How Good Are You? - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

1project2many · #31 12-10-2013, 10:41 AM

The best mechanics understand how humbling this business can be. Anyone who confidently says they're "damn good" is either too inexperienced to know better, or Smokey Yunick.

Quote:

I think any mechanic has to reference documentation (or should) when performing a new task.

The mark of an experienced and good mechanic imo is knowing when to reference the reference. If an individual consistently wastes time reading about performing basic operations that's an issue. OTOH, experienced guys often fail when they assume they can correctly perform a repair without all the facts.

Quote:

My point is that just because you don't know something does not mean you are unqualified for the work. Things have to be learned first. I guess it is my IT background talking but I judge myself and others on the ability to learn and execute rather than be good at guessing.

So you're dissing the scientific method? Make a guess (hypothesis) and test for truth? I do quite a bit of electrical work and I rarely have wiring diagrams here for our buses. You have to be able to guess, test, and discard if necessary in order to quickly determine how a circuit works to name just one example. There must be instances like this in IT where you suspect (guess) there's a specific problem and have to prove that your guess is right (or wrong).

Or are you talking about what I call "diagnosis by parts replacement" which involves changing parts until the problem goes away or the owner decides to live with it. That is never acceptable when working as a mechanic, and it's rarely tolerable when a friend is telling me they are trying to solve a problem that way.

I vote that I'm "very good" but I'm fully aware the gods of mechanical things have a field day with vanity.

vstech · #32 12-10-2013, 12:27 PM

in my opinion, the BEST mechanics are those special guys that know everything about the automobile in question. to the point that from most driver's description of the problem has them knowing what the solution is. not just what part to change to get around the problem, but actually knowing exactly what the problem is, and exactly how to fix it. those are the guys that quote 5K to fix a problem that could only take 3 minutes to fix, and it be worth the money!
fantastic mechanics are automotively comprehensive. meaning, they understand exactly what makes a car go, run, turn, etc. so it's easy for them to either hear a problem, or test drive it, and know where to look to find the problem and solve it.
it's the intuitive understanding of all the inner workings of a vehicle and all it's parts working in sync that makes him/her a great mechanic.

I fall under this level.
I get how the car works, I understand what sections of the car do what and can usually isolate a problem to one section or the other. I always read the instructions on how to work on things I've not already learned how to do. and the things I've learned how, I can usually find a quicker way than the book. in my opinion, that puts me in the Good mechanic spot.

eatont9999 · #33 12-10-2013, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1project2many

The best mechanics understand how humbling this business can be. Anyone who confidently says they're "damn good" is either too inexperienced to know better, or Smokey Yunick.

The mark of an experienced and good mechanic imo is knowing when to reference the reference. If an individual consistently wastes time reading about performing basic operations that's an issue. OTOH, experienced guys often fail when they assume they can correctly perform a repair without all the facts.

Exactly what I meant but failed to be specific enough. When saying "new," I meant a task that the mechanic has never performed before.

So you're dissing the scientific method? Make a guess (hypothesis) and test for truth? I do quite a bit of electrical work and I rarely have wiring diagrams here for our buses. You have to be able to guess, test, and discard if necessary in order to quickly determine how a circuit works to name just one example. There must be instances like this in IT where you suspect (guess) there's a specific problem and have to prove that your guess is right (or wrong).

Or are you talking about what I call "diagnosis by parts replacement" which involves changing parts until the problem goes away or the owner decides to live with it. That is never acceptable when working as a mechanic, and it's rarely tolerable when a friend is telling me they are trying to solve a problem that way.

I vote that I'm "very good" but I'm fully aware the gods of mechanical things have a field day with vanity.

There are times when guess and check are acceptable and times when it is necessary to understand how something works. Guess and check is best accompanied by experience and common sense. You don't want to guess and check safety equipment or something like brake work. There can be a lot of guess work in IT but that usually stems from a lack of infrastucture documentation. Network ports being one that frequently is not documented or labeled.

1project2many · #34 12-10-2013, 09:00 PM

eatont9999, it sounds like we approach problems in a similar manner.

zorecati · #35 12-10-2013, 09:21 PM

If it's broken, I fix it. Where do I put myself?

PS, all repairs usually require beer.

View Poll Results: How Good are you? mechanic wise...
the ULTIMATE mechanic, all repairs perfectly executed and last infinitely	3	6.38%
Very good mechanic. anything installed is properly done	18	38.30%
good mechanic, I can read and follow instructions	14	29.79%
mecanically inclined, figure it out eventually	9	19.15%
with help, I can get the job done	1	2.13%
what's a wrench?	2	4.26%
Voters: 47. You may not vote on this poll