When Total Destruction is the Only Option

Posted on September 24, 2018 by Dan

Bolts don’t always come out. Parts don’t always want to come off. This happens a lot here in New York, in the rust belt.

2018_09_24_01.jpg Continue reading →

Posted in In The Shop | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Tool Review: Tekton T10-T40 long Torx driver set

Posted on September 20, 2018 by Dan

It’s been a while since I did a tool review, so I figured I should do one that I’ve been using for a while to see how it’s held up. Here’s what I think of this long Torx driver set made by Tekton.

2018_09_20_01.jpg Continue reading →

Posted in Tool Review | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Get Your Airbag Recall Done

Posted on September 17, 2018 by Dan

If you somehow haven’t heard, millions of airbag inflators have been recalled in the past few years because they can become overpressurized due to humidity, leading to ruptures that send shrapnel into the occupants they’re designed to protect. If you have a car that has a faulty airbag please get it replaced. It is absolutely free.

2018_09_17_01.jpg Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Remove Cover Before Use

Posted on September 13, 2018 by Dan

Even if it means less business for mechanics, it’s good to know how to do basic maintenance on your car. One of the things you should know how to do is change wiper blades. It’s pretty easy, but somehow people can mess it up in strange ways.

2018_09_13_01.jpg Continue reading →

Posted in In The Shop | Tagged | Leave a comment

Stinky Air Filter

Posted on September 10, 2018 by Dan

I was getting a brand new car ready to be delivered when I noticed it did not smell good with the air conditioning on. I figured it would probably be a good idea to check the HVAC filter.

2018_09_10_01.jpg Continue reading →

Posted in In The Shop | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Selections from Social Media Vol. 1

Posted on August 30, 2018 by Dan

I put out new blog posts here every Monday and Thursday, but the rest of the week I’m also posting pictures on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Here are some of the most interesting pictures that you may have missed if you don’t follow my social media.

2018_08_30_01.jpg Continue reading →

Posted in In The Shop | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

3 Years of Mechanical Malarkey

Posted on August 27, 2018 by Dan

I can’t believe I’ve already been doing this for 3 years. Thank you to everyone who reads and supports this site.

2018_08_27_01.jpg Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Throwback: Surprise Passenger

Posted on August 23, 2018 by Dan

Going back a couple years for a throwback to a special visitor in the shop.

It’s a regular Saturday morning at work, when one of the techs finds some fur in the engine compartment of a car he just pulled in. It turned out to be a live cat that rode for 45 minutes next to the engine. Luckily it was on the far side of the car from where all the belts and pulleys are, which are what usually kill stowaway animals.

2016_07_25_01 Continue reading →

Posted in In The Shop | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Clogged Radiator Causing A/C Problems

Posted on August 20, 2018 by Dan

Another car with an air conditioning problem came in. This time, the air conditioning would work fine for a little while, but then would completely stop working. I hooked up the A/C machine to see what the pressures were doing, and found that as I held the engine at 3,000 RPM, the high side pressure would just climb until it hit around 500 psi and the pressure switch would shut off the compressor.

2018_08_20_01 Continue reading →

Posted in In The Shop | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Taps & Dies vs. Thread Chasers: What’s the Difference?

Posted on August 16, 2018 by Dan

When threads get damaged on bolts or in bolt holes, there are two options: taps & dies, or thread chasers. What are they, and what’s the difference between the two? Why do I have sets of each?

2018_08_16_01 Continue reading →

Posted in In The Shop | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments