I finally figured out why mechanics can make so much money

and screw people over on repairs..

A LOT of people really don't understand the fundamentals of how automobiles work....

(from another thread)
"I was scared if I put the car in neutral it would stop suddenly" :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:


I think drivers ed should be updated for city folks who don't learn to drive on the farm fields at nine years old in a 70 Duster with three on the tree :)

Example: You should be able to perform the basic manuevers in this video before graduation, including a reverse drop at a 1:40 in the video... :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njbXQhjzx44

Also, throwing a car in park won't do a whole lot so don't be scared of (I might shift into park accidently because shift is so complicated)...Either it'll make a bunch of racket or you'll just shear the park pin off cleanly..

See video 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKnD-WQRo84

Or with an automatic, and all the computers on board.

I changed my own head gasket last summer. Had someone who'd done it before there to help.
It was tough... but defintely worth saving $1000.

The biggest issue was figuring how to fluch my own radiator (what to do with the old fluid).

is to tighten with the correct torque settings working from the inside bolts out..

rest is just remove, put back together :)

The other is to take the head to a machinist and have it honed. They warp, and when they do you'll never get good compression out of them.

Just a tad more difficult than your average 4 banger. Just a tad.
LOL.

The head was not warped or overheated. I think it overboosted (or had some detonation) and broke the HG seal.
It was pushing coolant into the cylinder. Embarrassing plumes of white putrid smoke as I drove around town.

I've got to crawl back under the car before April and reinstall the cat for e-check.
What a pain in the ass.

I've been amazed how little people know about the machines they drive everyday.

I'm not expecting engineering genius. But how can people not understand the N position on the shifter?

Yeah, those techs go home to their mansions, private jets and high-priced hookers. When it comes to screwing people over, Wall Street execs are rank amateurs compared to average auto mechanic.

A good mechanic that you can trust is worth his weight in gold..

Luckily I've got one. Most recently my Dodge starting what you would think is a ticking/knock sound from lifters or a bearing going out in the lower end. I would have believed it had he told me that I need a $1500 head job, but no, he advised it was simply the fact that on the 4.7L Dodge decided a exaust manifold gasket wasn't required. After so many years the metal-on-metal seal wasn't working so it's basically an exaust leak. So for $200 he made his own out of some paper gaskets and good to go...

He is also a damn fine human being and spends 12 hours at the shop each day and barely makes enough to live on. He has no medical insurance, two mortgages and single-handedly takes care of our parents and his son to boot.
He'd be happy to hear the OP go on about how much money he made. He'd at least get a laugh about something.

presumably while moving.

and ruining your tires is considered good practice.

For what, I don't know.

with a qualified instructor of course... :P

Push it to the limit, see what it can do

likely fed by the perception that when you go to get your car repaired, you're charged a huge hourly fee for "labor".

30 years ago, a good mechanic was very, very lucky to make $15 per hour, while the sign said the shop would charge customers in excess of $65 per hour. Most mechanics earned minimum wage, they were in turn *supervised* by slightly higher paid mechanics, but still rarely exceeding $15 hr.

That high charge to the customer for "labor" was just another corporate scam.

And the shop I use now charges $90 an hour...

I'll pay the premium because I know they do good work

In my line of work, it was used to pay for van insurance, liability insurance, health insurance, replacement of worn out tools, the answering service and cell phone, routine upkeep on the work van, paid my bookkeeper, and quite a few other expenses.

I like working on my own cars -- saves money, and it's good stuff to know!

Nothing like the sudden stop when you plow into something.