Sometimes projects go off track ...

[Johnny463]

Ever have one of those projects that takes waaayyy too much time ?

Last Sunday, changing the radiator on my '90 Mustang - drain plug let out only a little coolant, needed to pull off the lower hose & you guessed it - missed the funnel and a nice mess

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[Dungannon]

Any estimate I give the wife is at least double my worst-case scenario. It redoubles if she checks on progress or asks questions "just trying to be helpful."
"

 

[64MercurysRule]

Working on projects is like a box of chocolates ....... sometimes you never know what you'll get . And it usually takes at least twice as long to complete . Also similar to driving somewhere . Normally it would be a hour drive but conditions could make that a 2-2.5 adventure .

 

[Andy54Hawken]

Any one hour job....
Is just one broken bolt away from becoming a week long ordeal.....
Andy

 

[TTSX]

Of all the things that could have gone wrong, you got the easiest.

 

[P7M13]

I bid 450 hours on a job that took me >2000 hours.

 

[Tlock]

Ever have one of those projects that takes waaayyy too much time ?

Last Sunday, changing the radiator on my '90 Mustang - drain plug let out only a little coolant, needed to pull off the lower hose & you guessed it - missed the funnel and a nice mess

View attachment 2132779

Ya ive been there, I hate missing the hole....

 

[MTpockets]

Looks like this project is…

…gaining track(s)on.



Edit to add: Chickens are awesome.

 

[Alexx1401]

Ever have one of those projects that takes waaayyy too much time ?

Last Sunday, changing the radiator on my '90 Mustang - drain plug let out only a little coolant, needed to pull off the lower hose & you guessed it - missed the funnel and a nice mess

View attachment 2132779

When I met first Wife I offered to do an oil change for her to save her. Old car with strait 6, SUPER simple. I dropped old oil and filter. Moved drain pan, start pouring new oil in. Had 3 quarts in and I notice oil all over the ground Someone forgot to put the drain plug back . The old if you can't be smart be lucky, it was in dirt so no mess to care about. Told soon to be Wife, " I forgot something, have to run to store" as I took off to go buy more oil

 

[64MercurysRule]

When I met first Wife I offered to do an oil change for her to save her. Old car with strait 6, SUPER simple. I dropped old oil and filter. Moved drain pan, start pouring new oil in. Had 3 quarts in and I notice oil all over the ground Someone forgot to put the drain plug back . The old if you can't be smart be lucky, it was in dirt so no mess to care about. Told soon to be Wife, " I forgot something, have to run to store" as I took off to go buy more oil

You were doing the ole 3 quart quick flush ....

 

[nammac]

I remember a quick routine coolant flush and thermostat change turning into an all day project after cracking the thermostat housing upon reinstallation.

Fortunately the Ford dealer was nearby and had the part in stock.

 

[Mikej]

When I met first Wife I offered to do an oil change for her to save her. Old car with strait 6, SUPER simple. I dropped old oil and filter. Moved drain pan, start pouring new oil in. Had 3 quarts in and I notice oil all over the ground Someone forgot to put the drain plug back . The old if you can't be smart be lucky, it was in dirt so no mess to care about. Told soon to be Wife, " I forgot something, have to run to store" as I took off to go buy more oil

The good side to that is NOW you will ALWAYS think about that one time during future oil changes.

 

[Aught Six]

Was given a project, worked out 100%. Bought another, Everything that could, did go wrong.

 

[osprey]

In ford's infinite wisdom they have used a quarter turn winged plastic drain through plug on water separating fuel filter /reservoir on 6.7 powerstroke. They recommend you drain and look for water every month. The second time I was performing this, the winged cheese plug cheesed apart in my mitt. Suffice to say a 1quart mason jar will not hold contents of reservoir. By the time I got back with larger receptacle the damage was done. Damn shop floor still smells of diesel. Now when I perform this I have a pan under quart jar in case of cheesing. I also have a couple spare cheese plugs in glovebox.

 

[Mayberry59]

Sometimes projects go wrong? Been my experience that most of them go wrong, especially the quick, simple ones.

 

[MannyGlocks]

Trustily, I paid for an expensive, synthetic oil and filter change.

Upon arrival at home, I lifted the hood to see the oil filter hadn't been changed. It was the same old one...

I called the guy's boss. (who I knew) Told him that I would be in the next morning and watch as the 'supposed new oil' was drained, how could I trust it to be what I'd paid for?

Then, as I stood there and watched as the new oil and filter were replaced with what I'd paid for.

Now the lube guy was either lazy, incompetent, or a petty crook, but I wasn't going to meekly go along with this...

 

[teflon6string]

Any one hour job....
Is just one broken bolt away from becoming a week long ordeal.....
Andy

And then cough up 2-3 times as much as the job would've cost in the first place when I give up in disgust and take it to a real mechanic with the right tools to resolve my @#*% carnage.

 

[Catbox]

I have learned to use these anytime I do something with coolant or other fluids as a backup...

This one is from Harbor Freight.

Product Overview
This multi-purpose mixing tub is made of a rugged poly material that holds up to 7 gallons of paint, compound or any other substance being mixed. The mixing tub is an ample 22-1/2 in. x 16-1/4 in. x 6 in.

• Rugged poly mixing tub
• Holds 7 gallons

 

[Stomper]

And then cough up 2-3 times as much as the job would've cost in the first place when I give up in disgust and take it to a real mechanic with the right tools to resolve my @#*% carnage.

Over the years I have closed millions of dollars in competitive bid contracts with this one phrase...

You can pay me today..... or twice as much tomorrow.

 

[MannyGlocks]

Hhmmm, where have I heard a variation on that perspective...