The digital dash in these is a nightmarish electronics failure hellscape waiting to happen. 

The default code is also written on a sticker hidden either down under the dash or in the trunk, depending on what model it is.

I enjoy being able to access my new Ford Fusion at any time using the code... so I can pop the hood to check and top off the coolant that the 1.5 Ecoboost is consuming..... while I wait for the dealer to receive the parts they ordered for my short block replacement at 21k miles... four weeks ago and counting....  

A friend of mine bought a ‘70 Dart in the mid-90's that had been ‘fully restored’ and looked to be in beautiful condition. On his maiden voyage in it on a hilly road through apple orchard country, the left front torsion bar suspension mount ripped loose taking some of the front subframe with it... super rusty under…

Well, that’s probably the least damaging hummer leak online so far.

A quick google search for “vintage swamp buggy” turns up all kinds of interesting hits. Might be worth doing a story on.

Trend setting:

The videos linked here are much improved if you listen to the GoT opening theme while watching them on mute.

Winter is coming...

I’ve posted this before, but it seems relevant today: I once was in the grocery store and encountered ‘The Green Lady’. Every piece of clothing was green, her nails, lipstick, and hair were green. But moreover, everything in her cart was green. green dish soap, a green mop, a watermelon, some scotch-brite pads, more…

It’s a 1988 Krassler Vauxhalager

No Dice.  This thing is stupid and it sucks.  

I’m with you. I miss my 440 powered 1969 Chrysler 300.

I’d have lots of room to the left and right of this motor unit, under the hood.  Or I could put them in the back.  Hmmmm...

Me, looking at the wheezy 134ci 4-cylinder in my 1953 Willys CJ3B, with a glint in my eye.  I would need to ditch the yoke and make an adapter plate to connect the transfer case to this though.  Hmmmmm.....

Sloppy execution, questionable idea to begin with, terrible cloth rear cover.  Run away!

That’s the first step the dealer is going to do to replace the friggin’ short block in my wife’s 2018 Fusion 1.5L Ecoboost that has blown a head gasket at 21k miles.

Watch this, right now!  https://www.ted.com/talks/tim_urban_inside_the_mind_of_a_master_procrastinator?language=en

Same thing happened on my wife’s 2012 Equinox 2.4 Ecotec (at around 70k miles). Quick inspection with a borescope indicated piston-valve contact in all 4 cylinders. Cleared the codes, put in a new timing chain, confirmed a modest level of compression, and traded that puppy in!

I am a mechanical engineer with 20 years of product design, development, and engineering experience. I am totally with you. I always refer to “The Expert” every time a marketing person, concept designer, or project engineer starts pleading, “Can’t you just do it?” right after suggesting something ridiculous or…