BS: Planned maintenance screw ups on eqt

Subject: RE: BS: Planned maintenance screw ups on eqt
From: EBarnacle
Date: 13 Aug 10 - 11:32 PM

I believe the FIAT I was referring to was a 128.

Leasdingers, what model Citroen? I don't recall any such problems with my D types. Of course, I did have to reach through a rather skinny hole. The fenders were pretty easy to remove and reinstall, though. Just a couple of bolts and a few electrical connections.

Subject: RE: BS: Planned maintenance screw ups on eqt
From: GUEST,BobL
Date: 13 Aug 10 - 03:02 PM

"just drop out the whole engine/transaxle unit to change the spark plugs"

That's the beauty of Porsches (and VWs) - with the proper workshop gear, getting the engine out is a doddle. I believe the record is about four and a half minutes.

Subject: RE: BS: Planned maintenance screw ups on eqt
From: Ed T
Date: 13 Aug 10 - 07:54 AM

The local Acura told my son that it would cost a hour and a half labour to change a low beam light bulb (the one that normally goes, if you live in a city) in his 2002 RSX. Their repair manual says that numerous parts first have to come out, before it could be changed. I got to it from underneath, and it took me less than ten minutes to replace.

Added to that, the Acura mechanic told me that the RSX low beam bulb is likely only to be available at an Acura or Honda dealer....as it was only used on the RSX and Honda Prelude (a somewhat rare vehicle).

Subject: RE: BS: Planned maintenance screw ups on eqt
From: Gurney
Date: 13 Aug 10 - 02:46 AM

To change the back three sparkplugs on my Camry V6, first remove all the cast-aluminium intake trunking assembly from the cylinder head.....
You can't even SEE them.

Manufacturers only make cars for the first owners. Poor people can go away quietly....

Subject: RE: BS: Planned maintenance screw ups on eqt
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 13 Aug 10 - 01:22 AM

No Richard the Fiat 128 sedan had almost no such problems - except that no 'Holden/Ford Clown' could ever tune them sensitively.... that hassle was with the Porche...

Subject: RE: BS: Planned maintenance screw ups on eqt
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 13 Aug 10 - 01:16 AM

The normally easy Morris Minor. The right way to change the brake master cylinder meant dismantling the entire right had side front suspension.

I don't remember that FIAT problem on my C series FIAT coupe - let's see, 1973 or 1974.

Subject: RE: BS: Planned maintenance screw ups on eqt
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 12 Aug 10 - 11:42 PM

The dealer I preferred to service my Fiat from used to race a Porche - he used to just drop out the whole engine/transaxle unit to change the spark plugs - took him far less time than trying to do it while still in the car - but he did have a whole bloody workshop and paid mechanics on call....

Saw this thread, and had visions of "Planned maintenance screw ups" as "Maintenance Screw Ups that were planned"...

As in "Failing to plan means planning to fail" ....

Subject: RE: BS: Planned maintenance screw ups on eqt
From: gnu
Date: 12 Aug 10 - 09:43 PM

Sucks eh? I used to be able to work on my old Ford truck straight six in the rain... just get in and close the hood. Now, my Visa card is the only thing I can get in there and still close the hood.

And the old Dodge slant six... never burned as much gas as the new fangled RAM TOUGH crap. Who needs MORE towing power? Toooo many horses is horseshit.

And all the computers... sensors... satellite connections... didn't buy an extended warranty? Well, our computer is gonna fuck your computer the day your warranty expires.

Yeah, I know... but they can. I guess ya just gotta trust the big auto companies to do what is right, eh?

Subject: RE: BS: Planned maintenance screw ups on eqt
From: Rapparee
Date: 12 Aug 10 - 08:56 PM

To replace the rail tail light lens on my wife's Honda Element would have run about USD 250.00 just for the part. We put red tape over the where the plastic broke out.... And a friend used to have a 1953 Willys Ace Deluxe -- when her tail light lens broke completely we painted the bulb cadmium-barium orange (medium) and replaced the paint when it burned off.

Subject: RE: BS: Planned maintenance screw ups on eqt
From: Leadfingers
Date: 12 Aug 10 - 08:47 PM

To change the near side Headlamp bulb on my Citroen , you either have to have VERY Long Thin Hands or take the entire front of the bloody car off !!!

Subject: RE: BS: Planned maintenance screw ups on eqt
From: EBarnacle
Date: 12 Aug 10 - 07:46 PM

Once, I was in the shop helping a friend change the oil on a FIAT coupe. It was one of the last ones brought in to the US. I have mercifully forgotten the model #.

In order to remove the drain plub, the bottom bolts on the radiator had to be removed.

Subject: RE: BS: Planned maintenance screw ups on eqt
From: Rapparee
Date: 12 Aug 10 - 06:29 PM

Now, now. Just take a deep breath, hold it a second, and exhale suddenly while your lips and tongue form the sound:

SHHHHIIIIIIIIIIIIIITTTTTTTTTTTTTT!!!

Now, doesn't that feel better?

And while you're making that sound, consider the Chevy Monza automobile: to change the spark plugs you had to pull the engine.

Subject: BS: Planned maintenance screw ups on eqt
From: gnu
Date: 12 Aug 10 - 05:43 PM

Fuckin Honda! The bastards. They supply the exact size wrench for the oil oil plug for a generator. But, if the wheel kit is installed it cannot be used.

No problem.... I have FIVE sets of ratchets and THREE sets of wrenches. Nope. The fucker is not 1/2" and it's not 12mm. So, if you change the oil in the winter when it's -25C and torque it properly and then try to change the oil when it's 25C, the head on the plug can strip because the steel is so soft.

Vice grips. I know, I know... but it was vice grips or a fuckin match. BASTARDS!

And, the spark plug. Ya gotta torque the engine askew with a hunk a lumber to get the angle on the plug. Or, if ya got FIVE sets a ratchets, ya can use four extensions to get the angle. Just try to get the fuckin plug to thread back in without jackin the engine with a lever. What a piss off.

They musta learnt a lot from GM and Ford back in the 50s. My tool kit for my new Ford truck is made by Visa.

Arrrrgggggggghhhhhhhhhh!