Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Unbelievable!

[RonaldLarson]

Working at Valley Dodge in Helena has been real pleasure in many ways. What strikes me most is the number of vehicles that we see which have been subject to the stupidity of their drivers! Today, I saw the absolute worst case of neglect I have ever seen. We pulled an air cleaner out of a '97 Ram V8 which has been used on a ranch. The air cleaner had seven inches of mouse crap, dirt and straw built up on one side of the intake side of the filter!! The filter paper had finally collapsed and totally blocked the intake air. The vehicle was towed in by the owner.

Another case of real stupidity: owner purchased a replacement engine for his '99 Intrepid. Bought an extended warranty for the engine. 37,000 miles later, he comes in and says the car has no power. We do an external codes check, and then remove the oil pan. The oil in the pan would barely move. Owner was informed that he needed another engine. Owner says he has extended warranty and it should be covered. Owner is informed of the need for regular maintenance, and he must purchase the engine at his cost. Owner joins the ranks of the totally stupid.

You know, I worry about our country!

Ron

 

[IdaH.O.Train]

I'd say these people should consider electric cars; however, they would probably forget to plug them in and then want new ones when they wouldn't move. :{

 

[EMDDIESEL]

I dealt with lots of stupid people in my earlier years pumping gas and towing cars. We had a guy who had a really nice BMW and awould come in for gas usually twice a week and i would always ask to check the oil. He would never say yes. Finally after about 6 months he asked if i could check it, since he NEVER asked before, i asked "Why, going on a road trip?" He replied "No, but the oil level gauge is near empty". i dont think i need to tell you cars dont have oil LEVEL gauges, they have oil PRESSURE gauges. What an idot.

 

[DBoyd]

Ron

I worry about our country too! Seems like all the teenagers in my neighborhood want to do is skateboard!!! And these kids are 16 to 19 years old!!! And still livin at home!! None of them know anything more about a car than where to put in the gas!!!

Go figure!!

 

[MJawsman]

I'm a part-time dad with two teenage daughters (13 & 14). We always wrench on my truck together. Whether it's putting on shocks, oil pressure switch, tire rotation, or whatever, they are learning as much as I can teach. One of them even wants to take shop in high school, and I'm as supportive as possible. I refuse to let my kids get taken for a ride when it comes to vehicle repair or simple maintenance. But the best part is I get to do something I enjoy and they get to spend time with the "old man".

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

My daughter's only 2 1/2 and she already enjoys hanging around while daddy is wrenching on the truck. When my truck was down earlier this year while I replaced the transmission someone asked about my truck and why I was driving a mini-van. She said "Daddy's truck broke, that's very sad" - I nearly cried . I already have a plan for how she's going to learn to wrench. When she's 13 or 14 she's going to be given the option that we will go out and buy a vehicle to restore. She'll do the work on it and I'll give her advice on how to do it. We'll help her out with the purchase of the vehicle and parts - she'll put in the sweat equity. I think she'll appreciate it more and will take better care of it when she turns 16 and even if she never turns a wrench after she moves out she won't get screwed over by shady shops. If she doesn't want to put in the sweat equity then she'll have to buy her own car and pay for it all herself.

 

[Todd T]

I agree Steve,



my two year old comes out to work with me all the time. even if he doesnt know what he's doing he gets a screwdriver or a wrench to play with while he's out there. he will sit next to me and poke around on whateve i am working on with it. at least he will know what a handtool is.



we plan to get both our kids involved in some form of racing while they are young. be it mini dragsters, lawn mower pulling, antique tractors or quarter midgets. they will race sometihing if they choose to. no motorcyles though. our horses are fast enough.



a few weeks ago we spent five hours trail riding and cave exploring with him and his Grandpa. I wish i had that kind of fun when i was 2 1/2

 

[TomGolden]

Steve, Todd & MJawsman, I think you guys are awesome dads. Mine taught me to be a plumber from about age 4, until I graduated high school and went off to serve Uncle Sam in the Army for a few years. He also taught me how to wrench. Together, we pulled the I-6 Perkins diesels out of two old school buses and plunked them into his 2 old Ford pickups, and one of those is what I learned to drive some 20 years ago. (Is it any wonder I'm a diesel head )



My sister also got a good dosage of car mechanicing and maintanence lessons.



Well, these days I are a kompooter geek, but when the plumbing or the truck breaks, I am able to do my own initial diagnosis and some work before having to go to the pros. As my dad told me when he was teaching me plumbing "You never know what you'l;l end up doing later in life, but there will always be a need for plumbers". Same goes for mechanics too!!



Tom

 

[Pit Bull]

Steve, Todd & MJawsman, I think you guys are awesome dads.

I agree, hope there are more like you guys out there.

 

[tntway]

my almost 6 year old...

DAUGHTER... . sticks with me every time i work on the truck. the NETDR guys all know her. Steve you have a great idea except that she's already asked when she can have MY truck... . :--)

told her the boys would be scared of her in this thing... .



hey maybe that's not such a bad idea. .

 

[DBoyd]

You fellows with children are to be admired when taking the time to teach them how to do things mechanical or chores around the house. It is the best place for them to learn, at their fathers' and mothers' sides. I see too many parents just dish out the cash to their children to allay their guilt for not spending time with them. Money will never take the place of a parent's time!!!! Take time to be with your kids. They grow up and are gone too soon!!!!

 

[dewdo]

Hey guys, let's get back to the rat stuff in the filter box. I have owned two Rams and two times I have had pack rats build nests in the filter box. The first time we were camped in Montana for a week without driving the truck. Stopped at a dealer in Billings for service and they found the rat nest.



The last time I had replaced the air filter just two weeks prior to the Cummin's shop finding the nest. I didn't drive the truck for about a week after I replaced the filter. Maybe we should check our filters daily, Eh. Maybe DC should put a screen of some type in the air intake to keep the critters out, or furnish us D-Con when we buy the truck.



Dewdo in the other Washington

 

[MxerChris]

I agree with you Steve, my little girl is 12 and is always wanting to help me with my mechanic projects. She watched parts of the Fast and the Furious movie with all the rice-burners and one wicked Charger, now she wants a rice-burner for when she turns 16, so I told her when she turns 13 that me and her are going to yank the motor of the 94 Acura Integra we have and hop it up some and put the 18" wheels and tires etc. , etc. , I also want her to be knowledgeble and be able to look under the hood and know whats what. She is one sad puppy right now, her Arabian mare died tues. night and we had to bury her yesterday, not a good day.

 

[tntway]

hey racingfan .......

give your little girl a big ol hug from me... ... i was 21 when we had to put my dog of 16 years to sleep... . cried like a baby for aqbout three days... .

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by racingfanscjww



She is one sad puppy right now, her Arabian mare died tues. night and we had to bury her yesterday, not a good day.

Sorry to hear about your loss. I owned an Arabian Mare that lived to be 30 years old. She was ridden up to a week before she passed. Great breed of horse