Will it come back to bite me?

I made a choice today that I just know is going to come back and get us here at the repair shop I work for. I had stated in another blog post how we are always getting defective parts, and that could not be more true when it comes to replacing old "oil seals" with new after market "junk oil seals". I say "New junk oil seals" because thats what they are most new parts are junk but we do what we can with what we have.

The drawing will help me tell the story I am about ready to tell. It is a drawing of the top of what is called a DOHC Engine or duel over head cam engine. The long rod type things you see are are call cam shafts at the "gear side" of each shaft is an oil seal that keeps oil from leaking out around the shaft.
So now the story:
A regular customer came in yesterday and has had a bad oil leak for some time now and wanted to go ahead and get it fixed. So we started to get into things pulled the front cover off the motor and saw that one of the cam shaft seals was leaking. The other one WAS NOT. Now the question I ordered both new seals but the one seals is dry as can be. So the tech and I are stuck we are right there do you replace not only the seal that is leaking but the one that is not as well. Now before you answer that question there is about 6.5 hours needed to get where these seals are. And I have to tell you given the miles that are on this vehicle if I could count on the new seal not leaking we would replace both of them no question. (even the one that is not leaking because of age) The school of thought used to be why have the customer pay the labor twice do them both while you are there. If we go back together with out replacing one 3 months from now they will have a new oil leak and it would be the other old seal that did not get replaced.

Anyway as I was writing this I let the tech make up his own mind as to if he wanted to go ahead and replace both seals or not. And he made the choice to replace them both at the same time. Lets just hope that the new seals are as good as the old ones.

I hope everyone has a good Friday Enjoy the weekend!

~Dan

Almost a CEO

How about that title it got your attention didn't it LOL. Well I'm not talking about the kind of CEO you maybe thinking. As I have said before I have not been to church regularly in over 15 years. So the story is this: Seeing how this past weekend was Easter weekend a friend of mine asked me on Friday if I would please come to church with him. Well to be honest the asking started on about Tuesday of last week. We got to Friday morning and I had a customer come in that goes to the same church my friend had invited me to and they also invited me. So I am thinking to my self at this point "You know if there is a God he sure is trying to get you to church you can't ignore all these invitations can you?" The day went on and my friend asked me one more time will you go?

To that I said you know I would go but this is how I feel I'm not going to be one of those people that only goes to church twice a year. (Christmas and Easter) = CE (only) = O = CEO. I said if I go I want to be able to go the rest of the year as well. And I don't want to go because I am not ready to commit to that yet. Well my friend said you have an out...... You have been invited so you don't need to make the commitment yet. Its not the same as wanting to do it all the time.

So now that I had my out for the rest of the year there was no reason not to go & I mean I don't ever sleep in so its not like I had to get up before I normally do on Sunday morning. So Sunday morning came and the angels in heaven started to sing cause I was on my way to Damascus Road Community Church

So you see I am well on my way to being one of those people that attends church on Christmas and Easter only (CEO)

All and all the word was good and you get what you take out of it. It was a good weekend and I had a great easter Sunday. I finished the day off at dinner with my sister and her family.

Happy Friday & Have a good Easter

Just wanted to take sometime and say everyone have a great weekend and a Happy Easter. Although I'm not a strong Christian any longer lets also remember what Easter is about. And keep that in mind this weekend. Also I heard something on the radio this morning that made me think and it kind of all can be tied together with what has happned to me this morning.

They were saying on the radio this morning that a study has been done (go figure) that shows people who give to others are happier then people who are not giving. So then I come to work and we have a customer that always - every time he gets his car worked on brings us donuts. I mean every time with out fail. Now this man hasn't got allot of extra money to do this and yes donuts are not that much but still its the point. He is in his 70's and I believe he still works full time and i think this is because he has too. But yet he spends an extra $5.00 -$7.00 every time he comes in to buy us donuts.

Also this morning someone (Who will remain nameless *wink*) Has been making me laugh all morning. So I guess in closing remember its the little things you do that can make others happy and in turn if you make others happy you will make your self happier!

Everyone have a good weekend!
~Dan

Thank you to ALL our service men and ladies!

This is something I got in an email today and I thought it was worth posting. Even if you don't agree with what our country is doing in the world support our troops and their families. Because I don't know so much about right now but in the past they have fought for our freedom

I want to say thank you to the troops! for everything you do and thank you for fighting for the freedomes we have today!

Only five major defining forces have ever offered to die for you:

1. Jesus Christ

2. The Canadian Soldier.

3. The British Soldier and

4. The Dutch Soldier

5. The USA Soldier

One died for your soul, the other 4 for your freedom.

~Dan

The Natural Talents

I was thinking about this yesterday, we had one of those days here at the shop that was one I would rather not have anymore of. You have those from time to time don't you? We just have to keep working do the best we can do and get on with the day and hope the next day will be better. So the story....

We had a vehicle in here yesterday I won't go into detail but it would not run it was towed in. After testing we found that there was no power getting to the electric fuel pump. Normally not a big deal start checking wiring, relays, & fuses something more often then not turns up. Long story short it was near the end of the day and we were all stuck. We called up a friend (who used to work for us) he was and is very sharp with electrical things. He stopped by to see what we had been banging our heads on all day. Was here for 15 min. or so and bingo found the issue for us. LOL Now mind you none of us are stupid between all of us in the shop we have over 60 years in the industry. My point to this is the person we called seems to have a natural talent for electrical work. The kicker is he is only 22 years old and HAS NEVER had formal training in electrical he just has the gift it is unreal.

Then I started thinking we all in some way or the other have a gift something that we are good at and I started thinking about myself and while this may pale by comparison. I was talking to a customer about this the other day on the phone. I seem to be able to tell right off the bat when a regular customer calls in. Who they are just by the sound of their voice. That is to say most of the time I can remember their names as soon as I hear them on the other end of the phone. Now we have a large customer base and to remember all those names first and last just amazes me. LOL I just wish my memory was as good in other areas of my life but its not..... So I guess I'll take what I can get. I am sure there are many other things if I think about it that I am good at. But this is just one example. How about you is there something you have a gift of. Something you are not just good at but great?

I hope everyone has a great day!
~Dan

Good food for Locals around me.

I was going to write about this before I was reading my cousin's blog here about the pepper grinder. I was thinking that I should give one of my favorite restaurants a plug. I like to support independent restaurants (not box or chain stores) Of course I do that with just about anything. I would much rather goto a small mom & pop store then the Wal-Marts of the world if I can. I was reading some place that small independent businesses hire something like 70% of the nations work force. (I don't know how true that is) but we should ALL try to do what we can to support our local small independent business people. YES EVEN IF IT COSTS MORE. I can't stand it when people come in and say "I can get it cheaper at ________'s." (A local discount repair chain) You can get it cheaper because they are bigger and you will have someone doing your oil change and tire rotation thats only making about $7.00/hr. that will also leave one of your wheels lose after the tire rotation. As apposed to to a 20 or 30 year skilled worker that by rights should be making MUCH MORE then $7.00/hr.

Sorry LOL let me get back on track.... Can you tell I have strong feelings about some things? LOL I was saying that to someone else this morning.

Now about my favorite restaurant "The Grill At Park Circle" - in Hagerstown Maryland I started going to this place because a very good friend of mine waited tables there and over the years it had become a standing joke with the others there that ONLY my friend was to wait on me or my family when we would come in there. My friend no longer works there but I do still go into this place regularly. The host Bobby also one of the owners knows me by name and is glad to see me every time I come in. I think he thought when my friend quit working there that he would lose my business that could not be more false! The food here is great! and that was proven to me one more time when I went there last Thursday night for dinner. They have daily specials and also a full range of things on the menu. As a mater of fact I have never ordered anything from their standard menu I have always gotten something that was on special. And last Thursday was no different. On special was Mai~Mai now mind you I am not a big fish eater and I really don't like to eat fish in a restaurant.

I asked the waitress if she would recommend this Mai~Mai she said oh yes the fish was fresh and they had just gotten it in that day. So I said ok let me give it a try. (keeping in mind I have never had a bad meal from this place.) The main dish came to the table and not only did it smell fantastic it looked Great it was a huge piece of fish grilled and topped with a sweet yet spicy salsa and to accompany it was green beans and roasted red potatoes. I really should have taken a picture of the plate. LOL It was dressed up so nicely I almost didn't want to eat it, I took the first bite and it was just heaven. So in short great food, & service for the price. That had to be one of the best meals I have ever had there. So if your ever in the Hagerstown area please stop by The Grill At Park Circle & tell them Huffer sent you! Also remember to do your part to support your small local businesses.

Have a great day!
~Dan

A week In The Life Of An Automotive Service Manager

So this is going to be just one small story that gives you an idea of the headaches I face week in and week out as an automotive service manager. The pictures I have posted here are of what is called an "Oil Pressure Sending unit" This little item is screwed in to the side of the engine block at a point where it can pick up a reading for the engines oil pressure when a vehicle is running. And sends it to a gauge or light inside the vehicle. The picture to the left is of the back (or connector side of the oil pressure sending unit) We replaced a unit like this on a GM vehicle last week Monday the 3rd of March. We didn't replace it cause it wasn't working. We replaced it because it was leaking out the connector side (shown to the left) So this is how things went after the install.

The same customer called me back Monday March 10th I will post the phone conversation as best as I remember it.
Dan: "Autoworx may I help you?"
Cust: "Hi Dan how are you?"
Dan: " I'm fine ____ How are you?"
Cust: "I'm ok but my cars not."
Dan: "Why what's wrong?"
Cust: "Since you fixed the oil leak with that part for the oil gauge..... My oil pressure gauge is on crack."
Dan: "What are you talking about your gauge is on crack?"
Cust: Laughs "Well it is reading all over the place some times its high some times its low its just going nuts its all over the place."
Dan: "Well it sounds like we need to look at that again something has gone wrong. I can't get you in before Thursday to look at it again is that ok?"
Cust: "That will be fine I will drop it off Wednesday night so you will have it Thursday."
Dan: "Ok thats great we will get you fixed up. I'm so sorry you had to come back and for the trouble."
(thinking to myself this is great! The oil leak WAS NOT EVEN a customer complaint when the car came in. And now the damn gauge is not working) i.e. It was an add on sale we found the leak and I told them it needed to be fixed.
So we got the car back on Thursday and ran through some checks well come to find out the damn new sender was / is bad! You may think well no big deal a bad part every once in a blue moon that will happen. Well thats the issue it happen ALL THE TIME! Almost everyday! We get junk / defective parts from ALL suppliers!! And no it doesn't matter where it comes from. In this case because in the past we have had issues with what are called "After Market" Parts i.e. not from the dealer. I even got the unit from the GM dealer! And it was bad. Long story short we got ANOTHER new part and things seem to be fine.
The issue with this whole mess is this. In this industry no matter how good you are or how much your regular customers trust you. (this person is a regular customer) Its things like this that place doubt in the minds of your customers. When you have the stories that the news is running about dishonest repair shops and what not. Its not always the workmanship in the repair shop that is the issue more often then not any more its the junk parts that are being sold to those shops!

Well thats my Friday rant! LOL Everyone have a great weekend!
~Dan

(Photo(s) Credit to Napaprolink.com)

What is it about Christian families

What is it about some what a would say are mostly far right Christian families. That make them end up having "HUGE FAMILIES"? Let me tell the story as to why I ask this question. And then if you like you can leave your comments.

I have a customer (I should say the shop has a customer) That is a strong Christian believer and so is the whole family to my knowledge. I have not talked to him in great detail but I do believe that his Christian attitude is far to the right. Although I will admit I have not talked to him in depth about what he believes. It is just something that you can tell. He has been coming to us for the five years we have been here so you do get to know people who's cars you work on over the years. Where I am going with this is this man has (I think) 12 YES I said it 12 children! They have one big 15 passenger van and thats the only thing they can use when the whole family has to go someplace. Let me just pause for a second and think about this with me........ 4 years of college ($30,000.00) per year that may low x 12 Oh my god I can't even put that number down it makes me sick LOL The man has a very good job so I know that he is a very good provider for his family although I do know that the church he belongs to has helped them within the last few years build a bigger house for the family cause they just could not afford to upgrade them selfs. And of course his wife stays at home and homes schools the children.

That is just a little of the back ground I have so many stories I could tell about this guy I could go on and on to tell you the truth I really look up to this man every time I see him he is the happiest guy and ALWAYS upbeat. (the few times I have seen his wife she seems NOT to be as happy and upbeat I don't need to ask why LOL) He takes a vacation day from work every time one of his kids has a birthday during the work week to spend the day with them. I just all and all respect the way he handles him self and his family and how important his family is to him.

But to my point this is not the first time I have run into this type of thing with strong Christian families. i.e. Ones that are far to the right in what they believe.I can think of at least 5 families I have known over my years that were as big as his. And they all had this one thing in common. Strong Christian values. Why? Why is that almost always the case? And I will go one more step all but one of the other families I know of home schooled their children. Why? What is it about the far right Christian beliefs that produce large families? LOL These are the things I think about and it just blows my mind. The first thing that crosses my mind when I think about myself being in his place is . "How in the world am I going to be a good provider for all the children." I guess thats the difference between him and me he really believes that God will take care of things. I believe that if God is there that yes ok he may help you take care of things but you are still responsible for your family and providing for them. If I was in the position of taking care of that family it would stress me out to no end. With or with out Gods blessing LOL

Just some food for thought for today. I hope everyone is having a good day!

~Dan

Down but not out!

You can't keep a good man down or can you? I found something within this last week that took the wind right out of my sails and has kept me down for about the last 4 days. Wednesday will be day five from when it showed its ugly head. What am I talking about? Why the common cold well thats what they call it anyway. But I tell you this thing I caught seems to be anything but common it is a bit worse then anything I have had. I still don't think I have any "Flu" symptoms but boy oh boy I do have one hell of a cough or I should say did. As of this morning I seem to be much better than I was. I'm not coughing near as much & I hope that maybe tonight not only will I get more then 3 hours of sleep but that I will be able to sleep laying down rather then sitting up like I have done since Friday night. It got so bad a few nights in a row that the 2 cats I have that almost ALWAYS sleep with me right next to me were mad that I was coughing and waking them up that they have not slept in the bed with me since about Friday night. Although Oscar the cat that has been with me the longest amount of time has tried a few nights to get in bed and stay with me but gives up after about an hour of my carrying on and gets down I'm not sure but I think he even hissed at me one night as if I could help the coughing spell I was going through I looked at him and said "Well get down then!!!"

So the good news is I seem to be feeling a little better today so I hope I have made the turn.

I hope everyone is having a good day and a good week!
~Dan

Safe Drinking water?

I just found this to be interesting how many people saw this one coming. I think soon we are not going to have a fresh drinking water. Makes you think right? Below is just part of the stoory I didn't copy the whole thing.

From fox news:

A vast array of pharmaceuticals — including antibiotics, anti-convulsants, mood stabilizers and sex hormones — have been found in the drinking water supplies of at least 41 million Americans, an Associated Press investigation shows.

To be sure, the concentrations of these pharmaceuticals are tiny, measured in quantities of parts per billion or trillion, far below the levels of a medical dose. Also, utilities insist their water is safe.

But the presence of so many prescription drugs — and over-the-counter medicines like acetaminophen and ibuprofen — in so much of our drinking water is heightening worries among scientists of long-term consequences to human health.

In the course of a five-month inquiry, the AP discovered that drugs have been detected in the drinking water supplies of 24 major metropolitan areas — from Southern California to Northern New Jersey, from Detroit to Louisville, Ky.

Water providers rarely disclose results of pharmaceutical screenings, unless pressed, the AP found. For example, the head of a group representing major California suppliers said the public "doesn't know how to interpret the information" and might be unduly alarmed

How do the drugs get into the water?

People take pills. Their bodies absorb some of the medication, but the rest of it passes through and is flushed down the toilet. The wastewater is treated before it is discharged into reservoirs, rivers or lakes. Then, some of the water is cleansed again at drinking water treatment plants and piped to consumers. But most treatments do not remove all drug residue.

And while researchers do not yet understand the exact risks from decades of persistent exposure to random combinations of low levels of pharmaceuticals, recent studies — which have gone virtually unnoticed by the general public — have found alarming effects on human cells and wildlife.

"We recognize it is a growing concern and we're taking it very seriously," said Benjamin H. Grumbles, assistant administrator for water at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Members of the AP National Investigative Team reviewed hundreds of scientific reports, analyzed federal drinking water databases, visited environmental study sites and treatment plants and interviewed more than 230 officials, academics and scientists. They also surveyed the nation's 50 largest cities and a dozen other major water providers, as well as smaller community water providers in all 50 states.

Here are some of the key test results obtained by the AP:

_Officials in Philadelphia said testing there discovered 56 pharmaceuticals or byproducts in treated drinking water, including medicines for pain, infection, high cholesterol, asthma, epilepsy, mental illness and heart problems. Sixty-three pharmaceuticals or byproducts were found in the city's watersheds.

_Anti-epileptic and anti-anxiety medications were detected in a portion of the treated drinking water for 18.5 million people in Southern California.

Things about me

In light of blogs here & here I guess that means I have been tagged. So here we go I spent some time trying to figure out what I could say here with out throwing myself under the bus with mom and dad to bad. ROFL So I picked some things that they already know about.

1. My first job as a teenager was at a Winn Dixie Store In DeLand Florida I worked there for awhile but I ended up getting fired (because I was going to a girl friends house and not to work) I kept acting like I was leaving the house to goto work. I kept this up for about 2 weeks until mom came looking for me at work not once but twice. The second time she came to look for me she asked a store manager where I was and they told her I had been fired. However my car was in the parking lot. I used to park it there and walk to the girl friends house. ( I know thats bad)

2. I had a crush on Tiffany When I was in high school well heck I still do got to love those redheads *wink* (picture of her below)

3. I once saw a dog in a hot car in the middle of summer with only the window cracked open slightly and I got the dog out of the car and then held onto it until the people returned and gave them hell for leaving the dog in a hot car.

4. The last I heard a high school friend of mine was wanted by the FBI for fraud

5. I have never broken a bone (cracked yes broken no) and that is amazing as much as I fall down

My personality

In light of Sandy's blog here. I thought I would take this test and see where I landed most of it hit home with me.

You Are An ISFJ

The Nurturer You have a strong need to belong, and you very loyal. A good listener, you excel at helping others in practical ways. In your spare time, you enjoy engaging your senses through art, cooking, and music. You find it easy to be devoted to one person, who you do special things for. In love, you express your emotions through actions. Taking care of someone is how you love them. And you do it well! At work, you do well in a structured environment. You complete tasks well and on time. You would make a good interior designer, chef, or child psychologist. How you see yourself: Competent, dependable, and detail oriented When other people don't get you, they see you as: Boring, dominant, and stuck in a rut

What's Your Personality Type?

How many of you have been to The Olive Garden raise your hands?

How many of you have been to The Olive Garden raise your hands please?

I live in a town that I would say within the last six months has gotten a new Olive Garden restaurant. My sister and I met up on Sunday to go out to dinner. We do that from time to time it gives us a chance to talk about all the family gossip. Well that and I think this time she wanted to know how my trip went with Amy and Brandon. :)

Anyway we had a nice time and I will admit the dinner was great I ate way to much. Heres why I ask the question have you ever been to The Olive Garden. I have been driving by this place since it opened and they always I mean aways are busy. I have seen people waiting to get a table standing outside in 15 F weather.

So when we talked about going there I knew I was going to have to get there early to get on the list my sister came and met me later. It was Sunday about 4:00pm when I got there. And sure enough there was a wait and people standing outside. I got on the list and my sister showed up about 5:00pm and shortly after that we did get a table. We didn't leave till just about 7:00pm and it was still standing room only out front. Now this puzzles me to no end I'm not stupid I'm kind of sure that everyone that was there has been to Olive Garden before. I mean we do have one in the next town over that is about 35 miles away. Why is it that just because it is "New" Everyone has to pile in there and see what it is like. I have a news flash for you its a chain restaurant if you have been to one you have been to them all. Right? I just don't understand why when a new chain restaurant comes to town it is packed up for the first 6 months to a year it is open. Then it seems to settle down a bit after that. I am puzzled by that I even heard someone say that was waiting for a table that they had just gone to an Olive Garden down the road and wanted to see what this one was like ROFL. its the same! what gives?

Anyway just things I think about I hope everyone has a good week!

~Dan