Cars are really hard to work on anymore

[300UGUY]

I just purchased a 2013 Cadillac XTS Premium. I have always did all the light service work, rotate tires, oil - filter change, spark plugs, serpentine belts, etc on vehicle I own in the garage. I raised the hood on the car and got one of those uh-o moments. The rear spark plugs are somewhere back there. I have been unable to see or determine how one would change the plugs short of doing as some have mention of removing or partially removing the engine. The oil filter on the front of the engine I am still debating on how to remove. The oil drain plug is in an almost impossible place to reach. If a headlight bulb ever needs replacing I guess the front of the car will have to be removed. I have a friend who owns/operates a large garage. I called him and he laughed and advised his system would be up-graded-dated shortly to include the 2013 shop manuals. I am seriously thinking of stopping by and spend a day on his shop computer to determine the recommended way to do the light service work I have in the past been able to do.

It's pretty common to remove the inner fender to get at the lights. As for the engine, plugs only get replaced at 100K or more. No wires, the spark plug boots are built into the valve cover. As is the ECM. The newer GM engines were designed to run 300K or more.

 

[sam5570]

I will be quick to say yes things have changed and in a very big way. the car manufactures and the epa have just totally taken things to a new level. i started my auto repair business in 1984 and quit in dec 1999 went truck driving till this jan and decided to go back to machanic's helping a friend of mine who has been in the business for over 30 years it is a awfull how cheap made some of the cars and trucks are we do most ball joints and all front suppension parts and alingments. we do alot of brake work as well. one thing that has got my intrest is these diesel pickup trucks we put at least 2 front ends in a week ball joints and tie rods on 2009 and back the owner told me that the truck could not stand the weight of the diesel engine and the parts would last maby a year. he said they make parts that will last longer but the customer don't want to pay the price. but yeah there is alot of sloppy engeniering almost as bad as myspelling.

 

[Bird]

The oil change shops still want to change oil every 3000 miles. Really not needed on newer cars, 5000 - 10,000 miles is fine now.

mark

Mark, I was changing oil every 3k miles for a long time, and for the past 7 years, I've been letting the nearest Ford dealer do all my vehicle service, and they're the ones who told me they recommended 5k instead of 3k.

 

[3v0]

Bird talking about Ford dealers doing servicing. My brother bought a new 70 something 4WD 3/4 ton from a local dealership. After a few years the transfer case went bad because it was low on grease. He was informed that they never checked it, he never paid them to check it, and here's the bill. Must have been in the fine print somewhere.

 

[Bird]

Bird talking about Ford dealers doing servicing. My brother bought a new 70 something 4WD 3/4 ton from a local dealership. After a few years the transfer case went bad because it was low on grease. He was informed that they never checked it, he never paid them to check it, and here's the bill. Must have been in the fine print somewhere.

I can't say I'm surprised, nor can I say something like that will not happen to me some day, but I do have a great deal of confidence in the particular dealer I use. I can't say the same for the next closest Ford dealer. The difference is like day and night.:laughing:

 

[mvwicker]

Never seen it, but have heard stories of guysusinghole saws on the inner fenderwell to make access points to spark plugs on some of the old big-block Firebirds, Camaro's, 'Cuda's etc.

That probably would have worked on my old Trans-Am.

My '92 Civic came with such a hole in the wheel well, normally somewhat blocked by a plastic sphincter, giving access to the transverse engine's crankshaft pulley. To set the valve clearances, you remove the left front wheel, insert a socket on an extension through the sphincter, and turn the crankshaft until the TDC/BDC marks line up.

At least the valve lifters are at the top of the engine, leaning towards the front. The spark plugs are pretty conveniently placed, too, but then a '92 is practically an antique.

 

[buickanddeere]

5K? Oil doesn't need to be changed until at least 10K. If anybody hasn't noticed the fuel is unleaded, low sulfur and the engines are fuel injected. The oil doesn't get dirty.
20 yr old vehicle? I recall in the 60's and 70's that holes rusted through fenders by 4-5 years was normal. Past the point of reparing by 10 years. Now an untreated vehicle will go 10 years before salt rusts them through, 15-20 if oiled. Everything is getting rotten by 10 years and by 15yrs it's getting cheaper to purchase new than to keep repairing.
All considered vehicles are cheaper, offer more, burn less fuel and last longer than they ever did.

 

[CliffordK]

these diesel pickup trucks we put at least 2 front ends in a week ball joints and tie rods on 2009 and back the owner told me that the truck could not stand the weight of the diesel engine and the parts would last maby a year. he said they make parts that will last longer but the customer don't want to pay the price.

Is that true?
If I was to buy a $60,000 pickup.
I would certainly be willing to pay $60,050 to have quality safety, suspension, and driveline components installed.

I've heard that the military was having lots of problems with the suspension in their armour plated humvees. But, I think those problems have been resolved.

Anyway, I would wonder if the issue is the company, and profit, and not the customer preferences.

 

[ultrarunner]

Be great to have an old ford model A in the garage... Easy to work on, no car tax and no freeway driving anymore! Just right for short trips to town.

mark

Hey... I've got 8 of them in various stages of disrepair... one of these days I will get back to them.

I used to drive the 1930 pickup all the time to the Hardware of Home Depot and the nieces are still crazy about the 30 Dlx Roadster with rumble seat... cruise all day at the sweet spot of around 43 mph and will do about 68 flat out.

Owner's manual says oil and lube every 500 miles... lots of zerks to hit too!

 

[ultrarunner]

In my Father's day, it was normal for most working class men to work on their own vehicles.

Today, no. How much of that is due to what we TBN'ers consider design defects (optimizations to the Manufacturer) and how much of that is due to the general population wanting to only have a TV remote in their hands in their spare time ? Would be interesting (to me at least) to see a valid survey done on that debate.

On my old Volvo (89) I can change a headlight bulb in 2 minutes. No tools, and with a coffee cup in one hand (not joking). I think Western Europe used to have transport laws based around changing discrete halogen bulbs at the side of the road quickly, with zero tools required. Govt legislation that made sense - clearly from another vanished time.....

Today.... there is a era of Ford Escape V6 that requires the Intake Manifold to be pulled to get at the rear spark plugs. As stated, if you have a bit of experience, probably not a big deal - IMO though, definitely not a novice Saturday DIY project.

Not picking on Ford, most of the modern platforms have their service quirks.

I understand and value B+D's point about the advances that automotive engineers have pulled off in many areas - in my lifetime engines have come a long way.

But.... it still twicks me off that a 2000 Civic requires a lift of some sort, to be able to access the oil filter.

Yes.... many have these choices have been made to make DIY service less appealing. Just my obsolete Canuck :2cents:

Rgds, D.

Mom drives a 2002 Corolla... the only new car she has ever owned and we watched hers being built till it first started at the end of the line.

Anyway, I take her to dinner for her birthday and as we leave the restaurant, I notice a headlight out... across the parking lot is a Kragen Auto Parts... I tell her I will just be a minute... walk in, buy the bulb, come back and pop the hood and pop in the new bulb and on our way...