DIY a dying breed

[ultrarunner]

Amen... I think it starts with attitude. My 5 year old niece knows more about equipment than many of the high school kids around here. She knows enough that if something breaks to save all of the pieces and nothing makes her happier than to FIX something.

 

[ultrarunner]

Amen... I think it starts with attitude. My 5 year old niece knows more about equipment than many of the high school kids around here. She knows enough that if something breaks to save all of the pieces and nothing makes her happier than to FIX something.

 

[dfkrug]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">(
I would like to disagree on the computerized cars being difficult to diagnosis. You can buy the computer to read these codes from your car for less than $150 dollars. That is less than one trip to the shop. Quite often it is a sensor that can be fairly easy to replace. On the other side of that, I always buy the sevice manual to help find these sensors. They can be another $100 to $200. With the computer it can tell you which spark plug or spark plug wire is bad. A lot easier than the old way to find a miss. This narrows it down quite a bit.
)</font>

You got that right, Bob. All cars sold in the US since 96 have
to use std data connectors and mostly std error code info.
They call it OBD2. I have an Auto XRay 4000 that allows me
to read and reset error codes, as well as monitor how the car
is running. SOME of the codes are manufacturer-specific, but
you can find what they mean with a litte web searching. I
have used my scanner several times, cuz I was foolish enough
to buy a BMW (my first and last). Anyway, repairing cars is
actually easier now, in some ways.

----a dedicated DIYer for everything.

 

[dfkrug]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">(
I would like to disagree on the computerized cars being difficult to diagnosis. You can buy the computer to read these codes from your car for less than $150 dollars. That is less than one trip to the shop. Quite often it is a sensor that can be fairly easy to replace. On the other side of that, I always buy the sevice manual to help find these sensors. They can be another $100 to $200. With the computer it can tell you which spark plug or spark plug wire is bad. A lot easier than the old way to find a miss. This narrows it down quite a bit.
)</font>

You got that right, Bob. All cars sold in the US since 96 have
to use std data connectors and mostly std error code info.
They call it OBD2. I have an Auto XRay 4000 that allows me
to read and reset error codes, as well as monitor how the car
is running. SOME of the codes are manufacturer-specific, but
you can find what they mean with a litte web searching. I
have used my scanner several times, cuz I was foolish enough
to buy a BMW (my first and last). Anyway, repairing cars is
actually easier now, in some ways.

----a dedicated DIYer for everything.

 

[sonofczechgun]

MY daily driver is 86 Jeep, CJ7 for last 8 years. I have to work on it myself, I would go broke if I had to take to the shop. One of the big changes was to replace carburator with fuel injection (TBI) from 4.3 Chevy.

Last week I swapped reman engine in it - the old one had 206 000 miles on it and a bad knock.

Now the family GC Jeep I do just maintenance on it, it is 2004 and doesnt need too much yet. The biggest project was to intall Mopar towing hitch.

 

[sonofczechgun]

MY daily driver is 86 Jeep, CJ7 for last 8 years. I have to work on it myself, I would go broke if I had to take to the shop. One of the big changes was to replace carburator with fuel injection (TBI) from 4.3 Chevy.

Last week I swapped reman engine in it - the old one had 206 000 miles on it and a bad knock.

Now the family GC Jeep I do just maintenance on it, it is 2004 and doesnt need too much yet. The biggest project was to intall Mopar towing hitch.

 

[tlbuser]

I, sir, would have to disagree with you on that part. In my experiences, the manufacturers aren't encouraging DIY repairs. Quite a few times, the parts are either not available (McCulloch for one) or, are so ridiculously priced to entice the customer to "just go buy a new one".

The other scenario: no one showed the person how to fix anything because their parents were too busy socializing and/ or watching the "games" on TV.

Heck, just read the TBN threads where quite a few don't want to buy XX without dealer XX being available for service work.

 

[tlbuser]

I, sir, would have to disagree with you on that part. In my experiences, the manufacturers aren't encouraging DIY repairs. Quite a few times, the parts are either not available (McCulloch for one) or, are so ridiculously priced to entice the customer to "just go buy a new one".

The other scenario: no one showed the person how to fix anything because their parents were too busy socializing and/ or watching the "games" on TV.

Heck, just read the TBN threads where quite a few don't want to buy XX without dealer XX being available for service work.

 

[scott_vt]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">(

So here I am with all sorts of advanced degrees, the ability to use some of the most advanced enterprise planning software in the world...and I'd give much of it away for the knowledge it takes to rebuild an engine!

Pete )</font>

Mornin Pete,
I believe it depends on what side of the fence your looking from /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif Ive worked in the trades my entire life, as a toolmaker/modelmaker and build furniture as a hobby. Restore antique farm tractors amongst other things along with taking care of my residences, and I quite honestly wouldnt mind having some of those advanced degrees that you have !!! My Pop told me many years ago, that I was going to go to college or learn a trade ! I feel I have been fairly succesfull financially, but I feel I could have done better with an advanced education. At 55 Im not in the position nor interested in futhering my education at this point. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif I respect you and anyone else that has gone through all schooling and have received advanced degrees!

 

[scott_vt]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">(

So here I am with all sorts of advanced degrees, the ability to use some of the most advanced enterprise planning software in the world...and I'd give much of it away for the knowledge it takes to rebuild an engine!

Pete )</font>

Mornin Pete,
I believe it depends on what side of the fence your looking from /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif Ive worked in the trades my entire life, as a toolmaker/modelmaker and build furniture as a hobby. Restore antique farm tractors amongst other things along with taking care of my residences, and I quite honestly wouldnt mind having some of those advanced degrees that you have !!! My Pop told me many years ago, that I was going to go to college or learn a trade ! I feel I have been fairly succesfull financially, but I feel I could have done better with an advanced education. At 55 Im not in the position nor interested in futhering my education at this point. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif I respect you and anyone else that has gone through all schooling and have received advanced degrees!

 

[rdln]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( cuz I was foolish enough
to buy a BMW )</font>

I heard something about the hood was locked on those and only dealers had the password!! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[rdln]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( cuz I was foolish enough
to buy a BMW )</font>

I heard something about the hood was locked on those and only dealers had the password!! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Bird]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I was foolish enough to buy a BMW (my first and last) )</font>

Me, too, but mine was a motorcycle. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I heard something about the hood was locked on those and only dealers had the password!! )</font>

My brothers used to own a garage, and besides being mechanics themselves, had other mechanics hired, and one of them once told he, that you learn real fast to not even let a BMW in the door. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[Bird]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I was foolish enough to buy a BMW (my first and last) )</font>

Me, too, but mine was a motorcycle. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I heard something about the hood was locked on those and only dealers had the password!! )</font>

My brothers used to own a garage, and besides being mechanics themselves, had other mechanics hired, and one of them once told he, that you learn real fast to not even let a BMW in the door. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[RobertN]

Yes and no. I think the concept is like a fluid motion.

Some things are complicated by the fact many things are cheap throw-aways now. TV's, VCR's, DVD players. Radio Shack sure isn't like the old days, when you could get fun kits to build stuff.

Other things have big followings. Look at the Rockler woodworking catalog or web page. Someone mentioned the big box stores for home improvement.

Some things have changed in other ways. I have always been interested in Harleys. I remember watching a neighbor do customization back in the 70's. It was either stock, or you made most stuff yourself. Now days, you can buy all the custom stuff and bolt it on. Sure, there are custom builders, but most peoples stuff is bolt-on's.

It's fluid; it changes course with peoples whim's, technology, and thier mood at that specific point in the space time continuam /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[RobertN]

Yes and no. I think the concept is like a fluid motion.

Some things are complicated by the fact many things are cheap throw-aways now. TV's, VCR's, DVD players. Radio Shack sure isn't like the old days, when you could get fun kits to build stuff.

Other things have big followings. Look at the Rockler woodworking catalog or web page. Someone mentioned the big box stores for home improvement.

Some things have changed in other ways. I have always been interested in Harleys. I remember watching a neighbor do customization back in the 70's. It was either stock, or you made most stuff yourself. Now days, you can buy all the custom stuff and bolt it on. Sure, there are custom builders, but most peoples stuff is bolt-on's.

It's fluid; it changes course with peoples whim's, technology, and thier mood at that specific point in the space time continuam /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[john_bud]

Ha! Good discussion.

Couple weeks ago, our water heater was intermittent in firing up the gas. The glow plug would glow white hot, but no gas. I rapped the gas valve a few times and it worked for a week then died. (Wife didn't like her cold shower).

So, I took apart the control box that all the wires go to. Not much in there, but 3 relays and a few resistors and junk like that. I looked at the front for broken components and the BACK side of it for broken solder joints. Found one bad solder joint on the relay that had wires going to the gas valve. 2 min of soldering and the joint was good. Taped it back together (it's non-serviceable and can't be opened without breaking tabs off) and screwed it back on.

It's been working ever since.


Point of the story? A service tech would have charged $100 to walk in the door and $200 for a new control box, maybe an additional $150 for a gas valve and probably $100 for labor. No way I would pay that! It's like my momma said, "Son, you might be slow and dumb, but you're not good looking". Words to live by.

A couple months ago I had a hydraulic cylinder rebuilt for a Backhoe. Picked it up and had to suck a nitro pill when they handed me a bill for over $400. I went home and ordered a spanner wrench, found sources online for packing and have done 6 other cylinders for about $160 TOTAL for all packing and stuff plus another $35 for the wrench.

I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say that many easy things get tossed out as people are too afraid to even try and tackle the repair. Most things are far easier than you might imagine. But nothing is easier than tossing it out or more fun than buying a new one. Except the feeling of accomplishment you get from fixing it yourself....

jb
<font color="red"> </font>
Boondox wrote:
So here I am with all sorts of advanced degrees, the ability to use some of the most advanced enterprise planning software in the world...and I'd give much of it away for the knowledge it takes to rebuild an engine!

Pete
<font color="red"> </font> <font color="black"> </font>

Hey Pete, I have a couple engines that need rebuilding. Wanna come out to Wisconsin? You provide the parts and I'll teach you all there is to know.

jb

 

[john_bud]

Ha! Good discussion.

Couple weeks ago, our water heater was intermittent in firing up the gas. The glow plug would glow white hot, but no gas. I rapped the gas valve a few times and it worked for a week then died. (Wife didn't like her cold shower).

So, I took apart the control box that all the wires go to. Not much in there, but 3 relays and a few resistors and junk like that. I looked at the front for broken components and the BACK side of it for broken solder joints. Found one bad solder joint on the relay that had wires going to the gas valve. 2 min of soldering and the joint was good. Taped it back together (it's non-serviceable and can't be opened without breaking tabs off) and screwed it back on.

It's been working ever since.


Point of the story? A service tech would have charged $100 to walk in the door and $200 for a new control box, maybe an additional $150 for a gas valve and probably $100 for labor. No way I would pay that! It's like my momma said, "Son, you might be slow and dumb, but you're not good looking". Words to live by.

A couple months ago I had a hydraulic cylinder rebuilt for a Backhoe. Picked it up and had to suck a nitro pill when they handed me a bill for over $400. I went home and ordered a spanner wrench, found sources online for packing and have done 6 other cylinders for about $160 TOTAL for all packing and stuff plus another $35 for the wrench.

I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say that many easy things get tossed out as people are too afraid to even try and tackle the repair. Most things are far easier than you might imagine. But nothing is easier than tossing it out or more fun than buying a new one. Except the feeling of accomplishment you get from fixing it yourself....

jb
<font color="red"> </font>
Boondox wrote:
So here I am with all sorts of advanced degrees, the ability to use some of the most advanced enterprise planning software in the world...and I'd give much of it away for the knowledge it takes to rebuild an engine!

Pete
<font color="red"> </font> <font color="black"> </font>

Hey Pete, I have a couple engines that need rebuilding. Wanna come out to Wisconsin? You provide the parts and I'll teach you all there is to know.

jb

 

[BobRip]

I think you have to be willing to do the following (at least in the beginning).
0. Find a mentor
1. Research
2. Study
3. Make mistakes
4. Try again
5. Have patience
6. Ask questions
7. Make more mistakes.

I have done all of these many times (particularly make mistakes). There is a pile of stuff that I did not fix, and maybe a bigger pile that I have fixed (or is it the other way around).

It is still possible to fix stuff but there is pain involved. Keep trying and good luck.
There are of course many good responses here and some applicances have parts prices that are so high they are not work fixing. Also I always brag about the things that I fixed and don't talk much about my failures. Expect failures and keep trying.

Bob Rip

 

[BobRip]

I think you have to be willing to do the following (at least in the beginning).
0. Find a mentor
1. Research
2. Study
3. Make mistakes
4. Try again
5. Have patience
6. Ask questions
7. Make more mistakes.

I have done all of these many times (particularly make mistakes). There is a pile of stuff that I did not fix, and maybe a bigger pile that I have fixed (or is it the other way around).

It is still possible to fix stuff but there is pain involved. Keep trying and good luck.
There are of course many good responses here and some applicances have parts prices that are so high they are not work fixing. Also I always brag about the things that I fixed and don't talk much about my failures. Expect failures and keep trying.

Bob Rip