Friday, April 15, 2005

I Think I See Your Problem Here, Keep Your Hands Off That 2

So my day off was rather interesting. Gotta remember to have quarters on me when I take a bus to AutoZone. Anyhow, I picked up the new plug wires that I would need. Replacing the first plug went alright. I also discovered that the same hold that the socket has on a plug upon removal, it also has a negative effect when putting in a plug and it usually takes the socket in with it. So I had to ease in the plug. Second one wouldn't come out. I tried pushing in more to get the socket on better. No luck. I moved on to the next one and it went alright. I went back to the second plug and tried again. Instead of grabbing, it was squishy. My next door neighbor came home and I stole a moment from him. I've seen him tearing engines and transmissions apart. He noticed something that I didn't. The little rubber boot on the end of the spark plug wire came off and was stuck in there and I had no way to get to it. So I put everything back together and drove to Checker Auto Parts. They were also stunned and right before I left they remembered that they sell a oil gasket pick. That did the trick. I removed the airhose and took care of the front two plugs. And then I see that I don't have enough room to reach the last plug with a 10 inch extension. I drove to Lowes and picked up a 6 inch extension which also proved fruitless. I was able to jam it in only so far but not luck (and removal was a pain in the ass.) So, I called it a night. The plugs were in pretty bad condition and I know I need to get the other one out. I have picked up a universal joint for the socket extension and plan to use it shortly. But, the car is running much much better. But, I do know why people are paid for this job: they have the right tools and they take a lot less time to do it without breaking wires.

4 comments:

Teri said...

You know I always feel like a moron when I go take the car for an oil change because the people ask me all kinds of questions that they feel I should know. They are arrogant and have even chuckled at me when I said I didn't know.. but that is their job, not mine and I reassure myself in the knowledge that they don't know half the things I know.. Ok I am rambling and I haven't even made a point...

Martin said...

At first, I would have said that I'd never do it again but... I think I'll be changing my own plugs from now on. Now I just have to move up to oil changes. Ter, people that know what they are doing tend to like to make you feel like a moron. It lets you remember that your car is in better hands than your own. That is unless they are going to play with a few things on the car that they shouldn't which would bring you right back to them to spend more money needlessly.

Anonymous said...

It's worse when you're a girl. They try acting crazy with me. But my ex is a pro at cars and I learned the basics. Don't tell me I need a new air filter, asshole! That's a K&N, it just needs to be cleaned thankyouverymuch. I like the, "Oh, yes, you're right" response.

LoraLoo said...

I'm just glad I married a mechanic. Of course we all can't do that...so, if you find a good one, keep him. If they're smart they know that treating you like an idiot is just going to send you somewhere else the next time you need work done.