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Automobiles are fairly complex pieces of machinery, especially in this day and age. They contain on board computers, sensors that detect levels of oxygen, C02, other gases and many fluids. All in all, some pretty intricate systems. So, in this age of modern technlogy you would think that it would take someone with an engineering degree to properly maintain your vehicle. Now that we've discussed the complexity of the modern autmobile let's move the focus of our conversation to the automotive mechanic. In order to discuss the typical mechanic let's give our subject (the brain trust engineer that we dicussed earlier) a name. For the purpose of this exercise we'll call him Skippy. While Skippy's ethnic origin my be unknown, he was most likely born in America and has never left the continental U.S. but, somehow seems to not know much of the English language. Of course this makes it somewhat difficult to speak to Skippy about the details of the problem that your car is experiencing. So much so, that when you hand good ole Skippy the keys, you only pray that your car is the same color when its is returned to you and that the problem has been fixed. There you go, off to work leaving your four wheeled bird of freedom in Skippy's undoubtedly capable hands. The first call comes in.... Its Skippy, calling to tell you that he's finally got your vehicle in the garage. Skippy states, "Hey man, Cool, its been years since I drove anything with a manual transmission.", "Oh Yeah, the problem seems to be that the CV joints are worn out and that is what is causing the shimmy in the front end." Writers note: CV Joints are constant velocity joints. These pieces of equipment are used in front wheel drive vehicles to connect the drive train to the driving tires. My car is a rear wheel drive vehicle. Rear wheel drive vehicles do not have CV Joints. So, I nervously asked Skippy, "Are you sure?" Skippy replied, "Yeah dude" I countered, "Ok, Skippy!!", "You're the mechanic, go get the parts and fix it up." About an hour later, the phone rings, I check the call ID and I see that it is our mentally challenged hero, Skippy. So, I answer the phone, "Pizza Hut, may I take your order?" Skippy's voice comes through, "Whoa, I got the wrong number, dude." and he hangs up. Seconds later, our fearless fool calls back. I answer, "Hello" Skippy squaks, "Sir, we think there may be something else wrong with your car." I question, "You mean something else in addition to the CV Joints?" Skippy replies, "No, your CV Joints are ok." I say, "Are they Skippy? Are my CV Joints ok?" Skippy questioningly replies, "Yeah." I state, "Maybe you should order the parts and then double check to make sure they are in good working condition." Skippy answers, "No, I already tried to order them, they aren't in stock anywhere, not even Toyota has them.", "So, its a good thing that is not the problem with your car." I say, "Hmmmm, not even Toyota has this part? Why do you think that is Skippy?" Skippy reacts, "Ummm, I dunno." I ask, "Do you think that it might be because my car does not have CV Joints??" Skippy mopes, "Well, it might have something to do with that." I finalize, "Thank you Skippy, thanks for all your help." Writers note: Sometimes I get the urge to break something on my car and then take it to every mechanic in my area to see how many different diagnoses I get for same problem. |