Why I like wrenching on bikes

[87gsxrnut]

Because it took me over an hour to install a freaking flasher unit in my truck. Removing half the dash to get to it was less than savory. Add to it it was hotter than hell, then, as soon as I got finished BAM, it cooled down and started to rain. Sheesh!

At least I'm legal now! I'm sure I pissed a lot of drivers off this past week by having no signals in that thing!

Makes me WANT to give my bike a well deserved tune-up now.

- Nut

[themeatmanlandry]

S-10, right?

I put a radio in my 96 Isuzu Hombre (S-10 re-badge). I feel your pain.

Did you do it alone? Ouch. . . . and it was hot? Double ouch.

[JES883]

I agree. It's all there. Easy access.

[87gsxrnut]

Yeah, S-10. I forgot to add that I had all the right tools. Right sockets, Torx bits etc. I can imagine someone else trying to do it and just giving up. The manual really glossed over where the flasher unit was. I had to turn on the emergency flashers just to hear where the sound was coming from. Looking at the design, Chevy could have made a small, removeable panel there. But then, the dealer would get less money for service calls I suppose.

- Nut

[sunny]

i had a ford ranger xlt. had the heater coil go out. instead of replacing it, which required removing the dash, i lived without heat.
if i had to redo that decision, i would STILL not have heat in the damned thing.

and bear in mind i had no problem fixing the radiator that froze and had a split side seam. but get into removing the dash? no way.

[themeatmanlandry]

It's a two-person job, normally . . . removing the dash. It some off in pieces (mine did) but it still sucks.

[87gsxrnut]

Now I'm off to install new plugs on my Camry. Looks like the rear bank of plugs will be REAL fun

- Nu

[themeatmanlandry]

Originally Posted by 87gsxrnut

Now I'm off to install new plugs on my Camry. Looks like the rear bank of plugs will be REAL fun

- Nu

WTF's "Nu"??

Somewhere . . . out there . . . in the moto-world . . . as a 1995 Taurus with five new spark plugs, and a single, sixth, old one.

To the new owner: Whoever you are . . . wherever you are . . . be thankful that the transmission's still in working order.

[sunny]

so when are you supposed to change spark plugs in a car?

[themeatmanlandry]

100,000 miles if it's newer than, say 1990 (or so).

Consult an owner's manual, whadda' I know?

[87gsxrnut]

Well, that really sucked. Fronts, no problem. Rears, well, IT EFFING SUCKED!!!! I had to use all kinds of different 1/2" and 3/8" extensions, ratchets, sockets etc. I modded a plug wrench by removing the rubber insert to put the plugs in, and used my regular socket to get the plugs out. This is because the extension would always come out of the socket once the plug was in. Knuckles bleeding. RRRRRRRRRRRR, literally left skin on an unrolled bodywork edge. Had to disconnect some stuff too, just to get to the rear plugs.

But it is done, and really sounds better.

MFing Toyota! I suppose Toyota makes some special tools that would make doing a tune-up a whole lot easier. But, no time for that. The center rear plug was the worst. Absolutely a big PITA. But this was the first time that the plugs needed to be done here. I think 60K or something like that is the interval on this car. I'll have to look it up. These were undoubtedly the original plugs. Car has like 64K on it. Mostly highway miles. Original plugs didn't look bad, but the electrodes were starting to wear.

Oh well, better than having to pay to have it done. At least I know it is done right.

Now, onto the 1100 . . . .

- Nut

[themeatmanlandry]

I *heard* that they recommend that one of the Taurus' engine mounts be loosened to change out that last plug. That Camry may be the same way, and yolu just found a way around it.

Good show.

1100? You're not going to do anything crazy . . . like take it to a closed course and drive around it as fast as you can . . . while some other guys time you . . . are you?

[87gsxrnut]

Who? Me?



- Nut

[87gsxrnut]

Bah, 1100 needs too much work. I'll work on this '82 Gibson Custom Shop Explorer instead.

- Nut

[Hardware]

Originally Posted by themeatmanlandry

I *heard* that they recommend that one of the Taurus' engine mounts be loosened to change out that last plug...

Certain years of six cylinder Cavaliers and the corporate clones were along those lines. The rear engine mount purportedly had to be unbolted and the block canted forward in order to reach the rear bank of plugs.

Porsche 911's, again for certain years, were even worse. For some years the engine essentially had to be removed to change all the plugs. I always thought this was an urban legend but about 6 months ago I spoke with the Japanese rep for Porsche and he confirmed that for one or two years, this was the case. They changed plumbing & whatnot so that on subsequent years, using special tools, they could access all the plugs from below - still not something the average shadetree mechanic is going to want to face.

I just replaced the water pump on the G-F's Saturn. Had to go at it through the wheel well so the whole inner fender had to come off. Even then it was a b1tch to get at. Luckily a buddy with really small hands was helping - otherwise I would still be there trying to get the mounting bolts back in.

The worst story of accessing a part:

The above mentioned small handed buddy owns a '90 BMW 850i. The heater core went on it. Now let's see if I remember all the steps...

The steering column had to be unbolted and moved aside to access the heater core. In order for the steering column to move, the dash had to come off. For the dash to come off, the console had to go. For the front section of the console to go, the rear portion of the console had to go. For the rear portion of the console to go, the rear seat had to be removed. Basically the whole interior of the car had to come out. In the end it cost him around $3000 to replace the heater core (at a local shop).

[EMBALMER]

I love working onmy own vehicles it gives me some time to vent and a sence of accomplishment. That is why I own an older bike and truck or at least that is what I tell myself. Plus I can not see myself paying a mechanic at a garage to do something that I can.

[87gsxrnut]

Well, I did the S-10 today. Cap, rotor, plugs. Normally no big deal, but I got distracted and screwed up the firing order. BAH! Took a while to trace the wires to get it right again. 10-years and that is the first time THAT happened! Also repacked the front wheel bearings . . . IN THE RAIN!

Well, normal vehicles done now. I can get back to the bikes again.

- Nut

[87gsxrnut]

BUAHAHAHA! Carb clean, new air filters and plugs on the 1100. RS-Series carbs. All the air jets were basically plugged. Noticed an odd-looking burn in #1 on the plug. Might have to do a compression check in that cylinder. Had been having problems with her starting. Don't think I will now! Thing fired RIGHT up, 1 bump. Still worried about that #1. I'll see how she runs tomorrow after an oil change.

- Nut

[jaydog19833]

Because I want to know exactly what's going on with the machine I lay my life on every day.

[87gsxrnut]

Yeah, exactly! I've seen many near fatal mistakes made by Stealership shops on the past.

- Nut