Car repair for the complete dork
Jun. 11th, 2005 12:58 pmI went to the auto parts store after work. I got coveralls, a case of oil, a new oil filter, a new air filter, an oil filter wrench, and a shop manual for my car... but they did not have just plain gaskets. A new oil filter cap would have been about $7, and a gasket should have been about a buck, and they said try the hardware store. So I did. When I got to the hardware store I opened the hood to pry the old gasket out of the cap so I could get a new one the right size... and discovered that the reason I was burning so much oil from under the hood was that I had not put the cap back ON after I put oil in on Friday.
I am an idiot.
It was a good thing I'd bought a can of engine degreaser too.
Then when I went into the hardware store they didn't have automotive gaskets. They said I needed the auto parts store, and I explained to them about the auto parts store not selling plain gaskets any more.
So for $2.79 I got a small sheet of gasket rubber the right thickness, and I cut it at home with a matte knife.
I also managed to wedge one of the ramps under the car the first time I tried to drive up onto them. I got it unwedged and up onto the ramps, but I am much too tired to try to change the oil and degrease the engine today. So I will take
shadowflyer's car to work tomorrow and deal with my car afterwards.
I need a shower and sleep.
I am an idiot.
It was a good thing I'd bought a can of engine degreaser too.
Then when I went into the hardware store they didn't have automotive gaskets. They said I needed the auto parts store, and I explained to them about the auto parts store not selling plain gaskets any more.
So for $2.79 I got a small sheet of gasket rubber the right thickness, and I cut it at home with a matte knife.
I also managed to wedge one of the ramps under the car the first time I tried to drive up onto them. I got it unwedged and up onto the ramps, but I am much too tired to try to change the oil and degrease the engine today. So I will take
I need a shower and sleep.