So what are you working on that’s NOT your DSM?

[pauleyman]

At some point there was a class action lawsuit against Chrysler because the Tigershark engines excessively consumed oil. I'm not sure what the resolution was or what revisions were made to the engine, but still. Aside from that, my personal experience is not great with those. I think I can blame the average lousy owner more that the engine itself, but the same can't be said about Hondas with especially lousy owners so idk.

I have found the least expensive cars get really bad reputations and sometimes aren't deserved. Mitsubishi is a great example too.

 

[BLACK'98DSM]

In some cases you're right. In other cases the under dog gets praised. It all depends on the market of consumers I suppose.

I've seen more trashed 2.4 Tigersharks than good ones, but that's the nature of the business. If everything were in good working order, I likely wouldn't have my hands on it. I see too many people cry and complain that their car needs a new engine when they haven't changed their oil in 15k miles - if ever. I've seen those engines come in with no oil on the stick and run fine once topped off. I've also seen them at a decent oil level but knocking and smoking. There's too many variables to always blame the engineering, and often times the lackluster owners are to blame.

The only part that comes to mind as needing replacement often is the oil pressure switch. I'm not sure how common that issue is but I've definitely installed a few of them. That isn't total engine failure though and is generally easy to replace. The hole on the sensor is probably less than 1/8" and gets clogged if any gunk floats to it. The only way to prevent that is to keep up with oil changes, which I'm sure you're inclined to do.

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[jdxnc]

I made a 6h round trip on Sunday to pick up this mill/lathe combo from a fellow DSMer in Mass. It needs some love but it will be a nice little project to mess around with.

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[shdwmsk]

2 projects I have been working on the last few weeks,

86? Mustang. Co-workers car, putting a 25.5 cage into it. Helping him build it, slow going. ~3years to get to this point? Got it onto the table, centered and level (After this picture was taken). Hope to start getting bars tacked in this weekend, but we will see. Depends on if co-worker comes over this weekend. I'm not working on it unless he is here.

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2nd project is fixing my what should be my daily, but has been less reliable then my Talon. A 2011 Mini cooper S 5spd. Bought it beginning of March for $300 needing a timing chain. Fixed that along with both VANOS solenoids, all 4 struts few gaskets and some other small things. Drove it ~5 months until it started developing a misfire on cold startups. Would fix one thing and misfire would go away for a day or two then slowly come back. Finally got off my ass and did a compression test. 2 cylinders were down ~40psi. So I pulled the cylinder head and found that the gear for the variable valve timing camshaft had gone bad due to a partially clogged oil passage. Looking at how it actuates, the 2 cylinders that were down compression were not closing all the way due to this cam not returning fully due to the bad gear teeth.
Since head was off, I disassembled it and replace all the valve seals and lapped the valves in. Exhaust valves looked a little burnt but lapping took care of em. Last of the parts to get it back together should arrive today. Head is assembled and back onto the car, needed a new water pipe. Hope to get it driving by this weekend. I still really, really like this car. Needs tires though...

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[curt-s]

Picked up a Siglent SDS804X from Electro-Meters recently (shameless plug -- not affiliated, they just have excellent customer service) because, even at 42, I want to actually see and learn rather than slapping components together. Plus a scope has been on my bucket list for well over a decade.
First thing I put on it, besides an aliexpress signal gen just to play a bit, was my controller for my old 1G LED tail lights. Based on 14 PQ09RD21 voltage regulators, like many other LED designs out there, I immediately found that the voltage regulator in its most basic implementation completely overshoots it's regulated voltage mark (9V) almost reaching VCC, before it rings a bit and settles after about 7.55uS. Not much but it's still behavior I can't find in their datasheet, and they all do that.

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Now to see about fixing that, just for fun.

 

[TerminalTalon]

Anybody got any comments on. A 2021 jeep compass? My daughter took none of my advice and bought one. I'm reading up on the tigershark engine which if I've read correctly this one has a 2.4 version and maybe a zf 9 speed auto. Told her to stay away from jeep/dodge but she loves it. Until it leaves her stranded.

I believe that nothing survives abuse and many many people can’t simply do the bare minimum maintenance on anything let alone newer vehicles.
Everything is about efficiency, the tolerances are tight, everything has variable valve timing, and whoever does the research for oil change intervals needs to work at Autozone.
You want to see consistent service and at bare minimum the service table done by mileage. It’s a lot of gambling on maybe it was done and these vehicles do not like not doing them.
I say this with a decade plus in the field and has seen many engines internally. Lots of timing issues. Chains. Sprockets. Everything sucks and the jobs are expensive. It doesn’t take much to do the bare minimum.

 

[pauleyman]

I believe that nothing survives abuse and many many people can’t simply do the bare minimum maintenance on anything let alone newer vehicles.
Everything is about efficiency, the tolerances are tight, everything has variable valve timing, and whoever does the research for oil change intervals needs to work at Autozone.
You want to see consistent service and at bare minimum the service table done by mileage. It’s a lot of gambling on maybe it was done and these vehicles do not like not doing them.
I say this with a decade plus in the field and has seen many engines internally. Lots of timing issues. Chains. Sprockets. Everything sucks and the jobs are expensive. It doesn’t take much to do the bare minimum.

I have maintained since I was a teenager....3000mi oil change. Who cares what they say. More frequent only hurt your wallet and not by that much. I've noticed, with limited data, that the cheaper cars break first. I've long since believed it wasn't the cars fault. I've purchased the cheapest truck I could get in 1987, a Mitsubishi. Drove it unknown miles. Guessing 300k and it still had the original pressure plate and throw out bearing. Changed the oil regularly. That's it.

 

[jesse12345]

I 100 percent agree that maintenance is the key on most vehicles. There can be some crappy ones but then again I don't mess with alot of the new stuff.

 

[TerminalTalon]

I have maintained since I was a teenager....3000mi oil change. Who cares what they say. More frequent only hurt your wallet and not by that much. I've noticed, with limited data, that the cheaper cars break first. I've long since believed it wasn't the cars fault. I've purchased the cheapest truck I could get in 1987, a Mitsubishi. Drove it unknown miles. Guessing 300k and it still had the original pressure plate and throw out bearing. Changed the oil regularly. That's it.

Whatever the fluid intervals for the engine and trans then divide by half. Should be good but I only have reference of our 18 Fusion. I have maintained it since 50k I think. I have also done timing chains, belts, turbos, etc on these. I have an oil seep at the turbo return. That’s about it. 115k

 

[Dave_UK]

Actually managed to get some time on the cars this weekend!!!

Couldn't get the Eclipse started Was defeated by a 90's alarm system that's so cut and spliced into the wiring harness daren't touch it! A friend who is a proper auto electrician will be round on Monday to try and remove it all for me...

But I did make some progress on the Escort. Exhaust off so I can have a new center section made. And the front bumper finally gave up after about 2 hours and around 1.2 million tiny obscure and impossible to get to bolts!

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Next task was the brakes. For those not in the know, Escort Cosworth brakes are notoriously... well shit to be blunt. They stop stock cars "ok-ish" for an early 90s ABS system, but the rotor size, pad contact area to the rotor etc is far from ideal. Problem is, these cars run an odd offset made worse by the mounting points on the hubs them selves, offset of the wheels etc etc.

Everything is in the way for running bigger calipers etc. Most people just give up, sell off their first born and hand the cash straight over to AP Racing but I was determined not to follow suit... After a couple of hours head scratching I managed to squeeze some 4 pots behind the wheels and clear all the joints etc while retaining like 99% of the OEM joints etc. Only major changes was to go to longer wheel studs to space out the discs and wheels for sufficient clearance.

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Lol no, that is not the right disc. I have sussed out a 330mm rotor and bell combination that would be perfect fitment, but I need a very specific offset bell to mount the rotor. I have a friend coming down soon who does CAD work and CNC to draw up the rotors and also to draw up the caliper mounting brackets properly to replace the ones I just mocked up. Then turn them into actual parts which I can use to finish the conversion.

I'm properly chuffed with this as everyone was telling me it can't be done, it's too expensive, it will never fit etc So to having it pretty much sorted from start to finish inside of about 2 hours made me feel pretty good to be honest. A successful Saturday on the ramp

 

[stealthee]

Actually did this last Monday.

I had posted about my Lancer with putting stock rims with winter treads back on, then the disaster of my attempt to fix my hood realease.

I had taken some PTO and had a 4 day weekend. My intent was to get it done that Friday. My body had other intentions. I was dealing with back spasms as well as a massive muscle knot in my trap.

Anyway I felt well enough last Monday to tackle it. The hardest/longest part was taking the wheel and splash shield out. I think swapping everything took me 45 minutes total.

The hood opens like butter now. I'm convinced more than ever that the cable has been my issue since the accident and I was just too lazy and unbothered to change it til I was forced to do so.

 

[TerminalTalon]

Actually managed to get some time on the cars this weekend!!!

Couldn't get the Eclipse started Was defeated by a 90's alarm system that's so cut and spliced into the wiring harness daren't touch it! A friend who is a proper auto electrician will be round on Monday to try and remove it all for me...

It’s a satisfying event when you can remove some halfassed alarm that is causing or will cause issues.

 

[BLACK'98DSM]

Since it's cold out, I'm working in the house again. Time to remodel the extra bedroom. This entire room was used as a family photo album or something so there's a million little holes that need spackling before I can paint. I plan to install crown moulding and replace the carpet with a dark hardwood. The wall color is staying similar but a bit darker blue.

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[1990TSIAWDTALON]

I bought a SUPER cheap NEW Micro CB radio and converted it to a 10 meter, 200 channel radio. I know they aren't used alot anymore, but the dinky size of this made me want to carry one for emergency uses. I did a power mod and a frequency alignment also. This is the hobby I used to be in before I found this thing called a DSM....
Pops

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[pat white]

Repaired a 20yr old remote for one of my sleds that hadn't been used in 15 yrs ..removed and took apart one of the mini push switches and cleaned it up ...after resoldering it back to the board I was kinda surprised and pleased when i pushed the button and the sled started !!

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[curt-s]

Actually managed to get some time on the cars this weekend!!!

Couldn't get the Eclipse started Was defeated by a 90's alarm system that's so cut and spliced into the wiring harness daren't touch it! A friend who is a proper auto electrician will be round on Monday to try and remove it all for me...

But I did make some progress on the Escort. Exhaust off so I can have a new center section made. And the front bumper finally gave up after about 2 hours and around 1.2 million tiny obscure and impossible to get to bolts!

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

Next task was the brakes. For those not in the know, Escort Cosworth brakes are notoriously... well shit to be blunt. They stop stock cars "ok-ish" for an early 90s ABS system, but the rotor size, pad contact area to the rotor etc is far from ideal. Problem is, these cars run an odd offset made worse by the mounting points on the hubs them selves, offset of the wheels etc etc.

Everything is in the way for running bigger calipers etc. Most people just give up, sell off their first born and hand the cash straight over to AP Racing but I was determined not to follow suit... After a couple of hours head scratching I managed to squeeze some 4 pots behind the wheels and clear all the joints etc while retaining like 99% of the OEM joints etc. Only major changes was to go to longer wheel studs to space out the discs and wheels for sufficient clearance.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

Lol no, that is not the right disc. I have sussed out a 330mm rotor and bell combination that would be perfect fitment, but I need a very specific offset bell to mount the rotor. I have a friend coming down soon who does CAD work and CNC to draw up the rotors and also to draw up the caliper mounting brackets properly to replace the ones I just mocked up. Then turn them into actual parts which I can use to finish the conversion.

I'm properly chuffed with this as everyone was telling me it can't be done, it's too expensive, it will never fit etc So to having it pretty much sorted from start to finish inside of about 2 hours made me feel pretty good to be honest. A successful Saturday on the ramp

Just dropping this link.. you know, in case you like these things

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007635744043.html

 

[Dave_UK]

Just dropping this link.. you know, in case you like these things

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007635744043.html

Lol, very good sir.... very good

 

[curt-s]

Lol, very good sir.... very good

Just a note, by "these things" I meant building blocks.
Who the f doesn't love a mk 1 escort?!

 

[Turbski91]

Replacing 2016 MDX body harness due to vehicle sitting and collecting rain in the interior while it was sitting at a body shop with a broken rear hatch glass. Acura warranty time is 12.5 hours got it done in 8 lunch was skipped, and my fingers are toast, but an electrical nightmare is gone from my bays.

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[jed344]

Replacing 2016 MDX body harness due to vehicle sitting and collecting rain in the interior while it was sitting at a body shop with a broken rear hatch glass. Acura warranty time is 12.5 hours got it done in 8 lunch was skipped, and my fingers are toast, but an electrical nightmare is gone from my bays.

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A body shop let it sit outside with broken glass? We always either bring it inside or put collision wrap. Very sticky thick plastic wrap over broken glass so water can not get in. I have been in this industry for over 15 years now and am part owner of a shop and all the time see bad work and shotty practices by other shops but that would be crazy for a shop to let this happen. Honestly if people know how bad progressive is now days no one would use them. They now want us to Glue broken headlight mounting tabs back on VS replace. They essentially want shops to just make it good enough if its not seen. Shop's that have good reputations are very unhappy as it's supposed to be fixed to pre accident condition. Not good enough.

 

[Capt Obvious]

Since it's cold out, I'm working in the house again.

Same here. My house was built in the 80s before can lighting was popular so both living rooms have no overhead lighting. I'm busy fishing wires to get some proper lighting now. Extra fun since there is no attic above these spaces so I'm chasing wires through roof joists.

 

[BLACK'98DSM]

Same here. My house was built in the 80s before can lighting was popular so both living rooms have no overhead lighting. I'm busy fishing wires to get some proper lighting now. Extra fun since there is no attic above these spaces so I'm chasing wires through roof joists.

My living room also doesn't have overhead lighting. It does have a switched outlet though which I run a bright lamp from. I do want to add overhead lighting, but I'm not rushing it since I don't use the room much and probably won't sell the home soon. I do have attic access though fortunately. Whenever I do add the ceiling box, it won't be 100+ degrees. Maybe next winter.

 

[TerminalTalon]

Same here. My house was built in the 80s before can lighting was popular so both living rooms have no overhead lighting. I'm busy fishing wires to get some proper lighting now. Extra fun since there is no attic above these spaces so I'm chasing wires through roof joists.

Same here with old houses. If you stare into my Scrubmaster 900 dishwasher long enough you might go back in time. Just don’t get too mesmerized by the baby blue racks.

 

[steve]

Same here. My house was built in the 80s before can lighting was popular so both living rooms have no overhead lighting.

My son's last house was built in the 1880's before electricity became popular, wiring anything was interesting...

 

[stealthee]

My son's last house was built in the 1880's before electricity became popular, wiring anything was interesting...

My current house was built in 1950. Someone wanted a lot of outlets. They're everywhere.

My previous house was built around 1890. There were so few outlets it was always a pain to do anything.