FixYa: Manuals, Mechanics & Motor City
As a kid I remember passing my father wrenches and soldering tools as he lay in coveralls beneath his fixer-upper car of the month. He’d rebuilt an old Mustang convertible, a Thunderbird, and a black 1959 El Camino. The year I turned 16-years-old, he had enough foresight to find me the slowest 1986 Chevette hatchback to ever grace the road – it was like driving a gigantic hamster-powered potato.
That being said, the great thing about having a hideous car is that you are not afraid to attempt to resuscitate it. There’s the old saying, “Give a man a fish; you’ve fed him for a day. Teach a man to fish; and you’ve fed him for a lifetime.”
While I didn’t know it at the time, as I stood soaked by the side of the rainy highway with the hood up, my father was teaching me a valuable lesson – I was learning to fish, or rather, check my own oil and snap the fan belt back on.
FixYa members are teaching each other great life lessons every day. Whether we’re debating the merits of ethanol blends, solving the mystery of the bunk odometer, or simply gaining enough knowledge to speak to a mechanic, the FixYa car community is a great resource. If you think you’ve got what it takes to be a car expert, start helping your fellow motorists here.
Photo courtesy of Maciej Lewandowski.
What I’m wondering is why there are so MANY unanswered requests for help? Isn’t that a bit like a bait and switch, where the appeal is for folks to assist, but there is none?
August 12th, 2008
hey nice site some very interesting post keep up the good work
August 12th, 2008
:O So much info :D
August 12th, 2008
I recently came across your website, and I really enjoyed it.
August 12th, 2008
Hi, I have just now stumbled upon your website whilst searching on the Internet as I’m looking for some information on engine lifts!. It is a good site so I have bookmarked you and intend to revisit soon to have a more indepth read when I have more time.
August 12th, 2008
Where do you get all of your ideas from? I’d have problems writing something this good.
August 12th, 2008
I just found your website on Bing. Fantastic article. Thanks for taking the energy to share this.
August 12th, 2008
Good article. I’ve favorited this page so I can follow your follow-ups. Thanks for taking the energy to share this.
August 12th, 2008
1995 Ford AeroStar Van, Where do you find the Heating Coil? How do you get to it? I need to find out if it’s BAD!! I’m loosing water out of my radiator. It will lose 2 gallons of water within 3 blocks, lol. NO JOKE! Then get really HOT!
I’ve checked all the hoses and changed the thermostat. There are no signs of a water leak under the Van. The over Flow is full. The water pump doesnt show any signs of water leaking out of it. Does anyone have any Idea where the water is going?
Oh! It’s not in the Oil either. The Heating Coil is the only other place that could be loosing water that I can think of. Where Is It locate & How do you get to it?
August 12th, 2008
I have a 95 holden jackaroo petrol and my question is .. I had a problem with my auto trans .. I recond it but it burn out a solidoied .. I have replaced it with a new one but I can`t get frist,, third or four gear .. I do have second and reverce gear .. can you help me plz
August 12th, 2008