Mekanik

That's a weird law. I guess people in New Jersey don't pump gas, they pump their fists. Maybe I just watch too much Jersey Shore. Me, I like the clean cut look.

You seriously have only worked with two ASE certified techs? Yes there are some ASE Masters that I wouldn't want fixing my car, just as there are Senior Masters that can't fix a sandwich. Either way, I think that's a poor excuse to avoid certification. There may come a time when we either have to find another job, or there may be an opportunity for a different job that isn't in a car dealership, but you still have to prove your knowledge or justify the paycheck that you want. That is when these ASE certifications will come in handy. As far as Jim's comment, I'm not familiar with Canada's certification system, so maybe this situation is completely different north of the border. As far as recertifying, I have noticed a change in ASE tests from when I started taking them only ten years ago. The newer tests have more questions about current technology. Just because someone could pass a test on points, condensers, and carburetors thirty years ago, does not mean they know anything about OBD 2, multiplexing, or what a catalyst monitor should read and why. FWIW, the last shop I worked at, our boss said he would not hire another journeyman tech unless he was AT LEAST an ASE Master.

My coworkers call me Tommy-TSB, because I'm familiar with new TSB's and check OASIS, as if there is something wrong with that. I wouldn’t keep information from someone, but it seems like I'm the guy that's always saying, "You know, there is a TSB for that." It's usually after someone spent an entire morning trying to solve some weird problem. The worst part is when the TSB only pays .4hrs.

I got done taking six ASE recerts the other day and felt REALLY relieved. Not only did I pass all the tests, but I did very well. A little later I was texting a younger tech I used to work with and he reminded me that Ford doesn't require ASE tests anymore. They aren't even required to be Diesel Certified. I remember reading a memo about this a while ago, but totally forgot. There is no way I'm just going to stop taking ASE tests and loose my ASE certifications because I worked very hard to get them and you never know when you might need them on a resume'. Who knows, some day they may be required again for Ford certification. Besides, my employer reimburses me for ASE tests as soon as I sign up. I must say though, it takes a lot of anxiety out of recertifying for L2 in November, and then to re-certifying for L1 next spring. Part of me is a little annoyed that ASE tests aren't required anymore. I had to work my ass off to become a Ford Master, Senior Master, Diesel Certified, so why shouldn't everyone else have to work as hard as I did? Why should it be easier to become Diesel Certified? What do you guys think?

That's nice Keith.

I had no idea.

Well it has to be worded properly to the insurance company. If the customer did it, it probably would not be covered. If somebody sabatoged his vehicle by putting gasoline in the fuel tank, they will probably cover it. I've seen situations similar to this get covered by an insurance company before.

Well guys, I ordered the tool. I got one for about $65.00 online.

Most of my time outside of work is spent with my wife and two children. I have two daughters, Samantha is eight and Mackenzie is six. They both do gymnastics and Samantha is on a hip-hop dance team. I take a lot of bike rides with them, and their friends think I'm cool because I'll let as many girls sleep over as they want. This year we have gone to three different water parks four different times, and Great America twice already (we're going back next month). My kids are now old enough to do a lot of really fun stuff, so I'm definitely enjoying this stage of parenthood. My wife is a stay at home mom who is going to school part time for graphic design. Her first day of school was actually today. We’ll be married ten years in November. Besides being a totally dedicated father and husband I run marathons. I'm currently training for my tenth marathon (The Chicago Marathon in October). I also do some mountain biking and I ride my bike to work almost every day. I also like to cook. I make a nice breakfast every Sunday. Sometimes I cook with my kids, and that is really a lot of fun. Although it's hard to find the time, I am a total book worm. I've got a strange obsession with Mount Everest, so I've read about 10-15 books on the tallest mountain in the world. I like to stay involved in my kid’s school, so I volunteer time there whenever I can. I usually end up being the ‘party planner’ in the class and end up planning and running the three parties during the school year, sometimes I’ll leave work in the afternoon for an hour to read to the kids or have them read to me. My favorite thing to do at the school is helping out with what my kid’s school calls ‘Fun Days’. This is a day the kids spend outside doing different activities and games, ending with the tug of war. So that is basically my life in a nutshell.

So the tool kind of stripped the inside of the sleeve? I almost had that happen using the shop's Ford tool after several attempts.

You've never broken the tool off in the cylinder head then?

Has anyone used this tool kit from Lisle to remove broken 5.4L spark plugs? CLICK HERE I want to purchase my own tool kit for removing these plugs because the shop's is worn out due to too many people using it. We had a guy buy this Lisle kit and he ended up breaking the tool off in the cylinder head the first time it was used. I read the instructions and it does caution about not screwing the tool in far enough because that could cause it to break off in the head. The other part of this tool kit is what I really like; the tool that pushes the porcelain down. The Ford procedure pulling the porcelain is time consuming and the only other option is hammering it down with a punch. I've never truly felt comfortable doing this. What other tool kits have you guys purchased to do this job?

Thank you Jim. I just found out that this case will be on America's Most Wanted either today or tomorrow. I feel terrible for her daughter. A child does not watch their mother get stabbed to death and then live a normal life.

This guy recently murdered a woman that I went to high school with. He stabbed her to death in front of her four year old daughter, on her daughter's birthday. The authorities believe he may be headed to Canada, so please be on the lookout. Thank you Jim Click Here

De-de-de. Lol

That's terrible. By terrible I mean that you're going straight to hell, and that you have a sense of humor just like me.

Haha I knew I wasn't the first tech to do this. I got the thing running about 5:15pm Friday. I was trying to get done because I'm taking Monday and Tuesday off. The thing was making one hell of a noise and I thought the starter was staying engaged. I removed the starter and could see that the flex plate was rubbing on the starter.

Thanks for all the responses. I have decided that my daughter will be safer if she just avoids driving in a car in the first place. That was a joke, I was only kidding. As much as I want to keep my kids safe, I think it's just as important to let them live, be kids, and enjoy life. I explained all of this to my wife but in the end she felt really strong about an eight-year old sitting in the front seat. I have to respect her opinion.

Does anyone know what this is? I'll give you a hint. It does NOT come with a 6.4L long block and has the potential to turn a four day weekend into a 3 1/2 day weekend.

That is unbelievable.

So you guys think I'm overreacting? I totally respect that. I just wanted some opinions from other techs like me that understand the way these things operate and know that they operate.

Would you feel safe letting your child ride on the front seat of a vehicle that is equipped with airbags that will supposedly turn the airbag off if the child is too small? The vehicle is a Buick Rendezvous and my neighbor drove her to school. My daughter is 8 years old and probably 75lbs and tall for her age. I have not asked my neighbor yet if the passenger airbag light was off. I was reading the owner's manual for her vehicle(got to love the internet) and it claims that if a child who has outgrown child restraints is sitting in that seat it will turn off the airbag. Of course there is no specification. If the airbag was not disabled maybe she really is big enough for the airbag. Maybe she is actually safer (assuming she is big enough) sitting behind an airbag. What do you guys think? I really trust you guy’s opinions.

Thanks guys, I'm sorry it took so long to report back. This past three weeks has been brutal. Hotline actually told me to remove the water pump and inspect the front cover for cavitation. The customer actually has their own 'mechanics' and chose to do this on their own. That's going to be very interesting.

Anyone else see this on a 6.4L? I have one here that has an overfilled crancase with coolant. I would think that if it were a oil cooler I would have oil in the cooling system just like a 6.0L.