Topic: Young Mechanics (working on your vehicle)

[BenelliSEI]

So here is why most shops don’t work on anything old. The fellow I race the Lexus with has several mechanics working for him. Three are probably 26-30 years old, all fully licensed, “Class A”. They’re working on a snow machine they plan to race in a smaller class, this winter. They brought the carbs to work today and Tim suggested they drop in on me, after work.
     As I stripped the carbs and prepped them for the ultra sonic tank tomorrow, I suddenly realized these fellows had no idea how a carburator really works! They probably learned something in school, but that was a while ago. In real life, they replace stuff. They were fascinated and we spent a very pleasant hour together. It was really fun but a bit surprising. When I started explaining a mechanical and vacuum sync, they said they might swing by with the sled, for another lesson! I’m looking forward to it.

[Tracksnblades1]

Wonder what they would do if you showed them  a later model Quadrajet with all the bells whistles, choke pull off/unloader,  idle, ac, shut off  and vacuum solenoids etc, etc, etc, ….?  🤔

Apart and in a Tyme carburetor basket after a soak…?

[BenelliSEI]

Wonder what they would do if you showed them  a later model Quadrajet with all the bells whistles, choke pull off/unloader,  idle, ac, shut off  and vacuum solenoids etc, etc, etc, ….?  🤔

Apart and in a Tyme carburetor basket after a soak…?

They’d give you my address and send you down the road!

[HondaMan]

...maybe show them a 1978 PD42 carb and tell them to change out the pilot jet to another size...
That's ALWAYS fun to watch...

[BenelliSEI]

...maybe show them a 1978 PD42 carb and tell them to change out the pilot jet to another size...
That's ALWAYS fun to watch...

Honestly Mark, they were totally fascinated. I went to my whiteboard and drew up a sideways tube, sucking fuel up through a hole, and into the variable air volume….. they literally had no idea. Even their dirt bikes (and they all ride like superman) are fuel injected. Boggles the mind.

[jgger]

To quote Bob Dylan, "for the times they are a-changin'"!

[70CB750]

My vote would be for Carter BBD for the jeep inline six 258 - with all the solenoids and vacuuum tubes.   

I had it in full working order once and passed with it Maryland emissions.  After that, I installed Howell's fuel injection. 

[Stev-o]

The young men that work on modern vehicles are not "mechanics", they are "technicians". 

Hooking up a laptop to the vehicle is generally the first step...

[BenelliSEI]

The young men that work on modern vehicles are not "mechanics", they are "technicians". 

Hooking up a laptop to the vehicle is generally the first step...

+1. “parts changers”. They just did the brakes on my wife’s Hyundai Santa Fe. Simply replaced calipers, pads, and discs. I’m sure they’ve never turned a disc, changed a seal, or rebuilt anything……..

[jlh3rd]

If their hands touched a tub of grease, they would probably go into anaphylactic shock.

[Tracksnblades1]

If their hands touched a tub of grease, they would probably go into anaphylactic shock.

They use snap on gloves 😁

[smee]

Ah, it's just the world now. Cheaper to replace than repair most things (unless you DIY ).

Rotors are a good example. Cheaper to have turned? Yes, but does the 20 year old guy doing the turning for $20/rotor while making $18-23/hr really give a crap if they are done right? Further, do they even make rotors thick enough to be turned anymore?

[Kelly E]

Lots of new rotors cost only a few dollars more than getting the old ones turned.

[Gurp]

Lots of new rotors cost only a few dollars more than getting the old ones turned.

I still like to get mine turned if they can be.

One of my best friends is like many of these newer age mechanics, he hates carbs points and anything other than tuning (laptop) or fuel injection.
He has a 75 CB750 chopper and a 89 Softail that I maintain for him.
Fair trade off when I need help on a car he usually drops everything an comes to help me.
I do remember one time he was needing to drive something to and from work and i loaned him my 61 GMC and told him about the dist turning where it's wore out... a week later he needed mew to come up and set the dwell. He hated driving that truck lol
 

[Stev-o]

Rotors are a good example. Cheaper to have turned? Yes, but does the 20 year old guy doing the turning for $20/rotor while making $18-23/hr really give a crap if they are done right?

My Tacoma needs a brake job and the rotors are warped. The cheapest rotor is $94 but the local Carquest Auto parts store will turn them for $25ea cash, I know the owner and he will do it himself [he's in his late 30's] 

I havent mic'd the rotors yet but fairly certain they are within spec as I havent given it a brake job since I've owned it.

[grcamna2]

Rotors are a good example. Cheaper to have turned? Yes, but does the 20 year old guy doing the turning for $20/rotor while making $18-23/hr really give a crap if they are done right?

My Tacoma needs a brake job and the rotors are warped. The cheapest rotor is $94 but the local Carquest Auto parts store will turn them for $25ea cash, I know the owner and he will do it himself [he's in his late 30's] 

I havent mic'd the rotors yet but fairly certain they are within spec as I havent given it a brake job since I've owned it.

Stev-o,how are your calipers;does it have ABS ?

[Stev-o]

Rotors are a good example. Cheaper to have turned? Yes, but does the 20 year old guy doing the turning for $20/rotor while making $18-23/hr really give a crap if they are done right?

My Tacoma needs a brake job and the rotors are warped. The cheapest rotor is $94 but the local Carquest Auto parts store will turn them for $25ea cash, I know the owner and he will do it himself [he's in his late 30's] 

I havent mic'd the rotors yet but fairly certain they are within spec as I havent given it a brake job since I've owned it.

Stev-o,how are your calipers;does it have ABS ?

Yes, has ABS and calipers are fine

[BenelliSEI]

Rotors are a good example. Cheaper to have turned? Yes, but does the 20 year old guy doing the turning for $20/rotor while making $18-23/hr really give a crap if they are done right?

My Tacoma needs a brake job and the rotors are warped. The cheapest rotor is $94 but the local Carquest Auto parts store will turn them for $25ea cash, I know the owner and he will do it himself [he's in his late 30's] 

I havent mic'd the rotors yet but fairly certain they are within spec as I havent given it a brake job since I've owned it.

Stev-o,how are your calipers;does it have ABS ?

Yes, has ABS and calipers are fine

Steve….. we turn the race car rotors at least once. I find a good, “seasoned” set, with a light skim are actually better than new…..

[smee]

Rotors are a good example. Cheaper to have turned? Yes, but does the 20 year old guy doing the turning for $20/rotor while making $18-23/hr really give a crap if they are done right?

My Tacoma needs a brake job and the rotors are warped. The cheapest rotor is $94 but the local Carquest Auto parts store will turn them for $25ea cash, I know the owner and he will do it himself [he's in his late 30's] 

I havent mic'd the rotors yet but fairly certain they are within spec as I havent given it a brake job since I've owned it.

Out here in Denver by me they are $67/piece for OEM fronts as an example from the stealership. (https://autoparts.stevinsontoyotawest.com/products/product/rotor-brake-fr-4351204052)

[BomberMann650]

Got one lesson on carburetors in my certificate course.

To summarize - obsolete and ... if you change the settings - thats a felony.

[Kevin D]

John, I have a vision of you with a much longer beard and a wizards hat, instructing the students. 🙂

[BenelliSEI]

John, I have a vision of you with a much longer beard and a wizards hat, instructing the students. 🙂

It’s an interesting experience. I was surprised on how many basic principles needed a full explanation.

[simon#42]

you would be surprised at how many things a young mechanic takes for granted would need explaining to you john . cambus wiring , reflashing the ecu etc etc . i have been a mechanic for a long time and believe me it was much much easier when we had carbs , points , a condenser and not much else to go wrong !

[BenelliSEI]

you would be surprised at how many things a young mechanic takes for granted would need explaining to you john . cambus wiring , reflashing the ecu etc etc . i have been a mechanic for a long time and believe me it was much much easier when we had carbs , points , a condenser and not much else to go wrong !

Simon….. good point and VERY TRUE. Today the boys diagnosed my check engine light as a faulty gas cap in seconds. I would never have found that in a million years!

[PeWe]

"Modern" engines have so much that can and will fail.
Fuel injection should not work if crank sensor give no signal. Engine will not even turn when trying to start it.
Same with cam pos sensor.

On top of this plenty of other sensors and crappy plastic valves that will brake and make engine to run like sh!t.
Air mass flow sensor common failer.

Ign coils have short life too, individually sitting on each plug in cavities getting hot in valve cover. Last setup branded Hitachi thanks to my CB750 experiences.
There are multiple brands making them.

Lambda sensors before and after the cat will become dirty and send wrong signals. Cheap version usually not correct.
Bosch is preferred.

Risk that a wrong AFR can ruin the catalytic converter too.

I have fixed my Audi 1.8T engine this year where mentioned sensors (+both lambda), coils(again), breather valve (1 of several, finally cracked wide open causing horrible idle).

Rear engine coolant temp sensor on the list when it give intermittent off in the logs.
Ordered and will be replaced a warmer day outside my garage.

I was worried that the catalytic converter with downpipe had failed due to wrong fuel mix. Sport cat with thicker downpipe from Milltek not cheap to get today. Car has a complete Milltek system from UK.
Car passed the annual test so OK.

Software VCDS and correct cable between OBD2 connector in car to PC collect all alarms.
Search some on Internet to verify the root cause.
Youtube videos show how to replace.

There are several forums with step by step descriptions how to fix common errors.

A carburetor car without ECU have not much that can fail.

The VCDS with cable have saved me lots of money.
I bought it initially to measure turbo charge while driving to verify the ECU software upgrade and crappy collapsing stock turbo inlet pipe, replaced by an alu pipe from USA.

Get all engine alarms within a minute. Car shops take lots of money for that!!