oldstata

Holly Molly !!!!

droldsmorland

That looks like the Ford 5.4, 3 valve plug...no?

oldstata

No this was a subaru plug /NGK it was install I think 6 months before this pic not sure if it was a defect or over tightened on install

Professur

Nice clean removal tho. Well done.

CQR

Yes, He hauls a gooseneck trailer with live animal in it.

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jonesolds442

When I worked at a Cadillac dealership back in the early 2000's, one recall campaign addressed a defective timing belt for the V6 that powered the Catera (we called them Crap-teras or Ca-terribles). Anyways, many Cateras would either be towed in, or customers would limp in with the vehicle sounding like someone was jiggling pepples in a Folgers coffee can. Turns out that the poorly designed timing belt would break and allow the valves to slap the pistons. Needless to say, I had to have one valve as a paperweight. Anyone happen to see any Cateras still on the road?...I didn't think so.

Nop

Gallery of a German safety inspection authority. Just klick the pics

http://www.gtue.de/sixcms/detail.php?id=40509

oldsguybry

Wow , that's some cheap crap right there.

oldsguybry

Unreal !

Nop

Yeah.

Oil-PAN

oldstata

Lol want some bacon with that lol that belongs on a rat rod

MDchanic

Some of those inspection examples appear quite odd to us in the US - They failed a car because it had mud in the fenderwell, which had plants sprouting in it? How is that possibly related to safety?

Many US states have no safety inspections at all, and cars are not known to regularly break into pieces and fly off the roads there.

- Eric

Nop

The gallery is titled "curiosities", not (only) "severe security hazards" - Not all are a reason for failing.

The plant in the fender well was due to a car not being moved for 2 years.

Yes, many people with old rusty and insecure ricers complain about the checks being too strict, but they boil down to:

(For clarification: unmaintained cars, not rusty ricers)

* VIN
* All lights and bulbs
* Mirrors
* Window glass
* Window wipers
* Suspension in general, coils, joints play and steering mechanics
* Horn
* Emission tests
* Severe rust on frame and structural parts
* Leaking fluids
* Tire wear
* Brakes
* Seat belts
* Medi kit and stuff

After all it's not okay to have Ukrainian, Romanian and Belarus - countries without any/good inspection checks - 40ton trucks crossing Europe all through Germany with slicks, folded and zip-tied brake lines or losing oil like a KFC trash container and possibly killing motorcycle drivers with their 100 mile oil trace or smashing 20 cars at a traffic jam end without any brakes...

Professur

I have a new favorite quote.

MDchanic

Ahhh. Okay. I hadn't caught that.


Eh. I've had that happen, too.
My pickup truck is parked under trees and never gets washed and always has a layer of black dirt / mildew covering the roof and hood. Gives it that "lived-in" look.


I don't mean to argue with you (and I can't, because you're there and I'm here, and you know your local laws better than I do), but this person in Germany regularly parts out late-model BMWs (similar to what OldsPackrat and 2Blue442 do) that are less than 20 years old and that look new. When asked why they are being parted out, she said that they weren't worth anything in Germany because the laws make them too expensive to get inspected, even though they're fine.

Here are a some:







If cars like these are only good for parts over there, I'd say that the rules are a bit strict.



We have had a legal conflict going on for over 20 years now about this. The NAFTA treaty in theory created some blanket laws across North America, like the EU has, which would allow that sort of traffic here, but the US has so far mostly prevented Mexican trucks from being driven into the country for just these reasons.
Somehow we don't seem to have similar problems with Canadian trucks.

- Eric

Nop

Good example. Things that come to my mind:

1) "it's only a BMW". May sound strange to Americans but taking into consideration that about 50% of all cars over here are Audi, VW, Mercedes, Porsche and BMW (the rest being Renault, Fiat, Korean cars, including Chevy, sorry Daewoo "Spark" and Matiz" and a few others) it's a one-of-millions car. So there's no bad feelings tossing it after leasing is done, usually after 3 years. Generation "lease it and get rid of it" has arrived here, too. No personal relation to a soul-less modern car, makes it easier to toss it.

German Sales ranks 4th quarter of 2013, #5 is BMW 3xx

http://www.kfz-auskunft.de/kfz/zulas...en_2013_4.html
Rank|Previous year|Make/Model|Units|last column is change to Q4/2012

BTW, A 318 in that (outer) condition sells for 300€/450$ to 2000 Euro (!). The one with the ERH license (Erlangen/Höchstadt) was right around the corner here, virtually.

2) Most 10 to 20 YO Mercedes and BMW have serious rust problems: For example Mercedes "Sprinter" vans older than 6-8 (!) years simply are through, brown poo starts to run out of the window seals after about 4 years. Same for Mercedes Coupes. Too much rust at the wrong spot and you end up failing the inspection or digging in your pocket very deep trying to pass it.

3) Parts and labor prices: Given the market price, a "little" work done for a failed inspection like

* Brake discs and pads front & rear
* Some hoses
* Some new brake lines

(plus labor, see next point) is easily topping 1500 to 2000 Euros over here considering parts and labour - so it's economically better to sell/part out and move on. You have no idea how I'm smiling looking at GM/Olds parts prices online (Import tax is another story, I talk about raw parts prices)

4) You're used to thinking big. When I look around here, everybody seems to have a complete tool-stuffed garage the size of a family house over here.

At least 25% of the members seem to pull their motor on a Saturday to clean & detail it. Yes, exaggerated, I know - but I've been to the States a few times and I see everything's bigger over there, it's not just a saying.

Over here most people simply don't have the space to work on a car - they have a garage that's 10 inch wider and at most 3 feet longer than their car - drive it in when your're home from work and if it's broken get it repaired. See #3.

Washing the car Saturdays does not count!

5) Tax. Believe it or not, I would pay an annual 1445 € (that's 1965 US$!) tax by cui for my 350 rocket if I had no historical registration. A small 1.2 Liter is around 100€ tax, a BMW with an older (=emission heavier) 1.8 is close to 500€/680US$. I pay about 600€/800$ for my 2002 VW Eurovan with a 2.5L Diesel without particle filter - Plus there's insurance...

So, get a new car with current emission standard that's subsidized by the Government for 3 years and then - you guessed it - get rid of it.

6) However IF you have the space, a little farm or a cheap large garage you can make a fortune parting cars out (see #3).

So, sure there is a higer density of people on special interest forums like car forums, that have the space, have a welder and a service lift, but it's not so common over here.

In the end, the cost for needed repairs, especially if people don't maintain and get caught by accumulated payments at the 2-year inspection interval, do make BMWs like those candidates for parting out in case they fail an inspection (or even before).

You see, it's not a problem with the requirements of the inspections, more a general problem with newer (<20 years) cars and cash.

Phew, after about 20 edits I Hope I could somehow explain what's the problem here...

Rocketguy

Is it just me or is the pad in this picture on backwards?

oldstata

Good eye I missed that

MDchanic

I certainly understand that - German cars are nothing special in Germany, any more than American cars are in the US.


Sounds about right - my '98 318ti with about 320,000km on it is worth maybe $2,000 here - not much more than over there, if any.


Odd. Mine has been driven all winter in the rock salt in the Northern US for 15 years, and is just beginning to show a tiny bit at the edges of the wheelwells.


Wow. Yeah. One forgets how much this sort of thing can cost.
I just had my car up on the lift at my father's place, welded on new front sway bar mounts (design captures salt water, then disintegrates) with BMW parts ($40), replaced pads (about $100), four rotors (bout $120), 1 caliper (about $30), front brake hoses (about $30), replaced muffler (with a used one - $75), changed transmission oil, painted surface rust with POR to prevent progression, bled brakes, replaced 2 broken fog lights ($10 each, used), checked all lines, belts, and hoses, and did a few other things I've forgotten.
Total cost? What? about $400 (€250)? Not much, considering the use I've gotten from this car.


Yeah, I know what you mean. I lived in Italy for a year, and was surprised by how hard it was to find simple tools - everything seemed to be in the possession of some sort of a specialist, and no "regular" people knew how or where to get anything.


Wow. I pay about $130 a year to register that car (mostly to the town, as an "excise tax"), and feel like I'm getting robbed every time.


Subsidized by the government? What do you mean subsidized by the government? I thought that went out with the KDF Wagen.


Well, I see your point, but I suspect that, as in most things, the Germans are a bit more thorough with their inspections than we are.
In many US states, there is no inspection of any kind, as I mentioned, and even in my state, where there is a thick manual that inspectors have to memorize, the guy I go to, who has been checking my cars for years and knows I keep them in good order, just looks at the lights, asks me if it's all in good shape, and sends me on my way.


Ha. Your edits were successful and your English is flawless. Thank you.

- Eric

MDchanic

Yes, definitely, the pads are on friction-side-out, with the backing plates rubbing on the rotors.

It must have taken a lot of ingenuity to get them installed like that.

- Eric

oldspackrat

I need to move to Germany to part out cars! Stefan, you got any room for me?

Nop

Yes, that pad is on backwards. Just compare the left and right side if the brake disc...

"ha! I know where that pad goes. I can replace it myself!"

Mercedes is worse. 3xx BMWs "3'ers" are rather known for rear axle problems, broken springs etc. 3 friends at work already had broken springs.

Another point: New German cars cost about 20% less anywhere in the world than here in Germany. Buy a VW Rabbit in the Netherlandsnext door and re-import it, save 2000 to 4000 Euros.

Germans are willing to pay. Others are not. To sell in other countries, prices have to be tailored to local markets...

You wouldn't believe what they take for new parts here

He he he..... The tox emission classes like EURO1 to EURO6 (2014) are tax-reduced or even exempt for the first 3 years. Quite complicated system, more @Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europea...egal_framework


Yes, I admit. Compared to other countries it's strict, but as I said, nothing that's impossible to cope with.

Now that's a different thing. Go there with a 1961 Vespa (Of my model only a mere 28 exist worldwide); they start fighting who's allowed to test drive it, nobody even checks the VIN, and after a 10 minute drive around the block it's done without any complaints.

You didn't see versions 1 to 19.....

Yes. For you, the wife, the dog, the cat and all the stuff. I have space, even for an air cleaner housing! Ouch. Did that hurt, Scott? Sorry!

Another thing: In German, 3-series BMWs are called "Dreier" ("3-er"). Dreier is the same word as "a threesome"...

MDchanic

And my rotors and brake hoses were ATe, too!


Ha. No discounts for reduced emissions here (there may be a slight discount when first buying an electric car - I'm not sure whether it's still in effect). Nobody here would be willing to pay more for polluting more, so certainly nobody is going to be allowed to pay less.


Interesting. I have an Augsburg 1963 GS 160. I think there are only 2 or 3 in the US.
And, no, it's not really restored, but I do ride it.


And three of a kind beats a pair any day!

Ein dreier jeden tag besser dann ein zweier ist.
(I'm sure the grammar is wrong, but it's about the best I can do without looking it up ).

- Eric

Rocketguy

I am lost for words on this one. Just unbelievable that anyone could do that.

What a great thread! It might be called, "If I ever do anything this stupid I deserve a lobotomy"



.

MDchanic

"If I ever do anything this stupid, it may be because I already had a lobotomy, but I don't remember that I had a lobotomy, because I had a lobotomy."

- Eric

oldstata

1996 230000 miles I think this belt may be orig timing belt cracking glazed and coming apart lol

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Rocketguy

Unbelievable! !

Nop

Hello IT?

A coworker brought his private laptop today - Last week he told me he'd swap his harddisk himself.

Yeah, sure, he did!

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MDchanic

Call the Help Desk!

- Eric

Nop

I AM the help desk I'm afraid....

ThePackRat

Meanwhile at @ 23 seconds in .....

Professur

This is why I don't deal directly with users.

Nop

When I bought the car I had some zip ties and wire with me.

Good idea, the driver side rear exhaust screw was gone. Apparently the pipe was swinging around for some time and had a hot & intense relationship to the wheel in the past. In addition to wrong tire pressure, as it seems:

oldsguybry

I still love that show .

Nop

"Best of Donk" gallery

http://www.autobild.de/bilder/high-r...554.html#bild1

Warning: Get a bucket beforehand and do not open before first gallon of coffe!

oldstata

A bad day for sure
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Rocketguy

It would be fun to caption the conversation between those two workers.

Speaking of a bad day, this squirrel is sure having one.

squirrel.jpg

VI Cutty

Ouch, that has GOT to hurt!

I had done a bunch of work on a '71 Beetle including replacing the muffler. All was fine when it left...then a month later they call saying it needs a new muffler. Apparently they had taken it to the local muffler franchise shop, who had used paste on all the exhaust connections and arrived at the determination that the loud noise was due to a bad muffler.

I went for a look and it was obviously not the muffler responsible, nor any of the exhaust manifold connections...but what was it? Noticed a puff of smoke between two cylinders while watching underneath the engine...that wasn't right...

Pulled the valve cover and discovered the accessible head bolt nuts were finger loose. (The work I had done previously didn't get me anywhere near that area to have noticed it).

Same car (and I really wonder about the alleged pro VW mechanics who had worked on it previously)...earlier on in my relationship with the car I was doing a road test and wondered why the RPMs kept increasing while idling at stop signs. It was a semi-automatic, and I wasn't too familiar with that setup, but it just didn't seem right.

Finally figured it out once I got the car on the lift and saw that the accelerator cable had been improperly routed, and was being pulled by the vacuum pot's actuating arm while idling!

I got a lot of work out of that car...

twintracks

I don't have any photos of it, but here is a true story from my youth.
In about 1976, my dad found & purchased a 1954 Ford Customline 2 door, that we were going to strip for interior parts for a rustfree California '54 Ford Customline that we also had at the time.
When we dragged it out of it's resting place, the left lower front A-arm was dragging on the ground, because the crossmember was so rusty, that it had let loose, and was being forced into the ground by the coil spring.
We did not have a car hauler trailer, and were intent on towing it home the old fashioned way, on the end of a tow rope.
So, we jacked up the A-frame, and wrapped a large marine rope around the front suspension. We towed it home about 25 miles on the wheels like that. It was moved like that several more times. The rope was still there about 8 years later when the car was again tow rope towed 15 miles to the scrap yard.

Bens71442

lololololoolol That's the best one yet !!!!