What are you working on today?

[Sam_Julier]

1997 Honda HS828 snow blower maintenance update. Oil, spark plug, hydrostatic fluid, belts, auger lubrication, skid and scraper bar adjustment. Magnetics drain plugs for the hydrostatic fluid and oil.

One owner from Windsor Locks CT, purchased on December 27, 1997. The gentleman passed away last fall at age 97. He clearly loved this snow blower.

As you can see it is so cold that the snow isn’t melting inside our garage.

 

[cptbarkey]

Ticking off the maintenance items, today new OEM Kubota HST filters and 10 quarts of MAG1 THF fluid at 1038 hours. I don’t believe it was ever serviced. After a test drive it made a huge improvement in responsiveness with the transmission. There was a little gunk on the drain plug but not an alarming amount.

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The past two weeks it’s been snow, ice, then melting and mud. I am nearly ready to reinstall the bed on the Kubota, but before that a pressure washing was in order. The Ryobi wouldn’t start though, the gas smelled of varnish. A quick carb cleaning worked but the pressure washer still cut out suddenly several times. Oil level was fine. A Hipa carb is on order, was still able to finish the job. Tomorrow the bed will go back on. Soon it will be lots of chainsawing and trail clearing before things turn green in March.

 

[berniedd]

Steady CEL came on Friday last week in the 'ol Ford SUV but there was no change in the engine sound or power. There was a need to crank a little longer before engine caught (5 seconds vs the normal previous 2 secs before). I ordered an ELM327 OBDC2 code reader but fate overtook me before the item arrived. 3 days ago engine just died while backing out of outdoor parking slot . Fortunately just a third of a mile from the house . Towed it home, quick story: visual diagnosis confirmed timing belt (nonOEM, just 17,000 miles on it and 6.5 years old), lost a few teeth. Bought an original Ford belt, installed it yesterday myself with a friend after viewing 2 youtube videos first. Fired it up, luckily looks like no valve or piston damage sustained. The OBDC2 dongle arrived a few hours after I'd wrapped everything up. Downloaded autodoctor software to my laptop, and it showed code P0304 (camshaft position sensor). This is the second day of use, engine sounds normal, no unusual vibrations, engine power is as before. I expect the CEL to turn off after a few more days of use.

 

[D60]

The core support in Bambi Ranger wasn't bad except for a single crease. I finally decided to just go booty and drill a couple holes to pull it out. It looked pretty stout so I didn't think sheetmetal screws would hold.

I don't have a good "straight-pull-with-a-threaded-fastener" slide hammer attachment, so I booty'd one together. The lower 5/8" bolt is just to act as a square stop in the nut, and the flange nut on top just provides more real estate for my clamp:

Welded:

In use (I knew I could access the back to thread a nut):

Before:

After:

When shoving the donor in the shop my front tractor tire lost a bead again. I've been nursing a slow leak. It just comes out of the sidewalls EVERYWHERE -- original tires from '05. So I finally stopped and forced myself to install the tube I bought in the fall:

^At least I got one of my projects/maintenance done that I've been putting off forever.

 

[Kennedy01]

Today I've machined more steering knuckles and started drilling some stainless. Also took .125" off the spline end of an RCV shaft for clearance.

 

[BrianF]

With an hour of down time, I randomly decided to look after the P2509 on the Ram 3500. Its only appeared 3 times, last fall when I hooked up the tuner, ehich was on the original batteries. This wi ter, maybe -15c cold soaked with the new batteries, I wanted to see how well it started without the grid heater. Then this past cold stretch. -37, no block heater and the battery tender wasn't keeping the batteries up to snuff.

This first installment was me cleaning the battery terminals..... which there are a plethora or connections on each. I found nothing crazy but there was some minor corrosion here and there. I used a brass brush and contact cleaner.

The next installment, whenever that will be is to clean the block and frame grounds, along with whatever on the ECM I can get my hands on. No today though as everything is a muddy mess.

 

[wander2039]

Worked on the Dakota… Drew out a little out of the rear diff to put in the Lubegard. I was thinking I should grab a couple quarts and change it. Put it in at 96k and now 112k but sure was dark, thought I changed it with Mobil 1 back then maybe not. No idea how many miles it had. Put Vavoline 75w90 in the pouch back in with the Lubegard.

Mity vacced the ps reservoir and refilled with the Lubegard ps fluid. See if it has the magic touch like it did on the Express.

 

[tbm3fan]

Changed out the transmission fluid in my 5 speed 04 Focus. Then went back to the Mazda 626. Wasted 3 hours trying to remove the driver's inner tie rod. Three hours wasted and no heat can't be used as from under you are blocked by the rear engine mount and sub-frame. So three out of four tie rods changed before aligning the front end.

 

[wander2039]

Vacuumed out the transmission on the Dakota. Didn’t get much out, maybe 2.5-3 quarts. ATF4 back in. Didn’t another reservoir swap on the PS. Lubegard did its magic on the 2nd pump. If you have a noisy pump I highly recommend it.

 

[KE7JFF]

So on the 98 Legacy, the CEL came on, checked the code and it was for the knock sensor. Pretty common problem with Subarus with this vintage and I dealt with it before on my 98 Forester I had a decade ago. So, I get the part and get the 12mm socket with extensions and what not ready. Get the bolt loose with no issue, but then I drop the bolt somewhere on the top under the throttle body that I can't see. Decided to cut my losses and bought a replacement M8x1.25 bolt from O'Reillys. While I was now carefully putting the new bolt in, I see the edge of the dropped bolt under I think the headers laying on something.

Digging around in my tools, I can't find my magnet pickup tool, so after a quick trip back to O'Reillys, I exchange the bolts for said tool and VOILA! I get it and then install the new knock sensor successfullly. I did do a connector harness repair since I pulled the wire out of the connnector by accident, but that was easy. Starts up and no more CEL and of course, runs better.

Funny enough, in the parking lot of O'Reillys, there was cab driver, I think he hailed from Rwanda, he was having a hell of a time trying to find the cabin filter on his 2018 Prius that he uses an taxi. He's new to automotive English for sure as the best way to explain it, but I helped him out and showed him where the filter was. Pulled it out and I'll tell you, its universal in any country when you see a filter that dirty, you curse...

 

[bdcardinal]

Changed the fuel pump on the Silverado. It died a couple months ago, would crank but not start. Thankfully it was in front of my house. Finally got around to it today. I did the modified bed tilt method. Used a GM pump assembly. Got everything hooked up and went to start it and just crank. Quick made a trip to Home Depot then a gast station. Added about 8 gallons and it fired right up. One nice thing about living here is every bolt came right out with no issue. Also I was very happy to see someone else had put in an updated pump so no wiring needed.

 

[D60]

Decided to cut my losses and bought a replacement M8x1.25 bolt from O'Reillys. While I was now carefully putting the new bolt in, I see the edge of the dropped bolt under I think the headers laying on something.

Digging around in my tools, I can't find my magnet pickup tool, so after a quick trip back to O'Reillys, I exchange the bolts for said tool and VOILA!

Net Man Points deduction for
1) not having a small stash of M8x1.25 on hand (just keep a few fasteners from other automotive projects)
2) not keeping the bolts you purchased to have for later.

 

[meep]

Been sorta laid up this past week with sore back. But couldn’t take it any longer.

Slowly changed the oil in the 24 taco. TGMO and a Toyota filter (staying by the book for now). This is the second OCI and I let this one run 7500 miles. 15.5k on the truck In all honesty it looked pretty good. Holds 6 quarts.

Started building a 24V - 120VAC inverter box with 2 12V 100AH batteries.

Walked 2 miles with my bride, and that was hard… hard to get moving.

 

[D60]

I did see it and thank you. I don't meddle in the affairs of dragons or mods for I am crunchy and taste good with ketchup

ANYWAY....what I'm working on today....just picked up cheap on-sale Traveller oil from TSC thanks to fka eljefino and now I need to start tearing into an '04 Ranger that hit Bambi
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Somehow I always feel worse for the animal when they leave fur behind:
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Fortunately I have a donor in good shape, and the PO even provided new-in-box CAPA cert headlamps from RA that he bought before the transmission quit! I gave $1500 for the donor and all the individual parts were gonna cost me at least thatView attachment 322507

Quoting myself, I'm largely finished with the Bambi Ranger. Needs a good wash, then to paint, some final fitment adjustments, then I have a new Blue Oval for the grille

I put the damaged '04 and donor '07 nose-to-nose to swap parts:

I stepped up from the solid '04 markers to the "striped" '07. I think the later design is more visually interesting

 

[clinebarger]

Worked on my own ride for a change, Installing a Next Gen valve body kit in my 2019 Yukon/Gen 1 10L80.

Also getting a PPE aluminum transmission pan, Shocks, Struts, Oil Change & Differential service.

 

[RobbS]

Got a ticket in Va for too dark tint. Had the older (very dark) tint removed and retinted legally. The legal tint looks pretty sharp, I wasn't too disappointed. I picked out the Ceramic coating, looks smooth.

 

[Creekside]

Spent the day doing more property cleanup for my grandparents. Another full roll off bin of scrap loaded, a huge brush pile burnt, lots of small trees pushed out and who knows how many feet of honeysuckle vine pulled and pushed to the brush pile with the skidsteer and grapple. This was the 5th bin of scrap metal loaded and 10th load overall and we probably aren’t 10% done. Add 15-20 semi trailers all loaded and we’ll be cleaning for the next 2-3 years I figure.

I did manage to get this 86 F250 loaded and brought home. I had begged him to sell this for years and he never would. It’s gone downhill terribly from sitting most of 20-30 years. I did get it to start and run briefly but the fuel system is a disaster. The flatbed is welded to the frame and doesn’t fit the truck at all. I’ll be cutting it off and selling it which will give access to both tanks and will probably do the 38 gallon tank mod. I’m hoping the pump and injectors are good.

 

[The Critic]

2013 Honda Odyssey, 128K.
- Install Delphi Front Lower Control Arms
- Install Import Direct Passenger Front CV Axle Assembly
- Install VCMTuner II
- Install Akebono Coated Front Brake Rotors
- Evacuate and Recharge A/C system
- Send vehicle to Firestone for Lifetime Alignment

 

[The Critic]

2015 Civic 1.8, 81K.

Driver said vehicle leaked a large amount of oily fluid and vehicle has difficulty accelerating.

CVT was 2.5-2.75 qt low. Found CVT breather cap to be clogged. As a result, the fluid filler cap had blown off. The oil pressure sensor assembly (on the left side cover) was also very loose and ready to fall out. The majority of the fluid leak was from the oil pressure sensor port.

I replaced the clogged breather (it was also cracked) and fluid filler cap. I smeared a small amount of Permatex seal & lock thread compound onto the oil pressure sensor assembly’s threads and reinstalled. Fluid was drained and refilled, luckily no metal was found on the magnet. Removed the undercover and soaked the oily parts with 2 cans of foaming degreaser, rinsed and verified the transmission to be leak-free at this time.

 

[meep]

2015 Civic 1.8, 81K.

Driver said vehicle leaked a large amount of oily fluid and vehicle has difficulty accelerating.

CVT was 2.5-2.75 qt low. Found CVT breather cap to be clogged. As a result, the fluid filler cap had blown off. The oil pressure sensor assembly (on the left side cover) was also very loose and ready to fall out. The majority of the fluid leak was from the oil pressure sensor port.

I replaced the clogged breather (it was also cracked) and fluid filler cap. I smeared a small amount of Permatex seal & lock thread compound onto the oil pressure sensor assembly’s threads and reinstalled. Fluid was drained and refilled, luckily no metal was found on the magnet. Removed the undercover and soaked the oily parts with 2 cans of foaming degreaser, rinsed and verified the transmission to be leak-free at this time.

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Nice touch on the post-work degreasing. That helps the next guy so much!