some times the answers so darn obvious ..

[grumpyvette]

some times the answers so darn obvious I can,t believe other guys can,t see the problem!
any time you have a problem the step by step systematic approach , where you verify each sub systems functional, before you assume its working, has always been how Ive approached things as I learned you can,t assume anything. In my mind it only makes sense to start with the basics, any time you start trying to locate a problem you start with verifying what your dealing with and make sure things are at least basically functional rather that a random hit or miss guess and by golly approach!
look I,ve made hundreds of mistakes, its part of the learning process, we all go thru in this hobby, and I sure learned my share of things from the result of doing things the wrong way, but I was smart enough to listen to the more experienced guys and at least ask questions before doing anything I was not familiar with,or at least ask why and how things worked and appreciated help and experience that the older guys provided, I watched everything like a hawk, trying to learn all I could! but some things just seem so obvious to me that I can,t even conceive of anyone over looking the potential problem.
a friends son just purchased a project car, thats been sitting in a guys garage not running for over 20 years, he filled the tank,but left 1/2 a tank of 20 year old fuel, he got a jump on the battery too get it started, and complains it runs like crap?
and when I ask him if he had drained the old fuel and changed out the fuel filter and checked for vacuum leaks and changed spark plugs , coil,cap rotor and plug wires,inspected the brakes, replaced the brake fluid and radiator coolant, hoses and belts, and changed the oil, coolant, brake fluid, and battery?,have you verified the firing order?, the ignition timing?, the battery voltage?, the alternator voltage? is there coolant in the radiator? does it flow when the engines runs? I get this blank deer in the head lights look?
now I may not be the even in the running for the best mechanic in the world but a car that sat for 20 plus years without being cared for, is bound to require some basic maintenance, like oil and oil filter, fuel and air filter replacement and some electrical component checks, and inspecting the brakes, brake fluid, wheel bearings, tires belts, hoses and inspection of components before its driven.just seems to be a no brainer
am I insane or does that sound like auto repair 101?

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[Indycars]

am I insane or does that sound like auto repair 101?

I'm going to try and refrain from my usual comment. :lol:

Some people don't want to see the obvious, that would mean they would have to do some work. The majority of kids don't have chores, they are not responsible for anything. Life come to them on a platter and they have to do is eat.

 

[DorianL]

I often overlook the obvious... I simply don't know why. My key was stuck in the ignition for a fwe weeks. I figured the cylinder needed replacing and I dreaded the thought of once again pulling the steering wheel. A couple of days ago, a buddy of mine who is a damn good mechanic, fixed the problem. In less than 30 seconds, he was holding up the key with a big grin on his face... the column shifter had slightly moved...

 

[grumpyvette]

my brother-in-law stopped by today and mentioned that the 1974 corvette he was driving had recently developed a problem with a fan belt squealing if he reved the engine, we opened the hood looked at all the brackets and belts on the fan belt accessory brackets, checking the pulley alignment etc. and with-in a few seconds the source of the problem became rather obvious, one of the bolts that the alternator actually pivots on, had had the bolt , it pivots on,become loose because the nut threaded on that bolt , securing it in its place, had backed off and fallen off, allowing the bolt to partially back out, due to either a failure to correctly secure it or vibration, anyway I took a correctly sized nut, added some loc-tite to the bolts and nut threads and refastened the fastener in its correct location so the alternator was no longer free to move slightly which was the reason the fan belt had loosened.