jporter12

With aftermarket parts, it's all about the supplier. The water pumps we install at the shop are always NEW, unless the custmoer spcifies reman, and they're from ASC industries. They are an OE supplier to some companies, and the quality has alwasys been top-notch for us, with the exception of the one that came in without a gasket last week, and ended in a fiasco, but that wasn't their fault that someone had opened it and lifted the gaskets out of it....

Most of the time when I've seen something like this, it's been JUST the hardware pieces.

Oh, I totally believe the costs on the gaming systems. I'm not sure that the retailers even make much on them. They make up for it in games, and licensing, etc... This happens in many businesses these days. As an example, the auto shop I work for, we do oil changes and tires, but neither makes much, if any money for the business. It's done as a convenience for our regular customers, and to drive more business by seeing other things and making recommendations based on what we see while we're under the hood. It's not just our shop, that's any shop, even the lube shop on the corner, they all sell "premium" services. I have a friend that runs a video trader type of business and he can't get them any cheaper than just buying at retail, and he can't sell them for profit, so just to have them he'll buy gift cards from Giant Eagle, use that to buy the game systems, then reap the fuel rewards!

The west coast can fall off into the Pacific for all I care! I really like VISITING there, but I don't think I would like living there AT ALL!

So, I scored 65 points today. Rode the bike down to the shop, it was 20 degrees. Maybe I'll get brave and drag all the gear BACK out of the closet and ride it in to fill up the gas tank soon, instead of bringing back a can of gas for it..... I'm just getting a bit skeered of the damn starter clutch acting up worse each day it's started!

I said beach, not on a board in the ocean! I never realized until last summer how relaxing walking along the beach really is! I thought it was all hype, and BS, but it IS for real. Maybe live on the beach when all the tourism is gone for the season, then off to the hills for the summer? Would probably have to go further south than I had in mind for the beach, but what the hell.

That Dude's too hardcore for anything relaxing.....

I've heard about that crazy guy! Rides a Vrod better than most sportbike riders ride their bikes!

I could live on the beach, other than hurricane season....

Captain 100? Never had. Never noticed it, either! I just finished a Captain's Tattoo and coke, I think I might have another! Tattoo is the YUM!

I didn't know they made a special tool! We don't do many, so I doubt I'd get it, unless it's cheap! Ya know, VW's actually arent so bad. I don't mind working on them at all! The new Beetles are a bit cramped, but not THAT bad. They have their quirks, but not much more than anything else. The transverse mounted engines are pretty straight forward, but the longitudinal mounted ones, such as the Passat, or the A4 is a bit intimidating at first. You literally pull the front bumper and move the core support out a couple inches! It's not difficult, and the labor is very fair, and do-able, just reading the procedure in Alldata (which is pretty much the OE info) is confusing. The nice thing about our shop is that we get to work on just about everything! From Geo Metro's to Beemer's, a Skyline GT-R (not the US Nissan GT-R) classic muscle cars, medium duty trucks, and all makes and models! We even did some minor stuff on a Lambo Diablo! We also do some crazy engine swaps, domestic and imports. Yeah, I like it there!

bye!

There are only a few applications we advise the kit on from the get go. Most we just inspect everything, and we've had a good record with them. The Ford Zetec is one that we always advise a kit with, along with VW TDI's.

Buying a rebuilt salvage vehicle is not for everybody. as long as it's fixed up properly, I would not worry. If you're not planning on having the bike for a long time, I would not bother, because resale can be rough. Then bike could have been a theft recovery. Ask the seller about the history, and reason for being rebuilt, along with SPECIFICS of what has been repaired/replaced.... Also, keep in mind the the rebuilt salvage inspection has nothing to do with the vehicle being rebuilt properly, it's all about making sure you used no stolen parts in the rebuild!

My main issues with riding today would be wind related. I had a tough time keeping the bike straight! It was fierce! I also had air coming right under the helmet and attacking my chin. I have a new balaclava somewhere, as a Christmas gift, but I didn't get it out. The cold road and tires didn't have much grip, so I took it easy, onm top of the wind....

Must be on Nyquil, then!

Funny thing is, we usually advise the other way around, replacing the water pump when doing the t-belt for maintenance!

They say that ANY time the t-belt is loosened to replace it, and I say that if it shows ANY wear, replace it. If it's not been done recently, I would not skimp. There is still hope that it's not the pump, but all the clues are pointing that way.

Behind the timing cover. Thank you Toyota! I'm not gonna go into the issues I had on a Corolla last week with a simple water pump gasket... That one wasn't driven by the t-belt, but the timing cover still had to come off, the first AND second time.... Argghhhh... Glad that one wasn't my fault!

Water pump. Is it a 4cyl, or V6? Either way, it's driven by the timing belt, get that, too. Labor cost is nearly the same for either, total job at our shop is roughly $400, parts and labor.

Today.... I hate Ohio. Most of the rest of the time, it's home. I just don't like the cold, and I seem to be getting worse about it as I get older.

You're my proof that I was stoopid enough to do it though! I think it was Buildit on here that showed a bike that he had them on, although I'm thinking it was a DS and didn't look so out of place.

Wow! Those red "x" pics are COOL!

I vote on the LHC...

Look at the pic, ther IS ICE on the roads, in places.