What are you working on today?

Last week:

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2019 Lexus RX450h, 62K. A word of caution for the hybrid V6 2016-2020(maybe the ‘21 cars too) HiHy and RXh with the 2GR-FXS, the cowl needs to come off and so does the EGR cooler, I had to unbolt a pipe first at the cat and then midway to be able to remove the cooler. The cooler got a bath of Purple Power and hot water. The non-hybrid 2016-2021 Highlander/RX350/Sienna all get the 2GR-FKS and 2GR-FE before 2016 without EGR and the cowl can stay on from what I hear.

The intake looks clean.
 
Monday
1987 Chevrolet Silverado C10
Rear brake shoes and wheel cylinders, turned the drums, changed the oil.
 
Today was a busy one, even skipped lunch.

Finished up the Compass from yesterday, it ended up needing a CV axle due to rust at the wheel end. However, I was able to save the ABS sensor to offset the cost which the customer was very happy about.

Diagnosed, sold, and completed a TIPM replacement on a 2011 Caravan due to the all too common fuel pump relay failure. Yes, I know, Mopar sells a kit to replace just the relay, however I do not like this kit nor it's reliability. I'd much rather replace the TIPM and keep all the OE wiring uncut. The only hiccup with TIPM replacement on the 2011-2013 vans is the need to re-pin one connector. 4 wires, basically just swapping them corner to corner. Takes 10 minutes tops, after 10 minutes to remove the TIPM itself.

Couple of coolant flush/rotates. 3 total I believe. One included a trans drain and fill, which was also the one I upsold rear pads and rotors on. Done and out.

Complete exhaust on a 2011 Forte, cat stolen. Replaced everything from the manifold to the bumper aside from the upstream O2 sensor and manifold itself.

Had a couple more sprinkled in which I'm glossing over, but it was a solid Tuesday. Tomorrow, I start on a 10+ hour HVAC repair on a 2017 Colorado. Blend door broke inside the case. Yay me.
 
Today not much at work. Slow for my express guys. But they done a lot of upsells today on the cars they did have. I was proud of them because that’s what the goal is. Then when I got home I had to take the airlines back off dads truck. Had to put them back on the other day for him to move it for the supposed flood we were supposed to get lol. He still has to get the lines made. Then we realized as I was under his truck that his car was pouring coolant like a sieve I thought I smelt something sweet so looked and the water pump is leaking to no end. Just great now we have to figure out transportation tomorrow because someone has to give up their ride lol. Probably not me since I work 30 miles away. I told him I’d just take my truck to work but he doesn’t want me driving it that far because it’s not safe so I respect that. The water pump on his car is original with 285,000 on it. Hard to believe but true. Sounds like I’m going to have a busy night tomorrow or this weekend lol.
 
Today was fix screw ups day. One of my techs that I manage had a comeback that’s almost as bad as leaving oil out of an engine. He apparently forgot to drain the oil as the plug hadn’t been touched and you could tell. He did change the filter though. The bad part is he filled the engine with the same amount of oil that was supposed to come out. This was a 5.7 liter Tundra so it takes 8.5 quarts. So the engine had 17 quarts in it. The oil change was done yesterday tech wasn’t here today since it was a planned day off so I had to end up fixing it. It makes me look bad as a manager when something like this happens. It pulled in and sounded very bogged down customer got out and asked me to look at the dipstick. I pulled it out and couldn’t believe it. And the oil was pitch black too because it was mixed. Let’s just say me, this tech and big boss man are all having a talk on Monday. This is the tech I was telling you about yesterday who hasn’t paid his Matco bill in 3 weeks. Good kid but not a good technician. I done a fresh oil change on it. I’m going to have a tech look at it on Monday to make sure oil didn’t get anywhere like the air box or anything. This is not this persons first offense either. I think a phone plays a big factor here as every time I see this tech he is face deep in his phone including while he is under the car. Yes I say something but you can’t be there every second. I’m just glad that it’s over and going to be fixed. Put the customer in a rental for the weekend. I want to leave this position so bad and go back to Subaru where I know and love and don’t have to manage idiots lol. Just waiting on them to build the new Subaru franchise and I will be going back my boss promised me.

They choose you for this task for a reason....You're a nice guy & won't have these "kids" running to HR every 5 seconds because something hurtful was said.
 
Tuesday
1999 Oldsmobile Alero
Turned front rotors, replaced front pads

2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
Front sway bar links
 
This past weekend my Patriot was due for it's first tire rotation since I installed new RT43's this past winter. I did the back drum brake pads 4 years ago (OEM) and the front disc pads/rotors 3 years ago (EBC OEM level). I decided to disassemble them, clean them up, and relube (rust belt here). Whew, that took almost as long as installing new components.

The Paste Lube* I used on potential rust surfaces (rotor hats, hubs, ears, etc.) did its job excellent and was still working. The 3M silicone was still in good shape on the caliper pins. The rotor hat coating was still effective, but the coating on the rotor edge and vanes is gone, with moderate rust developing - much better than uncoated rotors. Same as the first time, the OEM drum pads (EE) seem to be soft and they wear/need replacement before the front discs (maybe rear bias?). The OEM drums have minimal wear and I think I can reuse them during the second pad change about 6 months from now.

Very pleased with the EBC components. Prices were very reasonable back then, not so much now. My lowly Patriot is going on 10 years and has been very reliable.......so far, knock on wood. I really think that preventive maintenance really helps, except when faulty factory parts exist.

* The Paste Lube formula has changed. I don't like it. If it works as well as the old one, I will retract my complaint.
 
Complete exhaust on a 2011 Forte, cat stolen. Replaced everything from the manifold to the bumper aside from the upstream O2 sensor and manifold itself.
ok, I heard of the Kia Boyz using a micro USB cable to steal a car - but since when are HyunKia cats stolen? It’s not like it’s a Prius/Tacoma/Tundra or an Accord/CR-V/Element/Pilot full of precious metals.
 
The fact that a 2.8 V6 is still running is remarkable
In my experience, GMs 60 degree pushrod v6 is a good engine, especially the 3100 and 3400 series. Not perfect, not spectacular, just good, much like Ford's Vulcan 3.0. they don't have the power of today's V6s, but they are far simpler and cheaper to repair when they break.
 
In my experience, GMs 60 degree pushrod v6 is a good engine, especially the 3100 and 3400 series. Not perfect, not spectacular, just good, much like Ford's Vulcan 3.0. they don't have the power of today's V6s, but they are far simpler and cheaper to repair when they break.
Until the lower intake gaskets and plastic garbage coolant elbows blow out. Never a fan of the 3.1 and 3.4 GM v6. Ask me how I know.


Thanks GM
 
Until the lower intake gaskets and plastic garbage coolant elbows blow out. Never a fan of the 3.1 and 3.4 GM v6. Ask me how I know.


Thanks GM
No coolant elbows on Chevrolet 60° V6's, That's a 90° Buick 3800 issue. Fel-Pro has been making steel frame intake gaskets for the problematic GM engines with plastic frame intake gaskets for years & it's a well known/documented issue.
 
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Tis the season for cool mornings, and TPMS lights
When was the last time you checked the spare?
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New and improved floor mat retainers
One was missing, car wash broke the remaining one
Yes the irony is not lost on me that the carpet is quite dirty 😐
No SUA events here 👀
I went by the body shop yesterday, my sister's Milan will be repaired
I brought a cashier's check, parts are being sourced now
$7700 worth of damage to a car I paid $2160 for 😱
 
Thursday
1991 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Fuel pump replacement

Friday
2000 Ford Taurus
Coolant reservoir replacement, turned front rotors and replaced front pads
 
Replaced the driver's side power window motor on my 92 Cavalier today. Not a very fun job. I decided to just drill some holes in the inner door skin so I could access the bolts that were holding the motor to the regulator after trying to remove the motor without doing that. I didn't feel like trying to take the entire regulator out either and I'm not sure it would come out very easily out of the largest hole in the door.

I have the motor to do the other door but that can wait for another day when the motor finally gives it up. It's pretty slow but still goes up and down without stopping which the driver's side motor wouldn't do anymore.
 
Friday afternoon BMW E46 windshield cowl replacement. Had to use a tie rod puller to get the wiper arms off. Then 303'd the new cowl for maximum longevity.

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