Author Topic: I am a mechanic now  (Read 4685 times)

mendoman

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I am a mechanic now
« on: September 11, 2013, 05:34:29 PM »
We have a Honda CR-V with 160k on it.   For the last few weeks there has been a rattle coming from what I thought was a heat shield on the muffler.  Finally I had a chance to track down the noise and it was the tensioner assembly on the serpentine belt ( the belt on the motor that drives everything).   I have some mechanical abilities but I first thought this was too much to do on my own.  I priced it at the dealer, $300 to fix the problem.  I had a MMM moment and said I can do this.  So I watched a few Youtube videos and went to work.  One hour later and $67 dollars for a new part the noise was gone and the car was fixed.  Just goes to show you that we are lead to believe that most car repairs even simple ones are left to the experts. 

mx905

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Re: I am a mechanic now
« Reply #1 on: September 11, 2013, 06:19:55 PM »
Congrats!  You can save a lot of money DIY!

Greg

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Re: I am a mechanic now
« Reply #2 on: September 11, 2013, 08:40:32 PM »
Good job.  Modern cars' belt systems are actually pretty easy to work on once you know how.  One belt, one tensioner that's spring-loaded, usually.  But, there are often "idler" pulleys as well so check those also.

When I was 17 or so I didn't know how even to check the oil on a car.  Then my sister and I bought a used car together, and the first thing that went wrong was the brakes.  There was a repair guide in the trunk, so I followed it and changed the front brake pads.  That was almost 30 years ago and now I do all my own work, and some for others.  Meaning, you can learn how to do this stuff if you want to.

Oh, and, pay yourself with a treat of some kind.  You did well.  Tools are fun.

Boz86

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Re: I am a mechanic now
« Reply #3 on: September 16, 2013, 04:31:34 PM »
So I watched a few Youtube videos and went to work.   

The internet has saved me a lot of time and money on all kinds of repairs. Even found directions on how to drop my transmission and change the rear main oil seal, major hours in a shop.

Rebecca Stapler

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Re: I am a mechanic now
« Reply #4 on: September 18, 2013, 10:11:48 AM »
Fabulous! One of the best things I've learned from my time on this forum is that I can DIY some car repairs. IDK why I never even thought about it before but now I feel kind of liberated. Next up is doing my own oil change -- something SO basic, yet I never even considered!

Mr.Macinstache

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Re: I am a mechanic now
« Reply #5 on: September 18, 2013, 11:53:46 AM »
Great job! These things aren't that hard... and the tools needed are a great investment.

Youtube is priceless too, very good resource.

polleradam

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Re: I am a mechanic now
« Reply #6 on: October 15, 2013, 04:05:30 AM »
Good job bro, keep up with the good work! A DIY idea noted!

bandito

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Re: I am a mechanic now
« Reply #7 on: October 15, 2013, 05:59:06 AM »
I almost replaced the whole front linkage in my truck.  I got feed up with mechanics.  Could never find an honest one. I do everything myself and have saved hundreds.  I even did the valve adjustment on my motorcycle and installed a backup camera on my truck. I find that there is enough information available to do just about anything. I also believe there is no point giving up a day or two of your hard earned wages to a mechanic for a couple hours of your free time.

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!