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This is not a generic gripe post, not really...
It could easily be that I have had my run of bad luck purely because I was looking for the deal of the century! But there seems to be a pattern forming -

Out of the last few machines I picked up used, the people I got them from ignored obvious danger signals that their machines were giving them, ultimately leading to what I call "Catastrophic Failure of Essential Mechanical Systems"

~And I don't understand how or why people could be so ignorant...

When a temperature sensor has read much too high, it should not be ignored. This leads only one place.

When the temperature guage STOPS WORKING, it means the heat was so intense it fried the sensor.....

I can possibly understand this in an "Idiot Light" system, but not a guage...

(IE: "Well, the light didn't come on anymore, so we thought the problem was fixed")

TWICE I have bought machines from people who had a standard "Lame Excuse" :

"Well, the gage stopped workin', but I just kept adding water when it needed more..."

Well, DUH!

Once they fried the sensor, the heads cracked (in the case of a Torino I bought for the sake of the 351M it had in it, there were 9 cracks altogether. I made them take the price of the replacement heads out of the price of car)

Heat also can cause warpage, when the deck of the engine block 'BOWS', the gaskets give away - and this can mean a leak between cylinders. I have seen this burn a slot between two adjacent cylinders in inline 6 engines...

It is the 'Bowing' (or bending) of the castings which cause cylinder head castings to crack and break - all because a $4 sensor that did it's job and sent the necessary message to the supposedly competent operator was totally ignored...

Maybe they had something else the money was needed for, I can't imagine what;

A Church Bazarre..
A Family outing...
A Doctors Appointment..
Another Twelve Pack...
Maybe some more CRACK!

*shakes head*

I really don't know where these people come from, or what they think is going on.

~Never ignore a cooling system problem, people. That's Gospel...

And ALWAYS seek out the true cause! It isn't hard to wiggle a fan to see if the water pump shaft bearings are giving out. All water pumps also have a drain hole between the inner and outer bearings on the shaft - if you feel for moisture, or look for rust marks you'll have an early indication of trouble.


~Jake

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I have long been an advocate of teaching MANDATORY vehicle maintenance in high school. With cars being so expensive and important in our lives, it's inexcusable to not teach kids what happens when the oil light comes on, or the temp gauge rises, or you get a flat. The schools will make kids memorize a stupid poem, but you can burn up a three thousand dollar engine in the family car on the way to school and no-body cares. I am the self-appointed driving instructor for all my kids, nieces and nephews, and every one of them was taught on a clutch, and how to check normal maintenance items. They know what happens when you shift, brake, neclect the timing belt, etc. I really cannot understand why an occasional fifteen minute session could not be worked into the school day. What good will it do if you're smart, get a job, and then get fired because you siezed up the new Jetta that you got for graduation? The auto shop then gets your rent money, etc etc. Know where I'm going with this?

 

And how!

In 17 years of military service (NAVY) I have seen a number of "fine young Ladies and Gentlemen" blow their money on "Joe-Cool Mobiles", move off base, and then fry their wheels for no good reason.

And then they holler because they are directed to move back into the barracks...

Bottom line: If you're going to spend that kind of money, make sure you can take care of what you SPENT it on!

 

I agree. Everyone that drives should have basic knowledge of their vehicle, or any vehicle in general. I spent my high school years taking as many autos, electronics, and metals classes as I could. I sure got a lot of ***** for it too because I was the only girl. I didn't go into any of them as a career, but they were worth it.

Ford - Life's too short to drive anything else.

 

Grease is cheap! A little oil won't let an engine spoil! I am a firm believer of preventive maint. I have heavy trucks with original engines. Engines that are approx 12 to 15 years of age. Diesel and gasoline engines. These are heavy hauling drywall trucks. Never under estimate the power of clean oil and grease. It's cheap too. Jake.

Jakegypsum // Ford fleet, soup to nuts.

 

To get a CDL (Commercial Drivers Licence) You have to prove that you know how to inspect your vehicle for safety and proper function. You have to know the basics of how your brakes, steering, towing, and electrical systems work. Then you show how to inspect them all. Truck drivers are required to inspect their vehicles every day. And to top it off you have to prove that you actually know how to drive.
I have long said that a CDL type exam be given for ALL drivers.

58 Panel(Present from my SO, awaiting Reconstruction and
TransFordmation)
73 F350 Super Camper Special 390,AT,PS,PB,AC
(Bought new by my Dad in 72)
79 Bronco XLT 400m,C6,PS,PB,AC (Wifes toy & daily)
John Hudson
Vail AZ