MAJOR power loss PLEASE HELP - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

aklim · #31 01-21-2005, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FarmerDrew

I see both sides its just that the consensus here is that the site is for people wanting more info on their vehicles and not just to say "I need a walletectomy" Changing fuel filters in the bitter cold is what you get for not doing some easy preventative maintenance before it turns cold(whether you diy or not)

Ive just learned that you shouldnt post "I dont know what the problem is Ill just let a mechanic fix it" is not a good line to use on a predominatly DIY board.

Quite often I know what the problem is and I don't want to fix it myself because I don't have the tools and I don't want to buy a $500 dollar tool to use it once and have it hanging on the wall for 10 years till the next time. Another thing is that in the winter, I don't want coolant all over the garage floor because I have dogs in the house. In the summer, I will flush it off and cart the colected stuff for disposal. Especially tranny fluid, I don't want it splashing around when I drop the pan. With a lift and the collection device, I could do it but the wife doesn't see having a lift installed in the garage.

DIY is fine. Sometimes, you don't want to do it for certain reasons or under certain CIRCUMCISONS. However, I would want to know the procedure so that when I go to the shop, I don't get raped so hard. Think of the knowledge that I bring to the shop as KY Jelly. If you have your jelly, it won't hurt as much when they ram it in.

greasygas · #32 07-02-2007, 10:22 PM

seems like some real wiseasses telling you their opinion is written in stone ..BULL.. some people do not have the ability to work on their own car for whatever reason ..and to bring it to a mechanic with a basic understanding of how to do it is better than nothing ..I dont think these turkeys desearved an explanation of why you go to a mechanic ..the one boor came across as a rude arrogant prick..(my opinion) .. how you spend your money is your buisness (reality)

d.delano · #33 07-03-2007, 03:07 PM

Doesn't matter, can't get away from the absurdity of making an appointment with an independent mechanic and/or dealer, just to have them change out a fuel filter. Might as well make an appointment to have your windshield cleaned too. But, make sure it's a separate appointment. More efficient that way.
This is a teaching forum. When some person posts query here, and then some other person goes to the trouble of responding with very useful information, I see that as a kindness. To have the person whom the kindness was bestowed, disregard that bestowed kindness and go out and literally waste money, it makes a fool out of the bestower. The objective was to try and save the poor stupid idiot some money. The title of the thread included the words 'please help' in all caps. Apparently the only help the guy wanted was moral support in his decision to wuss out and pay a mechanic an hourly fee to mark up an $8 fuel filter to $12 and spin it on for him.
Now I know how my father must have felt the whole time I was growing up. The guy gave me golden information that I adopted a rejection policy toward, so it frustrated him, because he was RIGHT and watched me screw up time and time again, which would not have happened had I just listened to him.
A fuel filter on a diesel Mercedes is cake. It does not matter how cold it is outside, it does not matter how hot it is outside. It's a 5 minute thing. It's a fuel filter, and it's right there in front of you. The only excuse for you to not change it yourself would be if you weren't born with any hands.
Brian Carlton was right, and the guy that took his car to have a fuel filter changed was just sad. Sorry but you have to be a real pantywaist to not have any more self-reliance about you than what he demonstrated.

#34 07-03-2007, 03:18 PM

You folks do realize this thread is 6 months old?

Nothing wrong with taking the car to the shop (or the dealer) if that's your choice. Most of us here enjoy DIY, but there are times/situations when it's just less hassle to have someone else do it (sorta like paying someone to clean your house or cut your grass if you're busy). It's basically just a time v. money choice. Either way, understanding how the thing works is always good.

#35 07-03-2007, 03:19 PM

I have to agree with Brian Carlton.

It's nice to help people but sometimes we get to the point of frustration with them that we just want to jump through the screen, do it ourselves and say "See how easy that was?"

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig

You folks do realize this thread is 6 months old?

01-17-2005 would be a 2-1/2 years ago.

d.delano · #36 07-03-2007, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig

You folks do realize this thread is 6 months old?

Nothing wrong with taking the car to the shop (or the dealer) if that's your choice. Most of us here enjoy DIY, but there are times/situations when it's just less hassle to have someone else do it (sorta like paying someone to clean your house or cut your grass if you're busy). It's basically just a time v. money choice. Either way, understanding how the thing works is always good.

What you are not taking into account Craig is it's a fuel filter issue. Fuel filter- easier than changing oil, on par with checking it. About as much hassle as wiping off the dash.
It should come as no surprise then, with the prevailing notion of paying to have every little thing done for you instead of doing what you can for yourself, that there is no manufacturing sector left in this country, and that we are becoming a service economy. That is not necessarily a good thing.

Stevo · #37 07-03-2007, 03:39 PM

I agree with Brian and delano, maybe a little harsh, but that what it adds up too. Its a sad thing too head to the dealer for a fuel filter change.

TwitchKitty · #38 07-03-2007, 05:47 PM

It is a troll folks. Watch the future of this login. It will end with a glowing testimonial on diesel purge or the like.

Watch for a little over a hundred meaningless posts and a free advertisement and out.

jim messina · #39 07-03-2007, 07:01 PM

I am a carpenter by trade now a Superintendent. I can do some plumbing, electrical,concrete, drywall finisher, painting,etc etc etc. I have completely restored a 102 year old home with my own 2 hands. Never worked on cars much until I bought the sd and am very nervous when I do. Things like filters and oil changes etc are not a problem. The people on this site have given me help and more confidence. I kind of agree with you guys on this issue of it being a diy site. The cost of labor to work on this car also drives me to do anything I possibley can myself. So far with your help I have done a alda adjustment, rack dampner bolt,engine flush, tach amp fix, removed and cleaned the radiator fins,themostat,cleaned banjo bolts. All simple repairs to be sure. I had to have my shocks replaced and it just seemed eaiser to take it in, local, guy charged me 60 bucks to install MY parts while I was out fishing on Lake Erie. Had my valves adjusted and motor mounts installed by a professional also. Seems to me that a newbie shoudn't be adjusting valves because you have to have a ''feel'' for the adjustment so I would rather pay then make a mistake which could cost me more money. There is a difference between ignorance and stupidity. I can understand your frustration when things come so easy to you and some of us just don't get it. So far help has not been a issue and I appreciate it, I need all I can get

Jim

#40 07-03-2007, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d.delano

What you are not taking into account Craig is it's a fuel filter issue. Fuel filter- easier than changing oil, on par with checking it. About as much hassle as wiping off the dash.
It should come as no surprise then, with the prevailing notion of paying to have every little thing done for you instead of doing what you can for yourself, that there is no manufacturing sector left in this country, and that we are becoming a service economy. That is not necessarily a good thing.

I understood the point (I've changed quite a few fuel filters myself), but I also know some pretty competent folks who chose not to check their own oil. You and I might think that's silly, but they chose to drive newer cars and pay for anything that involves opening the hood, it's their choice. Personally, if a button falls off my shirt I take it a nice lady who charges me about $10 to sew it back on, my mom would find that pretty funny. I also pay other folks to cook my food on occasion, even though I'm perfectly capable of doing that. I'm about to pay someone to replace the roof on my house, I could do that myself too if I wanted to. I tend to pay people to wash my cars too, just because I don't particularly enjoy doing it myself. I hope I'm not causing the downfall of the U.S. economy.

OT, but I'm not convinced the downfall of the U.S. manufacturing sector is a tragedy, manufacturing is just not a very high value-added activity and it will be done where the cost of labor is the lowest. I don't think the U.S. wants to be in the business of racing the rest of the world to the bottom. Just my opinion.