The scenario is always nearly the same...its 4 PM, cold and starting to get black pitch dark and you need to have that car back on the road for work tomorrow so you can go to work. You are underneath the car and there are tools and parts all over the place and you are tired, dirty and feeling a little bit irritated because of low blood sugar and the fact that you missed your nap...
Suddenly, from the side of the car you see two feet.
Its either you teenager, who hardly ever talks to you unless she needs to borrow the car or money and she suddenly has a driving desire to bond with you before you and two are seperated by her going to college...or its your neighbor, usually so snooty, who suddenly wants to be best friends and wants to gush about how she did so well selling her dog droppings at the Flea Market..or worse its your sweet wife who you really treasure love and honor and who defines your very existence but suddenly wants you to take a look at the cat's tail because she thinks its changing color or growing longer and she wants you to measure it...
You are drilled by your profession and honor and your upbringing to be polite. But its so d___ cold, and this conversation is really about as urgent and important as what your neighbor is selling ( dog droppings ) .......
WHAT DO YOU DO?

and luckily my neighbor's cell phone rang....

You still working out there in the cold???

Didn't the Volvo experience teach you a lesson regarding that behavior?

it never seems to stop...but i always enjoy it..

Well then......come on up here and find out why the SDL pulls to the right......and then change the offending suspension bushing before 4:30 p.m.

Put them to work. Either the job will get done faster and you'll have a future helper, or (more likely) they will not bother you when you are working on the car anymore.

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85 300CD
83 300TD
78 240D (daughter)

I'm getting a good laugh at the cat's tail bit

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1985 CA 300D Turbo , 213K mi

Don't worry we all go through the same thing, I have spent many a cold night freezing under my SDL this winter. Jan should be fun it isn't cold until your exposed skin starts to burn. I ski a lot so 30 degrees doesn't bother me that isn't cold, 20 isn't to bad, single digits or below start to really get hard though.

Usually if someone wants to talk just talk and keep working, ask them real nice to hand you tools.
If your wife wants something scream "omg she is going to blow quick run inside I need to stop it!!!" Swear a little to it could help.

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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

(Vacuum line) from the front of car, with upper radiator hose and thermostat removed, but system not drained.
Climbed in and started the car.
He got a shower.
Seventeen years ago I did that to a neighbor, after politely asking him to go home and leave me alone, for the thirty fifth time in a week.
Some people are a natural waste of time.
Never had another visit from him.

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ASE Master Mechanic
https://whunter.carrd.co/

Prototype R&D/testing:
Thermal & Aerodynamic System Engineering (TASE) Senior vehicle instrumentation technician.
Noise Vibration and Harshness (NVH).
Dynamometer.
Heat exchanger durability.
HV-A/C Climate Control.
Vehicle build.
Fleet Durability
Technical Quality Auditor.
Automotive Technical Writer

1985 300SD
1983 300D
2003 Volvo V70

https://www.boldegoist.com/

I'm a magician when it comes to ignoring people. They can talk to me and I won't comprehend anything, I am just concentrating on my job at the moment. I used to listen but then you get distracted so I just gave up and just keep working, unless " I " need something.

Kamil

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Audi TT

Scream, curse and throw tools. When you look like a greasy ogre armed with a wrench with that pulsing vein on the side of your head no one will stick around for long. RT

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When all else fails, vote from the rooftops!
84' Mercedes Benz 300D Anthracite/black, 171K
03' Volkswagen Jetta TDI blue/black, 93K
93' Chevrolet C2500HD ExCab 6.5TD, Two-tone blue, 252K

This thread is hilarious.
I must admit to asking offenders to hold this or that greasy tool or part....usually getting them involved in the actual work is either a positive experience, or they go away...

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Think Alternative Energy!
300CD '80 (now gone but not forgotten...)

Yes, I agree that asking them to hold something filthy is a good way of getting them to leave.

My neighbor found me changing the oil the other day and said, "Whats wrong with your CAR??" and I told her (from underneath it) that I was just changing the oil before a trip. She said, "Oh! You actually do that?" And then went on to tell me some ridiculous story about something or other. Fortunately she just wanted to talk, not be responded to, so after a while she stopped, said bye, and went inside. Crazy people...

peace,
sam

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"That f***in' biodiesel is makin' me hungry."

1982 300TD Astral Silver w/ 250k (BIO BNZ)
2001 Aprilia SR50 Corsa Red w/ 5.5k (>100 MPG)

I've had this happen a lot of times...I prefer working on little things alone or atleast with an assistant that is quiet, maybe the ocassional conversation, and hands tools to me if I am unable to get them.

The best way to avoid them is to completely hide under your car
Also the random expletive shouted at a volume that could be heard two blocks away helps keep soft ears away, but we have young ones next door to think of

Another good solution...start a fire and stomp it out...generally that makes my friends much more uneasy about being near me

I admit I’m the neighbor who wanders over but I’m there to help not annoy
I’ve helped pull engines “69BUG” put them in “80 something ford van”
And I lone out tools like jack stands creepers and misc. wrenches