[AT] More on the water pump

[Jim & Lyn Evans]

If everyone is paying attention to this thread, you will see that it is the
same old stuff that goes wrong with the new cars as what went wrong with the
old cars.   If you can fix an old tractor you can fix a new car 90% of the
time with a little bit of thinking and diagnostic time (and maybe a little
advise from the internet)

Check the plug wires, plugs, and vacuum lines first when your new car is
running bad.  Other common problems are the wiring connectors are corroded.
Unplug them and check that the terminals are clean and not rusty and when
you plug it back in, it might magically begin working again.   I think the
majority of oxygen sensors that are replaced are not bad, but all it really
needed was to be unplugged and plugged back in to scrape off a little
corrosion.  Same with a computer.  I think they rarely go bad, so why are
they replaced so often (for $1000 or so)?

I have driven about 5 computer controlled vehicles to 150,000 -200,000 miles
each.  Maybe I am lucky, but the only "computer" component I have ever
replaced was a glow plug controller on my pickup.    I have replaced plugs,
plug wires, vacuum hoses, alternators, etc, and have fixed several corroded
connectors and chafed wires.

I do have a $150 scan tool to help me diagnose where to look when I do have
problems.


-----Original Message-----
From: at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com
[mailto:at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com] On Behalf Of Len Rugen
Sent: Tuesday, November 16, 2010 6:45 AM
To: Antique tractor email discussion group
Subject: Re: [AT] More on the water pump

My son had a pickup that ran erratic at times.  Mechanic said it needed 
a new fuel injector pump, I don't remember how much, but a LOT.  He took 
it to a neighbor of the farmer he worked for, who told him he would have 
to leave it overnight.    After it got dark, he started it, sprayed 
water on the spark plug wires and found a boot with a hole in it, 
jumping thru the boot to ground.  Total bill under $20.  He cusses the 
new high output spark setup and fixes a lot of them this way.
_______________________________________________
AT mailing list
http://www.antique-tractor.com/mailman/listinfo/at