what did you wrench on today??

[Dave8338]

Hold the boat!!!!!!!!!!!

Finished changing speakers on my Mazda. New rear speakers went in first, and gave the effect that I had hoped for by replacing all four. Replacing the front speakers had a bigger effect than replacing the rears. It took longer than it should have, but it was worth it.

Took the Mazda to a garage to replace the timing belt, other belts, and water pump. There is no labor charge for replacing the water pump when the timing belt is changed. There are problems since the change. The new belts are noisier than the old ones. This effect seems to be decreasing as I get some miles on them. Also, the sound is masked completely by road noise at higher speeds.

The idle was steady and low before the change, and now it goes up and down. And it has less power at very low speeds, running roughly until 7 mph in first, 13 mph in second, and 23 mph in third. I don't know how that can be related to a belt change, though.

Changed oil. In six oil changes on this car, I've tried about 6 oil filter wrenches and haven't yet found one that properly grabs the dinky filters that this engine uses. I wasn't able to twist the filter more than 1/2 turn after it was finger tight, because the cap wrench cams off.

TOM:

Who ever installed your timing belt, SCREWED IT UP!!!!!

EVERY symptom that you describe is indicative of a timing belt that has been installed WRONG!

My guess is that the timing is now (retarded) as a result of:
1. The timing marks on the cam and crank, being off, OR

2. The belt jumping a tooth (which didn't happen because you mention the "louder" belts, than prior to the repair (THE sign of a timing belt that is TOO tight).

Take it BACK and let them know you know what is wrong.

Just saying...

Change ALL my own timing belts and water pumps.

Ford owns Mazda.

Wrench both.

[Dave8338]

The first of many S-curves in an Escorts brake line system.

Really, Ford!! You couldn't have designed this without the 6" piece of hard line and 2 fittings (that cost me wholesale, $4.36 each AND I NEED 16 of them)

10mm metric that run through 3/16" hard line. Ford quit making them...

[DanTheMan]

Finally, after visiting with Dave8338 on Tuesday, trading a headlight bucket and ears for another 'Jammer fairing, yesterday I started work on the motorhome for our Thanksgiving trip(leaving Friday afternoon). Pulled the generator out of its' hole, removed the starter so it could be rebuilt, found the cause of an annoying vibration on the main engine (exhaust system clamp), and got about 1/2 done last night on putting the plastic shrink wrap on my windows for the winter trip so we'll stay much warmer. Most of it will be finished today, with loading up the fridge and putting clothes and stuff in before leaving Friday morning, wife will be loading her clothes and stuff tonight. Pictures of the generator operation to follow.....

[Runningdog]

Yesterday PM, I rebuilt the carb on the snow-thrower and got it purring......no snow at the house, yet, but it's sneaking down the mountainsides, and should be here later this week.

We've been really lucky with weather this fall, usually have snow before Halloween (it disappears, tho'), but it's comin'..supposed to be a La Nina year, so we have a 50% chance of the winter being colder/snowier/warmer/wetter than last year.

[Dave8338]

Hey, Dan.

Yeah it was fun talking with you and seeing that the fairing went to a good home. Not sure you mentioned, where are you and the wife off to?

Looking forward to seeing the pics of that generator. As I mentioned Tuesday, I would love to get my hands on a little 3-cylinder diesel, like you have on your motor home generator.

OH...the possibilities!!

Hope the hip gets better and be sure to send plenty of pics from your trip!

Dave

[ozarkdrb]

Getting Jeep ready for Winter

Had a day off yesterday, so I changed antifreeze, drained and replaced front and back differential fluid, transfer case drain and fill, rotated my tires, new brake pads on front, new serpentine belt, and new spark plugs in a 2005 Jeep Liberty Renegade.
Not too tough wrenching until you get to the Plugs on that 3.7 engine. Yoiks! What a pita!
Built like a boat ignition with a coil on each spark plug riser... no wires! And do NOT cross-thread these suckers as they are 6 inches down in a hole.
Ready for winter in the Ozarks!

Ozarkdrb

[DanTheMan]

Here's some of the work I've been doing getting ready for our trip in the motorhome to Ogden, UT.




The genset-removed the starter, had it rebuilt, now installed, genset running.

[Mindless]

At work I built computer and server barracks / staff quarters for the Norwegian army and NATO.

At home I fiddled with some exhaust valves to determine whether or not to replace them with new ones.

[kyscootertrash]

Kz1300

Removed the motor from a KZ1300 6 Cylinder, and completely disassembled it,(even split the cases). As a side note, these are the only motorcycle engines that require a hoist. Every other bike I have worked on, I just bribe a buddy with a couple of beers to help me set the engine in or out of the frame.

[bonanzadave]

our trip in the motorhome to Ogden, UT.

Damn ! Thats what I call over the river and through the woods. Have fun !!

[81GS750]

Finishing the resto on the 81 CB750C. Got carbs installed and synced. Did some praying over the CB's valve seals, think it worked since they seem to be swelling back up and doing their job after 10 years of inactivity.

[bobthebiker88]

those early DOHC CB750's are nice. I liked he screw and locknut adjusters on the SOHC models though.

[81GS750]

those early DOHC CB750's are nice. I liked he screw and locknut adjusters on the SOHC models though.

Me too. I parted it already, but kept the engine, from a 82 CB650 Nighthawk with a SOHC engine. I really don't want to change valve seals, but if I have to I will. Hard to sell a bike that smokes when you fire it up.

[bobthebiker88]

agreed. my 900C needed a valve adjust something fierce. they're WILDLY out of spec. miracle that none are burnt.

[kenvb]

what did I wrench on today ?

I am replacing a motor in a 2000 Montana mini van, waste of money, but customer likes her van.I found her a lower mileage nicer eqipped van for $2000.But no, this will cost her closer to $5000 by the time the rack & pinion,brakes, exhaust is all done.GM Flat rate is 29 hrs, I told her a week at $40.00 a hr, GM is $120 a hr.still works out about the same,Im older and slower,& cheaper.heres pic of corner of my 60 by 200 shop .You can eat off the floor,,gets steamed every night before I go in.