What are you working on today?

I really didn't work on the Lexus. I just drove it for a few minutes on the interstate and drove it into the smog test station.

I guess when the vehicle gets over a certain age, CA automatically calls it a "High Emitter". Results is nothing out of the ordinary; rather "clean" for ~100k miles. High NO at 15mph is typical.

I did rake leaves in the back yard for 90 minutes. I'm still not done. It's like raking a forest.

scan_20231127153349_annotated.webp
 
Back working at my friend's shop this week

2006 Toyota Tundra
Replaced battery, battery terminals, and air filter, changed oil

Spent the rest of the day helping him install a good used replacement dash in a 1991 Chevrolet Silverado. He'd already gotten the old one out and replaced the evaporator core and heater core.
 
Changed out the Michelin Defender LTX tires for the Toyo WLT1 snow tires this evening on the Ram. Between yesterday and today we received a few inches so on they go to keep the polished aluminum OE rims saved from the salt.
 
Gave a NOCO jump-pack start to a motorcyclist on the edge of a shoulderless road on the way to work. this was my first experience using the NOCO. The clamps were a bit unwieldy to work motorcycle-sized connections, especially finding a good ground. It has short leads which also limited ground options. Positive barely held, and I applied pressure to keep ground connected. With that sorted, the V-twin built fuel pressure and thrummed to life. Simpler than dealing with cables, for sure. It cost the charge one out of four LEDs. Nice tool.
 
I discovered that the water pump in my 92 Cavalier was leaking around the top of the mounting gasket the other day so I took advantage of the 60 degree weather to replace the water pump. The car has 251,000 miles on it and I've owned it since it had 76,000 miles and I can't remember if I had ever replaced the water pump so I just went ahead and replaced it with a new AC-Delco pump that I had bought at a swap meat a few years ago.

I also replaced the coolant temp sensor since my temp gauge was staying almost at the bottom. The new sensor brought the temp on the gauge up some but not where it should be. I had tested the gauge the other day by grounding the sensor wire for the gauge and turning the key to on and it went all the way to the top of the gauge so I figured the gauge was good but maybe it isn't. I used my scan tool on it a couple of months ago and the temp was right at what the thermostat is rated for.

I also changed the oil and filter before winter hits. It was only 300 miles short of being due anyway.
 
Replaced the thermostat in my 2008 Mercury Grand Marquis LS. I had a code for the thermostat and I noticed it was not warming up normally.

Took ten minutes due to the cold, but now it runs better and gets toasty inside.

Started a temp job test driving cars for winter. Not as fun as you’d think, but then I knew that going in since I did this long ago.
 
My mom is getting elderly and asked for a handrail on these outdoor steps. I took the time to do returns to minimize the "purse catch," which would technically be code anyway. In fact pretty sure the radius of my bender die doesn't take the return low enough to satisfy code? Also I don't think 1" width is wide enough for code, either.

Too bad, it's done and it was free. I guess ya get what you pay for. In all seriousness I believe it's 100% safe for her, regardless of codes.
20231130_170854.webp
20231130_170747.webp
 
1993 Nissan Sentra
Replaced front CV axles

Fire damaged 1979 Chevrolet Camaro
Pulled engine and transmission for use in a 1978 model. The 79 was a 2 year old restoration with a new GM 290 hp 350 crate engine and a freshly rebuilt 700r4. Don't know the details of why it caught fire but it's gone from the dash back. Minor fire damage on the engine, melted the distributor components, throttle and transmission detent cables. Shame.
 
2008 Toyota Sequoia 5.7 V8
Replaced radiator and thermostat, rotated tires

Got all the melted/fire damaged parts off the Camaro drivetrain
 
Back
Top Bottom