Topic: What did you do to your car today?

[HeliDriver]

Some nice looking aggressive rims. The tires you must have locked in some time ago

Thanks. Got lucky on the tires, I guess. I ordered them late: last week of November. None locally, but they were able to bring in a set from BC. Took about a week, but I couldn’t get to the city to pick them up until now.

Rims were my second choice, but my wife wanted black, so that’s what we got. OE specs, right down to the offset, which is hard to find. I was okay with a +48 offset, but not disappointed to keep it stock.

https://www.canadawheels.ca/replika-wheels/r255-gloss-black-w741445.html

[ktm525]

When does your car show?

[HeliDriver]

Haven’t checked again, so just going on the “hopefully January” they told me last time.

I’ll probably check in again after the holidays.

[Great_Big_Abyss]

The battery was definitely the problem.  Mazda started with 'gusto' this morning, even in -21C.  Previously it was the definition of weak. 

$110 all in for the battery, installed.  I gave the guy who installed it another $20, because even $130 is cheap for a new battery. 

[JohnnyMac]

The battery was definitely the problem.  Mazda started with 'gusto' this morning, even in -21C.  Previously it was the definition of weak. 

$110 all in for the battery, installed.  I gave the guy who installed it another $20, because even $130 is cheap for a new battery.

Excellent.  Love an easy fix and one that doesn’t break the bank.

[blur911]

Had to go fetch the Outback from the MIL's place, it steamed and spewed coolant when my wife got there the other day. 
Looks like one of the small lines that goes to the intake manifold/throttle body, probably not the easiest thing to get to, but we'll see.

[ktm525]

Had to go fetch the Outback from the MIL's place, it steamed and spewed coolant when my wife got there the other day. 
Looks like one of the small lines that goes to the intake manifold/throttle body, probably not the easiest thing to get to, but we'll see.

or it's a head gasket 

[HeliDriver]

When does your car show?

Funny, just got a text from my salesman. Not really any details, but said they’ve got the VIN and car is still supposed to be here in January.

[ktm525]

When does your car show?

Funny, just got a text from my salesman. Not really any details, but said they’ve got the VIN and car is still supposed to be here in January.

It's alive!

[HeliDriver]

Almost done! Got it mostly back together with only the usual amount of frustration and bloody knuckles.

Cooling system was holding a vacuum before the fill, so that’s good. Intake is still off, so haven’t run it yet, but no leaks as she sits.

Intake is clean, transmission has fresh oil, and I bled the clutch with some fresh fluid. Will get some help tomorrow to put some fresh fluid through the brakes and she’ll be done.

[HeliDriver]

Well, got everything done, but the brake bleed was an epic fail. Dunno what was going on, but there was some very abnormal whooshing air noises when bleeding the rears. Brakes are now mushy AF.

Oh, well. Wasted twenty bucks on brake fluid and will have to take it to the shop for a proper bleed. I believe they do it under pressure and cycle through the ABS pump as well.

I’m not totally surprised. Last time I bled them I ended up going back to the dealer as well. That time they were just a little soft though. This time it’s really terrible. Going to be cruising there with one hand always ready to grab the e-brake.

[tortoise]

And I'm pretty sure the CV joint in the Highlander just the bed.  I've been getting a clicking noise when turning right for a while now and all of a sudden got way worse and I now hear a clunking noise when applying throttle.

Soooooooo.  Not a CV joint. Lug nuts were loose.  I'd brought it to a tire shop to fix a slow leak two weeks before it started.

Don't forget to check the torque after a bit. I feel like such an idiot.

[rrocket]

And I'm pretty sure the CV joint in the Highlander just the bed.  I've been getting a clicking noise when turning right for a while now and all of a sudden got way worse and I now hear a clunking noise when applying throttle.

Soooooooo.  Not a CV joint. Lug nuts were loose.  I'd brought it to a tire shop to fix a slow leak two weeks before it started.

Don't forget to check the torque after a bit. I feel like such an idiot.

You're an idiot if you do nothing when you think something's up.

You played it safe..and as a result you and family will be safe.

No stupidity here that I can see......

[Arthur Dent]

That stuff is always obvious after the fact. I would not feel bad. Sure better than a wheel coming off. 

[rrocket]

That stuff is always obvious after the fact. I would not feel bad. Sure better than a wheel coming off. 

Also...for those that don't understand...this is why we always harp on poor service centre attention to detail.

[HeliDriver]

That stuff is always obvious after the fact. I would not feel bad. Sure better than a wheel coming off. 

Also...for those that don't understand...this is why we always harp on poor service centre attention to detail.

Well, may or may not have been the service center’s fault. I’ve had lug nuts come loose when I know 100% for sure I’d tightened them properly. It was a problem on my Civic, so ever since I’ve been religious on the retorques. Never gave it much thought before I had it happen to me.

And I think I’ll just give the bleed another try. Just kind of half remember from the first time I did it: you think the reservoir is full enough, but really it’s not, so it sucks air. Kind of a PITA, but think I’ll try again and just keep the reservoir fully topped up. Like maybe only crack the valve once or twice between top ups. Was doing 5 or 6 before. 

[ktm525]

That stuff is always obvious after the fact. I would not feel bad. Sure better than a wheel coming off. 

Also...for those that don't understand...this is why we always harp on poor service centre attention to detail.

Well, may or may not have been the service center’s fault. I’ve had lug nuts come loose when I know 100% for sure I’d tightened them properly. It was a problem on my Civic, so ever since I’ve been religious on the retorques. Never gave it much thought before I had it happen to me.

And I think I’ll just give the bleed another try. Just kind of half remember from the first time I did it: you think the reservoir is full enough, but really it’s not, so it sucks air. Kind of a PITA, but think I’ll try again and just keep the reservoir fully topped up. Like maybe only crack the valve once or twice between top ups. Was doing 5 or 6 before. 

You having an assistant pump the brakes?

[rrocket]

Well, may or may not have been the service center’s fault.

Of course it's their fault.

He said he brought the car in two weeks previous to have a leaky tire fixed.

Who else is taking and putting the wheel off??

[EV Dan]

That stuff is always obvious after the fact. I would not feel bad. Sure better than a wheel coming off. 

Also...for those that don't understand...this is why we always harp on poor service centre attention to detail.

Well, may or may not have been the service center’s fault. I’ve had lug nuts come loose when I know 100% for sure I’d tightened them properly. It was a problem on my Civic, so ever since I’ve been religious on the retorques. Never gave it much thought before I had it happen to me.

And I think I’ll just give the bleed another try. Just kind of half remember from the first time I did it: you think the reservoir is full enough, but really it’s not, so it sucks air. Kind of a PITA, but think I’ll try again and just keep the reservoir fully topped up. Like maybe only crack the valve once or twice between top ups. Was doing 5 or 6 before. 

I got an air compressor-powered vacuum brake fluid "sucker" from Princessauto. You can leave it do its business, meanwhile controlling the brake fluid level under hood.
I've also seen youtubers using 4 empty 500 ml bottles at 4 corners letting the gravity do the work, although it takes a long time.

[EV Dan]

That stuff is always obvious after the fact. I would not feel bad. Sure better than a wheel coming off. 

Also...for those that don't understand...this is why we always harp on poor service centre attention to detail.

Yep. Rule number one. After taking a car out of a service garage, park it and open the hood. Assume that everything that could've been done wrong has been done wrong. Check every fluid level, bolt and nut and proceed to drive off with caution, paying attention to noises of things breaking and falling off.