DIY

[Snaggletiger]

After the Ford F-150 turned 100K miles, little problems started popping up.  Nothing major, just annoying, semi-expensive crap that has to be taken care of.  Recently, it was the windshield wipers.  Stuck in the lowest interval position and can't be turned off.  I know exactly squat about how to fix it so I called some places and was told to leave it a couple of days, or it would be a minimum $100 for the "diagnostics" to determine the problem.  So, I typed it in the Googled Chromes. Voila!  5 minute video on how to replace one.  Went to the auto parts store and ordered one for $50.00. 

Yesterday after work, I was headed outside and Snagette asked me where I was going.

I'm going out to replace my windshield wipers timer.

By yourself?

Yeah, why? (In my best sarcastic voice)

Do you know how?

Yeah (Same voice as above)

There's about an 8 second silence before I say, "Yeah, this is isn't going to end well, is it?"

In her best sympathetic voice...."No honey, it's not."

She knows me.  I will tackle a project, assemble something, take something apart.  And 9 times out of 10, I will F it up and start speaking in tongues.  I will swear that the manufacturer didn't include a part I need, or the two rails came bent and won't fit together.  It's not my fault.  But 9 times out of 10, yes it is. 

I'm getting better, though.  It all started when we couldn't get anybody out to replace a dryer belt.  The dryer was located in the same room as our computer, so I Youtube'd a step by step video, and spent an afternoon attacking that undertaking.  Did you know there are only 2,745 steps in replacing a dryer belt?  But I did it.  And when I hit that on button and it started humming along, I realized the three parts I had left over weren't needed.  And I suddenly felt like a MAN!!!  I take on a lot more things these days, especially with the help of the Googles.

Snagette's dad is 83.  That man will turn anything into a DIY project to save a buck.  Went over to his house one day and he had an A-frame ladder in the bed of his truck and he was balancing on the top step, cutting limbs out of a tree.  Just to save a buck.  He's the DIY king.

My fear of the inevitable failure used to find me just dropping something off and saying call me when it's ready.  Now, I actually look forward to taking on a new project.  Except electricity.  I've got that number on speed dial. 

[chinook]

all i read was my FIL still has a full nutsack.

[Snaggletiger]

all i read was my FIL still has a full nutsack.

He's a baller.

[Buzz Killington]

Did you know there are only 2,745 steps in replacing a dryer belt? 

Yes.  Yes I do.  I know because I counted them all the 3 times I did it to replace mine. 
First time, I forgot to re-attach the sensor plug.
Second time, it was the light bulb,
Third time it was perfecto!

[dallaswareagle]

I learned a long time ago to let other folks (who are trained) to fix my stuff. I'd try, fuck up even worse and then have them fix the original problem and then have to fix what I fucked up. 

[CCTAU]

Do you still avoid driving in the rain?

[Buzz Killington]

Local plumbing company sums it up pretty well...

[wesfau2]

I've adopted the following as the motto in my house.  I'm tired of doing everygoddamned thing:

[Kaos]

Let's go back to the Ford thing. 

There was this horrible grinding noise that occasionally came from the front of my F-150.  Take it to the shop, show them the video I took of it making the noise.  They'd keep it for a week or two.  "Out" of loaners.  I either had to borrow somebody's car or rent one.

Every time they'd give it back to me "we drove it, but didn't ever hear the noise.  We can't fix it if we don't hear it ourselves." 

I did this maybe three or four times over two years.  Without fail, it would do it within a mile of leaving the shop. Every time. 

So I did the research too.  Most likely cause was a check valve for the IWE (whatever the hell that is).  Turns out there's a technical bulletin from Ford dealing with it.  It's an $8 part.

The dealership where I bought the truck?  "Well, we have to hear it to verify it and we don't.  So we can't just put parts on." 

I tell them fuck it, I'll do it myself.  They tell me if I do, it could void my warranty.  At this point I'm like 1500 miles from crossing that rubicon.  So I leave it there for two weeks.  They promise to drive it every day, let one of the mechanics drive it home. Make sure they get it. 

Two weeks?  "Well, it just didn't never do it."

The motherfuckers drove it less than two miles.  I confronted them with that. "you musta wrote that mileage down wrong, because we drove it ever day." 

Fuck it.  There's a YouTube video.  I ordered the part, followed the video and in less than five minutes, had the check valve swapped out.  No reoccurrence of the noise.  That was over a year ago. 

I've always been a Ford guy.  I'm not sure I will be when I start looking.  I don't like anything they're doing lately.  And I will NEVER buy another vehicle from this dealership. 

[GH2001]

Let's go back to the Ford thing. 

There was this horrible grinding noise that occasionally came from the front of my F-150.  Take it to the shop, show them the video I took of it making the noise.  They'd keep it for a week or two.  "Out" of loaners.  I either had to borrow somebody's car or rent one.

Every time they'd give it back to me "we drove it, but didn't ever hear the noise.  We can't fix it if we don't hear it ourselves." 

I did this maybe three or four times over two years.  Without fail, it would do it within a mile of leaving the shop. Every time. 

So I did the research too.  Most likely cause was a check valve for the IWE (whatever the hell that is).  Turns out there's a technical bulletin from Ford dealing with it.  It's an $8 part.

The dealership where I bought the truck?  "Well, we have to hear it to verify it and we don't.  So we can't just put parts on." 

I tell them fuck it, I'll do it myself.  They tell me if I do, it could void my warranty.  At this point I'm like 1500 miles from crossing that rubicon.  So I leave it there for two weeks.  They promise to drive it every day, let one of the mechanics drive it home. Make sure they get it. 

Two weeks?  "Well, it just didn't never do it."

The motherfuckers drove it less than two miles.  I confronted them with that. "you musta wrote that mileage down wrong, because we drove it ever day." 

Fuck it.  There's a YouTube video.  I ordered the part, followed the video and in less than five minutes, had the check valve swapped out.  No reoccurrence of the noise.  That was over a year ago. 

I've always been a Ford guy.  I'm not sure I will be when I start looking.  I don't like anything they're doing lately.  And I will NEVER buy another vehicle from this dealership.

They’re all going to the new fancy smancy boosted small
Motors now. Ford’s is the ecoboost. They’re great until they screw up. Yours was a minor annoyance. I’ve known a few guys with that motor have the turbo go out at about 150k miles. 9-10k.

I’d rather keep my v8 and pay for the extra fuel over time.

[Kaos]

They’re all going to the new fancy smancy boosted small
Motors now. Ford’s is the ecoboost. They’re great until they screw up. Yours was a minor annoyance. I’ve known a few guys with that motor have the turbo go out at about 150k miles. 9-10k.

I’d rather keep my v8 and pay for the extra fuel over time.

I’m only at about 65,000.  I will be trading it before it gets to 120. 

I love the truck.  It’s beautiful. 

But I’m starting to have weird things.  Like the sunroof won’t go back because of some fuckery in the panel.  And my phone chargers don’t work.  Same fuckery.