I do miss Sears for that reason.
You seem to understand more than most people here do so I'm going to ask a question of you that you don't need to look up - just let me know if you already know the answer to the question from your own experience.
Craftsman only warranted the "hand" tools for life, which almost never
break
(unless you abuse them like by using a flathead screwdriver as a pry bar).
The screwdrivers do wear out a bit (especially the Phillips & Reed ones).
Unfortunately for me I do have a Craftsman ratchet that is sketchy. I'm
sure
something inside is worn or out of place. Do you know if it's even possible to get them replaced nowadays (perhaps by mailing them in to someone)?
If you don't know offhand, don't look it up for me. I can look it up.
But if you do know, then just let me and everyone else know what you know.
On 12/28/2021 11:27 AM, knuttle wrote:
On 12/28/2021 1:41 PM, rbowman wrote:
And don't buy the cheap Harbor Freight open ends no matter how pretty
they are. I broke one on a drain plug.
I've never broken an open end but I approach Harbor Freight stuff with
caution. I stocked the tool tube on my V-Strom. They're a step up from
the Suzuki tools but if someone rips off the tube I'm only out about
$40. They are not the tools I use for working on the bike at home.
They were smooth and shiny and a kind of gunmetal grey color. How could anything that pretty be made of pot metal?
On principle I've never been inside a harbor freight store (or Walmart) but >> I do lately lament the loss of easy access to the Sears stores because all >> my old tools are Craftsman tools.
What has replaced Craftsman for decent quality for the homeowner nowadays?
I always liked Protos. They were just beautiful and the pliers were
designed to NOT pinch your hand if you were careless.
On 12/29/2021 2:12 PM, knuttle wrote:
Perhaps a simpler way to summarize the politicized science problem set isIf that was true, how do you account for the Texas Republican abortion
Rabid Democrats: It's your body my choice
Rabid Republicans: It's my body my choice
laws?
You just make up stuff to suite your agenda at the moment.
Perhaps a simpler way to summarize the politicized science problem set is
Rabid Democrats: It's your body my choice
Rabid Republicans: It's my body my choice
On 12/29/2021 12:32 PM, knuttle wrote:
On 12/29/2021 12:38 AM, rbowman wrote:
Fortunately I've got enough Craftsman tools to last this
lifetime but I do miss Sears for that reason.
You seem to understand more than most people here do so I'm
going to ask a
question of you that you don't need to look up - just let me
know if you
already know the answer to the question from your own
experience.
Craftsman only warranted the "hand" tools for life, which
almost never break
(unless you abuse them like by using a flathead screwdriver
as a pry bar).
The screwdrivers do wear out a bit (especially the Phillips
& Reed ones).
Unfortunately for me I do have a Craftsman ratchet that is
sketchy. I'm sure
something inside is worn or out of place. Do you know if
it's even possible
to get them replaced nowadays (perhaps by mailing them in to
someone)?
If you don't know offhand, don't look it up for me. I can
look it up.
But if you do know, then just let me and everyone else know
what you know.
Years ago we used Craftsman and yes they do wear/break from time to time
so we exchanged the failures once a year when buying new tools. Until
Sears changed to 'catalog credit' rather than direct exchange;
simultaneoulsy quality was dropping. Changed over to SnapOn and never
looked back.
How many times have you seen someone ask how to fix a sputtering engine and someone claims you should pour seafoam into it (without even debugging)?
I didn't use loctite (nor did I likely even know about it in those days)
but
what I loved was the gruff quick-responding auto parts counter guy cured my ignorance quickly - by telling me in no uncertain terms I was an idiot because _everyone_ knows that one side is threaded differently than the other!
On 12/29/2021 1:43 PM, knuttle wrote:
Obviously both the lug bolts and lug nuts would need the same threading.
I had a terminology brain fart which I apologize for. >https://duckduckgo.com/?q=difference+between+lug+and+lug+nut+and+lug+bolt
I'm not sure what a "lug" really is but it's probably the thing sticking out >https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lug
On 12/27/2021 10:04 PM, rbowman wrote:
Yeah, but that's not CITY! It snowed in Los Angeles in 1949 (I was sick
and couldn't go out to play in it) and in some year possibly in the 80s
in Pasadena. Novelty. It snows up in the mountains, of course, but
that's not MY problem!
Ed Pawlowski <esp@snet.xxx> wrote
On 12/29/2021 2:12 PM, knuttle wrote:
Perhaps a simpler way to summarize the politicized science problemIf that was true, how do you account for the Texas Republican abortion
set is
Rabid Democrats: It's your body my choice
Rabid Republicans: It's my body my choice
laws?
You just make up stuff to suite your agenda at the moment.
That’s what 'Arlen' always does.
On 12/29/2021 1:43 PM, knuttle wrote:
Obviously both the lug bolts and lug nuts would need the same threading.
I had a terminology brain fart which I apologize for. https://duckduckgo.com/?q=difference+between+lug+and+lug+nut+and+lug+bolt
I'm not sure what a "lug" really is but it's probably the thing sticking
out https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lug
Hence a lug nut, I guess, terminologically speaking, goes on a lug.
Whereas a lug bolt, I guess, properly speaking, goes into a lug hole.
I apologize for not being clear when I last posted between a. lug
b. lug nut
c. lug bolt
I'm ignorant, actually, of what you call the hole that a lug bolt goes
into.
And I'm not sure if the lug nut goes on what we'd call a threaded lug?
Does it?
a. What is the threaded rod sticking out properly called?
b. What is the threaded hole that is not sticking out properly called?
I apologize that I don't know the answer to a degree that I can be certain.
That Denso alternator had two bracket bolts holding it into a single
position on the FWD car so it wasn't even adjustable once those two 12mm
and
14mm bolts were threaded in.
Interestingly, the home built airplane people love that engine. Light,
dependable, and cheap.
I liked the Geo enough that I looked at a Suzuki, but that was about
the time Suzuki automotive was going down the toilet. I've got a
couple of Suzuki bikes and that division is still going strong.
Isn't an air-cooled two-stroke motorcycle kind of the same idea?
Outside afaik.
https://www.amazon.com/ElectroSport-08-12-Suzuki-DL650-Stator/dp/B008PAKS72
On 12/28/2021 11:18 PM, rbowman wrote:
I keep the old pickup around to have something to fiddle with. I've
even thought about converting it back to points.
I don't miss sanding down that little mountain that grew on my points any more than I miss sandblasting spark plugs fouled with two-stroke oil. :)
I do still have a kit with the timing light, dwell meter, spark gapper, and feeler gauges (along with assorted hose plugs and clamps and vacuum and pressure gauges which should still be useful were I to have a need to check vacuum on any given hose).
The lug nut attaches to a stud.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wheel_stud
On 12/28/2021 11:14 PM, rbowman wrote:
Changing the fuel pump in my '86 F150 was easy :) However now I have
fuel up to the carb but it's no go again. I think the float is
sticking but I'll deal with that in the spring.
Once had a fuel pump internal gasket go bad on an early 70's Dodge which pumped gasoline all over the engine with every rotation of its cam shaft.
The fuel spurted out of a perfectly formed hole about 1/4" in diameter.
I was ignorant that they're designed to do that.
I couldn't at first figure out what had failed since it seemed someone drilled a quarter inch hole in the top of the mechanical fuel pump.
Drove that thing to the auto parts store with the fuel leaking all over.
If that's not stupidity added to ignorance, I don't know what else is.
Nowadays I'm happy for electrical fuel pumps sitting in the fuel tank.
On 12/27/2021 10:04 PM, rbowman wrote:
On 12/27/2021 09:30 PM, The Real Bev wrote:
On 12/27/2021 08:09 PM, Bob F wrote:
On 12/27/2021 7:53 PM, The Real Bev wrote:
On 12/27/2021 02:58 PM, knuttle wrote:
What have you learned in your old age about car and home repair
that you feel should perhaps be taught to high school students?
That you can save a ton of money by learning to fix things
yourself. We
didn't have the benefit of youtube videos for just about anything
that's
broken -- we had to learn it the hard way.
My junior high (middle school now) required everyone, regardless of
sex,
to take a semester of shop and one of home ec. Neither gave us any
actual useful knowledge (I made a wooden number thing for our house
and
some really nasty chipped beef on toast), other than that we could
actually use tools and machinery to accomplish tasks. Good enough.
Like today, when my neighbor told me his kitchen faucet had no cold
water due to the cold blast we are in. I glanced at his house, and told >>>> him the first thing to do is disconnect that hose from his frost free
hose spigot.
I then told him ways to get heat to the frozen pipe it attached to.
I'm from SoCal. What are "frozen pipes"?
Those are those things that lead to burning the house down when you
slither into the crawl space with a propane torch.
SoCal isn't exempt. I forget which year it was but driving east from LA
I saw all the irrigation pipes at Rancho Cucamonga had turned into ice
sculpture. Even at Vegas the fountains were frozen.
Yeah, but that's not CITY! It snowed in Los Angeles in 1949 (I was sick
and couldn't go out to play in it) and in some year possibly in the 80s
in Pasadena. Novelty. It snows up in the mountains, of course, but
that's not MY problem!
I bought my 2013 Corolla in 2016. It now has 33K miles on the odo. I
may be buried in it. It does have a chronic problem with one tire --
every month or so the pressure drops down to 24 psi and I have to pump
it up. Dealer has no clue. Original tires are still good, although the dealer keeps trying to convince me that they need replacement. I've
NEVER had to replace a tire because of sidewall problems ("See that
checking? Dangerous..." -- which includes my 30-YO Dunlop motorcycle
tire which still held air when I sent my 1960 Ducati off to the dealer
as a free gift.
On 12/28/2021 11:27 AM, knuttle wrote:
On 12/28/2021 1:41 PM, rbowman wrote:
And don't buy the cheap Harbor Freight open ends no matter how pretty
they are. I broke one on a drain plug.
I've never broken an open end but I approach Harbor Freight stuff with
caution. I stocked the tool tube on my V-Strom. They're a step up from
the Suzuki tools but if someone rips off the tube I'm only out about
$40. They are not the tools I use for working on the bike at home.
They were smooth and shiny and a kind of gunmetal grey color. How could anything that pretty be made of pot metal?
Anything you want to, apparently. The bold print says 'Dorman AutoGrade M12-1.50 Thread Wheel Lug Bolt' and the fine print says 'M12-1.50
Serrated Wheel Stud;
fwiw, I would call everything on that page studs. Lug nuts thread on to
them. otoh, bolts are male, nuts are female. There are no other genders afaik.
iirc toward the end Sears had a line of cheaper tools with a very
limited warranty.
They would replace a 'defective' 1/2 ratchet knowing full well 4' of
pipe and a frozen nut had something to do with the 'defect'.
I want all the statements I make to be completely scientifically correct.
They never are. In spades with stupid claims about
"genetic therapy" and how mRNA vaccines work.
If that was true, how do you account for the Texas Republican abortion
laws?
You just make up stuff to suite your agenda at the moment.
On 12/29/2021 6:55 PM, Scott Lurndal wrote:
The lug nut attaches to a stud.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wheel_stud
Thank you for providing that article as my ignorance can be cured.
Apparently there's nothing called a "lug" after all, at least from reading that one article anyway.
Apparently, for the kind of hub that has the "wheel stud" already there,
you
put a threaded "lug nut" onto that threaded "wheel stud."
For the kind of hub that has just a threaded hole on the hub, you put a threaded "wheel bolt" (aka "lug bolt") into that threaded hole.
In the article and in the accompanying photo captions they variously called that "wheel bolt" a "lug bolt", but nowhere did they explain what a "lug"
is.
I wonder what the threaded hole on the hub is called?
Yeah, I'm starting to have a little deja vu all over again.
And sometimes it's an informed decision... Pull the Keihin jug or pour
a slug of SeaFoam into the tank and see what happens. No more
sputtering, decision loop complete.
It's O'Reilly's now but it went through a few other names. There was a
woman behind the counter that I always sought out. She could have
starred in 'My Cousin Vinny'. The guys were hit and miss,, mostly miss.
I still use my feelers at rare intervals. The DR650 is OHC with rocker
arms and the V-Strom is OHC with shims under the buckets but both need
to be checked. The Harley is a pushrod engine with hydraulic lifters.
Best 1955 tech.
On 12/29/2021 3:30 PM, John wrote:
I want all the statements I make to be completely scientifically
correct.
They never are. In spades with stupid claims about
"genetic therapy" and how mRNA vaccines work.
Find us even a single scientific definition of mRNA that does not have "stupid claims" of it being either "genetic material" or related to
"genes" (or both) in that definition.
Nowadays I'm happy for electrical fuel pumps sitting in the fuel tank.
Took me a while to get used to the FI bike. Turn the key and there is a
whir as the fuel pump builds pressure. It's noticeable when you sitting
on the tank.
Again, my feeble little brain had to figure out the upstroke versus the downstroke by the pressure pulse coming out of the spark plug opening before I screwed in the dial gauge.
I haven't had an all-electric (or even hybrid) though, so since I'm
ignorant
about them, I won't say whether they (finally) change things fundamentally.
Find us even a single scientific definition of mRNA that does not have
"stupid claims" of it being either "genetic material" or related to
"genes" (or both) in that definition.
The problem is with the word THERAPY, not genetic.
In the article and in the accompanying photo captions they variously called that "wheel bolt" a "lug bolt", but nowhere did they explain what a "lug"
is.
On 12/29/2021 5:00 PM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
If that was true, how do you account for the Texas Republican abortion
laws?
You just make up stuff to suite your agenda at the moment.
Most people who are rabidly political, like you appear to be, are too
stupid
to understand what I'm going to say below, which means I'm wasting my time
You wasted your time.
John wrote
Find us even a single scientific definition of mRNA that does not have
"stupid claims" of it being either "genetic material" or related to
"genes" (or both) in that definition.
The problem is with the word THERAPY, not genetic.
Why do you always play your silly games with word semantics
such that you create your own personal definition of what "therapy" means
but only to you?
On 12/29/2021 4:22 PM, rbowman wrote:
They would replace a 'defective' 1/2 ratchet knowing full well 4' of
pipe and a frozen nut had something to do with the 'defect'.
That has been my experience with Craftsman hand tools in that there is no
way to break most of them ('cept for those ratchet handles) unless you
abuse
them.
Even the ratchet handles get pipes on them, which can be considered abuse.
I also tend to bang on them sometimes with a mallet (more abuse?).
They didn't warrant, as I recall, the Craftsman branded power tools for example. Just the basic hand tools.
I don't go into harbor freight but what's the warranty on their stuff?
On 12/29/2021 9:57 PM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
You wasted your time.
Plonk.
On 12/29/2021 10:13 PM, knuttle wrote:
On 12/29/2021 9:57 PM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
You wasted your time.
Plonk.
Sheese, I get plonked for being honest. Not fair!
On 12/29/2021 2:12 PM, knuttle wrote:
Perhaps a simpler way to summarize the politicized science problem set isIf that was true, how do you account for the Texas Republican abortion
Rabid Democrats: It's your body my choice
Rabid Republicans: It's my body my choice
laws?
The Real Bev <bashley101@gmail.com> writes:
On 12/27/2021 10:04 PM, rbowman wrote:
Yeah, but that's not CITY! It snowed in Los Angeles in 1949 (I was sick >>and couldn't go out to play in it) and in some year possibly in the 80s
in Pasadena. Novelty. It snows up in the mountains, of course, but
that's not MY problem!
1985 or 1986 in Pasadena. Flurries made it down to
Colorado Blvd, but the actual snow level (on Mt. Wilson)
where the snow stuck around for any amount of time was
about 100 ft higher than Pasadena's Hasting's Ranch
neighborhood. I could see the snow from my office, at the time.
On 12/29/2021 4:22 PM, rbowman wrote:
They would replace a 'defective' 1/2 ratchet knowing full well 4' of
pipe and a frozen nut had something to do with the 'defect'.
That has been my experience with Craftsman hand tools in that there is no
way to break most of them ('cept for those ratchet handles) unless you abuse them.
Even the ratchet handles get pipes on them, which can be considered abuse.
I also tend to bang on them sometimes with a mallet (more abuse?).
They didn't warrant, as I recall, the Craftsman branded power tools for example. Just the basic hand tools.
I don't go into harbor freight but what's the warranty on their stuff?
On 12/29/2021 6:55 PM, Scott Lurndal wrote:
The lug nut attaches to a stud.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wheel_stud
Thank you for providing that article as my ignorance can be cured.
Apparently there's nothing called a "lug" after all, at least from reading that one article anyway.
Apparently, for the kind of hub that has the "wheel stud" already there, you put a threaded "lug nut" onto that threaded "wheel stud."
For the kind of hub that has just a threaded hole on the hub, you put a threaded "wheel bolt" (aka "lug bolt") into that threaded hole.
In the article and in the accompanying photo captions they variously called that "wheel bolt" a "lug bolt", but nowhere did they explain what a "lug"
is.
I wonder what the threaded hole on the hub is called?
On 12/29/2021 02:00 PM, The Real Bev wrote:
On 12/27/2021 10:04 PM, rbowman wrote:
On 12/27/2021 09:30 PM, The Real Bev wrote:
On 12/27/2021 08:09 PM, Bob F wrote:
On 12/27/2021 7:53 PM, The Real Bev wrote:
On 12/27/2021 02:58 PM, knuttle wrote:Like today, when my neighbor told me his kitchen faucet had no cold
What have you learned in your old age about car and home repair
that you feel should perhaps be taught to high school students?
That you can save a ton of money by learning to fix things
yourself. We
didn't have the benefit of youtube videos for just about anything
that's
broken -- we had to learn it the hard way.
My junior high (middle school now) required everyone, regardless of >>>>>> sex,
to take a semester of shop and one of home ec. Neither gave us any >>>>>> actual useful knowledge (I made a wooden number thing for our house >>>>>> and
some really nasty chipped beef on toast), other than that we could >>>>>> actually use tools and machinery to accomplish tasks. Good enough. >>>>>
water due to the cold blast we are in. I glanced at his house, and told >>>>> him the first thing to do is disconnect that hose from his frost free >>>>> hose spigot.
I then told him ways to get heat to the frozen pipe it attached to.
I'm from SoCal. What are "frozen pipes"?
Those are those things that lead to burning the house down when you
slither into the crawl space with a propane torch.
SoCal isn't exempt. I forget which year it was but driving east from LA
I saw all the irrigation pipes at Rancho Cucamonga had turned into ice
sculpture. Even at Vegas the fountains were frozen.
Yeah, but that's not CITY! It snowed in Los Angeles in 1949 (I was sick
and couldn't go out to play in it) and in some year possibly in the 80s
in Pasadena. Novelty. It snows up in the mountains, of course, but
that's not MY problem!
It's somebody's problem. I read 80 and 55 were closed yesterday and I
don't know if they're open yet. I've spent some quality time in Reno
waiting for the pass to open.
I was always amused by the people who would drive up to Cajon to frolic
in the snow. I suppose if you're from SoCal it's something special.
On 12/29/2021 02:14 PM, The Real Bev wrote:
On 12/28/2021 11:27 AM, knuttle wrote:
On 12/28/2021 1:41 PM, rbowman wrote:
And don't buy the cheap Harbor Freight open ends no matter how pretty >>>>> they are. I broke one on a drain plug.
I've never broken an open end but I approach Harbor Freight stuff with >>>> caution. I stocked the tool tube on my V-Strom. They're a step up from >>>> the Suzuki tools but if someone rips off the tube I'm only out about
$40. They are not the tools I use for working on the bike at home.
They were smooth and shiny and a kind of gunmetal grey color. How could
anything that pretty be made of pot metal?
Years ago a guy I worked with bought a Spanish adjustable. He used it a couple of times before it became a speed adjustable with a handy slot in
the worm gear.
I've got a HF 18" adjustable that works fine on the Harley's fork tube
caps. No torque to speak of, just big, and the adjustable is classier
than ChannelLoks. Other than that it would make a good hammer but I
already have enough of those.
On 12/29/2021 06:01 PM, knuttle wrote:
In the article and in the accompanying photo captions they variously called >> that "wheel bolt" a "lug bolt", but nowhere did they explain what a "lug"
is.
That thing over there with the threads on it. Or maybe it's those
things on the Kenda tires on my dirt bike that I sometimes use to lug
home groceries. My Rocky boots have lugs too as does the bolt on my rifle.
Why did you ask, you big lug?
https://www.etymonline.com/word/lug
That has 'Compare lug-nut (1869), nut closed at one end as a cap'. I
have seen lug nuts like that but they're usually called acorn nuts and
are used to pimp out custom wheels.
On 12/28/2021 7:08 PM, Clare Snyder wrote:...
The biggest change??? Undoubtably it is Unleaded fuel. No lead means
no phosphorous - which makes oi last longer. No lead makes plugs last
longer. No phosphorous mkes exhaust last longer. No phosphorous makes
engine internal parts last longer. No lead makes valves last longer.
That's an interesting take on the biggest change being the loss of leaded fuel. But didn't valve seats have to change in order to compensate for it?
Knuttle has been around for decades.
But this John guys is brand new.
You do realize who this "John" is you're speaking with, don't you?
I don't go into harbor freight but what's the warranty on their stuff?
Lifetime on hand tools last I heard, although son had three electric drill/screwdrivers replaced.
On 12/29/2021 7:56 PM, rbowman wrote:
And sometimes it's an informed decision... Pull the Keihin jug or
pour a slug of SeaFoam into the tank and see what happens. No more
sputtering, decision loop complete.
What does all those smoke particles do to the super expensive cats?
Sheese, I get plonked for being honest. Not fair!
Getting plonked by the nutto. Priceless!
You wasted your time.
Plonk.
Sheese, I get plonked for being honest. Not fair!
On 12/29/2021 07:00 PM, rbowman wrote:
On 12/29/2021 06:01 PM, knuttle wrote:
In the article and in the accompanying photo captions they variously
called
that "wheel bolt" a "lug bolt", but nowhere did they explain what a
"lug"
is.
That thing over there with the threads on it. Or maybe it's those
things on the Kenda tires on my dirt bike that I sometimes use to lug
home groceries. My Rocky boots have lugs too as does the bolt on my
rifle.
Why did you ask, you big lug?
https://www.etymonline.com/word/lug
That has 'Compare lug-nut (1869), nut closed at one end as a cap'. I
have seen lug nuts like that but they're usually called acorn nuts and
are used to pimp out custom wheels.
Addendum: wheel locks are worthless. All you need is a nutcracker.
Goddam thief stole my mom's wheels during the night. The dealer sold
her NEW wheel locks. She never asked us about car things; if she had I would have convinced her that Cadillacs were garbage and that she could
have RELIABLE luxury in a Lexus..
On 12/29/2021 8:02 PM, rbowman wrote:
I still use my feelers at rare intervals. The DR650 is OHC with rocker
arms and the V-Strom is OHC with shims under the buckets but both need
to be checked. The Harley is a pushrod engine with hydraulic lifters.
Best 1955 tech.
Last time I needed a feeler gauge was using that nice c-shaped tool on a handle to depress the shims under the cam shaft enough to remove the old
shim and replace the old shim with a thicker new shim.
You've probably done that yourself.
How many other things nowadays need feeler gauges for normal automotive repair (not including rebuilding an engine which is a different thing).
On 12/29/2021 8:08 PM, rbowman wrote:
Nowadays I'm happy for electrical fuel pumps sitting in the fuel tank.
Took me a while to get used to the FI bike. Turn the key and there is
a whir as the fuel pump builds pressure. It's noticeable when you
sitting on the tank.
For diagnostic debug, I still have a little light in my tuneup toolkit that plugs into the fuel injectors of my first FI vehicle, a Nissan 300Z, and which literally blinks when it receives the pulse telling the fuel injector to inject.
It took my feeble little brain a few re-reads of the manual to realize that they don't normally inject fuel into the cylinders but into the manifold.
I'm sure some vehicles actually inject fuel into the cylinders, but not
many
right?
Also in that tuneup kit is a dial gauge with a pin sticking out which
screws
onto the spark plug hole so that you can turn the crankshaft to the precise number of millimeters before top dead center on the upstroke to set the timing for when the points buzzer should stop buzzing incessantly.
Again, my feeble little brain had to figure out the upstroke versus the downstroke by the pressure pulse coming out of the spark plug opening
before
I screwed in the dial gauge.
Religion. Real shame those people can't separate religion from
politics. You'd think that they'd be smarter. Once you allow a god to
tell you what you should do all limits are off.
That's another interesting discussion -- how much of the snake oil
actually has a beneficial effect. STP oil or gas? Marvel Mystery Oil?
Bar's Stop Leak. I have used Bar's with some success but it was in a
'62 Dodge D100. I don't think I'd use it in anything made in this century.
Why did you ask, you big lug?
On 12/29/2021 07:00 PM, rbowman wrote:
On 12/29/2021 06:01 PM, knuttle wrote:
In the article and in the accompanying photo captions they variously
called
that "wheel bolt" a "lug bolt", but nowhere did they explain what a
"lug"
is.
That thing over there with the threads on it. Or maybe it's those
things on the Kenda tires on my dirt bike that I sometimes use to lug
home groceries. My Rocky boots have lugs too as does the bolt on my
rifle.
Why did you ask, you big lug?
https://www.etymonline.com/word/lug
That has 'Compare lug-nut (1869), nut closed at one end as a cap'. I
have seen lug nuts like that but they're usually called acorn nuts and
are used to pimp out custom wheels.
Addendum: wheel locks are worthless. All you need is a nutcracker.
Goddam thief stole my mom's wheels during the night. The dealer sold
her NEW wheel locks. She never asked us about car things; if she had I would have convinced her that Cadillacs were garbage and that she could
have RELIABLE luxury in a Lexus..
On 12/29/2021 03:59 PM, Scott Lurndal wrote:
The Real Bev <bashley101@gmail.com> writes:
On 12/27/2021 10:04 PM, rbowman wrote:
Yeah, but that's not CITY! It snowed in Los Angeles in 1949 (I was sick >>> and couldn't go out to play in it) and in some year possibly in the 80s
in Pasadena. Novelty. It snows up in the mountains, of course, but
that's not MY problem!
Handy hint: Carrying a small floor jack make it a lot easier to put on chains.
On 12/29/2021 05:17 PM, rbowman wrote:
On 12/29/2021 02:14 PM, The Real Bev wrote:
On 12/28/2021 11:27 AM, knuttle wrote:
On 12/28/2021 1:41 PM, rbowman wrote:
And don't buy the cheap Harbor Freight open ends no matter how pretty >>>>>> they are. I broke one on a drain plug.
I've never broken an open end but I approach Harbor Freight stuff with >>>>> caution. I stocked the tool tube on my V-Strom. They're a step up from >>>>> the Suzuki tools but if someone rips off the tube I'm only out about >>>>> $40. They are not the tools I use for working on the bike at home.
They were smooth and shiny and a kind of gunmetal grey color. How could >>> anything that pretty be made of pot metal?
Years ago a guy I worked with bought a Spanish adjustable. He used it a
couple of times before it became a speed adjustable with a handy slot in
the worm gear.
I've got a HF 18" adjustable that works fine on the Harley's fork tube
caps. No torque to speak of, just big, and the adjustable is classier
than ChannelLoks. Other than that it would make a good hammer but I
already have enough of those.
I love Channellocks, but I used to call them water-pump pliers because
that's what a pro mech called them. The smallest ones I have are only
3" long and the channel (not a channel, just four attached holes) is
kind of worn away so it won't hold against anything really tough, but I
just bought it for its cuteness.
We have CROWFOOT wrenches, but we've never used them. When they're dirt cheap at yard sales you buy everything even if you can't figure out what you'll use it for.
Luckily, no. I had a Yamaha Seca with shim-over-bucket. I tried to get
the Yamaha tool in preparation but they didn't make one anymore. The
gaps were in spec so it wasn't needed.
The V-Strom is shim-under-bucket so you need to pull the cams.
Fortunately that was in spec. Checking the valves wasn't my primary goal
but to replace a defective stator you need to remove the bodywork, seat,
and tank. By that time you might as well check the valve.
The worst thing I've worked on was an Alfa. DOHC and you could lose a
finger releasing the idler on the drive chain. It also had wet liners so
you were looking at replacing both the liners and pistons. They didn't
offer oversized pistons.
Bumps on the soles of boots are called "lugs".
Finding TDC on the DR650 isn't as sophisticated. There are markings in
the inspection port but you pull a plug and stick a pencil down. Same
idea. If the valve covers are off you rattle the rocker arms to make
sure you're on the right cycle.
I've got beam type torque wrenches from 1/4 to 1/2 but no crowfeet. I understand the concept but never had t apply it.
On 12/29/2021 11:37 PM, Bob F wrote:
You wasted your time.
Plonk.
Sheese, I get plonked for being honest.� Not fair!
Bob F. is likely Pawlowski becuase he knows Pawlowski is in everyone's killfile already so Bob F re-posts Pawlowski's idiocy.
1. Pawlowski is a rabid Democrat (I'm not political - he is).
2. Because he's a rabid Democrat, he believes _everything_ they tell him.
3. One of those things he believes is it's "*My body _my_ choice*"
Yet, when it comes to the "vaccine", Pawlowski says it's NOT your choice.
a. Pawlowski believes with the vaccine it's "*Your body _HIS_ choice*"
b. He's "being honest" when he tells us this crap (which Democrats fed him) c. I'm "being honest" also - when I say that only an idiot thinks that way
...The biggest change??? Undoubtably it is Unleaded fuel. No lead means
no phosphorous - which makes oi last longer. No lead makes plugs last
longer. No phosphorous mkes exhaust last longer. No phosphorous makes
engine internal parts last longer. No lead makes valves last longer.
That's an interesting take on the biggest change being the loss of leaded
fuel. But didn't valve seats have to change in order to compensate for it?
We had to change the heads to "smog heads" with hardened valve seats.
On 12/28/2021 11:19 AM, Michael Trew wrote:
On 12/28/2021 13:03, knuttle wrote:
On 12/28/2021 2:08 AM, Bob F wrote:
It hasn't stopped me from maintaining my own cars. Past knowledge
combined with new knowledge is all I need.
I agree that cars haven't changed mechanically all that much over time.
However it's an interesting question to ask what _has_ changed over
time.
What's new now in a car of the 2000's that didn't exist in the 1950s?
Primarily Computers! Tons of computerized systems. Started with
electronic ignition in the mid 70's and they kept adding more electronic
systems.
I own 11 cars now, from the 60s/70's on up, and the only one that still
has points would be my '68 Ford Galaxie. I can work on all of them, but
the newest is right at the end of being too modern. Up until I bought
the 2005 Hyundai Elantra, the newest was a '94 Geo Metro. You can't get
more simple than the Geo for a 90's car that's easy to wrench on.
I won't say replacing the serpentine belt on a Geo is difficult but it
is a bit tight. I had the 4 cylinder; maybe the 3 cylinder was roomier.
Interestingly, the home built airplane people love that engine. Light, dependable, and cheap.
I liked the Geo enough that I looked at a Suzuki, but that was about the
time Suzuki automotive was going down the toilet. I've got a couple of
Suzuki bikes and that division is still going strong.
On 12/28/2021 11:04 PM, rbowman wrote:
I won't say replacing the serpentine belt on a Geo is difficult but it
is a bit tight. I had the 4 cylinder; maybe the 3 cylinder was roomier.
The fewer thin long strong leverage tools you have (for the tensioners),
the
harder it is. But with a single long strong thin properly sized tool, it
can
be easy to keep the tension off the belt so that you can slip the belt onto the topmost pulley.
Michael Trew<michael.trew@att.net> wrote:
Here is the issue that I have. There are too many things that have
changed. Look how tightly everything is packed into the engine
compartment. Nothing is easy to get to. My mother's newer Buick has
electronic power steering. How the heck does that work?
You should read a book! The electronic power steering is very cool and it is in fact pretty much like the hydraulic steering system except there's a sensor and a servomotor instead of hoses.
Because there's a computer mediating between the sensor and the motor you need to understand how to watch the data going through the computer controls, but you CAN watch that, and much more easily than watching pressures at the steering rack on that old Galaxie.
Everything being packed more tightly IS a problem, but by the same token we also have better tools for getting into places than we ever had before.
Many car makes are using the computerized systems to their advantage to
prevent backyard mechanics. Some newer cars like BMW's have to be
reprogrammed at a dealer when the battery is taken out. They just don't
work when connected back up. I was told that service can cost $400, and
it forces you to visit a dealer to buy a battery.
For the first couple of years until the people who make the scanning tools for
BMWs catch on and figure out how to emulate the factory tools, and then it's just a matter of visiting your local independent shop with BMW tools.
The same thing was the case back in the sixties with special tools. At first the dealer only had the tools, then a couple years later everyone had them. --scott
On 12/28/2021 1:25 PM, Michael Trew wrote:
On 12/28/2021 13:01, knuttle wrote:
On 12/28/2021 2:21 PM, Scott Dorsey wrote:
If you pull up the data on the scan tool, you can see inside the
engine of a modern car with much more detail than you ever could with
old cars.
I agree with those who would say not only have cars remained essentially >>> unchanged from what we learned about them in the fifties, but in
almost all
cases they're even _easier_ to maintain now for a huge number of
reasons.
We have better scanners now (such as OBDII).
We have better DIYs now (such as those on YouTube).
Some systems are far more reliable (such as the fuel & spark ignition).
etc.
Take the cooling system for example as a critical system which has
remained
essentially unchanged. What has changed over the years? Not much right?
a. The system used to be open and now it's closed (no big deal)
b. The thermostat used to be mechanical and now some are controlled
c. The fluid used to be green and now we have blue & pink to deal with
d. That fluid used to be a concentrate and now it's often pre diluted
e. The tank ends (and nipples) are often plastic instead of brass
etc.
Those are all minor differences, right?
(One difference I remember is crimping corroded pipes inside the
radiator
which I don't think anyone does today. Is that due to aluminum over
brass?)
It's a good question to ponder though.
What has _changed_ since the cars of the fifties and sixties we
learned on?
Here is the issue that I have. There are too many things that have
changed. Look how tightly everything is packed into the engine
compartment. Nothing is easy to get to. My mother's newer Buick has
electronic power steering. How the heck does that work?
Many car makes are using the computerized systems to their advantage
to prevent backyard mechanics. Some newer cars like BMW's have to be
reprogrammed at a dealer when the battery is taken out. They just
don't work when connected back up. I was told that service can cost
$400, and it forces you to visit a dealer to buy a battery.
https://autovfix.com/bmw-battery-replacement-reprogramming-bmw-battery-registration-procedure/
What a wash! OBD2 can help with diagnosing some things, but all you
find now are more and more sensors. Sorry, in whole, I firmly
disagree that cars are getting easier to work on. It used to be
straightforward, but cars are designed to NOT be straightforward now.
The basic method of making power and getting it to the wheel for motion
is still the same but so much more sophisticated. So, you can get a
lesson in physics and mechanics but what else is of much value?
Is more than one out of 1000 ever going to change a fuel pump in the
tank? Those that have serious interest in the mechanics, like in the
past, will learn how to do it. I used to do 100% of my car repair and maintenance. In the past 15 years or so, most I've done is add
windshield wiper fluid.
On Tue, 28 Dec 2021 13:25:34 -0500, Michael Trew<michael.trew@att.net>
wrote:
Many car makes are using the computerized systems to their advantage to
prevent backyard mechanics. [snip]
What a wash! OBD2 can help with diagnosing some things, but all you
find now are more and more sensors. Sorry, in whole, I firmly disagree
that cars are getting easier to work on. It used to be straightforward,
but cars are designed to NOT be straightforward now.
The onboard computer can also help. I bought a used car in 2005 that was seriously underpriced and at first I didn't know why. I initially
chalked it up to being a used Toyota on a Ford dealer's lot but I soon discovered that the automatic climate control didn't work. All of the
manual controls worked, but who wants that.
Toy dealer quoted me $3400 plus labor to r&r the control unit, so I
passed. Internet to the rescue - there's a diag feature in all or most
of the computer-controlled vehicles that tells you what's wrong.* In my
case, it said the cabin temp sensor was not responding. I reached up
under the dash to disconnect the sensor so I could remove it for
testing, but I found that it was simply disconnected. That was all it
needed.
*For that vehicle, start with the ignition off. Press and hold 3 buttons
on the climate control panel, then turn on the ignition. The system does
a complete self-test and ends with a flashing numeric display. Cross reference the number(s) being displayed and you have your fault(s). The dealer wanted $240 to do that procedure, which could then be applied to
the final repair cost, but in the end it cost me nothing.
On 12/30/2021 2:17 PM, knuttle wrote:
On 12/29/2021 11:37 PM, Bob F wrote:
You wasted your time.
Plonk.
Sheese, I get plonked for being honest.� Not fair!
Bob F. is likely Pawlowski becuase he knows Pawlowski is in everyone's
killfile already so Bob F re-posts Pawlowski's idiocy.
1. Pawlowski is a rabid Democrat (I'm not political - he is).
2. Because he's a rabid Democrat, he believes _everything_ they tell him.
3. One of those things he believes is it's "*My body _my_ choice*"
Yet, when it comes to the "vaccine", Pawlowski says it's NOT your choice.
a. Pawlowski believes with the vaccine it's "*Your body _HIS_ choice*"
b. He's "being honest" when he tells us this crap (which Democrats fed
him)
c. I'm "being honest" also - when I say that only an idiot thinks that
way
It is impolite to speak about people you plonked. Worse, you are
spreading mis-information. I am a registered Independent and dislike
both parties equally.
You are attributing facts to me that do not exist. You make up stuff to suite your stupid agenda and don't care about facts. Meantime, you go
off like a nut case. So be it, sensible people see you for what you are.
On 12/29/2021 10:32 PM, The Real Bev wrote:
I don't go into harbor freight but what's the warranty on their stuff?
Lifetime on hand tools last I heard, although son had three electric
drill/screwdrivers replaced.
That's confusing two of you said harbor freight had lifetime warranties.
I thought you couldn't return anything based on what friends have said.
I've been told (wrong?) that without a receipt you can't do a thing.
And even then they said the receipt only works for so long.
If you brought a ten year old hand tool to Sears they didn't ask for that.
Do you have to have the receipt for harbor freight's warranty to work?
Or do they recognize their own tools like Sears did even 10 years later?
On 12/29/2021 10:32 PM, The Real Bev wrote:
I don't go into harbor freight but what's the warranty on their stuff?
Lifetime on hand tools last I heard, although son had three electric
drill/screwdrivers replaced.
That's confusing two of you said harbor freight had lifetime warranties.
I thought you couldn't return anything based on what friends have said.
I've been told (wrong?) that without a receipt you can't do a thing.
And even then they said the receipt only works for so long.
If you brought a ten year old hand tool to Sears they didn't ask for that.
Do you have to have the receipt for harbor freight's warranty to work?
Or do they recognize their own tools like Sears did even 10 years later?
The worst thing I've worked on was an Alfa. DOHC and you could lose a
finger releasing the idler on the drive chain. It also had wet liners so
you were looking at replacing both the liners and pistons. They didn't
offer oversized pistons.
On 12/29/2021 9:41 PM, The Real Bev wrote:
Goddam thief stole my mom's wheels during the night. The dealer soldMy father had a Sedan deVille when he retired. After he bought 15 acres
her NEW wheel locks. She never asked us about car things; if she had I
would have convinced her that Cadillacs were garbage and that she could
have RELIABLE luxury in a Lexus..
out in the boonies, for several years it was used to haul rocks and
trash around the property, until he finally broke down and bought a pickup.
On 12/29/2021 10:41 PM, The Real Bev wrote:
Goddam thief stole my mom's wheels during the night. The dealer sold
her NEW wheel locks. She never asked us about car things; if she had I
would have convinced her that Cadillacs were garbage and that she could
have RELIABLE luxury in a Lexus..
I worked for a start up and when we started making money the president decided to treat himself to a Cadillac. That lasted about six months
before he traded it for a Lincoln Town Car.
In his words, 'If I'm going to be n----r rich I'm going to do it right.'
On 12/30/2021 12:48 AM, The Real Bev wrote:
...The biggest change??? Undoubtably it is Unleaded fuel. No lead means >>>> no phosphorous - which makes oi last longer. No lead makes plugs last
longer. No phosphorous mkes exhaust last longer. No phosphorous makes
engine internal parts last longer. No lead makes valves last longer.
That's an interesting take on the biggest change being the loss of leaded >>> fuel. But didn't valve seats have to change in order to compensate for it? >>We had to change the heads to "smog heads" with hardened valve seats.
I'm ignorant of valve seats as I've never rebuilt an engine at that level.
Is it a pressed-in seat like the steel cylinders are in an alloy engine?
On 12/29/2021 10:12 PM, The Real Bev wrote:
On 12/29/2021 03:59 PM, Scott Lurndal wrote:
The Real Bev <bashley101@gmail.com> writes:
On 12/27/2021 10:04 PM, rbowman wrote:
Yeah, but that's not CITY! It snowed in Los Angeles in 1949 (I was sick >>>> and couldn't go out to play in it) and in some year possibly in the 80s >>>> in Pasadena. Novelty. It snows up in the mountains, of course, but
that's not MY problem!
Handy hint: Carrying a small floor jack make it a lot easier to put on
chains.
Hint: stay out of CA when it snows.
For a big truck 'chains required'
means a set of triple rails on one drive axle, single rails on the
other, and a single on the rear trailer wheel.
Most states leave it to your discretion how much iron you're going to
hang but CA being CA...
I don't think they could sell any hand tools
without such a warranty.
Of course you can return things purchased at HF.
Such fancy tools... I've done several Geo Metro serpentine and timing
belt jobs... just use whatever wooden stick is on hand to tension the serpentine belt via leverage on the alternator... lol.
Same story with most newer vehicles. My point being, that you have to
be a tech genius to get around some of the purposeful road blocks that manufacturers install.
On 12/29/2021 10:32 PM, The Real Bev wrote:
I don't go into harbor freight but what's the warranty on their stuff?
Lifetime on hand tools last I heard, although son had three electric
drill/screwdrivers replaced.
That's confusing two of you said harbor freight had lifetime warranties.
I thought you couldn't return anything based on what friends have said.
On 12/30/2021 2:12 PM, rbowman wrote:
That's another interesting discussion -- how much of the snake oil
actually has a beneficial effect. STP oil or gas? Marvel Mystery Oil?
Bar's Stop Leak. I have used Bar's with some success but it was in a
'62 Dodge D100. I don't think I'd use it in anything made in this
century.
You seem to be intelligent so you immediately understood what I was saying.
1. Some stuff is pure snake oil (devoid of any benefits)
2. Some stuff works ok (but it has negatives they don't tell you about)
My comment about the cats is I've seen what comes out the pipe when engines ingest that stuff and it's not pretty if you wince at the loss of your
cats.
On 12/29/2021 11:37 PM, Bob F wrote:
You wasted your time.
Plonk.
Sheese, I get plonked for being honest.� Not fair!
Bob F. is likely Pawlowski becuase he knows Pawlowski is in everyone's killfile already so Bob F re-posts Pawlowski's idiocy.
1. Pawlowski is a rabid Democrat (I'm not political - he is).
2. Because he's a rabid Democrat, he believes _everything_ they tell him.
3. One of those things he believes is it's "*My body _my_ choice*"
Yet, when it comes to the "vaccine", Pawlowski says it's NOT your choice.
a. Pawlowski believes with the vaccine it's "*Your body _HIS_ choice*"
b. He's "being honest" when he tells us this crap (which Democrats fed him) c. I'm "being honest" also - when I say that only an idiot thinks that way
On 12/30/2021 2:33 PM, rbowman wrote:
Luckily, no. I had a Yamaha Seca with shim-over-bucket. I tried to get
the Yamaha tool in preparation but they didn't make one anymore. The
gaps were in spec so it wasn't needed.
My family was friends with the dealer who sold the vehicle where I would order stuff on the phone from him using words like "can you get me the
tools
that I need to check timing" or "can you get me the tools I need to check
cam clearance" and he'd call me back when they came in.
As with original sin, there is no shame in original ignorance.
The shame is only in when it can't be cured (because of stupidity).
On 12/29/2021 9:41 PM, The Real Bev wrote:
On 12/29/2021 07:00 PM, rbowman wrote:
On 12/29/2021 06:01 PM, knuttle wrote:
In the article and in the accompanying photo captions they variously
called
that "wheel bolt" a "lug bolt", but nowhere did they explain what a
"lug"
is.
That thing over there with the threads on it. Or maybe it's those
things on the Kenda tires on my dirt bike that I sometimes use to lug
home groceries. My Rocky boots have lugs too as does the bolt on my
rifle.
Why did you ask, you big lug?
https://www.etymonline.com/word/lug
That has 'Compare lug-nut (1869), nut closed at one end as a cap'. I
have seen lug nuts like that but they're usually called acorn nuts and
are used to pimp out custom wheels.
Addendum: wheel locks are worthless. All you need is a nutcracker.
Goddam thief stole my mom's wheels during the night. The dealer sold her
NEW wheel locks. She never asked us about car things; if she had I
would have convinced her that Cadillacs were garbage and that she could
have RELIABLE luxury in a Lexus..
My father had a Sedan deVille when he retired. After he bought 15 acres
out in the boonies, for several years it was used to haul rocks and trash around the property, until he finally broke down and bought a pickup.
On 12/30/2021 12:14 PM, rbowman wrote:
On 12/29/2021 10:12 PM, The Real Bev wrote:
On 12/29/2021 03:59 PM, Scott Lurndal wrote:
The Real Bev <bashley101@gmail.com> writes:
On 12/27/2021 10:04 PM, rbowman wrote:
Yeah, but that's not CITY! It snowed in Los Angeles in 1949 (I was sick >>>>> and couldn't go out to play in it) and in some year possibly in the 80s >>>>> in Pasadena. Novelty. It snows up in the mountains, of course, but >>>>> that's not MY problem!
Handy hint: Carrying a small floor jack make it a lot easier to put on
chains.
Hint: stay out of CA when it snows.
On 12/30/2021 11:33 AM, rbowman wrote:
The worst thing I've worked on was an Alfa. DOHC and you could lose a
finger releasing the idler on the drive chain. It also had wet liners so
you were looking at replacing both the liners and pistons. They didn't
offer oversized pistons.
Heh. The guy up the street collects and repairs Spiders -- He has at
least 9 of them, and every once in a while buys or sells one.
On 12/28/2021 23:04, rbowman wrote:
On 12/28/2021 11:19 AM, Michael Trew wrote:
On 12/28/2021 13:03, knuttle wrote:
On 12/28/2021 2:08 AM, Bob F wrote:
It hasn't stopped me from maintaining my own cars. Past knowledge
combined with new knowledge is all I need.
I agree that cars haven't changed mechanically all that much over time. >>>> However it's an interesting question to ask what _has_ changed over
time.
What's new now in a car of the 2000's that didn't exist in the 1950s?
Primarily Computers! Tons of computerized systems. Started with
electronic ignition in the mid 70's and they kept adding more electronic >>> systems.
I own 11 cars now, from the 60s/70's on up, and the only one that still
has points would be my '68 Ford Galaxie. I can work on all of them, but
the newest is right at the end of being too modern. Up until I bought
the 2005 Hyundai Elantra, the newest was a '94 Geo Metro. You can't get
more simple than the Geo for a 90's car that's easy to wrench on.
I won't say replacing the serpentine belt on a Geo is difficult but it
is a bit tight. I had the 4 cylinder; maybe the 3 cylinder was roomier.
Interestingly, the home built airplane people love that engine. Light,
dependable, and cheap.
I liked the Geo enough that I looked at a Suzuki, but that was about the
time Suzuki automotive was going down the toilet. I've got a couple of
Suzuki bikes and that division is still going strong.
A guy in the "geo community" is well known, "Glenn Gibson". He also professionally rebuilt aircraft engines.
I'm not familiar with the 4 cylinder variant, but I've owned at least 10 3 cylinder Geo Metros now,
and 4 in my current possession.
One travels the country with me. I've been on many a 14 hour road trip in that car.
On 12/29/2021 10:00 PM, rbowman wrote:
Why did you ask, you big lug?
I'm kind of sorry that I did! :)
But I learned something that I was previously ignorant of.
As with original sin, there is no shame in original ignorance.
The shame is only in when it can't be cured (because of stupidity).
On 12/30/2021 12:17 PM, knuttle wrote:
On 12/29/2021 11:37 PM, Bob F wrote:
You wasted your time.
Plonk.
Sheese, I get plonked for being honest.� Not fair!
Bob F. is likely Pawlowski becuase he knows Pawlowski is in everyone's
killfile already so Bob F re-posts Pawlowski's idiocy.
1. Pawlowski is a rabid Democrat (I'm not political - he is).
2. Because he's a rabid Democrat, he believes _everything_ they tell him.
3. One of those things he believes is it's "*My body _my_ choice*"
Yet, when it comes to the "vaccine", Pawlowski says it's NOT your choice.
a. Pawlowski believes with the vaccine it's "*Your body _HIS_ choice*"
b. He's "being honest" when he tells us this crap (which Democrats fed
him)
c. I'm "being honest" also - when I say that only an idiot thinks that
way
Ed's a long time poster and often has worthwhile comments. However he
came down with a virulent case of TDS and hasn't been quite the same since.
Michael Trew wrote
Same story with most newer vehicles. My point being, that you have to be
a tech genius to get around some of the purposeful road blocks that
manufacturers install.
The only people saying it's much harder to work on cars are those who
never learned how to work on cars in the first place it seems.
I think it's the other way around in that cars have gotten vastly
_simpler_ over the years in terms of what breaks
and what needs to be maintained.
Many things lasts longer.
Most things need less maintenance.
For some reason (probably radials) even tires last longer but most rubbery stuff doesn't last all that much longer than it did long ago.
Luckily rebuild kits abound for rubbery stuff in calipers, master
cylinders,
slave cylinders, and drum brake cylinders (where youtube videos show you
ever step of the way). Even rebuilding alternators is still rather easy.
Almost everything on cars is easier now than it was ever before.
There's no need for the yearly tuneup anymore, and even oils last longer.
The major change I think is electronics simplified auto maintenance
because
they only fail (in general) one way as they don't necessarily "wear out."
The ever growing amount of electronics in cars makes the maintenance so simple that the only ones complaining are those who never did maintain
their cars (they never learned any of the basic fundamentals of auto
repair).
What they never learned is what, I feel, should be taught to students
today.
o No flat horizontal place on the dashboard to put a phone, and it's pebbly-surfaced so the semi-sticky things won't stick either. I don't
want to have to look down by my right thigh to see the next GPS
direction, and using one of those things that attaches to the AC vents
seems stupid. Cup-holder things are too short and would get in the way
of the shift lever.
o Extra transponder key cost $150. Local smith gave me a deal -- two
plain keys for $150 and he disabled the transponder requirement. I had
a use for two plain spare keys and NO use for an extra transponder key.
All I REALLY wanted was a goddam spare plain key :-(
In his words, 'If I'm going to be n----r rich I'm going to do it right.'
40 years ago the Pres of hubby's company bought an Aston Martin, which
he could easily afford. He sold it when he found out that ordinary
tune-ups cost $1K. No idea what he bought to replace it.
n 12/30/2021 12:14 PM, rbowman wrote:
On 12/29/2021 10:12 PM, The Real Bev wrote:
On 12/29/2021 03:59 PM, Scott Lurndal wrote:
The Real Bev <bashley101@gmail.com> writes:
On 12/27/2021 10:04 PM, rbowman wrote:
Yeah, but that's not CITY! It snowed in Los Angeles in 1949 (I was
sick
and couldn't go out to play in it) and in some year possibly in the
80s
in Pasadena. Novelty. It snows up in the mountains, of course, but >>>>> that's not MY problem!
Handy hint: Carrying a small floor jack make it a lot easier to put on
chains.
Hint: stay out of CA when it snows.
Yes. Rain too. We really don't know how to deal with this stuff. I
had chain-type chains for my Sentra. Nobody told me you weren't
supposed to drive 45 with chains -- worked fine until one broke :-(
On 12/30/2021 3:17 PM, rbowman wrote:
I've got beam type torque wrenches from 1/4 to 1/2 but no crowfeet. I
understand the concept but never had t apply it.
Offhand I don't know what a crowfoot is unless it's the kind of wrench we have to use to replace oxygen sensors.
As for channel locks, it's my philosophical advice to my grandchildren that if they find themselves using pliers on a nut then they must be in an emergency so dire that they won't live long enough to find the correctly sized open end or box wrench.
On 12/30/2021 3:58 PM, Michael Trew wrote:
Such fancy tools... I've done several Geo Metro serpentine and timing
belt jobs... just use whatever wooden stick is on hand to tension the
serpentine belt via leverage on the alternator... lol.
I don't think you understand what a tensioner looks like when its
tension is
released by turning a 19mm hex bump (it looks like a bolt head but isn't).
No wooden stick on this planet is going to budge that 19mm hex "bolt" a
bit.
There is only one thing on this planet that will work and that's a 19mm socket but even then you still need a long thin bar to allow you to work
the
belt across the pulley when the alternator is not adjustable and you need
all your hands and all your tools in the same spot in the tight
compartment.
Michael Trew <michael.trew@att.net> wrote
On 12/28/2021 23:04, rbowman wrote:
On 12/28/2021 11:19 AM, Michael Trew wrote:
On 12/28/2021 13:03, knuttle wrote:
On 12/28/2021 2:08 AM, Bob F wrote:Primarily Computers! Tons of computerized systems. Started with
It hasn't stopped me from maintaining my own cars. Past knowledge
combined with new knowledge is all I need.
I agree that cars haven't changed mechanically all that much over
time.
However it's an interesting question to ask what _has_ changed over
time.
What's new now in a car of the 2000's that didn't exist in the 1950s? >>>>
electronic ignition in the mid 70's and they kept adding more
electronic
systems.
I own 11 cars now, from the 60s/70's on up, and the only one that still >>>> has points would be my '68 Ford Galaxie. I can work on all of them, but >>>> the newest is right at the end of being too modern. Up until I bought
the 2005 Hyundai Elantra, the newest was a '94 Geo Metro. You can't get >>>> more simple than the Geo for a 90's car that's easy to wrench on.
I won't say replacing the serpentine belt on a Geo is difficult but it
is a bit tight. I had the 4 cylinder; maybe the 3 cylinder was roomier.
Interestingly, the home built airplane people love that engine. Light,
dependable, and cheap.
I liked the Geo enough that I looked at a Suzuki, but that was about the >>> time Suzuki automotive was going down the toilet. I've got a couple of
Suzuki bikes and that division is still going strong.
A guy in the "geo community" is well known, "Glenn Gibson". He also
professionally rebuilt aircraft engines.
I'm not familiar with the 4 cylinder variant, but I've owned at least
10 3 cylinder Geo Metros now,
Why have you gone thru so many ?
and 4 in my current possession.
Ditto.
One travels the country with me. I've been on many a 14 hour road trip
in that car.
On 12/30/2021 4:01 PM, Michael Trew wrote:
Same story with most newer vehicles. My point being, that you have to
be a tech genius to get around some of the purposeful road blocks that
manufacturers install.
Many things lasts longer.
Most things need less maintenance.
For some reason (probably radials) even tires last longer but most rubbery stuff doesn't last all that much longer than it did long ago.
Almost everything on cars is easier now than it was ever before.
There's no need for the yearly tuneup anymore, and even oils last longer.
The major change I think is electronics simplified auto maintenance because they only fail (in general) one way as they don't necessarily "wear out."
The ever growing amount of electronics in cars makes the maintenance so simple that the only ones complaining are those who never did maintain
their
cars (they never learned any of the basic fundamentals of auto repair).
What they never learned is what, I feel, should be taught to students
today.
knuttle <keith_nuttle@sbcglobal.net> wrote
Michael Trew wrote
Same story with most newer vehicles. My point being, that you have to
be a tech genius to get around some of the purposeful road blocks
that manufacturers install.
Haven't seen anything like that with my 2006 Hyundai Getz
I think it's the other way around in that cars have gotten vastly
_simpler_ over the years in terms of what breaks
Current cars have far more sensors which can fail.
Many things lasts longer.
And the whole car does too.
What they never learned is what, I feel, should be taught to students
today.
But arguably need need to given that modern cars last so long
now and most will have replaced them before anything fails.
Corse quite a few buy those.
On 12/30/2021 11:07 AM, knuttle wrote:
Do you have to have the receipt for harbor freight's warranty to work?
Or do they recognize their own tools like Sears did even 10 years later?
I think "Pittsburgn" is a HF-only brand. If it's not that it's some
other studly-sounding name. I think those wrenches are the only thing
I've needed to return.
On 12/30/2021 12:48 AM, The Real Bev wrote:
...The biggest change??? Undoubtably it is Unleaded fuel. No lead means >>>> no phosphorous - which makes oi last longer. No lead makes plugs last
longer. No phosphorous mkes exhaust last longer. No phosphorous makes
engine internal parts last longer. No lead makes valves last longer.
That's an interesting take on the biggest change being the loss of
leaded
fuel. But didn't valve seats have to change in order to compensate
for it?
We had to change the heads to "smog heads" with hardened valve seats.
I'm ignorant of valve seats as I've never rebuilt an engine at that level.
Is it a pressed-in seat like the steel cylinders are in an alloy engine?
On 12/28/2021 23:04, rbowman wrote:
On 12/28/2021 11:19 AM, Michael Trew wrote:
On 12/28/2021 13:03, knuttle wrote:
On 12/28/2021 2:08 AM, Bob F wrote:
It hasn't stopped me from maintaining my own cars. Past knowledge
combined with new knowledge is all I need.
I agree that cars haven't changed mechanically all that much over time. >>>> However it's an interesting question to ask what _has_ changed over
time.
What's new now in a car of the 2000's that didn't exist in the 1950s?
Primarily Computers! Tons of computerized systems. Started with
electronic ignition in the mid 70's and they kept adding more electronic >>> systems.
I own 11 cars now, from the 60s/70's on up, and the only one that still
has points would be my '68 Ford Galaxie. I can work on all of them, but
the newest is right at the end of being too modern. Up until I bought
the 2005 Hyundai Elantra, the newest was a '94 Geo Metro. You can't get
more simple than the Geo for a 90's car that's easy to wrench on.
I won't say replacing the serpentine belt on a Geo is difficult but it
is a bit tight. I had the 4 cylinder; maybe the 3 cylinder was roomier.
Interestingly, the home built airplane people love that engine. Light,
dependable, and cheap.
I liked the Geo enough that I looked at a Suzuki, but that was about the
time Suzuki automotive was going down the toilet. I've got a couple of
Suzuki bikes and that division is still going strong.
A guy in the "geo community" is well known, "Glenn Gibson". He also professionally rebuilt aircraft engines.
I'm not familiar with the 4 cylinder variant, but I've owned at least 10
3 cylinder Geo Metros now, and 4 in my current possession. One travels
the country with me. I've been on many a 14 hour road trip in that car.
...2013 Corolla.
o Doors lock as soon as I get in the car and close the door. Surely this should be a choice rather than a nuisance.
o I can't see any edges, making it difficult for me to tell where the
car ends. (In my defense, I used to be able to parallel-park BIG cars
easily, and I could even back a trailer as long as I could see it.)
o Extra transponder key cost $150. Local smith gave me a deal -- two
plain keys for $150 and he disabled the transponder requirement. I had a
use for two plain spare keys and NO use for an extra transponder key.
All I REALLY wanted was a spare plain key :-(
On 12/29/2021 15:52, knuttle wrote:
On 12/28/2021 11:04 PM, rbowman wrote:
I won't say replacing the serpentine belt on a Geo is difficult but it
is a bit tight. I had the 4 cylinder; maybe the 3 cylinder was roomier.
The fewer thin long strong leverage tools you have (for the tensioners),
the
harder it is. But with a single long strong thin properly sized tool, it
can
be easy to keep the tension off the belt so that you can slip the belt
onto
the topmost pulley.
Such fancy tools... I've done several Geo Metro serpentine and timing
belt jobs... just use whatever wooden stick is on hand to tension the serpentine belt via leverage on the alternator... lol.
For some reason (probably radials) even tires last longer but most rubbery stuff doesn't last all that much longer than it did long ago.
My first (and last) Chrysler was a '97 LHS. I wondered why such a clean looking maintained car was only $500 circa 2017. I learned. On top of
all of the little electrical issues, the automatic climate control panel would randomly wig out and blast heat in the middle of summer, and could
not be turned off. Eventually I learned that repeatedly punching it
will eventually shut it off (LOL). I ended up buying a whole climate
control panel out of a junk yard car. I consider manual controls and switches a feature ;)
On 12/30/2021 11:37 AM, Bob F wrote:
On 12/29/2021 9:41 PM, The Real Bev wrote:
Goddam thief stole my mom's wheels during the night. The dealer soldMy father had a Sedan deVille when he retired. After he bought 15 acres
her NEW wheel locks. She never asked us about car things; if she had I >>> would have convinced her that Cadillacs were garbage and that she could
have RELIABLE luxury in a Lexus..
out in the boonies, for several years it was used to haul rocks and
trash around the property, until he finally broke down and bought a
pickup.
The engine and trans worked great for 30 years. The plastic stuff decomposed, the connection to the passenger-side mirror broke pretty
damn early and required removal of the AC to fix (according to the lying-bastard dealer), and the throttle system tried to kill me
repeatedly. Using it as a trash-hauler is appropriate.
--
On 12/30/2021 11:07 AM, knuttle wrote:
On 12/29/2021 10:32 PM, The Real Bev wrote:
I don't go into harbor freight but what's the warranty on their stuff?
Lifetime on hand tools last I heard, although son had three electric
drill/screwdrivers replaced.
That's confusing two of you said harbor freight had lifetime warranties.
I thought you couldn't return anything based on what friends have said.
Nope, not a single question when I returned the pot-metal wrenches and
bought a better set. I don't think they could sell any hand tools
without such a warranty.
I've been told (wrong?) that without a receipt you can't do a thing.
And even then they said the receipt only works for so long.
If you brought a ten year old hand tool to Sears they didn't ask for
that.
Do you have to have the receipt for harbor freight's warranty to work?
Or do they recognize their own tools like Sears did even 10 years later?
I think "Pittsburgn" is a HF-only brand. If it's not that it's some
other studly-sounding name. I think those wrenches are the only thing
I've needed to return.
On 12/30/2021 21:12, Rod Speed wrote:
Michael Trew <michael.trew@att.net> wrote
On 12/28/2021 23:04, rbowman wrote:
On 12/28/2021 11:19 AM, Michael Trew wrote:
On 12/28/2021 13:03, knuttle wrote:
On 12/28/2021 2:08 AM, Bob F wrote:Primarily Computers! Tons of computerized systems. Started with
It hasn't stopped me from maintaining my own cars. Past knowledge >>>>>>> combined with new knowledge is all I need.
I agree that cars haven't changed mechanically all that much over
time.
However it's an interesting question to ask what _has_ changed over >>>>>> time.
What's new now in a car of the 2000's that didn't exist in the 1950s? >>>>>
electronic ignition in the mid 70's and they kept adding more
electronic
systems.
I own 11 cars now, from the 60s/70's on up, and the only one that
still
has points would be my '68 Ford Galaxie. I can work on all of them,
but
the newest is right at the end of being too modern. Up until I bought >>>>> the 2005 Hyundai Elantra, the newest was a '94 Geo Metro. You can't
get
more simple than the Geo for a 90's car that's easy to wrench on.
I won't say replacing the serpentine belt on a Geo is difficult but it >>>> is a bit tight. I had the 4 cylinder; maybe the 3 cylinder was roomier. >>>>
Interestingly, the home built airplane people love that engine. Light, >>>> dependable, and cheap.
I liked the Geo enough that I looked at a Suzuki, but that was about
the
time Suzuki automotive was going down the toilet. I've got a couple of >>>> Suzuki bikes and that division is still going strong.
A guy in the "geo community" is well known, "Glenn Gibson". He also
professionally rebuilt aircraft engines.
I'm not familiar with the 4 cylinder variant, but I've owned at least
10 3 cylinder Geo Metros now,
Why have you gone thru so many ?
I have too much fun buying and selling old cars. Of the 4 I have right
now, one is for parts, a junky convertible that I drive around, a very low milage one in a storage unit, and a hatchback sedan that I also drive
around (well, until the headlight wiring bit the dust).
and 4 in my current possession.
Ditto.
You have 4 Geo Metros?
One travels the country with me. I've been on many a 14 hour road trip
in that car.
On 12/30/2021 8:33 PM, rbowman wrote:
On 12/30/2021 12:17 PM, knuttle wrote:
On 12/29/2021 11:37 PM, Bob F wrote:
You wasted your time.
Plonk.
Sheese, I get plonked for being honest.� Not fair!
Bob F. is likely Pawlowski becuase he knows Pawlowski is in everyone's
killfile already so Bob F re-posts Pawlowski's idiocy.
1. Pawlowski is a rabid Democrat (I'm not political - he is).
2. Because he's a rabid Democrat, he believes _everything_ they tell
him.
3. One of those things he believes is it's "*My body _my_ choice*"
Yet, when it comes to the "vaccine", Pawlowski says it's NOT your
choice.
a. Pawlowski believes with the vaccine it's "*Your body _HIS_ choice*"
b. He's "being honest" when he tells us this crap (which Democrats
fed him)
c. I'm "being honest" also - when I say that only an idiot thinks
that way
Ed's a long time poster and often has worthwhile comments. However he
came down with a virulent case of TDS and hasn't been quite the same
since.
That will pass in 2024. Maybe even 2022 but not sure yet.
On 12/30/2021 5:14 PM, The Real Bev wrote:
I don't think they could sell any hand tools without such a warranty.
Reading the link that was posted the warranty for most things at harbor freight is no better than that at target in that you have only 90 days and you must keep your receipt (which isn't at all like the Craftsman
warranty).
However the warranty for hand tools seems to be better than for the rest. https://www.harborfreight.com/customer-service-return-exchange.html
"We guarantee our Hand Tools to be free from defects in material and workmanship for the life of the product. Limitations apply. Harbor Freight Tools will replace any hand tool that fails to properly work during the lifetime of the original purchaser. "
It doesn't mention how you need to prove you bought it from them though. Anyone have experience with that?
I have exactly one OBD2 era car, and if a code pops up, that's off to
auto zone to read the code, and try to decipher from there. OBD1, just jumper terminals and count the check engine blinks to find the code.
That's been reliably easier for me, in early 90's cars.
On 12/30/2021 07:17 PM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:DeSantis.
On 12/30/2021 8:33 PM, rbowman wrote:
On 12/30/2021 12:17 PM, knuttle wrote:
On 12/29/2021 11:37 PM, Bob F wrote:
You wasted your time.
Plonk.
Sheese, I get plonked for being honest.� Not fair!
Bob F. is likely Pawlowski becuase he knows Pawlowski is in everyone's >>>> killfile already so Bob F re-posts Pawlowski's idiocy.
1. Pawlowski is a rabid Democrat (I'm not political - he is).
2. Because he's a rabid Democrat, he believes _everything_ they tell
him.
3. One of those things he believes is it's "*My body _my_ choice*"
Yet, when it comes to the "vaccine", Pawlowski says it's NOT your
choice.
a. Pawlowski believes with the vaccine it's "*Your body _HIS_ choice*" >>>> b. He's "being honest" when he tells us this crap (which Democrats
fed him)
c. I'm "being honest" also - when I say that only an idiot thinks
that way
Ed's a long time poster and often has worthwhile comments. However he
came down with a virulent case of TDS and hasn't been quite the same
since.
That will pass in 2024. Maybe even 2022 but not sure yet.
I think 2022 will be a shambles for the Democrats. I hope to hell
somebody can come up with a candidate in 2024 that doesn't trigger my
gag reflex.
Lol who's "senile"...? I'm in my 20's, dude...
Best thing to do is consign Peeler to the nearest shitcan. He/she/it may
be the most filtered person in a.h.r.
On 12/30/2021 10:11 PM, rbowman wrote:
On 12/30/2021 07:17 PM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:DeSantis.
On 12/30/2021 8:33 PM, rbowman wrote:
On 12/30/2021 12:17 PM, knuttle wrote:
On 12/29/2021 11:37 PM, Bob F wrote:
You wasted your time.
Plonk.
Sheese, I get plonked for being honest.� Not fair!
Bob F. is likely Pawlowski becuase he knows Pawlowski is in everyone's >>>>> killfile already so Bob F re-posts Pawlowski's idiocy.
1. Pawlowski is a rabid Democrat (I'm not political - he is).
2. Because he's a rabid Democrat, he believes _everything_ they tell >>>>> him.
3. One of those things he believes is it's "*My body _my_ choice*"
Yet, when it comes to the "vaccine", Pawlowski says it's NOT your
choice.
a. Pawlowski believes with the vaccine it's "*Your body _HIS_ choice*" >>>>> b. He's "being honest" when he tells us this crap (which Democrats
fed him)
c. I'm "being honest" also - when I say that only an idiot thinks
that way
Ed's a long time poster and often has worthwhile comments. However he
came down with a virulent case of TDS and hasn't been quite the same
since.
That will pass in 2024. Maybe even 2022 but not sure yet.
I think 2022 will be a shambles for the Democrats. I hope to hell
somebody can come up with a candidate in 2024 that doesn't trigger my
gag reflex.
No experience but Pittsburgh is the HF house brand for wrenches etc but Amazon also sells Pittsburgh which might complicate matters.
You have to be fast on your feet. Chicago Latrobe is part of Greenfield
and has quality (expensive) drill bits and taps. Chicago Pneumatic is
also a reputable company for air tools. HF sells their air tools as
Central Pneumatic and they definitely aren't the same. Many of the power tools are Chicago Electric, again not the same and definitely not Milwaukee.
Deceptive? Maybe.
Amazon also sells Kobalt, which is a Lowe's brand. Personally I think
Kobalt and Pittsburgh are a toss.
I always keep them in a car that I take on road trips.
Like I said I never
needed one desperately enough to buy a set.
I do have a set of flare nut
wrenches. Those I have used and they save mangling the fitting
particularly on brake lines.
I don't save the receipts, as I don't trust "lifetime warranties" all that much other than Sears' (and look at what happened to them).
Given you said Pittsburgh is sold on Amazon I would think it's hard to make due on that harbor freight "lifetime warranty" if they make you prove that you bought it from them.
Can you give them an email address or phone number or can they look up your purchases by the credit card you used like they do at Costco or Home Depot?
Jumpers (long and thick - which makes them big unfortunately)
Tire repair kit (package of external plugs, handle, and glue)
DMM/VOM (cheap - it doesn't even need Amps - just Volts & Ohms)
What's a little smoke?
I don't remember any special tools either. It wasn't a bad job, maybe a couple of hours. I was on call so had to hang around the shanty anyway.
Keeping a toolkit in the car for emergencies is a good idea.
You'll only need them once or twice in their lifetime overall.
The trouble with computers, sensors, and the like in new cars, would be
that all too many times one OBD2 code could mean any number of sensors failed.
I don't know who actually makes the Pittsburgh line but I believe it is exclusive to HF. No first hand knowledge but I would be surprised if I
showed up at the local HF store with a broken Pittsburgh wrench that
they wouldn't replace it regardless of a receipt.
In addition to the plug kit I carry a 12v compressor. Plugging a tire if
you can't inflate it doesn't do you much good. Slime makes a very
compact compressor that I carry on the bikes.
On 12/30/2021 03:18 PM, The Real Bev wrote:
On 12/30/2021 11:33 AM, rbowman wrote:
The worst thing I've worked on was an Alfa. DOHC and you could lose a
finger releasing the idler on the drive chain. It also had wet liners so >>> you were looking at replacing both the liners and pistons. They didn't
offer oversized pistons.
Heh. The guy up the street collects and repairs Spiders -- He has at
least 9 of them, and every once in a while buys or sells one.
This was a Giulietta Sprint. Like Sophia Loren, beautiful to look at but
high maintenance. Later I had a Fiat Spider for a few months that fit
the same profile. I learned though. The Harley dealer carried Ducati for
a while and I walked by those really fast.
On 12/30/2021 04:12 PM, The Real Bev wrote:
o No flat horizontal place on the dashboard to put a phone, and it's
pebbly-surfaced so the semi-sticky things won't stick either. I don't
want to have to look down by my right thigh to see the next GPS
direction, and using one of those things that attaches to the AC vents
seems stupid. Cup-holder things are too short and would get in the way
of the shift lever.
I've got a Garmin Nuvi that I put into a beanbag type mount.
The first
two Yaris's (Yarii?) had the instrumentation in the center and the rest
of the dash sloped toward you. When going uphill on a rocky road the GPS would wind up in your lap. The new one has the instruments in front of
you, creating a little pocket to corral the GPS. However it lost a
couple of very handy cubby holes. I think they replaced one with yet
another damn airbag.
o Extra transponder key cost $150. Local smith gave me a deal -- two
plain keys for $150 and he disabled the transponder requirement. I had
a use for two plain spare keys and NO use for an extra transponder key.
All I REALLY wanted was a goddam spare plain key :-(
No remote entry on this baby. Real live $2.50 a pop to copy keys.
I went from an '80 Camaro to a '82 Firebird. Not exactly an upgrade but
I really like hatchbacks. I'm not an Uber driver so the rear seats are
folded down permanently and the cargo space filled with all sorts of
strange stuff.
On 12/30/2021 10:52 PM, rbowman wrote:
I don't remember any special tools either. It wasn't a bad job, maybe
a couple of hours. I was on call so had to hang around the shanty anyway.
The one thing I always think of doing but never do is order the replacement parts for the alternator years ahead of time.
A rebuild kit for an alternator is what?
A couple of cheap bearings and brushes right?
And a new regulator.
Kids should be taught, IMHO, how to debug.
a. Understand
b. Isolate
c. Test
On 12/31/2021 3:38 PM, rbowman wrote:
I don't know who actually makes the Pittsburgh line but I believe it
is exclusive to HF. No first hand knowledge but I would be surprised
if I showed up at the local HF store with a broken Pittsburgh wrench
that they wouldn't replace it regardless of a receipt.
I guess the bait and switch technique could work if you're lucky.
1. You buy the Pittsburgh lifetime tool, let's say it's part number 1001
2. Ten years later it breaks so you go back and buy a new part number 1001
3. Two weeks later you return the original part number 1001 in the new box This only works if the tool is exactly the same.
Do harbor freight parts stay the same over the years like Sears kind of
did?
I had a 1960 Ducati 250 Monza which somebody had converted to a
dirtbike. Got it cheap because the owner had set the timing exactly
wrong and it wouldn't start. Once I replaced the carb (a previous owner
had made the round throat oval for some reason and I had to wrap a LOT
of teflon plumber's tape around the threads to keep it from leaking) and added a pair of toggle switches it started and ran fine as long as I
followed the starting procedure:
On 12/31/2021 12:11 PM, knuttle wrote:
Jumpers (long and thick - which makes them big unfortunately)
Tire repair kit (package of external plugs, handle, and glue)
DMM/VOM (cheap - it doesn't even need Amps - just Volts & Ohms)
I have one of those lithium power packs. I've never had to use it but a friend has successfully. At some of the trailheads where I park there
won't be any other vehicles to hook the jumpers to. There also won't be
cell coverage.
In addition to the plug kit I carry a 12v compressor. Plugging a tire if
you can't inflate it doesn't do you much good.
Slime makes a very
compact compressor that I carry on the bikes. Two of them are tubeless
so I have plug kits. The DR650 has tubes so I carry patches, irons, and
a spare tube. Like above many places where I go you either fix your own problems or you suck wind. This is not a state where a cell phone and
credit card is all you need for roadside problems.
On 12/31/2021 02:40 PM, The Real Bev wrote:
I had a 1960 Ducati 250 Monza which somebody had converted to a
dirtbike. Got it cheap because the owner had set the timing exactly
wrong and it wouldn't start. Once I replaced the carb (a previous owner
had made the round throat oval for some reason and I had to wrap a LOT
of teflon plumber's tape around the threads to keep it from leaking) and
added a pair of toggle switches it started and ran fine as long as I
followed the starting procedure:
You were lucky. afaik the Monzas didn't have desmodromic valves.
On
paper it's an elegant solution to valve float; in practice you get to
know the valve train of your bike very, very well.
On 12/30/2021 10:38 PM, Michael Trew wrote:
I always keep them in a car that I take on road trips.
Keeping a toolkit in the car for emergencies is a good idea.
You'll only need them once or twice in their lifetime overall.
What I like to keep in my spare kit is a big large though.
Flashlight (batteries kept separate)
Reflective vest & plastic bag (to lay on if the ground is muddy)
3x5 card & tape & pencil (for the note left on the windshield)
Jumpers (long and thick - which makes them big unfortunately)
Tire repair kit (package of external plugs, handle, and glue)
DMM/VOM (cheap - it doesn't even need Amps - just Volts & Ohms)
Flathead & Phillips screwdrivers & a pair of pliers
Open end wrench pack (short, clipped together, no box wrenches)
Socket set (metal box containing sockets, handle, extension)
Vice grips (for when all else fails situations)
On 12/30/2021 01:58 PM, Michael Trew wrote:
On 12/29/2021 15:52, knuttle wrote:
On 12/28/2021 11:04 PM, rbowman wrote:
I won't say replacing the serpentine belt on a Geo is difficult but it >>>> is a bit tight. I had the 4 cylinder; maybe the 3 cylinder was roomier. >>>The fewer thin long strong leverage tools you have (for the tensioners), >>> the
harder it is. But with a single long strong thin properly sized tool, it >>> can
be easy to keep the tension off the belt so that you can slip the belt
onto
the topmost pulley.
Such fancy tools... I've done several Geo Metro serpentine and timing
belt jobs... just use whatever wooden stick is on hand to tension the
serpentine belt via leverage on the alternator... lol.
I don't remember any special tools either. It wasn't a bad job, maybe a couple of hours. I was on call so had to hang around the shanty anyway.
The car had round 100,000 miles. I bought it used with no maintenance
records so being an interference engine I figured $40 for a belt was
worth the peace of mind.
Considering a Harley belt is about $140, a cheap peace of mind too.
On 12/30/2021 01:56 PM, Michael Trew wrote:
On 12/28/2021 23:04, rbowman wrote:
On 12/28/2021 11:19 AM, Michael Trew wrote:
On 12/28/2021 13:03, knuttle wrote:
On 12/28/2021 2:08 AM, Bob F wrote:Primarily Computers! Tons of computerized systems. Started with
It hasn't stopped me from maintaining my own cars. Past knowledge
combined with new knowledge is all I need.
I agree that cars haven't changed mechanically all that much over
time.
However it's an interesting question to ask what _has_ changed over
time.
What's new now in a car of the 2000's that didn't exist in the 1950s? >>>>
electronic ignition in the mid 70's and they kept adding more
electronic
systems.
I own 11 cars now, from the 60s/70's on up, and the only one that still >>>> has points would be my '68 Ford Galaxie. I can work on all of them, but >>>> the newest is right at the end of being too modern. Up until I bought
the 2005 Hyundai Elantra, the newest was a '94 Geo Metro. You can't get >>>> more simple than the Geo for a 90's car that's easy to wrench on.
I won't say replacing the serpentine belt on a Geo is difficult but it
is a bit tight. I had the 4 cylinder; maybe the 3 cylinder was roomier.
Interestingly, the home built airplane people love that engine. Light,
dependable, and cheap.
I liked the Geo enough that I looked at a Suzuki, but that was about the >>> time Suzuki automotive was going down the toilet. I've got a couple of
Suzuki bikes and that division is still going strong.
A guy in the "geo community" is well known, "Glenn Gibson". He also
professionally rebuilt aircraft engines.
I'm not familiar with the 4 cylinder variant, but I've owned at least 10
3 cylinder Geo Metros now, and 4 in my current possession. One travels
the country with me. I've been on many a 14 hour road trip in that car.
I had a 4 cylinder. If you read Consumer Reports it was an uncomfortble,
slow deathtrap only suitable for short city trips. I made a few runs
from Montana to southern Arizona with no problems. True, there are 3
passes in Utah where it would slow down to 55 or so. otoh I've driven
those same passes in a big rig at 27 mph. you just have to be patient.
On 12/30/2021 02:11 PM, Michael Trew wrote:
My first (and last) Chrysler was a '97 LHS. I wondered why such a clean
looking maintained car was only $500 circa 2017. I learned. On top of
all of the little electrical issues, the automatic climate control panel
would randomly wig out and blast heat in the middle of summer, and could
not be turned off. Eventually I learned that repeatedly punching it
will eventually shut it off (LOL). I ended up buying a whole climate
control panel out of a junk yard car. I consider manual controls and
switches a feature ;)
Yup. I had a Lincoln where most of the devices, including the climate control, was vacuum actuated. It worked great until it didn't.
We rented a Yaris for our trip through Utah. Fully loaded with two
people, ski gear and stuff for a 2-week roadtrip it was still capable of breaking the Utah speed limit, as well as doing a decent job of
navigating the bottom of Monument Valley. I was impressed.
Right now I think the Dodge Chargers are about as pretty as it's
possible to get. They look efficient and mean. Camaros are a close
second.
I hate the goddam Corolla headrests that cut down vision. I'm thinking
of taking them out -- if a passenger wants one (s)he can put it back. I leave one of the seats down during the winter so my skis will fit in the trunk.
Come to think of it, ALL modern cars cut down vision. The outside
mirrors are in exactly the wrong place and I've driven over roundouts in parking lots more than once. I never complained GODDAMMIT I CAN'T SEE
in the 1988 Caddy, whatever its other failings were.
No, those were only the Dianas. The engine seemed bulletproof. Hubby
made an air cleaner for me out of a chrome plumbing elbow and a small
auto air cleaner and a kickstand out of a hunk of angle iron. I did put
a Zerk filling in the... crap, I don't remember its name. On a bicycle
it would be called a bottom bracket. The thing the swingarm (is that
it?) moves in. Has oilite bearings...
I miss Clymer manuals. We met Floyd Clymer once. I wanted to buy one
for the Corolla, but I can't find ANY brand cheap manual for it. Amazon
sent the wrong one TWICE and then removed it from their inventory.
Not that I ever want to fix any part of a car again... I did change a tail-light bulb, though. And replaced the wipers (NO, beam wipers are
NOT better than the regular ones) and pump the tires when needed. I've
done brake pads and was shocked at how easy it was, but Baby Son did
that for me.
We spent a lot of time traveling across the US in the 68 Dodge van,
which is why we carried a LOT of tools. I still have two tool boxes in
the Corolla trunk, but I'm pretty sure I'm not going to use them. I
have a cell phone and an AAA card.
On 12/31/2021 04:31 PM, The Real Bev wrote:
No, those were only the Dianas. The engine seemed bulletproof. Hubby
made an air cleaner for me out of a chrome plumbing elbow and a small
auto air cleaner and a kickstand out of a hunk of angle iron. I did put
a Zerk filling in the... crap, I don't remember its name. On a bicycle
it would be called a bottom bracket. The thing the swingarm (is that
it?) moves in. Has oilite bearings...
Good idea. If there is one periodic maintenance thing that never happens
it's lubing the swingarm pivot pin. Driving them out is a 5 pound hammer
and brass drift procedure. I don't know why they all don't have Zerks.
I miss Clymer manuals. We met Floyd Clymer once. I wanted to buy one
for the Corolla, but I can't find ANY brand cheap manual for it. Amazon
sent the wrong one TWICE and then removed it from their inventory.
I've got one for the F150 but I bought it when I bought the truck in
'86. I didn't realize they didn't do cars anymore. When I bought the Sportster manual it was a real book so I was disappointed when I bought
the DR650 manual and it was a shrink wrapped pile of loose pages, bring
your own binder. It wasn't cheap either.
Given that, I found the V-Strom manual online as a free download that
may or may not have been in violation of something.
Not that I ever want to fix any part of a car again... I did change a
tail-light bulb, though. And replaced the wipers (NO, beam wipers are
NOT better than the regular ones) and pump the tires when needed. I've
done brake pads and was shocked at how easy it was, but Baby Son did
that for me.
Ah, beam wipers. That's my favorite comedy routine. Walk into a parts
store and ask for a wiper for a 2018 Yaris hatchback. After consulting
the book the clerk asks 'Which one?' and I answer 'There's only one.'
'No, there are two!' 'The damn car is out in front. Want to count them?'
CostCo just had a sale on Michelin wipers so I bought 2 28" blades. I'm
not sure if it's supposed to be so limp when you lift them off the
windshield but it does work.
To defend the parts guy, Yaris's before 2018 had two wipers.
My vacuum controlled climate on the '89 Oldsmobile has been stuck on defroster since I bought it. Makes for cold feet in the wintertime. I couldn't find the vacuum leak, but maybe I didn't search hard enough.
On 12/30/2021 18:12, The Real Bev wrote:
...2013 Corolla.
o Doors lock as soon as I get in the car and close the door. Surely this
should be a choice rather than a nuisance.
I would immediately disable that.
o I can't see any edges, making it difficult for me to tell where the
car ends. (In my defense, I used to be able to parallel-park BIG cars
easily, and I could even back a trailer as long as I could see it.)
I've noticed that in lots of newer cars. My Hyundai sits me up too
tall, yet I still can't see the hood. Backing up is easy since it's a hatchback, but it's difficult to judge the front end.
o Extra transponder key cost $150. Local smith gave me a deal -- two
plain keys for $150 and he disabled the transponder requirement. I had a
use for two plain spare keys and NO use for an extra transponder key.
All I REALLY wanted was a spare plain key :-(
I'm glad that my cars are too old for those chipped keys. Those are a
money racket. The 2005 Hyundai does have a key lock remote thing. It
wasn't worth it to me to replace the dead battery in it.
On 12/31/2021 07:19 PM, Michael Trew wrote:
My vacuum controlled climate on the '89 Oldsmobile has been stuck on
defroster since I bought it. Makes for cold feet in the wintertime. I
couldn't find the vacuum leak, but maybe I didn't search hard enough.
If you keep a car long enough ALL the vacuum lines will rot out.
On 12/30/2021 07:49 PM, Michael Trew wrote:
On 12/30/2021 18:12, The Real Bev wrote:
...2013 Corolla.
o Doors lock as soon as I get in the car and close the door. Surely this >>> should be a choice rather than a nuisance.
I would immediately disable that.
o I can't see any edges, making it difficult for me to tell where the
car ends. (In my defense, I used to be able to parallel-park BIG cars
easily, and I could even back a trailer as long as I could see it.)
I've noticed that in lots of newer cars. My Hyundai sits me up too
tall, yet I still can't see the hood. Backing up is easy since it's a
hatchback, but it's difficult to judge the front end.
o Extra transponder key cost $150. Local smith gave me a deal -- two
plain keys for $150 and he disabled the transponder requirement. I had a >>> use for two plain spare keys and NO use for an extra transponder key.
All I REALLY wanted was a spare plain key :-(
I'm glad that my cars are too old for those chipped keys. Those are a
money racket. The 2005 Hyundai does have a key lock remote thing. It
wasn't worth it to me to replace the dead battery in it.
I was surprised to find that I like it. I'd certainly pay to replace its little battery since I probably already have one. Unless the guy who
made the keys replaced my battery without telling me (unlikely) it's
been working happily since June 2016.
My friend has a Lexus -- it opens up when you approach the car. You have
to push something to lock it, though, so you still have to find the key
in your purse. Only half the nuisance.
On 12/31/2021 07:38 PM, rbowman wrote:
On 12/31/2021 04:31 PM, The Real Bev wrote:
No, those were only the Dianas. The engine seemed bulletproof. Hubby >>> made an air cleaner for me out of a chrome plumbing elbow and a small
auto air cleaner and a kickstand out of a hunk of angle iron. I did put >>>  a Zerk filling in the... crap, I don't remember its name. On a bicycle >>> it would be called a bottom bracket. The thing the swingarm (is that
it?) moves in. Has oilite bearings...
Good idea. If there is one periodic maintenance thing that never happens
it's lubing the swingarm pivot pin. Driving them out is a 5 pound hammer
and brass drift procedure. I don't know why they all don't have Zerks.
I can't remember why I took it apart. I wouldn't have done it just to
add the Zerk.
I miss Clymer manuals. We met Floyd Clymer once. I wanted to buy one >>> for the Corolla, but I can't find ANY brand cheap manual for it. Amazon
sent the wrong one TWICE and then removed it from their inventory.
I've got one for the F150 but I bought it when I bought the truck in
'86. I didn't realize they didn't do cars anymore. When I bought the
Sportster manual it was a real book so I was disappointed when I bought
the DR650 manual and it was a shrink wrapped pile of loose pages, bring
your own binder. It wasn't cheap either.
Given that, I found the V-Strom manual online as a free download that
may or may not have been in violation of something.
I'll never tell, and neither will the Pirates. I've downloaded some
free manuals from Toyota, but nothing too technical. OTOH, I'm not
willing to do anything complicated any more so the do-it-yourself
68-page thing is probably good enough. At least it tells you where to position the floor jack...
Not that I ever want to fix any part of a car again... I did change a
tail-light bulb, though. And replaced the wipers (NO, beam wipers are
NOT better than the regular ones) and pump the tires when needed. I've >>> done brake pads and was shocked at how easy it was, but Baby Son did
that for me.
Ah, beam wipers. That's my favorite comedy routine. Walk into a parts
store and ask for a wiper for a 2018 Yaris hatchback. After consulting
the book the clerk asks 'Which one?' and I answer 'There's only one.'
'No, there are two!' 'The damn car is out in front. Want to count them?'
I was really happy with some Tripl-Edge wipers a long time ago. Now you have to mail-order them and they're pretty expensive. I just bought whatever Walmart had last year -- either Rain-X or Michelin, I can't remember.
CostCo just had a sale on Michelin wipers so I bought 2 28" blades. I'm
not sure if it's supposed to be so limp when you lift them off the
windshield but it does work.
To defend the parts guy, Yaris's before 2018 had two wipers.
I swear, wipers used to clear the windows a LOT better 20 years ago.
Yes... most interference engines specify a timing belt at 60K miles. The Metro is non-interference... still a pain to do a road-side timing belt
job. I've done it at least once, if not twice however.
On 12/30/2021 23:04, rbowman wrote:
On 12/30/2021 02:11 PM, Michael Trew wrote:
My first (and last) Chrysler was a '97 LHS. I wondered why such a clean
looking maintained car was only $500 circa 2017. I learned. On top of
all of the little electrical issues, the automatic climate control panel >>> would randomly wig out and blast heat in the middle of summer, and could >>> not be turned off. Eventually I learned that repeatedly punching it
will eventually shut it off (LOL). I ended up buying a whole climate
control panel out of a junk yard car. I consider manual controls and
switches a feature ;)
Yup. I had a Lincoln where most of the devices, including the climate
control, was vacuum actuated. It worked great until it didn't.
My vacuum controlled climate on the '89 Oldsmobile has been stuck on defroster since I bought it. Makes for cold feet in the wintertime. I couldn't find the vacuum leak, but maybe I didn't search hard enough.
On 12/30/2021 22:48, rbowman wrote:
On 12/30/2021 01:56 PM, Michael Trew wrote:
On 12/28/2021 23:04, rbowman wrote:
On 12/28/2021 11:19 AM, Michael Trew wrote:
On 12/28/2021 13:03, knuttle wrote:
On 12/28/2021 2:08 AM, Bob F wrote:Primarily Computers! Tons of computerized systems. Started with
It hasn't stopped me from maintaining my own cars. Past knowledge >>>>>>> combined with new knowledge is all I need.
I agree that cars haven't changed mechanically all that much over
time.
However it's an interesting question to ask what _has_ changed over >>>>>> time.
What's new now in a car of the 2000's that didn't exist in the 1950s? >>>>>
electronic ignition in the mid 70's and they kept adding more
electronic
systems.
I own 11 cars now, from the 60s/70's on up, and the only one that
still
has points would be my '68 Ford Galaxie. I can work on all of them,
but
the newest is right at the end of being too modern. Up until I bought >>>>> the 2005 Hyundai Elantra, the newest was a '94 Geo Metro. You can't
get
more simple than the Geo for a 90's car that's easy to wrench on.
I won't say replacing the serpentine belt on a Geo is difficult but it >>>> is a bit tight. I had the 4 cylinder; maybe the 3 cylinder was roomier. >>>>
Interestingly, the home built airplane people love that engine. Light, >>>> dependable, and cheap.
I liked the Geo enough that I looked at a Suzuki, but that was about
the
time Suzuki automotive was going down the toilet. I've got a couple of >>>> Suzuki bikes and that division is still going strong.
A guy in the "geo community" is well known, "Glenn Gibson". He also
professionally rebuilt aircraft engines.
I'm not familiar with the 4 cylinder variant, but I've owned at least 10 >>> 3 cylinder Geo Metros now, and 4 in my current possession. One travels
the country with me. I've been on many a 14 hour road trip in that car.
I had a 4 cylinder. If you read Consumer Reports it was an uncomfortble,
slow deathtrap only suitable for short city trips. I made a few runs
from Montana to southern Arizona with no problems. True, there are 3
passes in Utah where it would slow down to 55 or so. otoh I've driven
those same passes in a big rig at 27 mph. you just have to be patient.
Consumer reports and the like has to have something to complain about.
If they gave props to the cheapest car, I guess they think that no one
would take them seriously. As long as you don't get yourself into an accident in one, I say they are the best car that you can have. The 3
speed automatic ones are miserable. I only own 5-speed ones.
I swear, wipers used to clear the windows a LOT better 20 years ago.
On 12/31/2021 10:01 PM, The Real Bev wrote:
I swear, wipers used to clear the windows a LOT better 20 years ago.
Old windshield, or old eyes?
Ah, I'm just not used to the new car features. I'm not sure that I've
owned another car with a button remote unlock; used to the key. I've
noticed that it you hit the auto door locks, and the driver's door is
open (but the key is in the ignition), the door locks immediately pop
back unlocked. That's a smart idea. Also, if you use the key to unlock
the passenger door, it unlocks all of the doors at once.
On 01/01/2022 09:47 AM, Michael Trew wrote:
Ah, I'm just not used to the new car features. I'm not sure that I've
owned another car with a button remote unlock; used to the key. I've
noticed that it you hit the auto door locks, and the driver's door is
open (but the key is in the ignition), the door locks immediately pop
back unlocked. That's a smart idea. Also, if you use the key to unlock
the passenger door, it unlocks all of the doors at once.
The Toyota does that unlock thing if the key is still in the ignition.
Nice feature. Unlocking the hatch if you twist twice is nice too.
Hatchbacks collect grime and I've had problems with the lock getting sticky.
The only remote entry car I've driven was a rental. The car got pissed
off when I used the key to unlock the door so there I was trying to
figure out how to shut it up. I really don't like walking through a
parking lot and have some random car blow its horn to greet its owner.
Every idiot out there thinks that an OBD code tells you what to replace.
Most (almost all in fact) don't tell you what is broken.
Most tell you what isn't getting the right power, input, or output signal.
It's still up to you to figure out why.
That's my point that it has been my experience that those who complain that >cars are harder to work on today are usually those who never learned how to >work on cars in the first place.
I hate that all the doors lock as soon as I start the engine with the
door closed -- I have to hit the unlock button again to let hubby into
the car. OTOH, I might need that "safety" feature some day, although it seems unlikely. The manual shows how to defeat it...
Mine just makes a little civilized beep and flashes the lights. Not
good enough if you've forgotten where you parked. No antenna to tie surveyor's tape to either. I've thought of getting some orange plastic "racing stripes" to make it easier. Hey, it's the 'Sport' model with a spoiler, I'm entitled!
Worst was when I parked a rental car in the Vegas Costco lot and
couldn't remember where I'd parked it or what it looked like.
On 01/01/2022 10:18 AM, rbowman wrote:
On 01/01/2022 09:47 AM, Michael Trew wrote:
Ah, I'm just not used to the new car features. I'm not sure that I've
owned another car with a button remote unlock; used to the key. I've
noticed that it you hit the auto door locks, and the driver's door is
open (but the key is in the ignition), the door locks immediately pop
back unlocked. That's a smart idea. Also, if you use the key to unlock >>> the passenger door, it unlocks all of the doors at once.
The Toyota does that unlock thing if the key is still in the ignition.
Nice feature. Unlocking the hatch if you twist twice is nice too.
Hatchbacks collect grime and I've had problems with the lock getting
sticky.
I hate that all the doors lock as soon as I start the engine with the
door closed -- I have to hit the unlock button again to let hubby into
the car. OTOH, I might need that "safety" feature some day, although it seems unlikely. The manual shows how to defeat it...
The only remote entry car I've driven was a rental. The car got pissed
off when I used the key to unlock the door so there I was trying to
figure out how to shut it up. I really don't like walking through a
parking lot and have some random car blow its horn to greet its owner.
Mine just makes a little civilized beep and flashes the lights. Not
good enough if you've forgotten where you parked. No antenna to tie surveyor's tape to either. I've thought of getting some orange plastic "racing stripes" to make it easier. Hey, it's the 'Sport' model with a spoiler, I'm entitled!
Worst was when I parked a rental car in the Vegas Costco lot and
couldn't remember where I'd parked it or what it looked like. No, wait,
the REAL worst was finding my daughter's forest-green Expedition (like
75% of the damn things) in the LA County Fair parking lot. Climbed
light poles, etc. Ultimately we got lucky, but it took a LONG time.
On 1/1/2022 12:27 PM, The Real Bev wrote:
On 01/01/2022 10:18 AM, rbowman wrote:
On 01/01/2022 09:47 AM, Michael Trew wrote:
Ah, I'm just not used to the new car features. I'm not sure that
I've owned another car with a button remote unlock; used to the
key. I've noticed that it you hit the auto door locks, and the
driver's door is open (but the key is in the ignition), the door
locks immediately pop back unlocked. That's a smart idea. Also,
if you use the key to unlock the passenger door, it unlocks all of
the doors at once.
The Toyota does that unlock thing if the key is still in the
ignition. Nice feature. Unlocking the hatch if you twist twice is
nice too. Hatchbacks collect grime and I've had problems with the
lock getting sticky.
I hate that all the doors lock as soon as I start the engine with the
door closed -- I have to hit the unlock button again to let hubby
into the car. OTOH, I might need that "safety" feature some day,
although it seems unlikely. The manual shows how to defeat it...
The only remote entry car I've driven was a rental. The car got
pissed off when I used the key to unlock the door so there I was
trying to figure out how to shut it up. I really don't like walking
through a parking lot and have some random car blow its horn to
greet its owner.
Mine just makes a little civilized beep and flashes the lights. Not
good enough if you've forgotten where you parked. No antenna to tie
surveyor's tape to either. I've thought of getting some orange
plastic "racing stripes" to make it easier. Hey, it's the 'Sport'
model with a spoiler, I'm entitled!
Worst was when I parked a rental car in the Vegas Costco lot and
couldn't remember where I'd parked it or what it looked like. No,
wait, the REAL worst was finding my daughter's forest-green
Expedition (like 75% of the damn things) in the LA County Fair
parking lot. Climbed light poles, etc. Ultimately we got lucky,
but it took a LONG time.
Reminds me of a story about someone who had the mall security
searching all the lots for a long time for their red Chevrolet. The
punch line was "there's only one car like that in all the lot's, but
it has a 16 foot canoe on top of it".
On 12/31/2021 12:11 PM, knuttle wrote:
Jumpers (long and thick - which makes them big unfortunately)
Tire repair kit (package of external plugs, handle, and glue)
DMM/VOM (cheap - it doesn't even need Amps - just Volts & Ohms)
I have one of those lithium power packs. I've never had to use it but a friend has successfully.
At some of the trailheads where I park there won't be any other vehicles
to hook the jumpers to.
There also won't be cell coverage.
In addition to the plug kit I carry a 12v compressor. Plugging a tire if
you can't inflate it doesn't do you much good. Slime makes a very compact compressor that I carry on the bikes. Two of them are tubeless so I have
plug kits. The DR650 has tubes so I carry patches, irons, and a spare
tube. Like above many places where I go you either fix your own problems
or you suck wind. This is not a state where a cell phone and credit card
is all you need for roadside problems.
What have you learned in your old age about car and home repair
that you feel should perhaps be taught to high school students?
On 01/01/2022 10:18 AM, rbowman wrote:
On 01/01/2022 09:47 AM, Michael Trew wrote:
Ah, I'm just not used to the new car features. I'm not sure that I've
owned another car with a button remote unlock; used to the key. I've
noticed that it you hit the auto door locks, and the driver's door is
open (but the key is in the ignition), the door locks immediately pop
back unlocked. That's a smart idea. Also, if you use the key to unlock
the passenger door, it unlocks all of the doors at once.
The Toyota does that unlock thing if the key is still in the ignition.
Nice feature. Unlocking the hatch if you twist twice is nice too.
Hatchbacks collect grime and I've had problems with the lock getting
sticky.
I hate that all the doors lock as soon as I start the engine with the
door closed -- I have to hit the unlock button again to let hubby into
the car. OTOH, I might need that "safety" feature some day, although it
seems unlikely. The manual shows how to defeat it...
The only remote entry car I've driven was a rental. The car got pissed
off when I used the key to unlock the door so there I was trying to
figure out how to shut it up. I really don't like walking through a
parking lot and have some random car blow its horn to greet its owner.
Mine just makes a little civilized beep and flashes the lights. Not good enough if you've forgotten where you parked. No antenna to tie
surveyor's tape to either. I've thought of getting some orange plastic "racing stripes" to make it easier. Hey, it's the 'Sport' model with a spoiler, I'm entitled!
Worst was when I parked a rental car in the Vegas Costco lot and
couldn't remember where I'd parked it or what it looked like. No, wait,
the REAL worst was finding my daughter's forest-green Expedition (like
75% of the damn things) in the LA County Fair parking lot. Climbed light poles, etc. Ultimately we got lucky, but it took a LONG time.
On 12/31/2021 08:19 PM, Michael Trew wrote:
On 12/30/2021 23:04, rbowman wrote:
On 12/30/2021 02:11 PM, Michael Trew wrote:
My first (and last) Chrysler was a '97 LHS. I wondered why such a clean >>>> looking maintained car was only $500 circa 2017. I learned. On top of
all of the little electrical issues, the automatic climate control
panel
would randomly wig out and blast heat in the middle of summer, and
could
not be turned off. Eventually I learned that repeatedly punching it
will eventually shut it off (LOL). I ended up buying a whole climate
control panel out of a junk yard car. I consider manual controls and
switches a feature ;)
Yup. I had a Lincoln where most of the devices, including the climate
control, was vacuum actuated. It worked great until it didn't.
My vacuum controlled climate on the '89 Oldsmobile has been stuck on
defroster since I bought it. Makes for cold feet in the wintertime. I
couldn't find the vacuum leak, but maybe I didn't search hard enough.
There's something to be said for climate control systems with two
push-pull cables, one going to a valve in the heater hose, and one going
to a deflector.
Back in the infancy of the 'automatic' chokes there were kits to replace
them with a manual choke that I used a couple of times.
On 12/31/2021 11:01 PM, The Real Bev wrote:
I swear, wipers used to clear the windows a LOT better 20 years ago.
Yeah, but not 70 years ago :) I had a '51 Chevy with vacuum powered
wipers. The heart of Troy NY lies along the Hudson at sea level, but the
rest of it is on the slope of a steep escarpment leading up to the surrounding plateau. If it was raining or snowing you were flying blind
until you got up the hill.
On 1/1/2022 12:53, rbowman wrote:
On 12/31/2021 08:19 PM, Michael Trew wrote:
On 12/30/2021 23:04, rbowman wrote:
On 12/30/2021 02:11 PM, Michael Trew wrote:
My first (and last) Chrysler was a '97 LHS. I wondered
why such a clean
looking maintained car was only $500 circa 2017. I
learned. On top of
all of the little electrical issues, the automatic
climate control
panel
would randomly wig out and blast heat in the middle of
summer, and
could
not be turned off. Eventually I learned that repeatedly
punching it
will eventually shut it off (LOL). I ended up buying a
whole climate
control panel out of a junk yard car. I consider manual
controls and
switches a feature ;)
Yup. I had a Lincoln where most of the devices,
including the climate
control, was vacuum actuated. It worked great until it
didn't.
My vacuum controlled climate on the '89 Oldsmobile has
been stuck on
defroster since I bought it. Makes for cold feet in the
wintertime. I
couldn't find the vacuum leak, but maybe I didn't search
hard enough.
There's something to be said for climate control systems
with two
push-pull cables, one going to a valve in the heater hose,
and one going
to a deflector.
Back in the infancy of the 'automatic' chokes there were
kits to replace
them with a manual choke that I used a couple of times.
I need to figure out of those out if I can't fix the
automatic choke on that old Galaxie that I own. You have to
keep revving the car for a minute, especially on a cold day,
or it just stalls out.
On 1/1/2022 12:53, rbowman wrote:
On 12/31/2021 08:19 PM, Michael Trew wrote:
On 12/30/2021 23:04, rbowman wrote:
On 12/30/2021 02:11 PM, Michael Trew wrote:
My first (and last) Chrysler was a '97 LHS. I wondered why such a
clean
looking maintained car was only $500 circa 2017. I learned. On top of >>>>> all of the little electrical issues, the automatic climate control
panel
would randomly wig out and blast heat in the middle of summer, and
could
not be turned off. Eventually I learned that repeatedly punching it
will eventually shut it off (LOL). I ended up buying a whole climate >>>>> control panel out of a junk yard car. I consider manual controls and >>>>> switches a feature ;)
Yup. I had a Lincoln where most of the devices, including the climate
control, was vacuum actuated. It worked great until it didn't.
My vacuum controlled climate on the '89 Oldsmobile has been stuck on
defroster since I bought it. Makes for cold feet in the wintertime. I
couldn't find the vacuum leak, but maybe I didn't search hard enough.
There's something to be said for climate control systems with two
push-pull cables, one going to a valve in the heater hose, and one going
to a deflector.
Back in the infancy of the 'automatic' chokes there were kits to replace
them with a manual choke that I used a couple of times.
I need to figure out of those out if I can't fix the automatic choke on
that old Galaxie that I own. You have to keep revving the car for a
minute, especially on a cold day, or it just stalls out.
On 1/1/2022 13:11, rbowman wrote:
On 12/31/2021 11:01 PM, The Real Bev wrote:
I swear, wipers used to clear the windows a LOT better 20 years ago.
Yeah, but not 70 years ago :) I had a '51 Chevy with vacuum powered
wipers. The heart of Troy NY lies along the Hudson at sea level, but the
rest of it is on the slope of a steep escarpment leading up to the
surrounding plateau. If it was raining or snowing you were flying blind
until you got up the hill.
Oy, I've never dealt with vacuum wipers, but they don't sound fun up a
hill. Grandma owned one of the last cars with factory vacuum wipers.
IIRC, circa 1970 AMC Gremlin.
On 01/02/2022 06:24 PM, Michael Trew wrote:
On 1/1/2022 13:11, rbowman wrote:
On 12/31/2021 11:01 PM, The Real Bev wrote:
I swear, wipers used to clear the windows a LOT better
20 years ago.
Yeah, but not 70 years ago :) I had a '51 Chevy with
vacuum powered
wipers. The heart of Troy NY lies along the Hudson at sea
level, but the
rest of it is on the slope of a steep escarpment leading
up to the
surrounding plateau. If it was raining or snowing you
were flying blind
until you got up the hill.
Oy, I've never dealt with vacuum wipers, but they don't
sound fun up a
hill. Grandma owned one of the last cars with factory
vacuum wipers.
IIRC, circa 1970 AMC Gremlin.
Some cars had a dual action fuel pump that was a vacuum
assist, but I don't know what brands or years or when
everybody went to electric. Vacuum wipers were a step up
from hand cranked.
Bob F <bobnospam@gmail.com> wrote in news:sqr0co$npv$1@dont-email.me:
Reminds me of a story about someone who had the mall security
searching all the lots for a long time for their red Chevrolet. The
punch line was "there's only one car like that in all the lot's, but
it has a 16 foot canoe on top of it".
Many years ago when my parents had a light yellow Buick LeSabre I had
parked it at the mall. When I returned a few minutes later I got in and couldn't start the car. Then I noticed the interior was right but the articles in it weren't. Then I noticed my car diagonally across from
mine. As I got out and locked the car the owner came by. We both had a laugh. At least the ignition key was different. The exterior locks
were the same.
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