Does it count as a break down?

[John_Mc]

I've been so proud of my TR6 for never leaving me stranded or needing a tow in the six years and 30,000 miles I've owned it. But it was running a little rough and I wanted to take it up to Tahoe this weekend, so I felt it was time for a tune-up. I took it to the mechanic (but I plan to learn to do it myself in the future). Well it turns out that I have a blown head gasket between cylinders 1 and 2 and it needs the gasket replaced. I guess it's not really a break down. I just transformed from a TR6 to a TR4 (a really WEAK TR4 )

Tinster, what's the verdict-breakdown or not?

 

[Tinster]

I've been so proud of my TR6 for never leaving me stranded or needing a tow in the six years and 30,000 miles I've owned it. it turns out that I have a blown head gasket between cylinders 1 and 2 and it needs the gasket replaced.

Tinster, what's the verdict-breakdown or not?

<span style="color: #990000">Tinster SAYS!! Nope- no breakdown.

The pleasure of six years and 30,000 miles driven, your car has earned
a routine wear and tear head gasket.

If my car, with only 1500 miles driven in 3 years of constant
repairs, blows a head gasket.................

now THAT's a breakdown !!

d

</span>

 

[John_Mc]

On the bright side, once it's fixed it will be like a performance upgrade!
On the down side, the mechanic told me that when he went to take the keys out of the car, due to a quirk in my ignition switch that allows you to turn it beyond off and activate the starter motor only, the car lurched forward and hit another car and dented my hood which was in the up postition. But I'm sure they'll get it fixed up okay.

 

[TR4nut]

If you made it there without a tow, its not a breakdown, just preventive maintenance.

Randy

 

[Brosky]

John,

Not to be a worry wart, but get some before and after pics of that hood damage.

Remember that it is your car and you are entitled to document any damage and subsequent repairs.

For the record, when I was in management at any of the dealerships where I had worked, we took before and after photos of any damage that we caused for our own protection.

JMHO....your call from here.

 

[John_Mc]

Thanks Paul! That's good advice.

 

[DNK]

I'd sell it.

 

[Guest]

You're right, John, it is time for you to start fixin it yourself! No self respecting dentist should use a mechanic for something as straightforward as changing a head gasket. If you can prep a crown, you can change a gasket.

 

[Tinkerman]

My definition of a breakdown is that you need a tow in. I HATE side of the road repairs, done too many of them over the years I guess. Once I have the critter up and running for good I will probably rely on AAA more than not.
We'll see, at least I hope we'll see fairly soon!
I agree it's past time for you to learn some rudimentary mechanical stuff. Changing a head gasket is pretty straight forward. Keep it clean, use the right tools, have a good manual and don't rush the job. Best invest in a torque wrench, unless you have a buddy that has one.

Good luck, Tinkerman

 

[sp53]

Well Bill I have changed many heads gaskets, so can I swing by your office and try my luck on a crown prep. I have always thought of dentist as micro body men, and do have a lot respect for their profession, but once, I went to the dentist for a root cannel and this guy for some reason made this assumption that something in the tooth was dead or whatever while I set there numb and tranquil, and let him drill a hole. Well guess what happened. I was hit with about a zillion billion wakes of pain and all that he could do was send me home with a bunch of pills that really did not work. And that baby hurt for years even after he put the crown on. I remember that his nurse said that the guy she used to work for never would have done that. Anyways Bill is right, a head gasket is not that hard and the car will not feel a thing if you screw up. But that dent is different. I felt that pain here. So what the mechanic is saying is that he was setting in a vehicle with a manual transmission and turning the key without either the clutch in or the vehicle in neutral. Not smart.

 

[John_Mc]

You're right, John, it is time for you to start fixin it yourself! No self respecting dentist should use a mechanic for something as straightforward as changing a head gasket. If you can prep a crown, you can change a gasket.

But my patients keep coming in complaining that the crowns I've placed are blowing coolant all over their mouths, so I'm not sure I'm ready! :eeek: No, I totally agree. I've done front and rear suspension, fixed a bunch of electrical issues, so I was frustrated with myself for caving in and taking it to the mechanic. I guess I was assuming it was a carb issue and for me fuel mixture issues cross the line from mechanical to organic chemistry-not my favorite subject in college! There was also the time issue, in that I wanted to take a long road trip this weekend.

And that baby hurt for years even after he put the crown on. I remember that his nurse said that the guy she used to work for never would have done that.

Not that I'm defending or condemning the dentist, but man, you sure don't want an assistant like that working for you.

 

[Tinster]

organic chemistry stinks!

d :lol:

 

[tdskip]

No walking = no breakdown!

There is a time and place to do all of this yourself, and if memory serves with a little one on the way this is a prefect time to out source a bit and get back to driving!

 

[Tinster]

No walking = no breakdown!

There is a time and place to do all of this yourself, and if memory serves with a little one on the way this is a prefect time to out source a bit and get back to driving!

On the island, there ain't no outsourcing.
DIY or don't own an old car that drives.

d

 

[Brosky]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]On the island, there ain't no outsourcing.
DIY or don't own an old car that drives.[/QUOTE]

Ah yes, the famous Havana formula.