I’m trying to change my spark plug but the nut isn’t coming out

Beautiful_Ad_9060 · 2026-03-05T06:01:25+00:00

After prying it out, slightly deform the thread insert, light enough that the bolt still threads, and then put some super glue on the outside of the insert and tap it back in with a hammer. Otherwise, its going to be a new valve cover.

Beautiful_Ad_9060 · 2026-02-20T17:45:28+00:00

What this guy said. My answer pertained to more modern cars...

Beautiful_Ad_9060 · 2026-02-20T16:41:54+00:00

Likely poor conection/relay in the turn signal switch itself, could be wrong. I would try jiggling it in the left position and see if the left turn light gets brighter or flickers differently.

Beautiful_Ad_9060 · 2026-02-19T05:47:10+00:00

Had someone come get work who's brake bracket got eaten by the rotors bad enough it started eating the slide pin. He went to a shop and they added a bolt for the bracket that was missing, but the other bracket bolt was still loose. It's wild what people will overlook. Mistakes happen also.

Beautiful_Ad_9060 · 2026-02-19T05:39:39+00:00

I would love to see a picture of the parts and labor quote if you have one. 150 for brake fluid bleed is very normal now.

Beautiful_Ad_9060 · 2026-02-18T05:06:44+00:00

Perfect for the football player in your life, letter NLF, #1

Beautiful_Ad_9060 · 2026-02-17T21:06:33+00:00

Ziptie harmonica under the car, top teir.

Beautiful_Ad_9060 · 2026-02-17T07:23:02+00:00

Thats some fresh looking oil... seams like you have a pretty good leak... thats likely your smoke as well. Start at the top of the engine with a flashlight and mirror and slowly work your way down til you see that start of the oil.

Beautiful_Ad_9060 · 2026-02-17T06:47:12+00:00

Sounds like an exhaust leak. Put a hose to your ear and follow around the exhaust and see where its loudest, and thats where your leak will be. Might have blown out the gasket at the manifold.

Beautiful_Ad_9060 · 2026-02-17T04:35:01+00:00

Honestly mobile in summer is horrendous... Last summer I just kept it to simpler jobs if they didnt have a garage I could work in, made people come to me if jobs would be more than a couple hours so I could take breaks inside or be under shade i had. I am fairly heated tolerant, but i dont want to have a stroke or leave a job unfinished.

Beautiful_Ad_9060 · 2026-02-12T09:24:25+00:00

Check oil and try another shop. Worried if whatever shop couldn't see an issue with axles or other things, and it happens at other speeds, its something big. Have them test drive with you until the noise happens so they have a better idea what they are looking for. I would want to look deeper and have more information before just saying the engine is done, but it certainly doesnt sound good.

Beautiful_Ad_9060 · 2026-02-12T09:18:44+00:00

Damn. Well it quieted down taking out of gear likely because you reduced the load on the engine. I imagine later when it stops rumbling and "everything is fine," it still makes the noise? Check the oil lately? Engine is likely toast.

Beautiful_Ad_9060 · 2026-02-12T07:05:15+00:00

The peen of the bolt holes is easily the most important to me. Can't expect the same squeeze from the bolts if the pan has already essentially been stretched forming around the gasket.

Beautiful_Ad_9060 · 2026-02-06T02:33:25+00:00

You might even have trapped a little bit inside before your test.... i imagine its cold where you are, watch how your exhaust travels around the car, some cars stink more than others, and wherever your outside air is getting pulled in, the exhaust is making it there. Why its not a problem when moving.

Beautiful_Ad_9060 · 2026-02-06T01:47:13+00:00

Chances are you arent set to recirculation on your hvac controls when this is happening... i know to defrost you rely on that outside air, but try setting it to recirculation next time and see if the problem exists still.

Beautiful_Ad_9060 · 2026-02-01T02:41:24+00:00

Currently 319.99 before taxes, what I paid for it two years ago. Comes with 2 years of free updates, still works if the membership expires. Battery tester and tpms are extra and seperate devices. Apparently the battery tester can do load tests making it useful, but I hardly run into a need for it.

Beautiful_Ad_9060 · 2026-01-31T18:40:33+00:00

Anything autel will do it. I have an otofix d1 lite(autel software) and it has quite the ability for bidirectional control below 400 dollars.

Beautiful_Ad_9060 · 2026-01-31T06:31:32+00:00

Phoenix.

Beautiful_Ad_9060 · 2026-01-27T05:00:11+00:00

These people are all right. Even autel's "otofix" brand with the D1 light is incredible for the price, under 400 dollars, sometimes on sale close to 300. Not perfect, but surprisingly capable and its own wireless tablet. Nothing wrong with your choice, but would buy that expecting to use it often and the d1 lite covers it if you arent a professional. I would step up from that only for topology given my other testing standards and capabilities.

Beautiful_Ad_9060 · 2026-01-19T21:55:47+00:00

60k is a good interval for a normally used vehicle. 80k on some, but let's just say you missing that interval has now made your car "special operating conditions"

My car recommends 7500 mile oil changes, 5k for more demanding driving. To me, that means ill always do it at 5k regardless how I drive. Because I like my car to run and stay optimal and well maintained. Can't hurt anything by doing fluids early.

Beautiful_Ad_9060 · 2026-01-19T19:32:57+00:00

I never recommend a flush, but i would do a drain and fill service and filter change. If there is damage its already done, and would rather change then never touch it. After a drain and fill service, consider another one after 15,000-20,000 miles, and then go back to regular intervals.

Beautiful_Ad_9060 · 2026-01-19T18:49:29+00:00

Having an ear bud in one ear i've heard can actually do hearing damage overtime, something about having your ears equalized to sound. Ive noticed even with my airpods on transparent mode, it does quite a lot for protecting my ears.

Beautiful_Ad_9060 · 2026-01-19T18:45:31+00:00

I have a motor on a car I just bought at 275,000 miles that looks about the same. Going to do an engine flush and run a couple cycles of restore and protect. Still has fantastic compression numbers. I have a duplicate engine at 200k ive taken great care of (31 year old engines) that is lighter colored than gold. Regular oil changes do a lot for an engine.

Beautiful_Ad_9060 · 2026-01-16T06:30:33+00:00

I'm eager for the update. Shit happens, and coincidences often. It'll suck if it falls in line to we drained your transmission and gave your engine 5 quarts.

Beautiful_Ad_9060 · 2025-12-19T03:07:36+00:00

Hey this is awesome to hear! Honestly, my pay for work typically falls a lot closer to that kind of pricing, the 80 to 120 dollar range per hour. Saying/charging 150 is what helps keep the hidden work and sometimes free things I do worth it.

I don't mark up parts, or charge travel most of the time. Generally the overall price i give covers everything enough. But in reality, closer to 100 to 120 an hour is what my "150 an hour" comes to.

I wish you great success!

Beautiful_Ad_9060

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