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First big job I ever did was was a water pump and AC compressor/condenser delete 16 years ago on my Jetta. It went off without a hitch and I was so proud of myself until a few days later when I was sitting in a drive-thru for too long in the summer heat. About the time I got to the window, I noticed a little steam coming out the edge of the hood. I thought “as soon as I get my food, I’m pulling right over in that parking spot to investigate that”.
A few moments later, the heater core blew open and sprayed hot coolant on my leg and leaking half into the car and the rest outside on the ground. It made a huge cloud of steam that fogged over all the drive-thru windows. I shut it off, squeezed out at the pickup window, and pushed the car into a parking spot. Turns out I had forgotten to plug the radiator fan back in.
Technically I’ve had way more actual embarrassment at work however, because anything big that gets botched at work all the other techs know about (and the boss).
[quote=”Fopeano” post=175254]First big job I ever did was was a water pump and AC compressor/condenser delete 16 years ago on my Jetta. It went off without a hitch and I was so proud of myself until a few days later when I was sitting in a drive-thru for too long in the summer heat. About the time I got to the window, I noticed a little steam coming out the edge of the hood. I thought “as soon as I get my food, I’m pulling right over in that parking spot to investigate that”.
A few moments later, the heater core blew open and sprayed hot coolant on my leg and leaking half into the car and the rest outside on the ground. It made a huge cloud of steam that fogged over all the drive-thru windows. I shut it off, squeezed out at the pickup window, and pushed the car into a parking spot. Turns out I had forgotten to plug the radiator fan back in.
Technically I’ve had way more actual embarrassment at work however, because anything big that gets botched at work all the other techs know about (and the boss).[/quote]
Hahahaha! That is pretty embarrassing!
The most embarrassing thing for me was when I was going to refill my gas can. I had pre-paid for $5 in gas (gas was $2.53/gallon and I had a 3 gallon can) I uh… I couldn’t get the cap off of the can… I sat at the pump for a good 15 minutes trying to open the damn thing and gave up. I went back in and got a refund and drove back home. The next day, I went to take the cap off and it popped right open. No hassle involved.
I was so excited to try out my new high stall torque converter that I went for a test drive and forgot the hood was resting on the cars roof.
Luckely when the hood went airborn, it landed mostly flat with only minor damage to one corner and alot of scratched up paint.[quote=”451Mopar” post=175328]I was so excited to try out my new high stall torque converter that I went for a test drive and forgot the hood was resting on the cars roof.
Luckely when the hood went airborn, it landed mostly flat with only minor damage to one corner and alot of scratched up paint.[/quote]Wow. At least there wasn’t like a semi behind you. It would have been one of those slow motion events where you see your hood get crushed and all you can do is watch in horror.
I was suprised it stayed on the roof as long as it did, and totally missed hitting or scratching the car, just went airborn? I did have a moving blanket between the cars roof and hood.
I have made many other mistakes too, like removing the front and rear axles out of a RamCharger on jackstands, but on un-level ground and having the truck twist and fall off the jackstands (with no axles under it.) Not a big deal as the truck was rolled and going to the scrap yard, but a buddy wanted the axles.
[quote=”Novadude987″ post=175374]Damn. That’s an oops. Was it hard getting the truck standing up again?[/quote]
Well, I left out that the uneven surface was that the truck was on an open bed car trailer. It was already mostly stripped of engine and trans, just needed to get the axles before taking it to the scrap yard. It did some damage to one of the fenders on the trailer, and ruined one of the jack stands.
Took it to the scrap yard and they unloaded it with a fork lift.
I think I mentioned the vehicle had been rolled, and had a bent frame too.I got more… mistakes and stupid stuff too.
Had a pretty beat 1968 Pontiac LeMans (this was my brothers $200 car) and we cut the roof off with a sawzall. Almost looked like a real convertible without a top.
Driving down the highway one day, and a car pull up next to us and the drivers says “nice dents”. This think had dented fenders, quarters, trunk, twisted bumpers, and such.I guess, if you asked my wife, it would have been when I rolled the RamCharger. I called her and said “I’m OK, but I rolled the RamCharger.” I think she wanted more details at the time, but the medics were checking me out. Only got some scratches from the shattered glass.
[quote=”451Mopar” post=175420]I got more… mistakes and stupid stuff too.
Had a pretty beat 1968 Pontiac LeMans (this was my brothers $200 car) and we cut the roof off with a sawzall. Almost looked like a real convertible without a top.
Driving down the highway one day, and a car pull up next to us and the drivers says “nice dents”. This think had dented fenders, quarters, trunk, twisted bumpers, and such.I guess, if you asked my wife, it would have been when I rolled the RamCharger. I called her and said “I’m OK, but I rolled the RamCharger.” I think she wanted more details at the time, but the medics were checking me out. Only got some scratches from the shattered glass.[/quote]
I rolled my old Ram Charger too. Well technically it was a flop but it was in a bad place for extraction.
My worst mistake, buying a used Pontiac Grand Am without even starting the engine. It wasn’t even my first car, I knew better, but it was the cheapest car I could find, and was excited to get back on the road again. The problem, dead oil pump, motor was running, but already trash. It seized a couple months later.
[quote=”Flintiron” post=175428]My worst mistake, buying a used Pontiac Grand Am without even starting the engine. It wasn’t even my first car, I knew better, but it was the cheapest car I could find, and was excited to get back on the road again. The problem, dead oil pump, motor was running, but already trash. It seized a couple months later.[/quote]
It seems like every Grand Am I see around my town is always beat up in some way. Its pretty wierd.
[quote=”Flintiron” post=175428]My worst mistake, buying a used Pontiac Grand Am without even starting the engine. It wasn’t even my first car, I knew better, but it was the cheapest car I could find, and was excited to get back on the road again. The problem, dead oil pump, motor was running, but already trash. It seized a couple months later.[/quote]
Just fill the power steering reservoir, it will leak the fluid into the engine keeping it oiled (I think this was a ’98 Quad4 engine GrandAm where the PS pump is run off the camshaft.) It was my Girlfriends car, and started smoking bad. Checked the oil and it was way overfilled. My girlfriend said it kept loosing PS fluid, so she just kept adding more and the pump seal was leaking all the fluid right into the engine.
[quote=”451Mopar” post=175444][quote=”Flintiron” post=175428]My worst mistake, buying a used Pontiac Grand Am without even starting the engine. It wasn’t even my first car, I knew better, but it was the cheapest car I could find, and was excited to get back on the road again. The problem, dead oil pump, motor was running, but already trash. It seized a couple months later.[/quote]
Just fill the power steering reservoir, it will leak the fluid into the engine keeping it oiled (I think this was a ’98 Quad4 engine GrandAm where the PS pump is run off the camshaft.) It was my Girlfriends car, and started smoking bad. Checked the oil and it was way overfilled. My girlfriend said it kept loosing PS fluid, so she just kept adding more and the pump seal was leaking all the fluid right into the engine.[/quote]It had oil, metal shaving filled oil. I was completely stupid for not checking anything. I should’ve been patient, but I had gone a year without a car, and trying to work two jobs and commuting by bus was getting to me.
Well luckily i don’t have to many embarrassing moments with the work i do but they do once in a blue moon happen.
About three weeks ago i noticed a small amount of coolant coming from the overflow tube in my own car so after tracing down the problem to the heater core springing a minor leak i temporarily bypassed it and replaced a spongy upper radiator hose refiled the system bled the air out and all was fine for about a week but then while running around town with the wife suddenly a large explosion of coolant and steam arose from under the hood.
After inspecting the damage i found out that the upper hose had blown off on the radiator side due to me not tightening the clamp enough.
When these issues happen thank the powers that be that its only in my car lol.
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