DIY Mechanic Mistakes

[seaneastok]

Ahh yes..I was sent to the "basement" when I worked at a meat plant that produced pork product's. I was a bit wiser and after i realized I had been had, I went to the break room and had a very long unauthorized coffee break. At that point I really didn't care if they thought I was slow since it was a constant 38 degree's in the plant.

Although sending new hire's for a case of pig squeals never got old..:laughing:

 

[cat fever]

Crack it loose (but not enough for it to leak), then punch a hole in the bottom of the filter with a screwdriver.
Once the oil drains out, remove the filter.

Aaron Z

Thanks;
I will give this a try next oil change.

 

[ecbaatz]

Crack it loose (but not enough for it to leak), then punch a hole in the bottom of the filter with a screwdriver.
Once the oil drains out, remove the filter.

Aaron Z

Just double check you have the correct new filter first, maybe even triple check.

BTDT

 

[aczlan]

Just double check you have the correct new filter first, maybe even triple check.

BTDT

Ouch, that would be a problem.

Aaron Z

 

[buckeyefarmer]

When changing the oil filter, make sure the gasket of the old one is removed... They like to leak with 2 gaskets...

 

[RedNeckRacin]

Anybody else break bolts off putting things back together? Or have to make three trips to town to gets parts for almost every job?

 

[LD1]

Never break bolts putting things back together. But then again, I like to clean them with a wire wheel on a bench grinder, If the hole looks cruddy, tap and blow it out, then anti-seize.

 

[damartin]

About 25 years ago I was changing the oil on my Dodge 318 V8. I had put the car up on ramps and had finished draining the oil and installing the new filter. After replacing the oil pan drain plug and dragging the drain pan out from under the car I rolled the car back off the ramps to add the new oil. I always put the car in neutral and push the car off the ramps before adding the new oil so the front end is lower and easier to reach in under the hood to add the oil.
Just then my wife called me into the house to answer a phone call, I probably talked for about 20 minutes more or less. I always lower the hood before rolling the car back so the hood doesn't hit the top of the garage door opening as it is rolling back. After my 20 minute conversation I returned to finish the job and since the hood was closed, I forgot that I didn't yet add the new oil.
I then started the car, backed it up and parked it to the right side of the driveway. Just as I reached for the key to shut it off I remembered that I had not added the new oil before starting and moving the car. I then had a very bad feeling that I had just made a very expensive mistake.
Well I immediately added the oil and drove it for about 1/2 hour. The oil pressure was normal and I didn't hear any odd ticking or other bad noises coming from the engine.
We kept that car for many more years with no engine problems and traded it in with high mileage. I think I dodged a bullet(pun intended).
Every now and then you get lucky, I think I did that day. Have a good one.

Dwight

 

[Sodo]

I had a roommate who had a Chevy Sprint (Suzuki?) appx 1988. He told me about changing his oil, and it leaking from the filter, such that the oil light would turn on every couple days, and he'd add some oil. Then he had to pick up his sister at the airport. Oil light came on as they were driving home and he said he didn't stop because he was worried if he shut it off it might not start and he wanted to make it home, but he made it, just barely, it quit in the driveway. Lucky guy! I unscrewed his filter, and screwed it back on flat, and he put ore oil in it. Didn't run as well but it ran long enough to get in a car accident and total the car. This fella was an airline pilot (Cascade regional airlines) who quit flying to become an accountant.

 

[RedNeckRacin]

Never break bolts putting things back together. But then again, I like to clean them with a wire wheel on a bench grinder, If the hole looks cruddy, tap and blow it out, then anti-seize.

Well it took me a long time to learn that, just a lil tighter isn't always better! A half inch drive ratchet isn't always needed either. I also used to use a 4 way wrench to put the lug nuts on my vehicles until I got the torque wrench out and found out putting some muscle into it was way over tightening!

 

[orezok]

Years ago I was building a project and we hired one of our workers sons for a summer job as a gofor. The kid was about 16 and it was his first job.

One of the carpenters sent him to get a couple of 2x6's for blocking. After about 10 minutes he returned and told the carpenter that he couldn't find any 2x6's, all he could find were ones that were 1 1/2 by 5 1/2 :laughing:

 

[bcp]

New clerk in hardware store ask if he can help me find something. I need a one inch bolt. He says they don't have any that large, but could I use two half inch bolts instead.

Bruce

 

[farm boy00]

New clerk in hardware store ask if he can help me find something. I need a one inch bolt. He says they don't have any that large, but could I use two half inch bolts instead.

Bruce

A hardware didn't have that size?? Maybe he didn't graduate high school or he failed common sense class

 

[BoylermanCT]

I always replace my brakes myself, and I have always had Chevys. I have 2 C Clamps I use to retract the brake piston in the caliper so the new pads will fit. I was helping my dad change the brakes on his Ford Fusion, and my C Clamps were not big enough, so we bought a large clamp to do his brakes. I was cranking the clamp closed, and his piston was not budging. I figured it must be stuck, so I kept turning. Pretty soon I realize the clamp is bowing. We go online, and the Ford pistols are threaded, and you spin them to retract them. DIY Rule - never assume!

 

[Sodo]

We go online, and the Ford pistols are threaded, and you spin them to retract them. DIY Rule - never assume!

Was it s rear disc caliper? Maybe it was the parking (emergency/cable/manual) brake mechanism.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

broke off a bolt on a starter once, on an F150. drilled a hole in the end, then broke the "easy out" in the hole. Used a C clamp to hold on the starter, and took it to a shop and they fixed it. I didn't ask how.

 

[BoylermanCT]

Was it s rear disc caliper? Maybe it was the parking (emergency/cable/manual) brake mechanism.

They sell a special tool to twist the piston to retract it. I used my special tool called needle nose pliers to lock into the two little holes and spin the piston. I think it has to do with the electric emergency brake system the Fusion has.

 

[Winmac]

Just last week I was re assembling a dirt bike engine replaced some transmission gears, all bearings new top end, had it about 90% complete just the clutch side to assemble, and to my horror I realize the only way to install the clutch pushrod is to split the cases and start over

 

[SPIKER]

They sell a special tool to twist the piston to retract it. I used my special tool called needle nose pliers to lock into the two little holes and spin the piston. I think it has to do with the electric emergency brake system the Fusion has.

Not sure which Fords have the "Twist" calipers that must be turned in, but have heard about them for a while.

M

 

[Winmac]

Not sure which Fords have the "Twist" calipers that must be turned in, but have heard about them for a while. M

Any disc brake that has a cable parking brake must be turned to re-set the auto adjuster for the parking brake.