A simple illustration of differences in automotive engineering philosophies...

[Muncie]

I helped one of the neighbors change the headlamps in her car about 10 years ago.  it was a Chevrolet, kind of a cross between an SUV and a minivan.  I can't remember the model, perhaps, an Equinox(?)  Anyways, there wasn't any visible external access but there was an access panel inside the front wheel well.  It still looked very awkward, so I went to the driveway shop manual - YouTube.  That's where I found Angela.   Painted nails that were long enough and sharp enough to hurt somebody.  She had a headlamp bulb change done in a five minute video and I don't think she scratched a nail.  There were other videos, but none as fast, well done or enjoyable to watch.  I think it took me longer to gather a screwdriver and pliers than it took her to change the bulbs.

https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=youtube+angela+changinga+headlamp&mid=E3E687574E2A8D396520E3E687574E2A8D396520&FORM=VIRE

 

 

[Dragline]

Perishable, or wear items absolutely have to be engineered with replacement ease in mind. If they are not, them there is "Malice aforethought" as so eloquently put forth above.

[ksnow]

18 minutes ago, Dragline said:

Perishable, or wear items absolutely have to be engineered with replacement ease in mind. If they are not, them there is "Malice aforethought" as so eloquently put forth above.

Captured brake rotors on first generation Colorado's and Canyon's (rebadged Isuzu's). There was a GRAND idea.

[johnyrotten]

Here's one.  My gmc has provisions for two batteries. They all use the same cab no matter if it's diesel, 1500 or 3500. Yet the battery location is the worse of the two on the 1500,buried by the windshield. Not in the easily accessible spot up front. That would be too convenient. 

[Dragline]

It looks like another 6 or 8 bolts at least to retrieve. At least it's not in the wheelwell.

Edited Tuesday at 08:20 PM by Dragline

[Dragline]

Working on Benz' like I did for as long as I did, the Germans seem to have the replacement thing pretty well sorted. But if you need something odd I have just the thing.

On a 2.6 straight 6 the alternator is on a bracket down low passenger side front. The bracket is a sweeping arch from top to bottom with the long end on the bottom. It is smooth with the timing cover, so there is no bump. At the top it's even with the block, the arches out as it goes down. The alternator is bolted to it at the end. If the valve cover gasket leaks, it goes down the front of the block, rides the bracket and goes directly into the alternator.

The fix? Well, beside an alternator and VC gasket, you are instructed to take a cutoff wheel and put a 30° cut 1mm deep into the cylinder head. High side towards the front, low side back to aim the oil towards the rear taking the oil with it. Not a terrible idea I guess. But it made me stop and 🤔.

Edited Tuesday at 08:31 PM by Dragline

[johnyrotten]

41 minutes ago, Dragline said:

It looks like another 6 or 8 bolts at least to retrieve. At least it's not in the wheelwell.

6 bolts and "dance" the heavy battery in. I'm 5'10" and need step stool to reach and not scratch or dent my truck. They sized that area so it goes in and out one way. No handle on the battery,even more fun. As for german cars, my wife's vw is loads of fun. The DOOR SKIN has to come off to replace the window regulator, a dozen or so differently sized fasteners that WILL damage the paint/panel if placed wrong. And the interior panel comes off as well to do the job.

Edited Tuesday at 09:05 PM by johnyrotten

[Dragline]

It could be worse. But not by much I guess. As for the VW thing? The skin has to come off for a regulator swap? Good.lord it's getting diabolical out there. For.my part I am supremely happy I sold my German tools and went to work for NAPA. I seriously would have gone insane by now.

[johnyrotten]

17 minutes ago, Dragline said:

It could be worse. But not by much I guess. As for the VW thing? The skin has to come off for a regulator swap? Good.lord it's getting diabolical out there. For.my part I am supremely happy I sold my German tools and went to work for NAPA. I seriously would have gone insane by now.

Mk5 jetta. 2008. It's been a good car,but a ton of odd engineering decisions were made. The 2.5 five cylinder has the timing set on the rear of the engine, you drop the whole subframe, split the transmission/engine and go to work.

[Dragline]

You have got to be joshing me on that timing belt thing. I most assuredly would be in the nut house.

[Ace-Garageguy]

6 hours ago, Lunajammer said:

It makes me wonder if the guy in the video is doing it right. The headlight in my PT Cruiser is changed by popping open a door in the fender well. I was charged an hour labor once by a mechanic who tore half the front end apart to get at the bulb.

Some fairly late-model Jeep service manuals show pulling the front bumper to do the headlights, but it's possible to pull the plastic fender liner down and get to the backside to swap bulbs on some models. Half an hour instead of half a day.

Edited Tuesday at 10:52 PM by Ace-Garageguy

[johnyrotten]

20 minutes ago, Dragline said:

You have got to be joshing me on that timing belt thing. I most assuredly would be in the nut house.

https://www.vwvortex.com/threads/diy-2-5l-timing-chain-replacement.7256946/

Edited Tuesday at 11:00 PM by johnyrotten

[johnyrotten]

[Mark]

Volkswagen left the building for me back when I was considering one of those early Eighties Rabbit pickups.  According to the owner's manual, 400 miles per quart was considered normal oil consumption.  No wonder they were good on gas...

[Dragline]

52 minutes ago, Mark said:

Volkswagen left the building for me back when I was considering one of those early Eighties Rabbit pickups.  According to the owner's manual, 400 miles per quart was considered normal oil consumption.  No wonder they were good on gas...

Cause they were chowing on expensive oil instead. I worked on a few Jettas and such back in the day. They seemed fine. After my brother trashed his 318i that I cobbled together and kept running while he went to his first 2 years of college, he bought a Jetta. He would proceed to destroy it in 2 years. He is a brilliant guy my brother. Fantastic career in the Army. Retired a Major. But one day in Baltimore he asked what the light for the oil looked like. I said Jeannie in a bottle. He said it was on. This was a a Isuzu Vehicross. I'm not much at all for Asian vehicles but it was pretty cool. I checked the stick, nothing..it was on a hill. OK. Put it level and nothing. Put a pan under it, unscrewed the oil drain and a drop. The man had no oil! None! The Slick 50 that a friend of his recommended may have indeed saved his engine. I went to my shop and got oil and a filter.

I there a lesson here? Absolutely not.

I don't work on his vehicles. Simple because I live in Mass and he still lives in DC. And that is a blessing.

[Mark]

I worked with a guy who was hit and miss when it came to keeping tabs on his cars.  One day he complained that his car (late Seventies Ford V8) was running hot.  He went to the parking lot and checked the radiator, it was okay.  I mentioned checking the oil, he went back and did that.  

"It's four quarts low".

"You do know that engine only takes five quarts, and nearly a whole one of those is in the oil filter, right?"

Puts oil in, it doesn't overheat on the way home.

[Dragline]

US car making philosophy Vs European have distinct lines but one of the most obvious is oil. In general, Euro cars take more oil. Even a 4 cylinder will take as much or more than a US 6 cylinder. This is because it's a main source of engine cooling. Oil coolers are in a large portion of Euro cars for this very reason. An 8 cylinder Benz will often take 6 to 8 quarts of oil, where an American V8 can take as little as 4. That is only a gallon folks. And it makes an impact. Italian cars take thinner oil. Even V8s. Oil galley and main bearing holes are smaller than US ones. They usually get chamfers as well, while only US hot rodders perform that task. Admittedly, Italy tends to be warmer, but it's a small country, yet the US has similarly warm areas and these practices are not adopted by US manufacturers. Perhaps a small segment of the performance set does. But the big three? Nope. Just an example off the top of my head.

If this was already cited I apologize.

Edit: I was thinking about all this while having coffee and watching my cat talk to birds. I failed to mention Turbocharged engines. Since they take engine oil as part of their lubrication, oil change intervals and amounts also vary.

Just wanted to cover my tracks as there are learned men about and didn't want to leave something out. Although I am certain I did.

 

 

Edited Wednesday at 12:40 PM by Dragline

[Dragline]

16 hours ago, johnyrotten said:

Here's one.  My gmc has provisions for two batteries. They all use the same cab no matter if it's diesel, 1500 or 3500. Yet the battery location is the worse of the two on the 1500,buried by the windshield. Not in the easily accessible spot up front. That would be too convenient. 

I was pondering this one. Now don't laugh... Do you suppose it's a performance- weight transfer thing they are going for here? Never mind...

[stitchdup]

2 minutes ago, Dragline said:

I was pondering this one. Now don't laugh... Do you suppose it's a performance- weight transfer thing they are going for here? Never mind...

the diesels have 2 batteries

[Dragline]

10 minutes ago, stitchdup said:

the diesels have 2 batteries

So possibly? I guess it was where there was room.

[johnyrotten]

12 minutes ago, Dragline said:

So possibly? I guess it was where there was room.

The diesels have two batteries and a inline relay on the firewall. My gripe is why bury it under the windshield when you already have the typical spot. Make the other one the option. Just to save a few feet of starter cable and insulation. 

[Dragline]

22 minutes ago, johnyrotten said:

The diesels have two batteries and a inline relay on the firewall. My gripe is why bury it under the windshield when you already have the typical spot. Make the other one the option. Just to save a few feet of starter cable and insulation. 

But why do that when it makes perfect sense?

[johnyrotten]

19 minutes ago, Dragline said:

But why do that when it makes perfect sense?

Because they are about making CENTS. One dollar of cable per unit,100,000 units. Some bean counter figured it out.

[Dragline]

Bean counters. The bane of society.

[Tabbysdaddy]

The battery is safer towards the windshield. It would be more likely to be ruptured in an accident at the core support.