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Pouring your own Babbitt bearings was standard practice until the 1950s. The bearings were set up to make it easy. The bearing metal could be melted in a frying pan. It was cast directly into the pillow block and soot-covered shaft, often through the oiling hole. A little clay sealed the edges...

It very much depends on your local garbage collection. Around here used filters are collected along with used oil. You are required to put them in 'special' plastic bags that look like regular plastic bags with green printing. Oil is accepted only in 'special' milk jugs that are exactly the...

Hmmm, I thought that this issue would never come up again. There are a few systems from the 1990s that used R12 with then-new barrier hoses. Those have a modest chance of still having a usable factory refrigerant charge. Every other R12 system that could be easily converted to R134a likely has...

I wonder if the altitude (below sea level) plays a part in selecting Death Valley? The higher pressure should make cooling easier. But it will result in different airflow than almost-as-hot High Desert areas.

The lifetime claim printed on the container is pretty much just marketing. My lightly-used I6 engine in a light car with a 7.6 quart capacity is going to be a lot easier on the oil than a 4 cylinder with a 4 quart capacity and lots of blow-by pushing a heavy SUV. I do run my oil to 15K miles...

Keep in mind that BMW e39 (as well as most recent BMWs) nominally have a "lifetime fill" fluid in the transmissions and differentials. Many people don't believe in "lifetime fill", but the e39 drivetrains have a good record for longevity... they'll almost certainly be killed by a sudden cooling...

I suspect that many of us are living with the legacy of 'wisdom' that was valid once, but no longer applies. Carburetors are horrible beasts. They were an elaborate mechanical computer that tried to create a usable fuel-air mixture over a broad range of air pressure, air temperature, air flow...

The U.S. "makes" a huge amount of money by being standard currency. How many $100 bills are lost and destroyed worldwide? That's $99.90 donated to the fed for each one. Eliminating the $100 might sound like a good idea, but it's like eliminating little plastic bags because they are used to...

A second (third? fourth?) on the advice. Just put in cheap oil, and change it after an hour or two of gentle operation. Put the oil you drained into a translucent container. If there is any water or coolant in the oil, it will separate quickly. If you see any, plan on another short-interval...

Ionizers work, in part, by breaking down vulnerable molecules. If the ions hit a stink molecule, they break it down. If they hit a rubber molecule.. the same. (An good air purifier minimizes the generation of ozone, the most common bad actor, but any 'ionizing' air filter will damage vulnerable...

Originally Posted By: tempnexus I noticed that many western states have maximum of 91 octane fuel whereupon the eastern states are 93 octane? Why is that? I have a VOLVO Turbo XC60 so I am wondering if I should run a high octane fuel. In California it's a state law that 91 is the maximum...

What counts as an "older transmission"? I have a car that is close to a quarter century old which is a major PITA to check the level. The transmission has no dipstick. To check the fluid it needs to be within a narrow temperature range, warm but not hot. The car needs to be running, and the...

Originally Posted By: 901Memphis I'd use the AC once in awhile to circulate the oil in athe system. That's obsolete advice. Automotive A/C system switched to barrier hoses and HNBR seals with the conversion to R134 about a quarter century ago. The switch to carbon face seals on the compressor...

That's a pretty harsh judgement on the vast majority of people that don't have complete control over a vehicle. A new car frequently comes with maintenance included. If you don't take advantage of it, you are putting your warranty at risk. (Not invalidating it, but putting a strong burden of...

I'm amused by the discussion here, compared with the discussion about "how come people throw away perfectly good yard equipment" (that only needs an hour of skilled service). The original poster probably had an easily fixed problem. Perhaps even just a problem that a few hours of defrosting...

Originally Posted By: eljefino Rear sensor could be in the pumpkin, for 3 channel ABS. (Shares the rear wheel data, and ABS to the rear would be all-or-nothing.) "Two wheel ABS" would be only the rear axle, as it has the most change in load. This was a mid-90s kludge with the available...

A low trailer means that the doors will be blocked by the trailer wheel fenders. You'll be getting out through a window. If that doesn't give you pause, how will you close the window after you get out? Not all cars have keyless entry with window open/close.

Wow, I can almost hear Cartman saying "I misunderstood the rules"

If a 2.5 amp load causes the voltage to drop 6 volts, a 15 amp load will cause a 36 volt drop. Some types of motor designs will draw less current at lower voltages, but a typical tool motor will draw more current. So you might be looking at a 40-50V drop. The problem might be in a junction box...

You don't want your employer to the pay the $900 upgrade on a scanner you own, unless there is a clear written agreement that you retain ownership of the scanner and the upgrade. Make certain that the ownership of other tools is very clear as well. We don't know the job situation in your...