Perception of working on cars at home ?
Discussion
Was just pondering what my neighbours think when I am servicing the cars or working on any of them as apart from one bloke with a Westfield and a Healey, I have never seen any of them lift a bonnet.
Even then, fettling a lovely old Healey versus changing the oil on a People Carrier, one is a hobby, one looks like you are a cheapskate or a bit eccentric.
I am really not bothered what anyone thinks, as long as it doesn't cause them any grief, its up to me what I do, I quite like doing it, saves a few quid to spend on other things and I know how it was done.
I never see anyone lift a bonnet, the bloke next doors engine started knocking, he had ran it short of oil, the dipstick was stuck fast, obviously hadn't been removed in months, maybe even years, a few of them even have valeting services come, nothing wrong with that but shows how hands off they are.
I wonder if some see it as a bit Infra Dig ? or do they secretly envy my extreme man skills ? do they think I am skint, eccentric or a tightwad, would anyone even notice ?
Even then, fettling a lovely old Healey versus changing the oil on a People Carrier, one is a hobby, one looks like you are a cheapskate or a bit eccentric.
I am really not bothered what anyone thinks, as long as it doesn't cause them any grief, its up to me what I do, I quite like doing it, saves a few quid to spend on other things and I know how it was done.
I never see anyone lift a bonnet, the bloke next doors engine started knocking, he had ran it short of oil, the dipstick was stuck fast, obviously hadn't been removed in months, maybe even years, a few of them even have valeting services come, nothing wrong with that but shows how hands off they are.
I wonder if some see it as a bit Infra Dig ? or do they secretly envy my extreme man skills ? do they think I am skint, eccentric or a tightwad, would anyone even notice ?
Think it does depend on the car. I was constantly fettling the engine on the TVR, fixing brake squeal on the rear calipers of the Alfa and checking stuff on the MG B. Think they'd be more surprised if they saw me doing more than changing a bulb on the wife's Saab.
However, I remember when I was poor impoverished student working on a summer job in Fife and using a knackered old black and rust mini to commute with. The gear selector died one day but could be held together with a split pin until I could get a hold of the required roll pin (59p from the MG Rover dealer or whatever they were in 1991). Being forced to work on the street outside my flat, I then jacked the car up, stuck the axle stands under it, removed the split pin and had a cup of tea. Went back under the car, managed to get the roll pin in and ensure the gear selector worked properly.
Got back out from under the car and some bugger had put 50p in my mug.
However, I remember when I was poor impoverished student working on a summer job in Fife and using a knackered old black and rust mini to commute with. The gear selector died one day but could be held together with a split pin until I could get a hold of the required roll pin (59p from the MG Rover dealer or whatever they were in 1991). Being forced to work on the street outside my flat, I then jacked the car up, stuck the axle stands under it, removed the split pin and had a cup of tea. Went back under the car, managed to get the roll pin in and ensure the gear selector worked properly.
Got back out from under the car and some bugger had put 50p in my mug.
My neighbours think I'm weird to clean the cars, let alone check oil water etc. Their cars are on the whole company cars, and refuse to change a wheel at home when they've had flats. They'd either call someone or drive to the local tyre place with the flat still on.
When I've worked on the car it's considered with bewilderment, I don't think as such they look down on it, possibly do, just why the hell would I do it. When the MX5 was parked on the drive with a cover over it, I'm sure they hated it for looking messy and bringing the area down..
When I've worked on the car it's considered with bewilderment, I don't think as such they look down on it, possibly do, just why the hell would I do it. When the MX5 was parked on the drive with a cover over it, I'm sure they hated it for looking messy and bringing the area down..
J4CKO said:
GravelBen said:
Who cares?
I go to all this trouble to think up threads that haven't been done before and thats all the thanks I get 
I agree with Ben, though. Wouldn't bother me. Might be tempted to ask for advice or help.Mind you... http://youtu.be/5KsU7AmkXOU
I rarely wash my cars, but whenever I am repairing or servicing the cars or bike, at least one of the older(never 30s or younger) local blokes will stop to ask about what I'm doing and tell me a few of their old experiences of bikes and cars.
I think I'm one of those 'practical' blokes, from a bygone age. I will always attempt to repair things.
Having said that, one of my neighbours is fairly handy too and a previous neighbour was a world-renowned physicist, with a very battered car that often had the bonnet up.
Ps. I did once hear some teenagers saying,
"Look, his garage is like a workshop!"
-it would be a fairly poorly-equipped one though!
I think I'm one of those 'practical' blokes, from a bygone age. I will always attempt to repair things.
Having said that, one of my neighbours is fairly handy too and a previous neighbour was a world-renowned physicist, with a very battered car that often had the bonnet up.
Ps. I did once hear some teenagers saying,
"Look, his garage is like a workshop!"
-it would be a fairly poorly-equipped one though!
Edited by MC Bodge on Sunday 7th September 13:42
Edited by MC Bodge on Sunday 7th September 13:47
Washing the car - Usually when I wash my car, by chance neighbors come outside to do something. Always get a "Washing it again" well yes, but it was 1 month ago I lasted washed it!
Bonnet up, tools/parts everywhere - People asking me if I need help, no thanks. " oh your cars broken is it" no its not... its just not broke.
Bonnet up, tools/parts everywhere - People asking me if I need help, no thanks. " oh your cars broken is it" no its not... its just not broke.
J4CKO said:
I do reserve the right to flail the neighbours alive with a Sealant knife if when washing a vehicle the shout,
"You can do mine when you have finished, ha ha"
I did actually go and do next doors when he said that once, that properly flummoxed him.
Yeah, that showed him."You can do mine when you have finished, ha ha"
I did actually go and do next doors when he said that once, that properly flummoxed him.
My standard line to staff at work who come to ask for things to do is,
"Well, my car needs washing". It cracks me up every time
I service and do most repairs on both my cars at home, as has been said I never see any near neighbour lift a bonnet, as above I get the older chap who now and then stops for a chat to see what I'm doing, the knock on effect is that I sometimes get neighbours asking me to fix their cars for them which I always say no to as once you start that road it's never ending.
On one occasion doing the head gasket on my Volvo 940 a couple of years ago a little lad passed on a few occasions with his dad and he stopped and asked me why I didn't buy a new car like his daddy instead of always fixing mine.
On one occasion doing the head gasket on my Volvo 940 a couple of years ago a little lad passed on a few occasions with his dad and he stopped and asked me why I didn't buy a new car like his daddy instead of always fixing mine.
Edited by kdri155 on Sunday 7th September 13:51
MC Bodge said:
I rarely wash my cars, but whenever I am repairing or servicing the cars or bike, at least one of the older(never 30s or younger) local blokes will stop to ask about what I'm doing and tell me a few of their old experiences of bikes and cars.
I think I'm one of those 'practical' blokes, from a bygone age. I will always attempt to repair things.
Having said that, one of my neighbours is fairly handy too.
Ps. I did once hear some teenagers saying,
"Look, his garage is like a workshop!"
-it would be a fairly poorly-equipped one though!
Clues in the name eh I think I'm one of those 'practical' blokes, from a bygone age. I will always attempt to repair things.
Having said that, one of my neighbours is fairly handy too.
Ps. I did once hear some teenagers saying,
"Look, his garage is like a workshop!"
-it would be a fairly poorly-equipped one though!
Edited by MC Bodge on Sunday 7th September 13:42
It is a bit like that, blokes as a sweeping generalisation aren't quite as practical, I generally do my own decorating and get a bit righteous when the bloke over the road gets a painter in to paint the garage doors, the I realised I probably would if I wasnt such a tightarse.
Some of the kids I come into contact with cant wield a screwdriver, if you cant get an app to do it they are a bit lost.
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