Sometimes that’s the best option. Many older mechanics know how to fix engines. Whereas the newer generation are often parts replacement specialists who can’t fix anything without the computer telling them what’s wrong.
Looking for recommendations: VI shop to do my timing belt
- Thread starter SueK
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I remember an old timer I know telling me about how his 3 year old truck wouldn't start when he was about 60 km off the highway on a forest service road in the interior of BC. It wouldn't start when cranking. Since it was a standard, he tried rolling it and popping the clutch to start it... no dice. Someone came along and they tried jump starting it... no luck. Just when they were about to ask the guy who gave them a jump for a ride into town, it decided to start as if nothing was wrong.
It could be kind of scary in those parts. It was in the interior of BC and there were many times when you could easily be 100-150km (or more) away from civilization. There were no cell towers, it was much to far away for CB radios, and the VHF radios couldn't always connect with a repeater. It was very easy to be isolated with no one else around... possibly for days... it was great. Perfect country for a reliable 40 that will never leave you stranded.
He brought it to the Ford dealership on Monday to find out why it hadn't started and just about left him, his missus, and two grand kids stranded in the middle of nowhere. They told him the computer wasn't showing any codes, and his truck was starting fine. He asked them why it hadn't started... "They just do that sometime."
He was just about livid. He said if it was just him he could hike the 60 km back to the highway, but with his grandkids, no way. He was dumbfounded. He said he remembers pulling the hood off an old truck so that they could easily pour small amounts of gas down the carb to keep the engine running to limp it home... but you can't do that now with fuel injected engines.
This was back in '92... and I'm sure it hasn't gotten any better since then.
Yup, the new stuff is great to daily with all the comforts, but in the bush or remote spots the simpler the better.
Most folks don’t own simple any more.
After 21 years, the first SBC runner I'd swapped in spun a rod bearing on the way up to Shawinigan Lake. Since I had less than $500 bucks into that engine, I checked the oil and drove It home. I figured it was either nothing or it needed to be torn apart and rebuilt. A tow bill would have cost me more than 350 the replacement cost me. Were it a simple problem driving it wouldn't hurt it, and if a bigger problem, I could drop in another SBC.
In 2008 we bought a new Prius... What the hell were we thinking.
Exceptional car too much tech
