What have you done to someone else's ride lately?

[TacoXpo]

My 83 year-old uncle called me asking if I knew a good cause to donate his 1997 Honda Civic. I asked what's wrong. He said he needs a new head gasket. I asked why. He said that two mechanics told him so. I asked if he was loosing power. He said no. I said I would be right over. After a $12 oring (for VTEC solinoid) that should have been $2, and a $10 oring (that should have been 20 cents), no more leak. Oh yeah, this beauty has 180,000 miles and is in great shape. He also has a Subi since he skis a lot. He says he's a fully sponsored pro skier (since he has no job and they let him ski for free 'cause he's over 80).

I HATE WHEN MECHANICS HOSE OLDER FOLKS AND GIRLS!!!

 

[drew02a]

Wow, that's ridiculous!

Good job looking out for family

 

[TacoXpo]

Wow, that's ridiculous!

Good job looking out for family

You will appricate this:

After I was done he wanted to give me $100. I said no. I told him that I help him for a very selfish reason, it makes me feel good. He chuckled and said, then you will understand why I am doing this (he tucked $80 in my back pocket), I want to feel good too.

His sister, my mom, used to always say something like this when I wouldn't ask for help: "You are withholding the blessing they would recieve for helping you." My uncle likes that one too.

 

[Silverback]

Awesome Roger.. very cool!

 

[drew02a]

You will appricate this:

After I was done he wanted to give me $100. I said no. I told him that I help him for a very selfish reason, it makes me feel good. He chuckled and said, then you will understand why I am doing this (he tucked $80 in my back pocket), I want to feel good too.

His sister, my mom, used to always say something like this when I wouldn't ask for help: "You are withholding the blessing they would receive for helping you." My uncle likes that one too.

Yup!

 

[Taco Loco]

Nice job, story and good deeds!!

 

[tx_shooter]

Good deal on the simple fix, Roger. Auto shops like that should be shut down IMO.

 

[TacoXpo]

Thanks for the kind comments. I was at a Father's day bbq today and one guy said, mechanics are hungry too. It may be right and I would hate to think people would stoop to that out of desperation. I think they were just trying to hose him.

 

[tx_shooter]

Mechanics are hungry? BS. People are always surprised that my company does not charge over $100 hour for IT services. I always tell them that we are making a living - not a killing. Some people are just going to take advantage of any situation they can no matter what profession they are in.

 

[Silverback]

I agree.. mechanics need to earn a living sure.. but you do not take advantage over the elderly. Period.

 

[TacoXpo]

Today I had a conversation with a wealthy Investment Banker. He told me that he is driving to AZ to pick up his son who is on a camping trip and the guy that was supposed to pick them up had a transmission fail. He went on to tell me that he went to the Mercedes dealer and had his trans serviced and two tires replace and it cost him $2,000. I chucked under my breath thinking, "I don't feel sorry for this sucker!" - Okay, I guess Call me a hypocrite but the way I look at it, he asked for it!

 

[tx_shooter]

Sounds like he might be the type to enjoy the expense.

 

[Anathollo]

Nice Rodger!

I cut this guys bike lock off last week. I ended up having to use a sawzall to cut some small channels in the U-bolt to be able to get the jaws of the bolt cutter onto the lock to cut it off. It was a PIA but we got it done. The student tried to offer me money but I refused stating its my job to help them out. the kid felt bad but that's what happens with Crapsterlocks.

 

[tx_shooter]

So when it rains it pours. Today the serpentine belt went out on my wife's Dodge Neon. Thankfully she made it home okay with no A/C and power steering. Of course O'Reilly's did not have the $11 belt in stock so I had to get the $20 belt. So I am replacing the belt and putting in a new air filter while I am in there.

 

[Silverback]

That sucks. But at least it's replaced and it wasn't 100's of $'s

 

[tx_shooter]

Well I spoke too soon. Got the new belt on there and air filter in. Cranked it up and let it run for a few minutes. The tensioner made a pop sound and threw the belt. FML It is a 3-5 hour job to replace the tensioner. The motor has to be unbolted, lifted a little, and the assembly taken off the block.

 

[drew02a]

Wow, that sucks the big one!

 

[tx_shooter]

Just got home from dropping it off. Had a false alarm that my Dad had crashed his bike. Thankfully the person was not him; sadly the guy who did crash didn't get up the same.

 

[tx_shooter]

Best $85 + $30 parts I have spent in a long time. The bearing seized and caused the wheel to separate.

 

[Taco Loco]

Dang