Today was get the truck ready for winter. So, down to Canadian Tire I go to get the oil, oil filter and other goodies. I drained out the old oil which was pretty gross, then tried to get the oil filter off. No way would my filter wrench fit over the filter. Back down to Can Tire to get a larger wrench. Well, this is about where I hit the problem. I could see the oil filter, but I couldn't get at it. I could just barely see it from top. I could barely see it from the bottom. If I looked in over the front left tire I could see it and just barely get the wrench on it. Then I found that there was no room to turn the wrench, even with the swivel handle. Grrrr! Professional Engineers!Finally, I was able to turn the wrench about 1/8 inch at a time to loosen it up. Now, I ask you, what engineer in his right mind would put an oil filter that is supposed to be changed every 5000 km, in such an awkward place. It's no wonder that there are so many Found On Road Dead vehicles. Who takes their vehicle back to the point of purchase and pays $125.00 / hour shop rate? The one stop oil change locations are also pretty pricey. If I ever get to one of those, I am going to do a visual ( with a mirror) on the replacement filter, 'cause I can't see a guy making $14.00/ hour going to all that trouble.
I thought that maybe this was the exception, so I looked at the wife's Government Motors vehicle, and it was even worse! The same idiotic design engineer must have been working for both companies!
Hint, when you get your oil changed at a service company, make sure that they actually change the filter!
My rant to start the week!
Yup, you either do the work yourself or you trust that the folks at the "quick change" places actually do what they advertise. At least you're handy enough to do it yourself (even with a little frustration mixed in...)
ReplyDeleteBeen there - done that! Know exactly what you mean!
ReplyDeleteYou are so right! We've an honest mechanic. We've been "taken" before.
ReplyDeleteIan...try a "can" oil wrench. It fits over the bottom of the oil filter and you use just a ratchet and extension. Mine are in a hard to access area also and a "band type wrench with a swivel handel won't work either.
ReplyDeleteGuess those companies figure if they make it hard enough on us..we'll go to the dealership for the oil change and pay the big bucks...WRONG!!!
If it was easy, everyone would be a mechanic!!
ReplyDeleteMy husband complains of the same problem all the time!! He says the engineers are DA's if you know what I mean. There is something to be said for form AND function!
ReplyDeletePst. Don't tell anyone but I accidentally did not check the oil in my truck and ran it a little low. Not below the dipstick but low..... BAD ME!
uh..I hope the rest of the week was better for you my friend.
ReplyDelete(sorry couldn't resist smiling about your story).
Happy hugs to bring a smile on your face.
Dagmar
I am thankful that my husband is a mechanic and takes care of all these things for me. {: I just saw your last post with the moose photo. We have been having a buck (deer) visiting our yard this past week. He is very beautiful. blessings,Kathleen
ReplyDeleteI used to do most all my own mechanical work until they made it impossible for us backyard mechanics to do any work on our cars unless we buy a $25,000 computer! It took me several years to find a mechanic I could trust and he ain't cheap.
ReplyDelete~Ron
All: Such is progress!
ReplyDeleteJulia: my son figures that as soon as the engineer puts on the pinkie ring, it cuts off blood flow to the brain. BTW, some of my best friends are engineers.