Meeting people as a mechanic.

[BP]

Car was fine for almost 2 years since I overhauled its AC and out of nowhere decides to blow itself apart.
Damndest thing.

Remember that one time like 10 years ago when you were trying to use the quick connect tool to replace the o-rings and gave up because the damned thing wouldn't budge? Well the tool actually did it's job, just 10 years later.

I hate those damned spring lock connectors.

[helosailor]

Exactly what came to mind.

[Jose]

Argh, some people.

You guys do Freon?
Um, we recharge AC systems with refrigerant if that's what you are asking.
Well mine is low. How much?
It is $65 for AC diagnostics. That will allow me to find out where and why the system is leaking.
Its not leaking.
If its low, it is leaking. They do not consume refrigerant.
Well its a small car.
Okay.
It blows cold. I think it needs oil. It makes a noise. *he then makes a strange noise* What does that sound like?
Sounds like you need a diagnostics.
*huffs* Well I am going somewhere that isn't going to rip me off.
That would be here sir.

People are just strange.

I swear we need to chip in and get you a body cam to watch some of this stuff LOL!

[LaserSVT]

Remember that one time like 10 years ago when you were trying to use the quick connect tool to replace the o-rings and gave up because the damned thing wouldn't budge? Well the tool actually did it's job, just 10 years later.

I hate those damned spring lock connectors.

Different Mark but it makes sense. LOL

Man, DFWM has a better memory than elephants. LMAO!

[JC316]

I didn't get to meet the dumb fuck, but I am damned sure cleaning up his mess. Picked up an 00 Trans Am 6 speed. It's a pretty clean car, but you can tell that it went from someone that loved it, to a guy that was a special kind of stupid.

First off the headlights don't work. One inspection of the wiring harness and I see what the deal is, he broke the ground wire, so he took a piece of wire, taped it on to the broken wire, then ran it to the front of the connector and tried to squish it together. Yeah, didn't work so well.

The T56 is making a hell of a racket and is really tough to shift. Ripped it out for a rebuild and while inspecting the clutch, I found the issue that killed it. Dipshit didn't use a pilot bearing.... Absolutely trashed the input shaft bearing and probably didn't help the synchronizers.

Motor only has 10 PSI of oil pressure, so I am guessing that he either pinched the pickup tube O ring or the threw the barbell away. He had the intake off and didn't bother to check the knock sensors, which are more rust than sensor. The list goes on.

[stephen4785]

I didn't get to meet the dumb fuck, but I am damned sure cleaning up his mess. Picked up an 00 Trans Am 6 speed. It's a pretty clean car, but you can tell that it went from someone that loved it, to a guy that was a special kind of stupid.

First off the headlights don't work. One inspection of the wiring harness and I see what the deal is, he broke the ground wire, so he took a piece of wire, taped it on to the broken wire, then ran it to the front of the connector and tried to squish it together. Yeah, didn't work so well.

The T56 is making a hell of a racket and is really tough to shift. Ripped it out for a rebuild and while inspecting the clutch, I found the issue that killed it. Dipshit didn't use a pilot bearing.... Absolutely trashed the input shaft bearing and probably didn't help the synchronizers.

Motor only has 10 PSI of oil pressure, so I am guessing that he either pinched the pickup tube O ring or the threw the barbell away. He had the intake off and didn't bother to check the knock sensors, which are more rust than sensor. The list goes on.

Barbell?

[JC316]

Barbell?

Oil restrictor in the LS series motors. Goes in the back of the block and if it's left out, you get dogshit for oil pressure.

[4king]

Phone rings, I answer.

Yes hello I need a coil and plugs for my nissan
Me: ok what year is your nissan
Cust: 1997
Me: ok what kind of nissan is it
Cust: it's a car i need a coil and plugs
Me:.....ok so it it a sentra or an altima?
Customer: I'm not sure. Is that important I think it's the bigger one
Me: yes I have to know exactly what model it is
Customer: how can I be sure

So over the phone he walks over to the car which does not have any emblems on it. I instruct him how to find the vin code, and have him read it.

Me: ok so it is a maxima v6. Plugs are 2.49 each and coils are 59.99 each and we have one in stock. The car has 3 coils and 3 spark plug wires
Customer: three........coils.......hmm mm
Me: I can put those on hold for you if you like
Customer: ........*silence*......
Me:hello sir are you there?
Customer: three coils? What do they do

At this point I have to explain why there are 3 coils and how the other 3 are wires from the coil. Usually only one goes bad etc

Me: are there any check engine lights?
Customer: any what?

I then explain what a check engine light is

Customer: no it doesn't have one of those it's a 1997. Some one told me I need spark plugs and a coil

I just couldn't keep going. It was bordering on a 10 minute conversation at that point and I was confident he did not know what a coil was

Me: ok sir I have everything in stock and I'm open till ten if you need anything else
Customer: ok

0_o

[4king]

Friendly customer walks in, looks familiar and is very friendly says he needs a check engine light looked at, says he has done a tune up on it but the light didn't go away

So there's bank 1 lean and bank 2 lean on a 99 f150 v6 and by definition the computer says probable cause mass air flow sensor.

Oh ok so mass air flow I'll buy one of those, where is that, that will fix my problem right?

No sorry the computer automatically lists mass air as a probable fault, it is most likely a vacuum leak behind the mass air sensor going to the intake manifold.

Customers response: vac-yume? Where is that air thing again ? You can sell me that hose thing too right

I then go outside and show him the mass air sensor and tell him how to check for vacuum leaks using carb cleaner. The evap hose from the firewall is pretty spongy and most likely the problem and needs to be replaced I explain as an example of what could be the problem. I show him all of this, with narration as i touch the hoses and explain how the air goes into the engine. We then walk back inside

Customer: So once I use the air cleaner on the hose the engine light will go away right. Should I buy the air sensor too just to make sure it is fixed?

I describe the problem again to him, draw a diagram, and tell him I can't just sell him one part to fix it, the problem could be as advance as needing a new intake manifold gasket or something else. The evap hose needs to be looked at (it is generic hose probably 1/2 inch diameter) and I sell it by the foot. Yeah sell me that hose too. OK I explain again I don't sell that hose and he would need to take it off of his truck so I could cut him the correct length. No I can not work on your car, if it turns out I don't sell that hose for some reason and you can't drive home then I have to pay the tow bill. I explain to him to bring me that hose inside and I'll match it for him, he says "no that's ok I'll look at that later"... ok pal what else can I do for you?

OK I'll take an intake manifold gasket too. where is that on the engine?

I shut down. Sorry man I just can't sell you one part to fix the problem. I give him the adress and phone number of local shops and mechanics but he seems taken back by the though of a mechanic, Convinced he understood everything I just said he tells me he wants that air sensor and the intake gasket and a hose. He asks me again where the air sensor is even though I just showed him a few minutes ago and drew a diagram of his engine pointing exactly to where it is.

Intake manifold gasket set $59.99 mass air flow sensor $59.99. Customer explains oh man that's expensive let me think man I don't get paid till Friday

Friday rolls around and I hear one of my employees going through the exact same thing with him. Yeah I was in here last time and I think the guy said it was an air sensor..........

He comes in every Friday and never spends a dime. Still has no clue what he is doing but says he is working on it but it's still giving him problems. To answer the question, I asked him if he has done the spark plugs and wires and his answer was no it doesn't need them yet. I haven't bothered to ask what he thinks he was working on before he came in for the check engine light. Even if I played stupid, sure $60 for mass air sensor sale, he would be in there literally every week until he was convinced autozone sells terrible parts and he would swear we have never made a good mass air sensor for his truck

Could I have fixed his problem? I don't know, the hoses had connector fittings on the end of them that would have broken. I could have spent an hour out there because a connector to a connector broke and ford has a special one I don't carry or something. That type of person could care less if I did fix it, and the next time he came in with a problem he would EXPECT it to be fixed for free. No the manager knows me he will fix it I'm sure it's something easy

[4king]

Phone rings

Customer is asking if we charge batteries, yes we do offer free battery charging if you bring your battery inside.

No I don't know how to do that, can you guys take my battery out to charge it for me, it went dead last night and I've had to jump start it twice and it just needs to be charged.

No I'm sorry we do not take out batteries because the alternator is suppose to charge the battery, if the battery is not being charged the alternator is bad.

OK you guys sell those too, can you put them on for me.

No sorry but we do test your old alternator but we don't work on any cars. This conversation always ends up with the customer still coming into the store asking us to remove their battery and charge it for them

It's 50 tongue lashings for an employee if I see a customer sitting in a newer looking car sitting outside of the store without a battery In the car. A customer waiting for a battery to charge so they can go somewhere is a sit down conversation about how cars work with an employee

[Baron Von Crowder]

[Chili]

4king - Sounds to me like you're your worst enemy. Why don't you just stop engaging in diagnosis talk and just sell them the parts they ask for? I mean, I can understand SVT, but he has a shop, not just selling parts. It sounds like you also need to learn how to say no, without lengthy explanation.

"Will you take my battery out?"
"Nope, sorry, we don't do that."

Conversation over.

[Baron Von Crowder]

[Baron Von Crowder]

[helosailor]

I can honestly say that I've never been happier to NOT still work at a place as I am to no longer work at AZ...and I've had some shitty jobs.