Do they even have brains?

[nirvana]

When car designers take it upon themself to mechanize a car, why do they make the oil filter so hard to reach sometimes?  Sure there are tools for the job but come on.  Nissan Pathfinder I worked on today (only been working 3 days so far, first job:) ).  Anyways, the oil filter is above the front axle which is covered by a plastic shield, like off road racers have, only theirs are metal.  I can't imagine doing a Chevy S10:rolleyes:   They must have no mechanical background whatsoever, and I understand there is a lot to put in some of the small spaces, but come on.  At least make one of the most commonly changed parts more accessible.  Wait, no, that's too logical.  Tomorrow I get to drop the engine and transmission out of a Caddy, supposed to be REAL fun from what I hear from the more experiemnced mechanics.  

Just wondering if anyone that designs vehicles knows if they think about common maintenance.

[AdmRose]

They do. They just make it harder for Joe Schmoe to work on their own car so

1) Joe Schmoe doesn't screw up his own car fiddling with things he shouldn't or doesn't know how to

2) Makes more money because Joe Schmoe has to bring his car in for oil changes, tune-ups, etc.

Capitalism at work.

[rpm]

Because they have no problem installing the filter on the assembly line.

[SOB]

What year S10?  I had a '96 S10 with a 4-banger, and changing the oil/filter was a snap.

[Octavius]

I'm with the troutmaster.  I own a 96 S10 Blazer (87 olds died, a moment of silence please), got it done in 15 minutes for crapsake.

[Gunslinger]

ha ha ha ha ha  


http://www.hitechcreations.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=126471&highlight=ford

I feel your pain.  I thought I had a post about the plugs but cant find it.  They took me 5 hours...well actually 5 of them took me 2 hours the last one with the dry rotted boot attacted to it took me an additional 3.

[SuperDud]

Originally posted by nirvana
When car designers take it upon themself to mechanize a car, why do they make the oil filter so hard to reach sometimes?  Sure there are tools for the job but come on.  Nissan Pathfinder I worked on today (only been working 3 days so far, first job:) ).  Anyways, the oil filter is above the front axle which is covered by a plastic shield, like off road racers have, only theirs are metal.  I can't imagine doing a Chevy S10:rolleyes:   They must have no mechanical background whatsoever, and I understand there is a lot to put in some of the small spaces, but come on.  At least make one of the most commonly changed parts more accessible.  Wait, no, that's too logical.  Tomorrow I get to drop the engine and transmission out of a Caddy, supposed to be REAL fun from what I hear from the more experiemnced mechanics.  

Just wondering if anyone that designs vehicles knows if they think about common maintenance.

Welcome to the wonderful world of auto/aircraft maintenance. Some things just leave you scratching your head.

[nirvana]

I don't know what year S10 it was, just installed a starter on it which took 2 hours or so cause of the hoses and such in the way.  Seems like cars are much more easier for doing oil changes.  Heck '94 Saturn had a transmission fluid drain exactly like an oil drain, the filter looked like an oil filter was well.

[RightF00T]

Ever heard of a skid plate?  4x4 does nasty things to unprotected components.

[Hangtime]

wait till yah get to talk to the customers.

"oil... ?

filter?

..

..think it was changed just before i bought it 75,000 miles ago.



why? what's the problem.. whatcha do?

..it wuz running when I brought it in here.."

[RTSigma]

I've seen and done worse kind of maintenance...changing starters and engine blocks on Dusters, Road Runners, Caravans, my personal favorite that tops the pain in the arse list: Manuevering a 440 block into my brother's Duster and being below it within in the engine compartment.

[SuperDud]

Originally posted by RTSigma
I've seen and done worse kind of maintenance...changing starters and engine blocks on Dusters, Road Runners, Caravans, my personal favorite that tops the pain in the arse list: Manuevering a 440 block into my brother's Duster and being below it within in the engine compartment.

Sigma you noble and brave sir!!!@:P



Hi!!!

[DREDIOCK]

Originally posted by rpm
Because they have no problem installing the filter on the assembly line.

DING! DING! DING! DING! DING!

We Have a winner!!!



Had a car some time back that was side mounted.
Couldnt get at the back 3 sparkplugs fer nuth'n.
Asked a Mechanic and he told me they unbolted the motor mounts and lifted the engine up a tad.

To change spark plugs!

Had another car that I had to change the alternator on.
To do that you had to jack the car up take the passenger side front tire off and remove the wheel well.
To change an alternator
THAT was per manufacturers instructions.

Dontcha just love engineers.

God how I miss the old cars

[DREDIOCK]

Originally posted by RTSigma
I've seen and done worse kind of maintenance...changing starters and engine blocks on Dusters, Road Runners, Caravans, my personal favorite that tops the pain in the arse list: Manuevering a 440 block into my brother's Duster and being below it within in the engine compartment.

LOL Changing the starters on the old Chevys with stock exhaust was always fun.

Made the mistake of thinking changing a Manifold doughnut was gonna be an easy task once too.
Once.

Went with headers ever after.

[Steve]

Had another car that I had to change the alternator on. To do that you had to jack the car up take the passenger side front tire off and remove the wheel well.
To change an alternator .....

My wife drives q '97 saturn and this is exactly how you change the alternator and  the thing just eats alternators. I've put 4 in since the warranty expired.  Glad I bought a lifetime warranteed(part only) alternator.  First time took me over an hour to do.  Last time got out and in in less than 20 minutes.  Coincidentally my friend had a 97 saturn and had the same trouble.  I enjoyed his slackjawed look as I buzzed thru changing out his alternator.  He now thinks I'm an Ace mechanic instead of your average Joe w/ a wrench.(silly rabbit)