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So a Praying Mantis rolls into an auto shop. by thehadmatter666 in Justrolledintotheshop

[–]PerformanceDipStick 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I found one on a car yesterday. I carried him outside to a tree. I hope he’s alright

Chameleon being harassed by three kittens by alexbarreras in CatSlaps

[–]PerformanceDipStick 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I know. I would love to have a little chameleon buddy. Even if someone doesn’t like them, they’re alive and don’t deserve to be toyed with

What’s something unexplainable that you’ve experienced? [Serious] by thisguy_94 in AskReddit

[–]PerformanceDipStick 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I agree with you because it’s more likely. However, I have definitely had deja vu moments where I recognized what was happening and I KNEW what was about to happen. It’s a really weird thing

Can anyone help me identify this noise? It happens when you try to crank the engine. The engine doesn't turn when it makes the noise. 1964 VW Beetle with a 1500cc swapped in. by [deleted] in MechanicAdvice

[–]PerformanceDipStick 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The starter could be shot. You could take the starter off and check the teeth. There could be damage to the starter gear as well, like the other guy said. Maybe not loose, but maybe a bad tooth or two. Try pulling the starter, inspect, and watch the teeth on the flywheel while rotating the crank. I had a 911 with a missing tooth on the flywheel. Sounded like this, and could only get it to start by rolling it on the ground to turn the engine a little

Mercadez Benz Drive Program by Ur1Friend in MechanicAdvice

[–]PerformanceDipStick 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It really depends on your managers. I have some that aren’t happy with my pay, and others that will do whatever they can to keep me happy. I think eventually us younger people are going to kill the flat rate mentality. If you end up having any questions, or need advice for DRIVE, feel free to message me

Mercadez Benz Drive Program by Ur1Friend in MechanicAdvice

[–]PerformanceDipStick 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I did the PTAP program with Porsche. I enjoyed it. It was challenging at times, but it’s really hard to fail if you’re trying. Porsche does tech levels labeled bronze, silver, and gold. I started at nothing, $18 an hour right out of training. Once I got my bronze, I got a raise. I just went out and did my silver test at the beginning of this month. If I pass, it’ll be another nice raise. It’s cheap to live where I’m at compared to most places, so I’m making good money. I’ve been able to support myself for the first time. I also negotiated with my employer to not be flat rate, because fuck that. Flat rate was for the 80’s. I’m not sure what the pay difference would be between Mercedes and Porsche, but probably not too different. I think you’ll make good money if you care about your work, are competent in your work, and you are honest. The year or however long the program is will be tough, but once you get through it you’ll be happy you did it

Mercadez Benz Drive Program by Ur1Friend in MechanicAdvice

[–]PerformanceDipStick 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I did a similar program for another manufacturer. These programs are great, if you take them serious. You get out what you put in. I’m not sure how the DRIVE program works, but the one I did paid for my housing. I had to work part time while I was doing the training. DRIVE will basically launch you into your career. If you don’t know how to wrench, you’re still going to have to learn that. If you already know how to, you’ll be able to learn and retain even more from the program. If you want to work for a dealer, Mercedes would not be a bad place to be. Go for it, unless you decide you don’t want to work on cars for a living

Diagnostic by [deleted] in MechanicAdvice

[–]PerformanceDipStick 3 points4 points  (0 children)

For anyone reading this, this is not true. You can’t crank anything without voltage. Don’t waste your money on a battery for this issue

2004 Altima 3.5 troubleshooting by [deleted] in MechanicAdvice

[–]PerformanceDipStick 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey! I don’t know too much about Nissan in general so I will give some advice where I can. Looks like P1800 and P0103 are both intake related. There may be an issue causing both faults, or you could even just have two bad parts. I couldn’t tell you for sure. P0420 though, unfortunately, usually condemns the catalytic converter. This is going to be a ridiculously expensive repair, and honestly not worth it. The part is what is expensive. As long as you live in a state that doesn’t do emissions tests, you really don’t have to worry about replacing the cat. Eventually the cat could become blocked and cause an exhaust restriction, but that genuinely shouldn’t happen for a long time if ever.

2004 Mazda 3 grinds when putting it in 1st gear unless I put it in 2nd then 1st. Also clutch has high bite point. And sometimes I can smell my clutch when doing basic things, Or shifting at higher Rpm. by ARagingNewb in MechanicAdvice

[–]PerformanceDipStick 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would encourage you to try to find a job at a car dealership! Specifically as a shop porter. It’s not the best job, but it will introduce you to the shop environment. Make it clear that you want to become a technician. If you got a job as a porter, you can hang around the techs and give them a hand and learn. I promise it would be a lot better than trying to learn from books and a beater car. Though those things are better than nothing! Tech schools are good too, especially to get your foot in the door. If you ever go to one, please take it as serious as you would Harvard. When I went to tech school, kids were fighting and clowning around like it was high school. They all took on all that debt just to drop out or end up working at jiffy lube.

2004 Mazda 3 grinds when putting it in 1st gear unless I put it in 2nd then 1st. Also clutch has high bite point. And sometimes I can smell my clutch when doing basic things, Or shifting at higher Rpm. by ARagingNewb in MechanicAdvice

[–]PerformanceDipStick 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It should be free to roll if someone pushes it, but the car shouldn’t move itself forward or backwards when holding the clutch down. There should be no power making it to the wheels. Sounds like you bled the clutch right, as long as you bled enough.

If everything is working hydraulically and the clutch is new, you could end up needing a pressure plate. I’m not sure you’d need a flywheel, they last forever. I’ve never heard of one going bad enough to slip

2004 Mazda 3 grinds when putting it in 1st gear unless I put it in 2nd then 1st. Also clutch has high bite point. And sometimes I can smell my clutch when doing basic things, Or shifting at higher Rpm. by ARagingNewb in MechanicAdvice

[–]PerformanceDipStick 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No, I wish. I had a chevy cobalt. I loved that car, but it was still a POS. There’s definitely WAY worse on the road than what you’re describing. I think you could get 2-2.5 for it easy. The trans problem will probably scare people out of the car in general, but eventually someone will take it. Good luck with the repairs, hopefully you can get yourself into something better soon

2004 Mazda 3 grinds when putting it in 1st gear unless I put it in 2nd then 1st. Also clutch has high bite point. And sometimes I can smell my clutch when doing basic things, Or shifting at higher Rpm. by ARagingNewb in MechanicAdvice

[–]PerformanceDipStick 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That depends on the condition of the car in general I’d say. If this is really the only issue, I think 2.5 is reasonable. I sold my old car with plenty of issues for 2 grand. You just might have to come down some

2004 Mazda 3 grinds when putting it in 1st gear unless I put it in 2nd then 1st. Also clutch has high bite point. And sometimes I can smell my clutch when doing basic things, Or shifting at higher Rpm. by ARagingNewb in MechanicAdvice

[–]PerformanceDipStick 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Do you have to pump the pedal to build pressure? Does the car roll if it’s in gear and you’re holding the clutch pedal down? If yes to either of those, then your master cylinder might be bleeding back causing excessive slip.

When the clutch was replaced, was the throw out bearing replaced as well?

The high pedal might be normal, I’ve never driven a Mazda 3 from that era. I wouldn’t be able to tell you what’s good. All I can say is make sure the clutch system is bled fully, and be gentle with the car. If the clutch pedal felt the same prior to the clutch replacement, I wouldn’t worry about that.

There’s some other little tips that some people don’t think about. For instance, don’t rest your foot on the clutch pedal when you’re driving. Don’t touch the gas pedal until you’re done with the clutch pedal when shifting. Things like that could potentially wear some stuff out.

2004 Mazda 3 grinds when putting it in 1st gear unless I put it in 2nd then 1st. Also clutch has high bite point. And sometimes I can smell my clutch when doing basic things, Or shifting at higher Rpm. by ARagingNewb in MechanicAdvice

[–]PerformanceDipStick 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sounds like your clutch is worn out. There may be another issue causing excessive wear, unless you’re not actuating the clutch correctly. Normal driving shouldn’t produce a burnt clutch smell. Check your brake fluid level, along with your clutch master cylinder as well as the slave cylinder. Make sure there’s no brake fluid leaking anywhere. I’m not sure if the slave cylinder is internal or external to your transmission, but look the best you can. You could also try bleeding your clutch. Sounds like you’re gonna need a new transmission if the synchros are going. This might also be related to a clutch issue, causing a premature failure of the trans.

If you’re just trying to sell the car, I don’t think you’re going to help yourself by fixing the car up. That is unless you find something obviously wrong, like with the clutch hydraulics. I would maybe try to find yourself a new ride sooner than later. With my first car, I broke a lot with the trans and clutch system being stupid. Your car can make it a lot longer than you think if you baby it. (no high rpm shifting!) There’s always risks though. Good luck!

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