what haas been your worst vehicle wrenching nightmare?

[Bizman]

I had the original battery replaced a couple of years ago. It should still have a couple more ahead. No starting problems even after an unused weekend like with the old one or the ones I had to change to my previous MB. And I suppose my trusted repairman tested the voltage while doing the 375 000 km oil change. At least he checked the freezing point of the coolant. I'm pretty sure it isn't the car battery. After all, shouldn't they work best in summer temperatures after a lengthy drive?

[SIK1]

I'm pretty sure mine will occur shortly after the driver of our car pushes the button on the 500 shot of nitrous oxide while also running 45 pounds of boost.

I call BS. What the heck are you running 45 lbs of boost on, and if you tell me some gasser I'll know your full of it saying your going to hit it with a 500 hp shot of nitrous.

[icepac]

It's the current standing mile record holder at 283mph and we're getting close making an attempt at 300mph.

I do engine, "boost by gear", and nitrous oxide management systems as well as data acquisition systems......dynamometer service and repair......etc.

I'm inside the burning hot car with my head near the pedals checking wiring.

[Ripsnort]

I had a 1975 Chevy Monza with the 4.3 liter v8. You couldn't get to two of the plugs because of the power steering. I mean couldn't. You had to pull a motor mount to get to them as I recall. Beyond that, like you I live in New England. That in itself makes auto repair bad but it is considerably exacerbated by the fact I also own a Jeep TJ.

Yep. A friend owned one and had to do exactly that.

[Slate]

  Working on a 2004 Cadillac, wouldn't start. Ok no communication with the ECM. Check wiring, power, grounds, all check out ok and I can communicate with other modules. So install new ECM damn still no communication on the scan tool. WTF!
  Lean on front of car to check wire harness and bam, communication with the ECM ok! Move to side of car dam lost it.
 Push down on front of car it's back. Finally find ground strap frayed and barely touching as I lean on car, repaired it and boom all good.

   Moral of story: Start with the simple things first. Keep it simple stupid.   

[tmetal]

1989 Chevy cavalier z24 convertable.  a cantankerous V6 stuffed into an engine bay designed for a small inline 4, the only good thing I got out of that car was a good understanding of how to tear down and rebuild an engine block and I was also able to trade it straight up for a 1987 Toyota supra that had a blown head gasket. A few days of turning wrenches on the supra and I had a car that I greatly enjoyed driving for the next 6 years.

[nrshida]

Oh, did I mention, we had to do it again because the numbskull forgot to install the clutch disc before we put it all back together again?

  When did he notice?

[Widewing]

Shoehorning a Buick Grand National turbo V6 into a Jeep CJ5... Took all winter, with plumbing the intercooler being a serious challenge...

Of course, it was beyond quick and seriously unnerving with lifted suspension and very short short wheelbase... The only vehicle I've ever owned that could induce a spontaneous bowel voiding. A friendly puppy was less likely to roll over....