And if you've ever heard the phrase, "The Book says it takes X amount of hrs which equals X amount of dollars" then you know what book I'm talking about.


Man Listen. I'm trying to replace my catalytic converter. I have the part, the tools, jack stands, the car in the air and I'm all ready to go. But this COT DANG O2 Sensor is stuck like a mug. I hit all the nuts and bolts and sensor with some penetrating oil (love that term) earlier. But when I went out and tried to unscrew that O2 Sensor, LAWD I think I need Hercules.

So, I called up my normal mechanic up to see if he can put it on from me. Told him the deal. He asked a few questions, I gave the right answers. I ask my dude how much is it for the labor to put the part on. He says I need to look at the book, but it should not be more than $100.

NINJA WAHT? I was like Cool. But inside my mind, I was like, I hate that Book!

This is why I DIY. But if this oil doesn't do the job by tomorrow morning, I may have to see my man on Thursday afternoon.



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The car sat for two years before and it's been going for a month now.
Replaced the battery, brakes, rotors, need to change out all fluids and tires.
Had the catalytic converter fixed (weld on couldn't do it myself)
But the way the engine was sounding yesterday I just knew everything was broken. So I got all the way home and tried to listen. But you can't really listen to a car if you're in it.
Read my obd2 sensor. Nothing.

Finally I decided to open the hood. The damn oil cap had flipped upside down. The hope is that I hadn't tightened it enough and that the blow by issues are minor. The fear is that this car is completely fucked and we're looking at two new cars instead of one.

I miss my bicycle.

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“There is no fate that cannot be surmounted by scorn.” -Albert Camus

I'm at the age now where I just don't care to invest in another car, but I can't buy used again either. I need to get a new ship, but I'm just stubborn. Like I want to see this car hit 400K.. LOL
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At least that's how it is with bike engines.

Never even heard of a "labor book" before, but then again I get the manual for my vehicles and go to work.

The only time I ever go to the shop if it's something I can't fix (usually from not having the proper tool) or if it's too big of a job and I don't want to deal with it.

And from there mechanics use that to calculate the labor and price of the labor. And so, if a the book says the job will take 3.5 hrs to complete, the mechanic is going to charge you 3.5 hrs even if he or she finished the job in 1.5 hrs.
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the most popular are Alldata and Mitchell. Most dealerships have their own labor time guide exclusive to that particular make. Your O2s prolly ain't coming out without the use of some heat. $100 doesn't sound all that crazy. I would imagine that's about an hour labor time. Promise you it's gonna take you longer on your back under the car.

...I'm from the era when A.I. was the answer, now they think ai is the answer - Marlon Craft

>the most popular are Alldata and Mitchell. Most dealerships
>have their own labor time guide exclusive to that particular
>make. Your O2s proudly ain't coming out without the use of
>some heat. $100 doesn't sound all that crazy. I would
>imagine that's about an hour labor time. Promise you it's
>gonna take you longer on your back under the car.

Bruh, I need to save this doe son! I may have to go see the Mexicans around the corner and have them put it on.

Plus I have spent too much on the tools and jack to give up. This is my White Whale and I'm gonna win dagnamit!



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roll over to Home Depot and get you a butane torch like this:
https://www.google.com/shopping/product/2040645206302051838?lsf=seller:8740,store:16942281710546222385,lsfqd:0&prds=oid:16390387706208654380&q=Bernzomatic+UL100+Basic+Propane+Torch+Kit&hl=en&ei=xJf-V9fEAond-QH41b6IBw&mid=syrjdvt4k%7Cdc_mtid_8903tb925190_pcrid_50645156379_pkw__pmt__product_203665003_slid_&lsft=gclid:CNXA17yI1s8CFYs7gQodmZMKeA
you gonna need to put some heat on that. If you do, make sure you heat it RIGHT where it goes into the pipe around the thread bung. Move the flame all around, don't just concentrate on one spot.

...I'm from the era when A.I. was the answer, now they think ai is the answer - Marlon Craft

Man this is some BS! Uggggah..
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what were you using on it, fam?

...I'm from the era when A.I. was the answer, now they think ai is the answer - Marlon Craft

I can invest in another one or go pay this $100 bones.

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...I'm from the era when A.I. was the answer, now they think ai is the answer - Marlon Craft

This jank right here

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ILBHP0W/ref=cfb_ai_prodpg
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...I'm from the era when A.I. was the answer, now they think ai is the answer - Marlon Craft

I don't get it by next Friday, I'm going to light them up on Amazon and Social Media

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I'd have a professional do it.

IG: amadu_me

"...Whateva, man..." (c) Redman

just the cat and put a universal one in. The OEM cats usually bolt to the manifold on one end and the intermediate pipe on the other.

...I'm from the era when A.I. was the answer, now they think ai is the answer - Marlon Craft

make sure you're turning it the right way.

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http://www.soundcloud.com/sectachrome

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The rear end on it was getting louder and louder over time. Turns out it's a common problem with these old vans and you're either running low on fluid in the rear end or the damage is done and it needs to be replaced. Adding fluid was supposed to be a simple task, unscrew the diff fluid bolt and shoot the fluid/grease in there... Except that mine wouldn't budge no matter how much effort I put into it. I'm talking Summoning the Strength of the Ancestors levels of effort.

Finally, I got smart. I dropped the van back on the ground, positioned my breaker bar, then grabbed my small hydraulic floor jack and put it under the handle and very slowly raised the jack underneath it. I used the weight of the car to do the turning for me and eventually got the bolt off.

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"Where was the peace when we were getting shot? Where's the peace when we were getting laid out?
Where is the peace when we are in the back of ambulances? Where is the peace then?
They don't want to call for peace then.

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Heat and leverage are your friends. I had to swap a sensor on a buddy's old Civic and my father in law's Galant. The breaker bar/O2 socket combo wasn't working. Had to break out the plus sized pipe wrench. That did the trick. Not exactly sure why I have a big ass pipe wrench though...

As for the 'book rates', yeah they suck. I remember back when my old Saturn SL2 had a bad seal in the transaxle. The part itself wasn't that expensive. The labor rate was ridiculous though. Manufacturer called it an 18 hour job. They did it in 6. Charged be that full 18 hours of labor...

<-- Dave Thomas knows what's up...
__________________________

Jay: Look here homie, any nigga can get a hit record. This here is about respect.
Game: Like Gladys Knight.
Jay: Aretha Franklin.
Game: Word, I like her too.
Jay: Nigga...

or got get one of those torches that D talked about.
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I ended up with this:

https://www.reedmfgco.com/assets/Images/Products/Wrenches/Straight-Heavy-Duty-Pipe-Wrenches/_resampled/SetRatioSize600550-RW36-HighRes.jpg

<-- Dave Thomas knows what's up...
__________________________

Jay: Look here homie, any nigga can get a hit record. This here is about respect.
Game: Like Gladys Knight.
Jay: Aretha Franklin.
Game: Word, I like her too.
Jay: Nigga...

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I don't care how much it costs or how simple it appears to be. It's not worth the headache.

I'm leaving everything thing car related to the professionals

_______________________________________

and if I can't get it to move, I'll call my Mechanic. I'm going to heat the car up and use this adjustable wrench this time... Seen it on Youtube, so it has to work...LOL
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The right direct for bolts changes in cars dependening on how they designed it to orient. So what may be lefty loosy to you may not be to the manufacturer

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“There is no fate that cannot be surmounted by scorn.” -Albert Camus

and the heat from running the car may not be hot enough. Hope it works for you, though.

...I'm from the era when A.I. was the answer, now they think ai is the answer - Marlon Craft

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now that passage door is bumping the fender. SMH
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And there was no way I was getting that O2 sensor put on my own. Dude had to bring out the air wrench or whatever it's called, some homemade penetrating oil, a foot. The Cat was hallow. Wow. Like a mental straw. Empty.

But guess what. The check engine light is still on because of some VTech code. So not I have to get that fixed. 😠😠😠😠




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Quick and easy code scanner and data logger. At the very least, you can clear those check engine codes. May be a bandaid over the real problem, but at least the light will be out (and you can track down what the problem is)

<-- Dave Thomas knows what's up...
__________________________

Jay: Look here homie, any nigga can get a hit record. This here is about respect.
Game: Like Gladys Knight.
Jay: Aretha Franklin.
Game: Word, I like her too.
Jay: Nigga...

And I have a Vtech Manifold code that needs to be cleared, but that will only happen after I replaced the Variable Timing Solenoid.

But luckily www.Rockauto.com has the part for $91.89 and I can put it on myself for the $ Free.99!

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it's a little tricky, because it goes into the back of the head...right up against the firewall. You should be able to get it, though.

...I'm from the era when A.I. was the answer, now they think ai is the answer - Marlon Craft

The mechanic showed me where it is and said I should be able to do it myself, but I just need to be patient. LOL
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Coolin...