Engine Work

[cfellows]

Did a little engine work on the wife's 2000 Nissan Altima today. I used to do all my own auto work, including complete engine rebuilds, but age and my ability to afford newer cars has obviated the need. However, the mechanic wanted $150 to replace the thermostat and flush the radiator, so I did it myself. Also replaced the plugs, wires, distributor cap and rotor. The parts for all the above was $177 so I can't even imagine what the mechanic would have charged for the whole job. And the dealer, I'm sure, would have been even higher. Anyway, I'm reminded that as much as I like building model engines, I hate working on car engines, particularly in a cold shop in the middle of winter! But, maybe this will make some points with the Chief Financial Officer and she'll let me go buy some new tools! :

Chuck

 

[bearcar1]

or a newdifferent car :big: :big: :big:

yeah it sucks alright having to work in a cold garage, hey, maybe the wife would let you install or get a heater! (yeah right, when pigs aviate I know) ;D


BC1
Jim

 

[rake60]

I have a 1998 Chevy Tracker in my driveway that is in desperate
need of a complete exhaust system. It sounds like an angry lawnmower
on steroids.
:big:

Those Suzuki parts certainly don't come cheap!
That fix is on hold for now, waiting for warmer days.

Rick

 

[Troutsqueezer]

I used to change my oil and lube the drivetrain all of my life until a couple of years ago when I decided I'm getting too old for this. I figured what's a few more bucks if I don't have to find someplace to deposit the used oil, drip oil on my glasses, etc.

I'm a JiffyLube kinda guy now. Gotta check the oil level before you leave though, they like to short you a half quart sometimes.

-T

 

[black85vette]

I have a radiant heater that mounts on a 5 gal propane tank. Set it nearby and just warm up the area I am working in. Better than nothing and cost less than $50.

 

[Deanofid]

I hate working on my car too. When my '68 Ford pickup was not considered an old vehicle, I used to do all the work on it. Points, plugs, oil, belts, hoses, valve job, tranny swap, etc.
Nowadays, I can't find the plugs on my 2001 auto. I figure if I can't even do that, I've no chance at the other stuff, except the oil, maybe. Thank goodness, it's been reliable.

Dean

 

[cfellows]

Bearcar1: Yeah, I've already broached the subject of a heater for my garage. I'm considering a ventless natural gas heater that fits on the wall. My gas fired water heater is in an enclosed area in the garage, so access to the natural gas line wouldn't be a problem. Unfortunately, the spouse is insisting that I get a permit and have it inspected. Not sure they will approve of just teeing off the water heater... they might want me to install a bigger pipe upstream of the tee.

Black85vette: I like the idea of the radiant heater that mounts on a propane tank. Unfortunately, floor space is mighty tight in my garage shop.

Deanofid: The sparkplugs on the nissan are buried right in the middle of the valve cover, about 5" down from the surface. Luckly I had a sparkplug socket with a rubber insert that would grap the plug and let me pull it out once it was unthreaded. I was a little unnerved by the possibility of the socket sticking onto the new plug and pulling out of the extension after I screwed it in but luckily, that didn't happen.

Changing the thermostat wasn't too difficult. Finding the radiator drain plug did take me half an hour, even with the owner manual telling me where it was! :-[

Chuck

 

[Artie]

Wow...I feel bad. By trade (former life) I'm a mechanic, did my apprenticeship on Ford here in Aus. I'm 47 and haven't picked up a spanner in a paying manner for 22 years. My car is reasonably new (and Ford) yet I wouldn't know where to start! I check the yellow handled bits under the bonnet and then give it to my repairshop for servicing.... (I did change the plugs once when I had a real adventurous moment).

Like I said I feel bad.... my rationale is..I dont know enough about this beast to even consider it... I earn a good income so I can make more money in that time (shop time) than its costing me... does that all sound like excuses??? ... well its all I got.... ;D

[size=10pt]I still feel bad.....[/size]

Bad Artie

 

[cfellows]

Now, Artie, I know you don't really feel bad! ;D Or at least you shouldn't. I'm just a cheap SOB. Plus, I had already spent close to $900 getting the motor mounts replaced, two idler pulley bearings replaced, and the oil changed. I could have done the idler bearings, but they were located right beside the fender. To get at them required loosening the engine mounts and jacking up the engine so the idlers cleared the fender well. That just seemed like too much work!

I tend to drive a car until it falls apart. Fortunately or unfortunately, the Altima only has 73,000 miles on it and it runs perfect. I'm sure that with my logic, I will spend the price of a new car repairing all the other bits and pieces just waiting for the engine/tranny to give out! Mufflers, catalytic converters, universal joints, struts, brakes.. it all adds up really fast!

Chuck

 

[Stan]

Chuck: You are pulling our leg about a cold shop in Cave Creekl, Arizona are you not?
We just went through a weekend of -49°F plus or minus a degree each day. That is a cold shop!!

 

[Jadecy]

About a month ago I rebuilt the head on my 1996 Honda odyssey. Had an issue with the timing belt and the valves made a nice pinging sound as each of the exhaust valves hit the pistons (interference engine, 4 valves per cylinder). Lapped the new valves in and re-assembled the head with new seals. Running great once again! For an engine with 250k miles it runs great!

I enjoy working on my models much more than cars!

My hands were beat up, scratched, cut, and stained for about 2 weeks. Somtimes you just do what you have to do.

Keep warm out there! ;D

 

[itowbig]

I used to change my oil and lube the drivetrain all of my life until a couple of years ago when I decided I'm getting too old for this. I figured what's a few more bucks if I don't have to find someplace to deposit the used oil, drip oil on my glasses, etc.

I'm a JiffyLube kinda guy now. Gotta check the oil level before you leave though, they like to short you a half quart sometimes.

-T

ha ha i just take mine er our car (dodge to the dealer) you are right about checking that oil after they are done they sometimes dont put any in at all. a buddy of mine went to get the oil changed and did not check drove about half a mile the engine locked up tight. he pulled the dipstick and nothing was in there man was he mad that day. he did get a new engine. they wanted to put one out of a junk yard but he was very insistent about a new engine .