When I was a teenager, my dad had a '51 Chevy truck that leaked water out of the radiator. I took the radiator off and laid it across a barrel. I then melted bar solder into all the wet spots with a propane torch. Never leaked after that.
Post your unusual maintenance story.
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Originally Posted By: redbone3
When I was a teenager, my dad had a '51 Chevy truck that leaked water out of the radiator. I took the radiator off and laid it across a barrel. I then melted bar solder into all the wet spots with a propane torch. Never leaked after that.
I think you won the thread. This is awesome.
When I was a teenager, my dad had a '51 Chevy truck that leaked water out of the radiator. I took the radiator off and laid it across a barrel. I then melted bar solder into all the wet spots with a propane torch. Never leaked after that.
I think you won the thread. This is awesome.
Ferrocement lining to chassis top-hat section outriggers, inside the shell of corroded steel and underseal.
Not solid concrete, a thin ferrocement shell, like they have made boats out of. Quite sophisticated.
You may sneer, but if you can get something like that through a British Ministry of Transport annual inspection, its a RESULT.
Not solid concrete, a thin ferrocement shell, like they have made boats out of. Quite sophisticated.
You may sneer, but if you can get something like that through a British Ministry of Transport annual inspection, its a RESULT.
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It is amazing we all get home after work................without exploding our engines..lol
Did this thread go the intended way?
Someone caved-in the LR door of my Dad's car when I was a kid. I saw the huge dent and grabbed the flat plunger.
I whammed it on and pulled. Out popped the dent. Oh, I suppose that's an unusual REPAIR story.
Someone caved-in the LR door of my Dad's car when I was a kid. I saw the huge dent and grabbed the flat plunger.
I whammed it on and pulled. Out popped the dent. Oh, I suppose that's an unusual REPAIR story.
I was on a boat in a remote part of the Bahama Out Islands when I smelled diesel fuel. When I opened the engine compartment there was a fine mist of hot diesel spraying the engine compartment from a cracked compression nut on a fuel return line. We were in an area with no town, no people, no nothing! After pondering things a bit I realized that my smallest vice grip pliers might just clamp the nut enough, and they did. Started it up and there was no leakage. Those vice grips stayed clamped on the top of the engine for the next four months of use until I was able to get the part!
Originally Posted By: Dorian
WHO BUYS BATTERIES FROM A JUNKYARD!?
I bought a used tire from a local backyard tire repair place in the hood to keep as a full size spare in the trunk. It came with a 3 day warranty!
WHO BUYS BATTERIES FROM A JUNKYARD!?
I bought a used tire from a local backyard tire repair place in the hood to keep as a full size spare in the trunk. It came with a 3 day warranty!
Originally Posted By: CourierDriver
A friend of mine has a 96 Toyota truck, longbed,runs great, never any major repairs, but his transmission has the original transmission fluid in it, and yes it is really black, but its runs and shifts great, automatic transmission, guess its a miracle. Only 120,000 miles on it,,,he does not drive it much.
That's not unusual. I mean, if you polled the average motorist I bet most would tell you that you should never change ATF, or at least that they never do.
A friend of mine has a 96 Toyota truck, longbed,runs great, never any major repairs, but his transmission has the original transmission fluid in it, and yes it is really black, but its runs and shifts great, automatic transmission, guess its a miracle. Only 120,000 miles on it,,,he does not drive it much.
That's not unusual. I mean, if you polled the average motorist I bet most would tell you that you should never change ATF, or at least that they never do.
I was shopping for a small truck some years ago. I went to look at a Ford Ranger that a local guy had for sale. It looked great up until I popped the hood and checked the fluids. The oil was black and a quart low. The fluid on the trans dip stick looked like watery mud. The radiator coolant looked the same as the trans fluid. I turned to him and told him that I had no interest in buying the truck. He seriously asked me what the problem was and that he had been trying to sell the truck for months with no takers.
I asked when the last time was that he had done any maintenance on the truck. All I got back was a deer in the head lights stare.
I asked when the last time was that he had done any maintenance on the truck. All I got back was a deer in the head lights stare.
Originally Posted By: dan_erickson
I have never changed the oil in my lawn mower, ever.
Sadly, on a lot of new lawnmowers, the oil outlasts the engine.
I have never changed the oil in my lawn mower, ever.
Sadly, on a lot of new lawnmowers, the oil outlasts the engine.
Originally Posted By: Dorian
WHO BUYS BATTERIES FROM A JUNKYARD!? I had no clue that even was a thing!
You would think that they would have lots of them, but last time I went to one, they only had 2, and they were reconditioned and cost $65. Like anyone is going to pay that much for a used battery when they can get a new one for $50 at Walmart that is probably better.
WHO BUYS BATTERIES FROM A JUNKYARD!? I had no clue that even was a thing!
You would think that they would have lots of them, but last time I went to one, they only had 2, and they were reconditioned and cost $65. Like anyone is going to pay that much for a used battery when they can get a new one for $50 at Walmart that is probably better.
Originally Posted By: Dorian
WHO BUYS BATTERIES FROM A JUNKYARD!?
Actually, I've started buying most of mine from a local yard that has a large display of used batteries. They are all $25 and carry a 30 day warranty. If you bring in your own battery tester, you can quickly check if the battery is good or not on the shelf. They also do a courtesy check before selling it.
A few months ago I bought an AAP H8 AGM with a 5/15 date code for $25. It tested at 1100CCA (Rated at 900CCA). For reference, the same battery on the shelf at AAP would be dated 5 months fresher, but cost $190.
WHO BUYS BATTERIES FROM A JUNKYARD!?
Actually, I've started buying most of mine from a local yard that has a large display of used batteries. They are all $25 and carry a 30 day warranty. If you bring in your own battery tester, you can quickly check if the battery is good or not on the shelf. They also do a courtesy check before selling it.
A few months ago I bought an AAP H8 AGM with a 5/15 date code for $25. It tested at 1100CCA (Rated at 900CCA). For reference, the same battery on the shelf at AAP would be dated 5 months fresher, but cost $190.
I could see buying from a junk yard IF it was an expensive style of battery, but for many run of the mill types I'd rather pay 75$ (usually you can get plenty of discounts from places like AAP, and have a three year warranty and no surprises, with the junkyard items like batteries a serious accident can jostle the lead plates and cause a potentially sudden failure at any time, not to mention various potential issues, such as a weakened case, that might be fine when you get it from the yard, but when put back in service might fail and that means major destruction if the acid leaks and you don't notice it.
Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
Most German vehicle with DOT-4 brake fluid recommend 2 years.
But many owners don't want to pay $30-50 to bleed because they perform normal in city streets.
It's more like $100 over here.
Most German vehicle with DOT-4 brake fluid recommend 2 years.
But many owners don't want to pay $30-50 to bleed because they perform normal in city streets.
It's more like $100 over here.
Fractured exhaust pipe, producing an impressively muscular note from the sub-litre engine.
Six-monthly inspection overdue, so if I fanny around sourcing a proper replacement I'll get fines.
Chicken wire, lime mortar, and hydraulic mud from a local volcano. (That stuff can take the heat.)
No problem sir!
That was at a privately operated Taiwan inspection centre, though, and they do tend to be a bit..er..casual.
Six-monthly inspection overdue, so if I fanny around sourcing a proper replacement I'll get fines.
Chicken wire, lime mortar, and hydraulic mud from a local volcano. (That stuff can take the heat.)
No problem sir!
That was at a privately operated Taiwan inspection centre, though, and they do tend to be a bit..er..casual.
Originally Posted By: Blkstanger
I was shopping for a small truck some years ago. I went to look at a Ford Ranger that a local guy had for sale. It looked great up until I popped the hood and checked the fluids. The oil was black and a quart low. The fluid on the trans dip stick looked like watery mud. The radiator coolant looked the same as the trans fluid. I turned to him and told him that I had no interest in buying the truck. He seriously asked me what the problem was and that he had been trying to sell the truck for months with no takers.
I asked when the last time was that he had done any maintenance on the truck. All I got back was a deer in the head lights stare.
The sad and scary thing is, that the majority of less stupid/honest sellers (and maybe this one after you educated him) would change the fluids before showing, and the buyer probably wouldn't be able to tell.
I was shopping for a small truck some years ago. I went to look at a Ford Ranger that a local guy had for sale. It looked great up until I popped the hood and checked the fluids. The oil was black and a quart low. The fluid on the trans dip stick looked like watery mud. The radiator coolant looked the same as the trans fluid. I turned to him and told him that I had no interest in buying the truck. He seriously asked me what the problem was and that he had been trying to sell the truck for months with no takers.
I asked when the last time was that he had done any maintenance on the truck. All I got back was a deer in the head lights stare.
The sad and scary thing is, that the majority of less stupid/honest sellers (and maybe this one after you educated him) would change the fluids before showing, and the buyer probably wouldn't be able to tell.
Originally Posted By: dan_erickson
I have never changed the oil in my lawn mower, ever.
My old neighbor had a riding lawnmower and never did it either but he also never checked the oil in it.
It worked for 6 years then one day as he was mowing his yard there was a loud bang from the engine and then silence.
When he opened the hood on it there was a nice hole in the block and the connectingrod was sticking out from it..
Atleast he learnt his lesson that day and on his new riding lawnmower he checks the oil before he starts it, he also change the oil once a year because he dont want to buy a new one again.
I have never changed the oil in my lawn mower, ever.
My old neighbor had a riding lawnmower and never did it either but he also never checked the oil in it.
It worked for 6 years then one day as he was mowing his yard there was a loud bang from the engine and then silence.
When he opened the hood on it there was a nice hole in the block and the connectingrod was sticking out from it..
Atleast he learnt his lesson that day and on his new riding lawnmower he checks the oil before he starts it, he also change the oil once a year because he dont want to buy a new one again.
Originally Posted By: Kira
Did this thread go the intended way?..... Oh, I suppose that's an unusual REPAIR story.
Dunno. Given that its here rather than in the maintenance forum, I suppose it was intended to go horribly wrong.
Apart from most people posting about lack of maintenance (which certainly isn't unusual, especially here) it doesn't seem any further off-topic than most threads.
I routinely do quite a lot of unusual maintenance, but I'm [censored] if I'm going to post about it off-topic.
Did this thread go the intended way?..... Oh, I suppose that's an unusual REPAIR story.
Dunno. Given that its here rather than in the maintenance forum, I suppose it was intended to go horribly wrong.
Apart from most people posting about lack of maintenance (which certainly isn't unusual, especially here) it doesn't seem any further off-topic than most threads.
I routinely do quite a lot of unusual maintenance, but I'm [censored] if I'm going to post about it off-topic.
My father started driving fairly late, in middle age. Having absolutely no vehicle familiarity (This will, I'd guess, be hard for an American to relate to) he subscribed to a monthly magazine which built up into an automotive encyclopedia, to educate himself.
I read the magazine. I'm not sure he did.
First oil change on first car (Fiat 124) took him a long time. He was filling through the dipstick hole.
He got better at it though.
I read the magazine. I'm not sure he did.
First oil change on first car (Fiat 124) took him a long time. He was filling through the dipstick hole.
He got better at it though.
Originally Posted By: Ducked
My father started driving fairly late, in middle age. Having absolutely no vehicle familiarity (This will, I'd guess, be hard for an American to relate to) he subscribed to a monthly magazine which built up into an automotive encyclopedia, to educate himself.
I read the magazine. I'm not sure he did.
First oil change on first car (Fiat 124) took him a long time. He was filling through the dipstick hole.
He got better at it though.
Now that is an unusual way, although to be fair it's how automatic transmissions used to be filled.
My father started driving fairly late, in middle age. Having absolutely no vehicle familiarity (This will, I'd guess, be hard for an American to relate to) he subscribed to a monthly magazine which built up into an automotive encyclopedia, to educate himself.
I read the magazine. I'm not sure he did.
First oil change on first car (Fiat 124) took him a long time. He was filling through the dipstick hole.
He got better at it though.
Now that is an unusual way, although to be fair it's how automatic transmissions used to be filled.
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