Homestead mailing list

["Don Bowen" <don.bowen AT earthlink.net>]

> Computerized diagnostic equipment cost tens of thousands, and without
> that, you can't tell what it wrong.  Everything is computer controlled
> these days. 

I bought a OBDII reader for $60 that will tell me almost everything the
$35000 units will.  It is just not as complete and I have to look other
places for more information.  I recently bought another for $150 that tells
me almost everything.  I know there are kits available to build units that
connect to laptops that will allow anything the big ones do including
changing the VIN and mileage.  I think that it is easier to troubleshoot
because the computer tells you so much.

> The day of the shadetree mechanic, if not over already, are
> coming to an end.  In the last 10-15 years, there has become very little
> that Ron can do at home.

I have done everything on my pickup.  It has only been in the shop a few
times.  I had a shop recharge the air conditioner after I replaced the
compressor, clutch, and dryer.  The EPA places severe restrictions on who
can buy refrigerant and where.  I have the tools for the old style R-12 but
that does not do any good for the new R-134.  I had a shop align the front
end after I replaced the pitman arm and both upper and lower ball joints.  I
could have done the alignment myself but the tools are in storage and I was
400 miles away.  This last time it went into a shop again because I do not
have the tools here.  If I had a decent place out of the cold and dirt I
would have bought the tools and done it myself.  I cannot guess how much
money I have saved because of doing all the work myself.

> If you want to work on your own vehicle, you need to buy one that is
> about 20 years old or older.

My pickup is 10 years old and with 180,000 miles.  I expect to drive it
another 50,000 if not farther.  It still has the OEM clutch and has burned
one quart of oil in 3000 miles since about 80,000 miles.

I plan to buy a small car this winter only because of fuel costs.  What I am
looking at now is a first generation Honds FIT.

Don Bowen  KI6DIU
http://www.braingarage.com/Dons/Travels/journal/Journal.html