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What did you do "IN" your garage today?

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rayra

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 1, 2014
Messages
4,724
Location
Escaped from Los Angeles
Cleared the middle bay of my 3-car so I can lay out and frame some sections of stud wall on the floor, sectioning a small corner of my garage for a secure storeroom.
Marking some rabbet cuts on some 4x6 post segments, for my back yard pillar / pergola project. Midday Sunday I'll make some noise on the tablesaw, slicing those rabbets. dug the 3rd footing today, of 4. Tomorrow midday I'll also be mixing and filling the first 2 concrete footings and setting saddle-type post brackets in them. Which these 4x6 segments will be set into later.
 

vwpieces

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 28, 2020
Messages
5,925
Location
Hills, PA
I bought a Turbo Diesel Rabbit in ‘84 and drove it to’85. Even with it’s automatic transmission it was peppy.
One day while my mother was with me, and we were waiting at a light and young guy with an attractive young woman pulled up along side in what I would cal an open top roadster and he kept blipping the throttle as he waited for the light to change.
Mom said “He wants to race”
I nodded my head and when the light turned Green, I floored it and left them in a Cloud of Black Smoke, as we left him I asked my mother if he realized he was not only waxed by a Diesel, but a Diesel with an automatic transmission.
An actual Rabbit TD in 83 to 84 are pretty darn Rare. Lot more Jetta's made because those were made in Germany where diesel cars were more popular. USA plant did not produce many TD Rabbits at all. Think there were only a handful of TD trucks made and from what I've heard, they were special ordered by one company for fleet.

I found this in a JY many years ago and finally had the car to put it on. But it's not an original TD Rabbit.
20210707_155517.jpg
 

Arne73

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 20, 2010
Messages
1,477
Our new to us, 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue 3.8, got a new remote start as it will be my wife's winter beater for the foreseeable future.
Used to be my deceased MIL's car. My wife will not have to drive her Mustang in the winter anymore.
On the way home from our electronics installer, in the dark, the car started overheating.
So I am following along in my Mustang and stopping frequently to let it cool down and diagnosing.
Check engine light is ON, my wife said. So I am thinking they screwed the pooch and I will have to go take it back.
During a few cool down stops I diagnosed the fans were kicking in, the reservoir was okay.
No heat in the car says it is a mechanical issue....loss of coolant!
Okay maybe they didn't mess it up?
Now, the wife mentioned there was water on the driveway when she was leaving for work, a couple of days ago, but since work is a mile away, I am sure temperature never got up by the time she arrived.
So NOW.... I have a mechanical issue that started LONG BEFORE we got the remote start installed! WTF!!!
I am mad now...but she didn't realize when you have leaky water, it is a car issue!!!!.... *sigh*
Because it was dark, I cannot tell why the radiator is loosing coolant.
Everything on the car is black and I wear glasses and am old, can't see stuff well in the dark!
We limp it home.....
Next morning I open the cool radiator to add some water and I see water flowing out of the side of the radiator through a manufactured plastic opening!!!!!
Like WTF is this opening for? A radiator freeze plug missing? I can stick my pinky into the hole and plug the leak!
So I go check the dummy lights on the dash.... and low and behold, A "Low Coolant" light is also illuminated!
The wife never mentioned that a low coolant light was ON!!!! WTF, again!!!!
Ah, Ha! This car monitors low coolant...maybe that is where a sensor goes?!?!
So back in the engine compartment with a bright trouble light and..... Well, well, look what I found!
1105211139_HDR.jpg

There is a sensor laying next to the manufactured opening in the radiator!
So I pulled the clips for the headlight to get a better look at this electrical device...
1105211139a_HDR.jpg

And there it is! It is a low water level sensor that blew out of the radiator and caused all the problems!!!!
1105211138_HDR.jpg

What a piss poor design to hold the sensor in place and hold back at least 15 pounds of pressurized coolant!
A wire "clip" and 2 o-rings are all that hold the dam thing in place!
So I bent up the clip so it would have maximum bite on the flange that the unit clips into.
I wondered if there was over 15 psi in the system to cause this to blow out?
What caused the sensor to pop?
It drove over 1,000 miles recently on a road trip with no issues!
Could the electrical guys knocked it off...no, wait, the wife said there was a lot of water on the driveway before the install.
Still wonder why she didn't mention the Low Coolant trouble light!!!! WTF!!!!
So, I can only speculate the radiator cap did not relieve the over pressurization and it caused the sensor to blow off it's wire clip perch.
I went out and got a new radiator cap just to eliminate any future concerns with over pressurization of the system.
After all, that is a 22 year old radiator cap!
1105211139b_HDR.jpg

Added over a gallon of coolant as I was shocked on how much boiled off and the wife never mentioned the low coolant light!
WT...oh, hell! :unsure:
1105211139c_HDR.jpg

Sure hope we didn't damage the engine running so hot. It twice shut down the car on the way home because of overheating.
So Once I got it filled up and bled, I took the car for a long drive and all seemed all right.
I just couldn't clear the Check Engine light.
So I hope she didn't do anything to the engine.
Will clear the codes when my mechanic friend scans it with his reader on Monday.
It would be a shame as it has only 93K on the OD and I just fixed all the rust on the rocker panels.
We should get another 100K easy on this vehicle!!!!
Crossing my fingers my wife won't overlook any future dummy lights!:rant:
Here's a recent story of a 3800 low coolant related failure:
Got to be sure to get all the air out.
 

Mr.zippy

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 27, 2020
Messages
2,221
Location
Wyoming
My son’s go to work car. 2005 Toyota Corolla. He paid the Toyota dealer 1500 to put a new clutch in……only to be told the transmission was bad, course, after the clutch job. To be fair it was not drivable, so so no diagnosis, except what he described. I got one of the JDM transmissions shipped to me, and am almost ready to pull the old ******. I probably took off much more than needed, but I’m working off the floor. Getting too old for up’s and down’s on the floor!CEF4E58C-6D94-4112-8EE9-F3DEFA0B1C66.jpeg
 

DeeDubz

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 20, 2019
Messages
1,450
Location
Socal
Changed the oil for the ol air compressor. Made a freaking mess. Oh well a little simple green cleaned it up no stains on the concrete.
 

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niget2002

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 2, 2012
Messages
11,218
Location
Josephine, TX
Curious minds want to know...

Tommy
I picked up a 40b for an upgrade to my 10g planted tank. The fluval 307 and eheim 200w heater came in.

Today I started the stand. I welded up the skeleton and surfaced and ripped some of the mahogany for the panels. Need to let the mahogany sit for a few says to settle before planing and splitting into 3/4" boards.

Used the CNC to surface the boards since its too wide for the jointer.
 

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A&P mechanic

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 6, 2012
Messages
324
Location
FL
I cut a race track pattern in a cabinet shelf so I could have my circular saw blade and guard stick out below the shelf. I used the Unistrut as a straight edge for the jig saw. Those plastic Irwin clamps moved and the cut was not perfect. Second time around I used C-clamps and the cut came out perfectly straight.
 

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sweetk30

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 2, 2011
Messages
2,306
Location
finger lakes area upstate ,ny
Outside my shop . . . Dug out the 8ft & 9ft fisher plows for the truck . 9ft is primary plow on pallet for easy install with pallet jack . Hope to not need anytime soon tho but ready for season .

The 87 k30 4x4 is ready for plow season . The 01 3500-hd is ready for winter sleep mode if i can help it .
 

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nadogail

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 23, 2009
Messages
32,041
Location
Coronado, CA
Removed the masking tape from the glass topped patio table we repainted Friday. The appearance of the table is greatly improved.
 

Pompey

Well-known member
Joined
May 25, 2021
Messages
120
I painted part of the corner garage wall a few days ago where I will be installing new racking and now I am wiring in a remote thermostat and remote contactor for the 10kW electric heater that I will be installing as soon as it arrives here

DSCN3978.JPG
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Bogie1632

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 18, 2018
Messages
1,303
Location
Southeastern Wisconsin
Busy day.

Helped a friend on his '05 F350. 2 previous owners ago it was a teen and he stripped the exhaust out and did a piss poor job installing a hood stack. The idiot cut the turbo up pipe waaaaay too short so the entire engine compartment not only got covered in exhaust soot but it also got hot enough to melt the oil fill cap and toast some wiring and vacuum lines. The PO bought a new turbo back exhaust system but never installed it before selling to my friend. I cut and painted some sheet metal to cover the 5 inch hole in his hood. That looks decent with the stacks original SS mounting ring still in place. Next up was his steering gear box but that was a breeze too. Surprisingly, since we live in the salty North, nothing was stuck together. A bit of antiseize in the right spots will keep that easy to work on for years to come.

Changed my 'burbans oil and cleaned out the tools piling up from helping a friend work on his truck at his house. I hate piling up tools, getting there, and finding g out I forgot something.

Prep'd another friends trailer for a new wire harness, lights, and a ramp locking pin. Let just say he likes backing in to stuff and leave it at that. Also got some stuff together to add a new LED light to his ATV. Hes using it for plowing this winter and needs the extra light.

Tomorrow will be busy in the garage too. More cleaning/organizing before it gets cold and hopefully get the ATV and railer done.

V/R
Bogie
 

Outlawmws

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 9, 2011
Messages
39,316
Location
The Badlands
Primed and painted the outside trim on the front door I tantalized Pre hunting and pre eye surgery, Sprayed weeds all over the place before they can get big (and before the rain...) cut shelves that are going up in the stairwell (4 ft wide, so lots of space until someone wants to move big furniture...)
 

DGersic

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 12, 2017
Messages
6,372
Location
DeKalb, IL
Washed and parked my 37 for the winter.

FB3E14DB-7C10-467F-9D2F-4CE7145057C8.jpeg

Changed the oil and greased my Dakota. Lately there’s been a squeak at low speeds, sounded like brakes. Found it.

7F08AE00-F615-4870-B063-6C6AA6633ADF.jpeg

The spring retainer clip thing is rubbing on the rotor. WTF moment there. I took it off, it seems slightly bent, so I bent it back and gained a little clearance. It’s still really close, but no longer rubbing.
 

niget2002

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 2, 2012
Messages
11,218
Location
Josephine, TX
Discovered last night that the air compressor I built was running the pump backwards since I've built it...

This morning I ran out and reversed the motor.

Runs cooler now o_O
 

khnitz

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 12, 2020
Messages
102
Location
Livingston County, MI
Replaced the sparkplugs on our 2001 Jetta 2.0L (146k miles). Out with the Autolite Platinums and In with the NGK Iridiums.

The #3 cylinder's plug was actually loose 1-2 turns (from previous owner) when I went to remove it!!

All the old plugs (L to R, Cyl.1 to Cyl.4)
all old.jpg

New vs. Old (Cyl.1 plug shown)
old vs new.jpg
 

nadogail

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 23, 2009
Messages
32,041
Location
Coronado, CA
An actual Rabbit TD in 83 to 84 are pretty darn Rare. Lot more Jetta's made because those were made in Germany where diesel cars were more popular. USA plant did not produce many TD Rabbits at all. Think there were only a handful of TD trucks made and from what I've heard, they were special ordered by one company for fleet.

I found this in a JY many years ago and finally had the car to put it on. But it's not an original TD Rabbit.
20210707_155517.jpg
My '84 (I think) Turbo Diesel Rabbit with the automatic transmission was made in West Moreland, PA; to the best of my recollection. I believe it had a Garrett Turbo Charger.

We sold it after buying our first Volvo.
 

jshillin

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 9, 2008
Messages
5,620
Location
PA
After scrubbing my tires 3 times and washing my truck, I pulled the Durango out since it was dark and pulled the truck in the garage for the night. I dried the truck and applied Duracoat to the tires. This is my first time using it, so we'll see how it goes.
 

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rayra

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 1, 2014
Messages
4,724
Location
Escaped from Los Angeles
'Iiiiii hate them rabbets'

/Yosemite Sam

eta
got the 4th footing dug this morning and filled it and #3 today, post saddle brackets all set. A week from now I can finally start stacking my patio pergola concrete column sections. Which these segmented wood posts will be concealed within.
 

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rnixon

Well-known member
Joined
May 7, 2015
Messages
147
Built a kitchen island / table , out of scrap and leftovers from another project . The only thing I bought was the butcher block top, an gave it a simple mineral oil finish.
I had 2 salvaged base cabinets, and because I’m a mechanic not a cabinet maker, I used nut & bolt joinery .
The raised panels, on the ends, are leftover ceiling tiles, the trim is base board and door trim cutoffs , the copper panels on the back were leftovers from the kitchen back splash. Total cost, not counting the paint and oil finish was $209.
 

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rayra

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 1, 2014
Messages
4,724
Location
Escaped from Los Angeles
Elmer says Wabbits
This was a dealer plate back in the day.
20211108_221805.jpg

I know. That's the 'joke', see? I've cutting a bunch of rabbets, making a big mess.

/explain a joke and watch it die.

/and I was thinking more 'Yosemite Sam' than Elmer.
 

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niget2002

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 2, 2012
Messages
11,218
Location
Josephine, TX
Cut a bunch of metal for some gussets. Was going to install them last night, but had to take a cat to the urgent vet care.

Cat is fine. Apparently he got into a scrap with something a few days ago and we didn't notice. It absised (sp?) and it popped last night. Son noticed his hind leg had blood on it.
 

Dancing Bear

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 5, 2014
Messages
310
Location
Clearwater, FL
Our new to us, 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue 3.8, got a new remote start as it will be my wife's winter beater for the foreseeable future.
Used to be my deceased MIL's car. My wife will not have to drive her Mustang in the winter anymore.
On the way home from our electronics installer, in the dark, the car started overheating.
So I am following along in my Mustang and stopping frequently to let it cool down and diagnosing.
Check engine light is ON, my wife said. So I am thinking they screwed the pooch and I will have to go take it back.
During a few cool down stops I diagnosed the fans were kicking in, the reservoir was okay.
No heat in the car says it is a mechanical issue....loss of coolant!
Okay maybe they didn't mess it up?
Now, the wife mentioned there was water on the driveway when she was leaving for work, a couple of days ago, but since work is a mile away, I am sure temperature never got up by the time she arrived.
So NOW.... I have a mechanical issue that started LONG BEFORE we got the remote start installed! WTF!!!
I am mad now...but she didn't realize when you have leaky water, it is a car issue!!!!.... *sigh*
Because it was dark, I cannot tell why the radiator is loosing coolant.
Everything on the car is black and I wear glasses and am old, can't see stuff well in the dark!
We limp it home.....
Next morning I open the cool radiator to add some water and I see water flowing out of the side of the radiator through a manufactured plastic opening!!!!!
Like WTF is this opening for? A radiator freeze plug missing? I can stick my pinky into the hole and plug the leak!
So I go check the dummy lights on the dash.... and low and behold, A "Low Coolant" light is also illuminated!
The wife never mentioned that a low coolant light was ON!!!! WTF, again!!!!
Ah, Ha! This car monitors low coolant...maybe that is where a sensor goes?!?!
So back in the engine compartment with a bright trouble light and..... Well, well, look what I found!


There is a sensor laying next to the manufactured opening in the radiator!
So I pulled the clips for the headlight to get a better look at this electrical device...


And there it is! It is a low water level sensor that blew out of the radiator and caused all the problems!!!!


What a piss poor design to hold the sensor in place and hold back at least 15 pounds of pressurized coolant!
A wire "clip" and 2 o-rings are all that hold the dam thing in place!
So I bent up the clip so it would have maximum bite on the flange that the unit clips into.
I wondered if there was over 15 psi in the system to cause this to blow out?
What caused the sensor to pop?
It drove over 1,000 miles recently on a road trip with no issues!
Could the electrical guys knocked it off...no, wait, the wife said there was a lot of water on the driveway before the install.
Still wonder why she didn't mention the Low Coolant trouble light!!!! WTF!!!!
So, I can only speculate the radiator cap did not relieve the over pressurization and it caused the sensor to blow off it's wire clip perch.
I went out and got a new radiator cap just to eliminate any future concerns with over pressurization of the system.
After all, that is a 22 year old radiator cap!


Added over a gallon of coolant as I was shocked on how much boiled off and the wife never mentioned the low coolant light!
WT...oh, hell! :unsure:


Sure hope we didn't damage the engine running so hot. It twice shut down the car on the way home because of overheating.
So Once I got it filled up and bled, I took the car for a long drive and all seemed all right.
I just couldn't clear the Check Engine light.
So I hope she didn't do anything to the engine.
Will clear the codes when my mechanic friend scans it with his reader on Monday.
It would be a shame as it has only 93K on the OD and I just fixed all the rust on the rocker panels.
We should get another 100K easy on this vehicle!!!!
Crossing my fingers my wife won't overlook any future dummy lights!:rant:
Glad you were able to get it repaired! I'm a big fan of the 3800 series engines from GM, great little V6. One thing to note, if you haven't seen or heard already, is that the lower intake manifold gaskets in these cars are prone to failure, causing all sorts of not-fun issues with your cooling system. They were black plastic from the factory and prone to fail around 100k. I'm confident you'll get another 100k out of it, but when you get a chance I'd take a peek between the cylinder head and intake manifold and see if yours are the updated metal ones or the original black plastic. It's a relatively easy, 3-6 beer job to change them out.
 

Dancing Bear

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 5, 2014
Messages
310
Location
Clearwater, FL
One other thing I'd like to add about that powertrain: the 4T65e transmission was definitely a weak point compared to the engine. I'd highly recommend picking up a TransGo shift kit for that transmission. It will help firm up the shifts just a little bit and goes a long way towards extending the life of it.
 

Bogie1632

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 18, 2018
Messages
1,303
Location
Southeastern Wisconsin
Broke a tool...sorta.

I've had a corded Dremel 3000 for yeeeaaarrrs. 10 speeds, solid performer. Used it often. Today it decided that speed setting 2 is just as good as 10. Then 3 - 9 decided to go along with it a short time later. Still works, just gets a tad toasty running full tilt unlike before

Guess it's about time to go cordless before my Dremel gives up the ghost.

V/R
Bogie
 
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