The death of a phone.

I loved my phone ! It didn’t deserve the ending it received. In fact; there was nothing really wrong with it’s function. My Go-phone was serving it’s purpose as a reliable information and communication tool. Why did it have to die ? Where were the phone gods ? Could this; and many similar tragedies, be stopped ? Before you read on, be warned the content below is very graphic in detail !

It all began on a grey and overcast day in November of 2012. Short on cash and recently separated from my wife, I needed a way to communicate with others. So off I toddled off to Wally world in search of the big bargain in the electronics aisle. I was hunting a cheap cell phone ha ha ha ha ha (gotta laugh like Elmer Fudd ).  A pre-paid phone was not what I wanted, but rather all I could afford at the time. Phone plans were too expensive for me and to buy a smart-phone to go with it was not an option. Then I saw the Blackberry imitation pay as you go phone. A Go-phone from AT&T for only $29.95 plus applicable sales tax. I could not pass up that poor man’s deal and the monthly fee was a manageable $50 for unlimited talk, text, and web. I was sold and for less than $100. Woo hoo, I had a semi-smart phone now ! And, I could probably pass it off as an older model Blackberry. Oh I was so in the big time.

My frustration began immediately. I was never told that expanding the memory would allow more functions on the device. Also, the screen was so small my bifocal glasses needed magnifiers to see the tiny pictures. There was now way to make anything larger to see what it was. Often I would click and like things just based on friends comments. You needed a rock steady hand to get a crisp clear picture. Quite the trick for this old goat. I would often prop myself up and take a snipers pose. Holding my breath as I squeezed the photo button slowly so as not to move a millimeter. Three minutes later; if I was lucky, the picture might be on my facebook page. Aggravating me even more was the lack of ringtones and apps. My friends had cool sounds. Why can’t I have a cool sounding cellular device ?

After almost a year with the reliable but slow phone, I was beginning to see a need for a serious upgrade. My fiance didn’t agree with my assessment of the phone situation at the time. No money for a fancy smart phone and the contracts are ridiculous was always her response. Well, we happened to go camping after a particularly long and stressful week. I wanted to just sit and relax by the campfire. Wait for the story, don’t jump ahead yet.

Friday was chock full of chores. We reached our destination around 4 o’clock in the afternoon. There was a fall like chill in the air and rain was in the forecast. Unloading the car once we arrived at the campground took forever. Sorting thru bags and boxes, stuffing closets, and packing drawers was the first order of business. Then the leaves needed to be bagged from around our weekend retreat area. Off to the shower at 8pm and by 9pm my eyes were permanently shut for the night. I was exhausted and burned out. No playing on my phone this night.

Saturday came at the crack of dawn. Our youngest was bouncing off the ceiling at 5:30am. He was filled with excitement to be camping. All his friends were going to be there. So he decided we all needed to wake up and share his enthusiasm. No coffee, too much noise, and the sun was barely up. It was going to be one of those days. The kind that you want to forget, the one you really want to hit the reset button on, the day that pisses you off as soon as it begins. Yes sir, one of those days.

We were busy all day cleaning up the camper and site. No rest for the weary all day. That evening we went to a friend’s social gathering. Still being wound up and very miserable; I decided to leave the phone behind as I knew it would get me into trouble. I was in need of a cell phone fix. Withdrawal was setting in. The tremors in my hands were a direct result of cell phone withdrawal. But alas, my phone sat idle as I threw my temper tantrum about not being able to play with it. My mood was becoming a ticking time bomb. Nitro glycerine in the flesh and I did not like being shook up. The evening ended after what seemed like days of torture. Again we went straight to bed and the little Blackberry imposter sat idle on the nightstand.

Sunday began with a morning campfire and breakfast on the grill. Eggs, toast, and bacon with a good cup of coffee were a very good beginning to a chilly morning. The fire was throwing some warmth as we began to clean up and close the camper for the season. I decided to check my phone updates while taking a smoke break from the chores. That was my fiancees’ cue to start in about how much I play with my phone.

Keep in mind her phone was glued to her hand all weekend. Mine sat idle for two days and I was just seeing if I had any important business messages. Well I blew up! Ten tons of tnt just exploded in my head. With eyes bulging from the explosion in my head, I wound up like a major league pitcher throwing a fast ball. That poor phone flew 50 feet at 100 miles per hour. Straight into the blazing white hot coals of the fire pit. A perfect pitch that I will never be able to duplicate. No hope for a quick recovery of the doomed device. After maybe one minute, the battery exploded sending the phones melted carcus sailing through the air. The destroyed case hit the camper next to ours and started a pile of leaves on fire. I was now putting out a wildfire created by the death of my beloved cellphone.

There is a lesson here. Never throw your phone into a fire. They explode and are costly to replace. My fiancee blew up on me as well. The weekend was a disaster.

Now if you know me, I showed my fiancee who was boss. I bought a Galaxy SIII and now I am cashless. I showed her who is in charge. Didn’t I ?

Thanks for reading my story !
Troy Lied.

 

 

A place to start.

Please bear with me and Blue car garage for a short time. I have moved personally and have now moved BCG into a garage as well. It is small but has storage on the second floor. That is a huge plus when talking car parts.
The ground floor will fit 2 small cars with room to work around them. A steel beam is set up for an electric hoist which will increase our motor work capabilities.
To many it may not seem like much. To us at Blue Car Garage; and me personally, it was a goal that took 7 months to fulfill. The small overhead costs will easily be sustainable even through a long slow spell. Not seeing that happen yet as we are booked solid for our first 2 weeks. Just the first step towards a dream of repairing and building cars. Or any vehicle for that matter. We have a few projects still in the build process. The 1996 Yamaha 600 and a 1978 Honda Goldwing to mention a few.
Stay with us and stay in contact. I am trying to provide a more personal touch to maintaining and repairing your vehicle.

Thank you very much !!
Troy Lied

P.S. Don.t forget to check out http://bluecargarage.com or http://facebook.com/bluecargarage

Moving too fast for her ?

I saw her from a distance for the very first time. Not quite sure of what I was seeing, but she most certainly caught my eye ! There was no mistaking, I was moving way to fast to be noticed. And stopping; was not an option, even for her. I knew where she was now and I would be back.

The next time I saw her, conditions were ideal for a good long look. As I went by; I could follow her with the slightest turn of my head. There was no way she could notice me. That was a good thing, because I made sure to memorize her body from top to bottom. The elegant curves and long beautiful lines made her look very classy. They were etched into my mind and would not be forgotten.

Twice before I saw her and now my heart beat for next we meet ! Time need not factor into our next encounter. I knew what I wanted, but she still had not even noticed me. I walked right up to her and made sure to drink in every inch of her with my eyes. Her curves, those lines, the whole body was to be drunk slowly like a fine wine. The vision, savored for as long as I willed it to be. There was no doubt, I wanted her badly and nothing else would compare.

I ran my hand over her smooth body, letting my fingers glide so gently over her curves. She never said a word as I caressed her beautiful skin. I could feel her and she could feel me. A deep unspoken connection had been made, A passion aroused and yes indulged over time.

I speak mainly about my 1988 Lincoln Mark 7 but it could also be said for a woman I once knew. Both meetings went pretty much the same. The feelings were definitely identical. Today the lady is gone and the car is in a locked garage out of my hands. I will get the car back someday and the passion will reignite. I long for a midsummer night drive sitting in the leather seat. Windows are down and the sun roof is open wide. The note coming from the Flowmaster Super 44’s is soothing in the night air. Yet if you push her just a little her note changes and she says ” Let’s go all the way”! So I would push the pedal to the floor and listen to her scream ! She wanted it and she needed it. Just as I did.

Damn I really miss my car !

This is a true story written by; Troy Lied

The picture above was taken from a Facebook post and is not mine. No infringement is intended to the creator.

Stick this in your ear.

Recently I noticed a need for a bluetooth headset. I had to stand up sometimes  from underneath a vehicle just to answer a phone call. Not always convenient but I have to answer the phone or lose potential customers.
So off to Walmart for some price busting savings and comparisons. Yeah, right, I just love to nose around before I buy anything. And nothing expensive because, as I work on vehicles it will probably get broken. So; straight to the electronics aisle I went. Skipping all the way like a kid. I am buying a new tech toy. Oh I get this epiphany at 3am by the way. Best time to shop in my opinion.
Now as I am searching the cell phone accessory aisle, there are only 3 different bluetooth headsets available to me. Cost varies at $19.97, $29.98, and $78.99. I may be off slightly on the numbers but you get the point.
I read each box carefully for features, performance, and talk time or battery life as some call it. Let’s just say a cheapy, a mid priced, and a top of the line model for the article. The top of the line model had longer range so it said, as well as  longer battery life. Noise cancelling was standard on all 3 models and one of my requirements as well. After many minutes of reading, comparing, and contemplating it’s useful lifespan, I decided on the mid-grade headset. A Plantronics model M25. That even sounds impressive. Hey buddy, I got my M25 right here !

Initial charge time was 45 minutes and it said up to 2 hours for the first time in the user’s guide. I am hoping that means it wasn’t in a warehouse for a long time. Since I have not worn a headset since my truck driving days, it was awkward to attach to my ear the first time. It has gotten more routine now. Makes me think of the Borg from Star Trek with all their flesh integrated technology. Battery life is 11 hours or close enough for talk time. I have to recharge every other day or about 3 times per week.

The range is poor outdoors. I am gonna say between 5 and 10 feet; and if you turn your head the wrong way, it will disconnect. I have the phone in my pants pocket and it will disconnect at times. If I lay my phone down and nothing gets between it and I, that is the way it works best. The weather is very humid here and I do believe that also reduces the range. The headset works very well indoors when I lay my phone on a table or counter top. Range increases to about 11 feet then, not a great deal but it is better inside an apartment.

There is an easy slide button on the side for power on and off. Another easy to use button adjusts volume levels and a third button on the face connects calls and activates other phone features. That is a real plus for the M25. Still sounds cool !

Overall I am somewhat disappointed with the range and reception quality. That is where my complaint ends. I have banged it, dropped it, and lost it in my tool box. The buttons still work and nothing broke. It fits well into the ear and it is loud enough to have a conversation in moderate noise levels. The noise cancellation works well I am told. Obviously I cannot hear myself to back up this claim. Not a bad purchase but I wouldn’t mind trying more mid priced headsets just to compare. I have had expensive bluetooth headsets and there is no comparison with this unit. It works well enough for my needs now. It will not be with me in the future for long.

So stick it in your ear and share this blog,

Troy Lied.

 

 

Destination; Purple Lizard at the Green Dragon

Cathy Money owns this wonderful little shop.Knick knacks abound and catch the eye. From jewelry on the counter to the owl and moon hanging on the wall. She tells me that her items are always changing and her store looks different every single week. The table set was in very nice condition. Other smaller tables hold lamps and pictures. Almost everything was for sale and well priced.
She told me she has a storage where larger items are being prepared for sale. She wants to expand in her near future; and from what I saw, she is doing a great job. On this day her shop was very busy. Of course some were just window shopping so to speak. But she was also busy wrapping new treasures for her customers. With the variety available, many find something unique. Believe it or not she even let me mind the store for a bit. So what I am telling you is first hand experience. I am looking forward to seeing what changes between this week and next occur. Now we even have the pictures to compare. Love the shop Cathy ! Keep up the good work ! See you next week.
So; the next time your out and about on a Friday, Get on down to the Green Dragon farmers market in Ephrata, Pa..Building 1. Your going to enjoy the trip and maybe find a new treasure for yourself. Purple Lizard and when you see Cathy; tell her Blue Car Garage sent you.

Troy L Lied

Here is a follow up;
I have just come back from taking more pictures at the Purple Lizard in Ephrata, Pa. I have posted them on our facebook page http://facebook.com/BlueCarGarage check them out and “like” our page.

 

Jam in the Barn

Looking for a nice relaxing evening and some fun for the whole family at the same time ? Jam in the Barn may just be your next destination. Hosted by Mike and Laura Stief; at their home in Stevens,Pa. and for anyone who enjoys good music, food, and fun.
Now in it’s 5th year, it is open to the public with a BYOB policy. A table is set up so visitors can bring a hot or cold dish to share ( pot luck ). This is a great way to introduce yourself if this is your first time there. Snacks and deserts are welcome as well. So go ahead; show em whatcha got ! It is also highly recommended that you bring your own chairs as well. This is not a bar or a nightclub ! But rather, good friends getting together to share stories and the love of music. Mike and Laura decided they wanted to share their passion with others and this is what drives these events.
DJ Gregg and company provide some of the music, while karaoke and open mic fill in at other jams. Musicians and others are encouraged to bring their instruments along. No drums please. There is a set already there for use. The atmosphere is laid back and social.
Alcohol is allowed but this is a family oriented event. Children are often seen and heard playing right along with the music. Nothing wrong with some good spirits, just not too many.
Campfires bring the people together and then the good times get better. New friendships are made and the old ones renewed. Moments like these are what dreams are made of.
So come on out the 3rd Saturday of every month May thru October. Events begin at 6pm and end at 10pm. I was told karaoke is one of their more popular events. I just got a smirk when I asked why. Their reply was “It is always interesting and funny”. So bring a few friends along to Jam in the Barn.
There is parking available for motorcycles and carpooling is desired when possible. Parking is limited so get there early.

See you there.

Thanks,

Written by: Troy Lied

 

Prius vs. Ford F-150

I am still laughing about this story. My truck driver friend called me to tell me what happened on his way home from work. He drives the highway a lot and on this particular day he met his first Toyota Prius face to face. Or should I say mirror to mirror.
Now my friends truck has a 5.4 liter motor with about 300 hp. The Prius steps in the ring with 134 hp. Your gonna have to think about this one. Bigger may not be better. But as with most people these days, my buddy believed he was on top as far as small cars go. He had truck size and truck power beneath him.
Now picture 4 big guys in the extended cab 2008 Ford F-150 totaling about half a ton ( 1,000 lbs,). And in the Toyota Prius was a lone driver of unknown size. Heading down an open highway with very little traffic is the scene.
Now just ahead of my friend and his truck is the Prius and my pal thinks he is just gonna wiz by this tiny car. So as any man would do; he steps on the gas and begins to catch the little car. I suppose the Prius driver noticed this and he stepped on the gas pedal as well.
To the shock and dismay of my friend, he wasn’t gaining on the Toyota. In fact they were running side by side up to 110 mph. That fast for a Prius ? I started laughing at this point. My friends big bad Ford was not able to rip past the car no matter what he did. Now my laughing at him just aggravated that fact ,but it is funny if you know the type of person he is.
When I finally caught my breath from laughing so hard, I tried to explain why he was having difficulty passing this small vehicle. Just because the truck was bigger and more powerful doesn’t mean it was faster. A truck is built for work. It is designed to haul a heavy load therefore it has a torque (pulling power) rating that is impressive. The Prius was designed more with a speed type design. It is aerodynamic to pass through the wind. I am not saying it is a speed machine but it is shaped to move more freely down the road. The truck also had 1,000lbs. of extra weight and is not as efficient moving throw the air.
So, sometimes being bigger doesn’t necessarily mean faster. Trucks are made for doing a job of hauling extra weight. Cars are simply designed to slip through the air to get from here to there as efficiently as possible. Cars use their energy more effectively while the truck is more like a brick in the wind. Maybe next the next time you see a Prius you will remember this story. And if you should decide to pass one on the highway, think about what type of vehicle you are driving before assuming your bigger and faster. That may not always be the case.

Still funny,
Troy Lied

Grinding to a halt.

 

 

 

I met a young lady a while back who told me her brakes make a noise when applied. She had mentioned this to her boyfriend. His response was ” What do you want me to do about it ? ” And so; she continued to drive the car, even though the brakes were obviously in need of inspection and repair.
The car in question was a 1995 Ford Contour sedan. After a few questions; I offered my services to inspect the brakes free of charge. I laid on the ground and reached in behind the front right tire to feel the rotor surface. This should give an indication of a potential problem. A smooth surface would indicate normal pad wear. A rough surface would indicate possible damage and brake component failure.
The right rotor was smooth on the inside and outside surfaces. The left rotor was smooth on the outer surface; but when feeling for the inner surface, I felt the vent ribs not a smooth surface. It was completely gone ! M.I.A. ( missing in action ) But where could it be ? I began to ponder and come up with very scientific reasons for this surface to feel the way it did. Or maybe I just said ” Give me a brake “.
With a simple 1/2 inch drive 3/4 inch socket; I removed the left front wheel. Pieces of steel promptly fell out onto the ground. Pieces of the inner surface of the rotor were all around. Scrapes and dents were also visible in the fender well and on the inside of the wheel itself. It had blown apart ! Another 17mm socket removed the caliper and mounting bracket as a complete assembly. I had determined the brake pads wore out prematurely because the caliper had become seized on it’s mounting bolts. Then driven for so long that the metal brake pad backing plate had worn through the brake rotor surface until it got too thin and exploded into pieces.
$97.50 later; the brake caliper, mounting bracket, rotor, and pads were replaced on the left side. While only the pads on the right side were replaced. They still had 50% to 60% braking material left on them. The right caliper was functioning properly and did not need to be replaced.

The right parts at a fair price. Blue Car Garage can service your needs.

Thank you,
Troy

You create your own problem

These are the worst electrical connects I know of ! This is my opinion, but let me explain.
A customer rolls in with a 2004 Mustang and tells me the battery goes dead once in a while. So I did the normal load test on the battery and it came up weak. Upon further testing of the alternator, we found out the voltage would drop below 12 volts and then shoot up to 14.6 volts. The regulator inside the alternator was going bad.
We replaced the battery, alternator, and belt. A few days later ; ( to my dismay ) the battery was dead again. I began asking questions like; when did this begin, is it getting worse, what did you do to the car before this happened, Come to find out the radio was a recent installation by a professional. Start tearing the radio out and check all the wiring ! They did a great job hiding the damn wires by the way !
As you can see the wiring leading out the far edge melted due to poor connection. It took 3 attempts at removing panels and radio to find this shorty. And stars in my head when I smashed my skull into the steering column. That forced me to stop and refocus. Low and behold the wire was fused to a small metal tab on the fire wall inside the dash. All other connections were soldered and heat shrink applied. This one was to short to get to so….they used the cheapest and easiest connector in the world today !
It is designed to pinch and bite into wire via a metal tab you squeeze down on to close the clip over top. This sometimes cuts a wire completely in half. In this case they clamped onto a wire that was not heavy enough for the load. The insulation melted away ( which could have been a potential fire ) and certain bumps would cause it to touch the small tab and short out.
Always use the right part for the job at hand and feel free to ask our advice.

Thanks,
Troy

Hey honey, the car is broken again.

Mayday! Mayday! This is the Lied family auto, the check engine light came on and we are all gonna die! Is anyone out there? Help! we are going down! That dreaded, nasty light on the dash or information center display. We all hate it and some even fear it. This does not mean the end of the world, or that you are stranded along side the road.
Most of the time, and I do mean the majority, the light comes on for a sensor malfunction or even leaving the gas cap loose. A small vacuum line leak is another mayhem maker. These are not terminal and you are not stranded by any means. If the problem was terminal, today’s modern vehicles would be shut down by their on-board computer or ECM as technicians call it. These tiny computers do allow for “limp mode” in most cases as well. That means you will be able to drive for a limited amount of time at a reduced power output level. My personal record is 12 miles at 32mph ( approximately, the gauges quit working ) in a 2001 Ford Mustang. Then it shut off for good.
Here is what to do instead of panicking:
1 – pull over as soon as you can, safely out of the flow of traffic.
2 – check engine oil level and color. Clean oil is a transparent yellowish color while old oil is a blackish color.
Make sure it is between the upper and lower marks on the dipstick.
3 – check the engine coolant level, look at the overflow tank to see if any is even in it. DO NOT REMOVE THE RADIATOR CAP!! Hot coolant could gush out and severely burn you. Just see if the tank level is near the low mark but preferably at the full mark.
4 – If these fluids look good, and the engine still runs fine, by all means drive the vehicle to the nearest destination of your choice. You can always stop at Advance Auto Parts or some other parts supply store and have the code read for free. Or call your mechanic and see what they say. If you use the same shop and/or mechanic, they will know you and your vehicle well enough to advise you on what to do next.

Happy motoring with the check engine light on,
Troy

My week, how was yours ?

My week has been a week to forget. I know you have had weeks like that as well. Everyone does. Maybe I have you beat and maybe not.
Monday ( dreaded Monday) began well enough. I rolled a 2002 Chevy Cavalier into the garage for an engine swap. Within 3 hours the motor was ready to come out. My cherry picker decided it needed a vacation so it broke shortly after hooking it up. Job on hold till I get a new cylinder or rent one.
Then, I get a call from a customer stuck along the road. The sway bar links broke and are dragging on the road. They gave me vehicle make and model and said they know this is the problem. So I stopped at Advance Auto Parts and picked up 2 new links. The car had an aftermarket lowering kit but the customer never installed new sway bar links to match the drop. I got the wrong parts ! Back to Advance Auto to match them up. Customer happy but now my day is shot.
Tuesday was rough waking up. My body was beginning to tell me something’s up. The hydraulic repair shop said 1 week to rebuild the cherry picker cylinder. Not good ! I have a job waiting. The rental store was all out at the moment so the motor swap is on hold again. I then had an appointment to replace 4 tires. Guess what; they sold the tires I had ordered. 195/65-15’s are not uncommon. However; after dealing with the same supplier for years, the prices elsewhere were much higher or they were not in stock. Lost sale, customer went to Walmart.
My body is now feeling achy and my throat is feeling sore. I am getting sick.
Wednesday, hump day, and I am running a low grade fever. I finally get moving at 9:30am. Off to Eagle Rental I go. Rented a cherry picker and finished swapping the Cavalier engine. Scheduled a carb. rejetting for the weekend and another minor visor fix as well for Friday. I go home feeling like a truck ran over me. Hot and cold spells were the norm. As well as sneezing and coughing. Nausea soon followed.
Thursday morning I am being called at 7:30am about the customers Cavalier. When will it be done ?
I can barely stand I am so sick but I head in to the garage to try and finish the customer’s car. I tinkered with the motor but the bathroom was my home. Didn’t get much done all day. And now the weather is changing for the worse as well.
Friday is rain and humidity right from the start. I finished the motor swap and turned the key over in the ignition. I got an eerie feeling as the motor comes to life. It runs fine but I can just feel something isn’t right. I test drove the car and returned it to the customer by 2:00pm. I then returned a pick-up truck I was borrowing. My friend was driving me back to the garage when the windshield wipers quit working. So, out into the rain I go to fix the wipers so I can get to the shop. 30 minutes later, and a new nylon bushing (my friend just so happened to have a whole pack, gee wonder why ?) we are under way. Now I am soaked to the bone and chilled. Still sick as a dog and trying for pneumonia. By 9:00pm the Cavalier customer calls me. They have a problem. The car wants to overheat and starts hard. Back out I go to find out the head gasket blew out on the swapped motor.
Here it is Saturday and I have just taken care of or rescheduled the work for the coming week. I need to first make it right for my engine client. That is my only concern at this point. I can fix the visor and rejet the carb. another day. Today I am going to curl up and sleep the sleep of the dead. I need to get well before a challenging week ahead. I won’t forget this past week. And I hope to never repeat it.

Building on adversity,
Troy L Lied

Replacement nightmare

It was overcast and windy on this particular Sunday morning. A good day to stay inside and watch some racing on TV. So, I slip on a favorite pair of pajama pants and begin flicking through the channels on my big flat screen television. Finally selecting a car show on Speed Channel. Got a cup of coffee in my hand and I prop my feet up when it happens.
The business phone rings and I must answer. I don’t recognize the phone number, but I answer just the same. “Hello;Blue Car Garage, Troy speaking,may I help you ?” The caller had a 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan EX with a 3.8liter engine. It was running fine when they shut it off and now it won’t start. ” Can you come out and look at it ” they asked me. “Sure can” I said in the most pleasant voice I could come up with. I didn’t want to leave my coffee, the recliner, or the car show on TV. But, I did.
With rain pending on the horizon and address in hand; I met the new customer at their residence. And sure as it’s gonna rain, the van would not start. It cranked over fine. It just wouldn’t start. I plugged in my laptop to see if the on board computer would tell me what’s wrong. No luck ! No codes were present in the vehicle memory. So now what do I do ? It begins with the basics. Fuses are always first on the list.
Having checked all the engine management fuses, I move on to testing for spark. Pulled number 1 spark plug wire and cranked the motor over with my remote start switch. ZAP ! I got nailed by the electric current in the spark plug wire. Didn’t have it grounded properly because I was rushing around trying to avoid the ominous skies and pending storm. Yup; spark is just fine, as I am confirming it through the zolt I just received.
Next is fuel and air testing. I cheat on this test, ha ha. I grab a can of highly flammable carburetor cleaner. Advance Auto Parts brand to be exact. And squirt some into the air intake. Once again, I push the remote starter button. It begins to run. Found the problem. No fuel is getting to the motor. Now what do I do ?
Drawing on 38 years of experience in the repair trade; and a simple 4 pound mini sledge hammer, I banged on the fuel tank while pushing the starter button. Presto, majik (part of our logo), the motor runs once again. The fuel pump in the gas tank is going bad and needs replaced. Off to Advance Auto Parts we go to buy a new pump.
Having dropped the fuel tank to the ground, the rain begins. Not just any rain either. Big heavy drops that wash the sweat right into your eyes. Stinging with each new droplet. It is pouring like the great cleansing of the earth. Just my luck.
Soaking wet with no relief in site, I begin replacing the fuel tank to it’s home. As I did, the tank slipped off the stand and snapped the wire connector. Broke it clean off the new pump. Cussing like a sailor, I run back to the parts store for yet another pump. And no; the customer was not billed for the 2nd pump.
Dripping, and just plain drenched to the bone; the van was repaired. Two and a half hours in the worst conditions on earth, and almost $400 out of pocket expenses. I handed the customer a bill for 1 pump and labor. Total customer expense was $336. The customer asked what I will do with the pump I had broken. ” Can I return it”, he asked. I said “no, because I broke it”. He then gave me another $200 to compensate me.
I was so happy ! The customer was grateful that I fixed his van on a Sunday without disrupting his weekly routine. No one else would even answer the phone. I did and I went to the extreme to fulfill my dream of working on things and fixing them.
It could have been a nightmare, but the customer’s gratitude covered all losses. I did not make any money on the job. But I felt a great satisfaction and the ego boosting customer compliments were a bonus. I love what I do and I do what I love !

Owner of Blue Car Garage,
Troy L. Lied

Because it’s a race car that’s why

Why, why, why do some people build or buy a purpose built race car and then complain when they drive it to the local store? Why did this break ? Why doesn’t it run right when I drive it “normally”. And the best one is, why does it use so much fuel ? Because it is a race car !
A long time friend of mine purchased this fox-body stang for $6000.00. Just because it looked nice. He is not a mechanic so he doesn’t know what to look for when buying a car like this. It is possible to make a street car out of a race car but there are always major issues to overcome.
The first issues I saw were the lack of windshield wipers, full roll cage limiting access getting in and out, and a battery disconnect with jump posts where the license plate should be. After a very short drive ( about a quarter mile) I noticed the horn button was made to actuate the line locks on the brakes. Full formed race seat with 4 point harness made a long drive out of the question for an old wrench like me. I could go on and on but here is the full scoop based on my opinion.
It is a very nice Mustang that is worn out, period. It was raced a season or more and instead of doing a winter rebuild, the owner sold the car to finance a new build. The motor is flat at about half throttle and smells like raw fuel. Now, you may ask why ? Because it is made to run a quarter mile with your foot on the floor. Wide open throttle, running like it is shot out of a cannon. It runs rich while just putting around but is fine when launched and run hard. Oh there are many more issues to deal with as well. The T-5 trans is missing the speedometer drive and the rear end has a spool. A spool makes the car drive straight ahead even while turning the steering wheel. Both rear wheels turn at the same time with no slip. The slipping is what makes it easy to turn into a parking space at the mall. This car just wanted to go in a straight line.
So far about $2000.00 has been spent installing wipers, speedo drive, limited-slip posi rear, new c-clip eliminators on rear axles, wired up a horn, installed new seats, got all the lights working, and replaced the drag radial tires with DOT approved street/strip tires. The thermostat will be replaced with a 190 degree unit. It has a 160 in it now. We will also go 1 heat range hotter on the spark plugs. At some point, we will most likely end up rejetting the big Demon carburetor to try and eliminate the flat spot at half throttle.
My advice to all is; You can take a street machine and build it for the track any day. It is much more difficult to build a race car and then convert it for street use. Do not buy a race car thinking it won’t need work. If it was such an awesome machine, why is it being sold ? I invite comment on this issue so feel free to comment.

Written by,
Troy Lied

An EMT and a mechanic. What it’s like to live together.

They say life is what you make of it and choices you make impact everything in your life. Making the choice to be with and live with a “car guy” can be somewhat challenging at times. With Troy getting his business growing, he can be a pretty busy man. He answers to demands and requests from not only his employees, but customers as well, and this, at times, can put some stress on the home life. Good thing I am a very understanding woman!
Look at the normal person’s work schedule, most people have a set time to clock in and a set time to clock out. Making appointments is much easier. Spending time with family and friends is something that can happen impromptu. Living with a man like Troy, and his unpredictable schedule, can be challenging! He gets calls all hours of the day and night, and if someone is in need (broke down and needs help NOW), no matter the time, he gets up and goes. I understand this, I knew this going into this relationship, but, I love him so, I smile, tell him to be safe, and give him a kiss good bye.
Imagine, you make a dinner for the family and you all sit down at the table to eat and talk about the day. In the middle of dinner and conversation, the phone rings. Someone broke down on the side of the road. He has to go! I guess it is kind of what it is like for him living with me and my volunteer work. My pager goes, I have to leave. No matter what I am doing.
So, I suppose we are kindred spirits! We both have unique schedules, in that, we both understand the reason dinner is getting interrupted! It takes a special kind of person to be with and live with people like us. I suppose that makes us both special!

By,
Rhonda Smith

Diesel vs. gas, tips for deciding what’s right for you.

Most people think of pick-up trucks and 18 wheelers when you mention the words”diesel engine”. Cars come equipped with either gas or diesel and here are some differences.
A diesel engine is a work horse and a gasoline engine is more of a trail horse or thoroughbred if you account for race engines. That is to say a diesel engine is made primarily to do a lot of work as efficiently as possible. Hauling a trailer or taking the whole family on a vacation would be a good choice for your diesel. A person who travels long distances on the highway will see the benefits in mpg’s. City traffic with stop and go as a norm is not the best place to get the benefits of a diesel vehicle. They like to run at a more constant rpm to achieve their goal of efficiency. The ability to move a heavy load is an added benefit of the torque they generate. Think of torque as; the ability to pull a tree stump out of the ground. Diesels make gobs of torque.
A diesel engine does not have spark plugs ! No way, no how, it doesn’t work like that. With your everyday gasoline engine, you need a spark plug to ignite the fuel/air mix. It needs some fire or spark to get the mixture to explode and shove the piston down. The diesel engine does it with glow plugs ( generally only used for very cold starts) and shear compression force. Squeeze diesel fuel and air hard enough in the right mix and it will explode,again pushing the piston down and making the engine run. The glow plugs are just a probe that gets very hot for a short period of time. Diesel fuel gets thicker in colder temperatures so until the engine warms up; it may need a kick to get the fire going so to speak. Once it starts the glow plugs are no longer needed and turn off automatically.
The last point I will make here is; diesels have an odor. Some just out right stink, and the black smoke some diesel engines emit is just terrible ! Take care of your engine and stay on top of routine maintenance. Today’s modern vehicles do not smoke black smoke when running correctly. Yes there is an odor that takes getting used to. New emissions laws have helped as well to bring a cleaner running diesel engine. Don’t forget diesel fuel is more expensive per US gallon than gasoline. There are many more differences. These few differences I mentioned may help you chose which engine may be more economical for your needs. If you have a job to do the diesel is what you want. If going to the mall and running errands with the kids, then a gasoline powered vehicle may bring more convenience and benefit. Just my opinion and I always welcome comments and questions.

Thanks for reading and pass it along,
Troy Lied

What ? My tires ain’t bad !

I preach about tires to all my customers. The number 1 thing I say is to stay within 10% of the tires recommended load pressure.
For instance, a 44psi. max. pressure tire rating, I set at 40psi. and say to rotate every 7,000 miles. That will give you the best fuel economy and tread life through my 32+ years of experience. This is for everyday use. When loaded up with family and luggage, bump the pressure up to it’s maximum. Again for the very same reasons, fuel mileage, tire life extension, and to maintain handling while loaded. Set a tire with a 35psi. max. to 32psi. for normal driving.
Most clients also agree they “feel” more of the road through the steering wheel. A tire with low pressure flexes excessively and kind of “mooshes” or “jello rolls” over the road which might feel smooth. In reality it creates excessive heat and the steel belts flex much more. Think of bending a paperclip back and forth. Feel the heat in the wire ? Flex it some more and it breaks.
Dry rotting or cracks in the sidewall of a tire mean it is time to replace it before you become a road hazard. I am very fussy about tires. I buy only new tires and I sell only new tires. That policy along with normal tire maintenance ( rotation, and air pressure monitoring), has given me a trouble free life as far as tires are concerned. Even to the point of easily exceeding tire mileage guarantees. A good alignment is also crucial if you hope to achieve results similar to my own.
Kaboom ! The tire running down the highway; on the car next to you, just blew up and scared the begeebers out of ya. More often than you might think, low air pressure took it’s toll and caused the failure.
Here is a link with some useful information By Ben Wojdyla | Popular Mechanics – Mon, Apr 29, 2013 4:53 PM EDT http://autos.yahoo.com/news/do-you-really-need-to-replace-those-tires–205330198.html

Thanks,
Troy

You are such a tool !

Specialty tools can be expensive to purchase, but not having the right tool could cost even more in the long run. Lost shop time and even broken parts are the usual result.
I have been following and participating in a very good discussion about special tools. The following is a reply I thought might be good to pass along.
The vehicles are designed for their looks yes, but also to run down an assembly line efficiently. That means the motor, trans, and related parts are already mounted into an assembly. One that is easily accessible before it goes into the uni-body structure. Ever wonder why some say a 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan 3.8 liter has to be removed from below ? I can say and prove that is incorrect. It is a tight squeeze but quite easily done. The whole front cradle( engine, and running gear) is lifted up and 6 to 8 bolts are tightened as the vehicle continues to move down the line. New tools are required because each manufacturer has it’s own designs for parts. That way a Ford A/C connector will not plug into a Chevy or a Toyota. Application also helps to determine design of the new parts.
I agree that auto design engineers should have 5 years training from the repair side of things. Or at least the assembly line experience. Just because it looks good on paper does not mean it will work. All my comments are from a small repair shop experience and not a dealership. I will even go as far as making my own tools. I have even modified some existing wrench ware to work like the expensive recommended specialty tool. Like for dual overhead cams on a Ford Contour.
Maybe my skills are above average and maybe not. The fact is I cannot afford to buy every tool for every vehicle( car, truck,motorcycle, construction equipment, etc.). I would need a huge warehouse as well for all those tools. Specialty tools are a necessary evil of technology moving forward. Try renting or borrowing if you only need it once in a while. Otherwise, bite the bullet and buy the right tool for the job at hand. It will
Sorry for the rant but this is a peeve of mine !

Troy Lied

Boys and their toys

I was moving recently and found this R/C motorcycle hiding in the back of a closet. The memories began to spin in my head.
I can remember when I first got this remote control motorcycle. It was one of the first 9.6 volt toys I ever bought. It was fairly fast and had a “turbo boost” on the remote itself. Doing a “wheelie” was easy with the boost button. It also came with some screw on training wheels for learning to turn without falling over.
I spent hours picking it up after falling over while learning how to operate it successfully. And yes, I did remove the training wheels before the learning process was over. Note; do not hit the turbo boost button while cornering. The back end just slides out. Turning was an art form all it’s own. Too slow and it falls; too fast and one might run out of room to turn,because it uses more space when going fast. The idea was to lift off the throttle, dip into the turn, and hit the throttle again to complete the turn. Sounds simple but it was a challenge to master.
It has it’s share of scratches and the tires are getting smooth. The colors aren’t as bright either. But I would never throw it away because it has real value. Sentimental for me as I age and remember more carefree days. Also as a collectable on some shelf in some hidden part of my next man cave. It does still work, lights light, and the sounds continue to play with the push of a button. The bench racing stories it generates are also a hidden benefit.
My toys now cost more and come with greater headaches. I cannot put them on a shelf to talk about or play with. But I sure as heck can have fun playing with my new ones as they come along. My birthday is coming up, hint, hint. How about a new R/C car ? Nitro powered would be nice !
What toys do you own ? Do you still have them stashed away, only to be found at a later date ? What value do they hold for you ?

Always a kid,
Troy

DIY turbo-charging advice.

Turbocharging is a great way to increase horsepower if it is done properly. Bigger isn’t always better and severe engine damage may occur if not done correctly. I am going to give you some basic advice that could save you time,money,and heartache.
It is not rocket science but it does take some planning to build or upgrade a turbocharged engine. Displacement (engine size) and engine internals (pistons,crankshaft,connecting rods,studs,and bolts) must be considered when building a reliable boosted motor. Here is a pretty good calculator for sizing a turbo for horsepower expectations http://www.squirrelpf.com/turbocalc/
Fuel and air delivery are also an issue you will have to plan for. Do the injectors or carburetor need to be sized larger to meet demands and horsepower goals? What air intake is used as well as intake routing can affect performance gains as well. Consider upgrading to a cold air intake system with an inter-cooler to maintain consistent air intake temperatures. This reduces power loss due to heat build-up or external air temperature.
Your ignition system will definitely have to be reprogrammed,modified,or upgraded as well. Spark plugs,wires,coil packs ( or single ignition coil), are a good investment no matter what your needs are. A better and stronger ignition system is a source of hidden gains and a necessity for boosted engines. I can tell you now that ignition timing will have to be retarded in most cases to prevent knocking or damage to the motor itself.
When using a stock motor with no internal upgrades,keep boost pressures low ( between 1.5 and about 8 lbs.). On a motor that already has a turbo, try reprogramming the stock computer,and a few more lbs. of boost can be had with a pop-off valve mod. Naturally if your power adder has higher pressures to start with, go with small increases to boost pressures. For higher pressures ( about 9 to 25 lbs.) a stud and bolt upgrade will be necessary to prevent stretching as well as breakage of retaining hardware. This is a big big cause of reliability issues and resulting failures. Broken rods, cracked pistons,and broken rings will result when not using upgraded internals as I mentioned before.
In short; plan ahead before you open your wallet to give your hard earned money away. Research on-line first. It is free ! Stick with big name manufacturer’s because they have reliable proven data to back up their products. By this I mean direct hands on knowledge,warranties, and instructions to back it up. It is a puzzle that must be matched and fitted together correctly. All your efforts will be rewarded with thousands of care free miles. And if you are like me, a few miles of tire smoke as well.

Keep on spooling !
Troy Lied

Boys and their toys

I found this vintage (old) r/c motorcycle while moving recently.I can remember when I first got this remote control motorcycle. It was one of the first 9.6 volt toys I ever bought. It was fairly fast and had a “turbo boost” on the remote itself. Doing a “wheelie” was easy with the boost button. It also came with some screw on training wheels for learning to turn without falling over.
I spent hours picking it up after falling over while learning how to operate it successfully. And yes, I did remove the training wheels before the learning process was over. Note; do not hit the turbo boost button while cornering. The back end just slides out. Turning was an art form all it’s own. Too slow and it falls; too fast and one might run out of room to turn,because it uses more space when going fast. The idea was to lift off the throttle, dip into the turn, and hit the throttle again to complete the turn. Sounds simple but it was a challenge to master.
It has it’s share of scratches and the tires are getting smooth. The colors aren’t as bright either. But I would never throw it away because it has real value. Sentimental for me as I age and remember more carefree days. Also as a collectable on some shelf in some hidden part of my next man cave. It does still work, lights light, and the sounds continue to play with the push of a button. The bench racing stories it generates are also a hidden benefit.
My toys now cost more and come with greater headaches. I cannot put them on a shelf to talk about or play with. But I sure as heck can have fun playing with my new ones as they come along. My birthday is coming up, hint, hint. How about a new R/C car ? Nitro powered would be nice !
What toys do you own ? Do you still have them stashed away, only to be found at a later date ? What value do they hold for you ?

Always a kid,
Troy