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So this past weekend i started feeling like a modding old timer. I havent really messed with my car (or truck for that matter) in a VERY, VERY long time. Car jack and toolbox are full of cobwebs. On Thursday morning i started driving to work and at a light i noticed the faint smell of coolant. I look at water gauge and the needle is 2/3 of the way to max (you guys know our cars run at less than half gauge). I turn around and leave the car parked and take the truck to work. On the way back i do a couple tests and notice both fans are indeed working and that the temp fluctuates when i accelerate (standing or moving). So i assume thermostat or pump is probably bad (no leak stains on garage floor). Work is consuming way too much of my time so i dont bother messing with it till Saturday. With the S/C coolant tank being located under the whole S/C i couldn't see the fluid level and i just decided that instead of me messing and troubleshooting it i would go to my mechanic and check with them there. Anyways long story short first thing they do is open the radiator cap while ilding (something i know to do but didnt do) and they notice they cant see the coolant flowing. The Radiator cap came apart as they took it off as well. THey pour in half gallon and a new cap and everything is great now.
Anyways i left feeling like a useless wannabe DIY guy and a little ashamed i didnt find this myself. THis is just indicative of what happens when you stop messing around with cars for a long time. Just like any skill you get rusty and your abilities dwindle. I have always been a pretty capable hands-on guy (engineer by trade as well) and this was a little blow to my ego. Reality is as years go by my job is less and less hands on but this is how i have to keep it if i want to make more money in my field. Recently i find myself barely working on my car or my house and i wonder if i'm losing any hand-on ability i would've had left. I have never been an office only guy but thats what pays the bills these days. I find myself wondering if i want to continue down the white collar path at work or if i'm happier with a hand-on mix (even if it means less money).
Anyways I thought i would talk out loud for a minute as i think some of you 30-somethings could probably relate.
You got kids, man...your priorities just change. I get knee deep in it sometimes (105K service for example) and now, gears shifted and I'm doing nothing but house work. I do agree about getting rusty, but it wasn't that...it's that you have so much experience now that you had a FEELING it wouldn't be something as simple as the cap since you thought it would be the serious task of getting to the SC coolant.
I think you read it all wrong...
stick with white collar and 401K's and retirement funds. Yolo blue collar is for 20 somethings and people that don't have any other path in life. You'll be glad you did.
On the flip side...if you were super well versed in checking out your car and more rusty with your finances and cubicle lighting...
well, let's just say there must be days where you're tired of turning a wrench, your back hurts and you can't just sit at your desk and play minesweeper and alt/tab toggle back to a spreadsheet to get through the day.
Haha, good i'll look at it that way. BTW, no kids (except for these hairy ones pictured below). I gotta find the balance because lately 10hrs a day behind a desk is not agreeing with me.
Priorities take precedent sumtimes! I've been drivin my beater around, TL has been sittin in garage since before Luvbugs! Been procrastinating on a few things as of late! I blame planning a wedding! Lol!
Brother, who you telling. We got married on 7/7/14...7 year anniversary. At the courthouse...and because we did that, we had the cash to put 20% down on a crib. Priorities! Thank goodness she's practical.
EL BAN, I'm a Engineer. Years ago when I started there was more time in the field. Made for good variety. As you gain more experience (I've got over 12yrs) and want more money, increased desk time is inevitable. Only problem is I'm only 36 and active so I'm not ready for 50 hrs of sitting in front of a computer just yet.
Steven, I didn't even think of it. I could have taken the shot from a different angle. Would've made for a cool pic.
EL BAN, I'm a Engineer. Years ago when I started there was more time in the field. Made for good variety. As you gain more experience (I've got over 12yrs) and want more money, increased desk time is inevitable. Only problem is I'm only 36 and active so I'm not ready for 50 hrs of sitting in front of a computer just yet.
Steven, I didn't even think of it. I could have taken the shot from a different angle. Would've made for a cool pic.
Gotcha.. I'm an Engineer also.. I know the feel and can relate since I just turned 33 with about 9 years experience but that move has got me on a pace which has me interacting more at a management level than a hands on and I like it cause I still get to apply technical knowledge in the area and also interact with new business opportunities
I believe the key is to make sure you are happy with what you are doing!
Awesome shots, Marco. I have to say that part of the whole allure to enjoying your job is not letting it become who you are. If it's just what you do for part of the day, it's more easy to accept that you may feel unfulfilled or like an 8 to 5 drone. I work 7 to 4pm and at 4pm is when I get to be me and go do what makes me happy. I think it helps a lot to have various hobbies and to stay active.
^Yeah my job is not like that. During the week they don't expect you to have a life. I get in around 7:30 and leave around 5:30 and i'm the slacker of the group, haha. Seriously. My co-workers get in about 6-6:30 and leave about 6-7. Its pretty sad actually.
Reality is if it were your own business you would be working tons of hours. They pay very well so they expect you to have that level of commitment. I know i cant be the only slave on here.
Well, we're at 28K and 2 years in January...
Only issue was some sensor issue on a rear axle they took care of. It's AWD...we didn't realize it until after we had bought it
So far, I've only added air to tires...they do her oil changes and rotations for free for the first 5 years.
I'm impressed...all cars have issues, I realize now...
Well reality is some people have had good experiences with American cars. Out of all of the American cars Cadillac (due to great styling in recent years) and Ford are probably the only ones i would ever give consideration to. These Jeeps are looking cool too and there is so much aftermarket support for them which makes them seem fun to mod but in the end its a damn Chrysler. Besides here in Central FLorida you wouldn't take advantage of the Jeep fun factor as much anyway. Now back in my homeland (Puerto Rico) a Jeep can be thoroughly enjoyed. Hard-to-get-to beaches. Mountain top bars & restaurants. Makes for some serious fun.
BY the way this is the photo section and since i havent driven the TL in a while due to the crappy weather and construction on my street here are some pics of its current status (sitting home alone and bored). Just needs a good FL meet to be organized so it can go out and have some fun (hint, hint).
PS - as always pls excuse the shitting cell phone pics. Maybe i'll finally do something about that this Christmas.
You would have gotten along great with "El Ban"...he's a recent import from the PR too...very cool dude, nice TL and he drove down from Melbourne.
I realize that as much as I know Honda is reliable and I've never been left stranded, I have had to fix and replace and rebuild a LOT to keep it that way. Who knows if a 5.0 would have been the same...or CTS-V Sedan, for that matter. That, in 6 speed, is actually on my list of possibles.
Yeah, the insulation makes the difference (especially in the summer if the sun hits your garage door directly for several hours). Easy DIY. Since i've done this i've even seen a better one available (much thicker foam setup). Highly recommended.
Hmmm, well, my house has N/S exposure so it never gets sun hitting it...in addition, they didn't insulate in the attic above the garage, so I might. Dude, I don't know how...but r-19 batting, concrete block walls, 2200 sq ft and 11 foot ceilings and our highest bill last month was $130. Crazy...
I'll eventually insulate the garage but in the mean time...the builder had installed an attic fan that makes the garage quite tolerable.
You can see the vents that close when it's off in this picture...I wired it up to a switch. it's fantastic DSC_2163 by swimex37, on Flickr
We're on the same page...
I have 2 of those from when we had the 3 car garage...one is set up at the opener on the ceiling, the other is under the ledge of the shelf on the wall...better for running the power to the porter cable when polishing since the cord isn't over the car.
I inherited that work bench with the house...recently tapcon'd it to the wall, put a work mat on it, bought some accessory hooks for the peg board, added a light and a power strip on the side...might get the one you have shown there too! Also, did the solvent based epoxy floor. I never realized how much I was missing not having a work bench this whole time! Last big projects, insulate and add attic ladder! Previous owner had put the garage door safety sensors tie wrapped to themselves on top of the motor...not bad, but it made the door dangerous and the other day after the door was coming down and I thought it wasn't going to clear my car...I decided I better add them back. Installed those last night, rant he wire in the attic for a clean look.
This is how it looked as I set up...need to get some better updated pictures
10-20-2014, 09:14 PM
as they say!?!
DSC_2163 by swimex37, on Flickr
DSC_3416 by swimex37, on Flickr