Ticking noise and low oil pressure - SOLVED

[rdezs]

Wow this is a great thread! I am with you fellas. I have taken a vehicle to the mechanic twice in my life, which is a bit shorter than yours, but still not bad!
Once it was finals week at the school I resisted indoctrination at, (I didn't have time to wrench), the second it was my throttle body saga on my Tahoe that I couldn't figure out. But I think I could now.
My old man, who laid the mechanical foundation for me, said, "Your mechanical ability is a GIFT from GOD. Not everyone has it."
Not to put down work ethic and a willingness to learn, but I'd never thought of it like that before, I had always been proud of myself. But I think he's right. Some just don't have it. Hopefully those who do are thankful.

I have an older brother 1200 miles away that has zero mechanical aptitude. He knows it, and is a realist. His wife took his limited tools away from him after he decided to change the spark plugs on his brand new jeep with 120 miles, and stripped out spark plug threads in the cylinder head.

Last year he had to have his hot water heater replaced. A $649 hot water heater, the bill after installation was $3,100. I told him I would have taken two days off work we could have done the whole thing for $700.... But he's too embarrassed to ask, because he's embarrassed about his lack of abilities. It's been the same story as whole life, massive amounts of money going out for everything that he should be doing himself. I suspect there are a lot of people like that, and a lot of these auto repair shops, plumbers and whatnot really take advantage.

 

[OBSandaNNBS]

I have an older brother 1200 miles away that has zero mechanical aptitude. He knows it, and is a realist. His wife took his limited tools away from him after he decided to change the spark plugs on his brand new jeep with 120 miles, and stripped out spark plug threads in the cylinder head.

Oh no!! Why did he attempt that at 120 miles?

Last year he had to have his hot water heater replaced. A $649 hot water heater, the bill after installation was $3,100. I told him I would have taken two days off work we could have done the whole thing for $700.... But he's too embarrassed to ask, because he's embarrassed about his lack of abilities.

You aren't wrong. My brother in law is a great guy, but he gets embarrassed on what he doesn't know. He doesn't wanna look dumb. I believe if he put that aside and applied himself he could really do a lot.
Although you could say that I'm dumb about sports or music or...cooking I guess. Sports don't save you money on your truck though!

 

[rdezs]

Oh no!! Why did he attempt that at 120 miles?

Lol, he thought it would be good for it....

 

[OBSandaNNBS]

Lol, he thought it would be good for it....

Oh no...my heart goes out to him.

 

[rdezs]

.... He was sure that to loosen them you turn them to the right. $3400 at the dealer, new head. (They wouldn't warranty any helicoils)

It's absolutely true, some people just don't have the ability. But if you can follow along in a manual and comprehend it, that's all it takes to get started on an incredibly valuable skill set. I think many here on the forum are taking that step, due to the insane shop pricing that now exists....

I used an auto shop one time in my life. Road trip, 1986 Jeep Grand wagoneer. Lost the drive gear at the bottom of the distributor. Right in front of an auto repair shop 600 miles from home. They diagnosed it, replaced it and set the ignition timing. I thought it was expensive at the time. If I remember correctly it was around $58. And I've never forgot the feeling of having to pay somebody else to do something

 

[Geotrash]

.... He was sure that to loosen them you turn them to the right. $3400 at the dealer, new head. (They wouldn't warranty any helicoils)

It's absolutely true, some people just don't have the ability. But if you can follow along in a manual and comprehend it, that's all it takes to get started on an incredibly valuable skill set. I think many here on the forum are taking that step, due to the insane shop pricing that now exists....

I used an auto shop one time in my life. Road trip, 1986 Jeep Grand wagoneer. Lost the drive gear at the bottom of the distributor. Right in front of an auto repair shop 600 miles from home. They diagnosed it, replaced it and set the ignition timing. I thought it was expensive at the time. If I remember correctly it was around $58. And I've never forgot the feeling of having to pay somebody else to do something

I use shops sometimes when I don’t want to do the work, don’t have time, or don’t have the specific knowledge.

For example, my suburban 3500 has developed a growl from the rear differential at 23,000 miles. I’m taking it to a local driveline shop on Monday to let them diagnose it properly, and replace the bearings. I could do this myself, and I have rebuilt differentials before, but I just don’t feel like dealing with this one. And, people who know how to set up differentials correctly, and this shop has one of those people, are gifts to the universe.

 

[OBSandaNNBS]

.... He was sure that to loosen them you turn them to the right. $3400 at the dealer, new head. (They wouldn't warranty any helicoils)

It's absolutely true, some people just don't have the ability. But if you can follow along in a manual and comprehend it, that's all it takes to get started on an incredibly valuable skill set. I think many here on the forum are taking that step, due to the insane shop pricing that now exists....

I used an auto shop one time in my life. Road trip, 1986 Jeep Grand wagoneer. Lost the drive gear at the bottom of the distributor. Right in front of an auto repair shop 600 miles from home. They diagnosed it, replaced it and set the ignition timing. I thought it was expensive at the time. If I remember correctly it was around $58. And I've never forgot the feeling of having to pay somebody else to do something

I think we'll give you a pass if you were on the road

Yeah I hate paying that bill, unless I'm grateful for it lol. Reminds me, I pay for alignments and I did once for leaf springs too. I believe the shop could source them cheaper than I could at the time. $181 for both.That was about 2010.

I use shops sometimes when I don’t want to do the work, don’t have time, or don’t have the specific knowledge.

For example, my suburban 3500 has developed a growl from the rear differential at 23,000 miles. I’m taking it to a local driveline shop on Monday to let them diagnose it properly, and replace the bearings. I could do this myself, and I have rebuilt differentials before, but I just don’t feel like dealing with this one. And, people who know how to set up differentials correctly, and this shop has one of those people, are gifts to the universe.

No denying that! If you've got the cash, why mess with it if you have a skilled shop?
Yeah bearings can suck.

 

[rdezs]

Oh yeah, I forgot about the alignments. These days you pretty much need the whole computerized alignment after doing the front end parts. Local place charges $120 for the four-wheel alignment. I think that's pretty reasonable considering the investment required in the equipment.

When I redid the whole front end on my wife's Cadillac, got it as close as I could with the equipment I have. Don't know why I was so disappointed when they handed me the sheet showing before and after. I think I was within one degree on almost everything, LOL. I guess I was disappointed because if I'm going to pay $120 I wanted to get more for my money than one degree

 

[Fless]

I use shops sometimes when I don’t want to do the work, don’t have time, or don’t have the specific knowledge.

For example, my suburban 3500 has developed a growl from the rear differential at 23,000 miles. I’m taking it to a local driveline shop on Monday to let them diagnose it properly, and replace the bearings. I could do this myself, and I have rebuilt differentials before, but I just don’t feel like dealing with this one. And, people who know how to set up differentials correctly, and this shop has one of those people, are gifts to the universe.

This is what I do. I have a trusted shop, and he knows that I do much of my own work. But he'll get the big jobs that I don't want to do or don't have time for, and he gets paid dearly for his work and parts. But he's good, guarantees his work, and has solid mechanics, so I can't really beef about the cost. I also want him to stay in business.

 

[OBSandaNNBS]

This is what I do. I have a trusted shop, and he knows that I do much of my own work. But he'll get the big jobs that I don't want to do or don't have time for, and he gets paid dearly for his work and parts. But he's good, guarantees his work, and has solid mechanics, so I can't really beef about the cost. I also want him to stay in business.

Sounds like a good guy.
Find someone who guarantees his work and you've got a good mechanic on your hands.

 

[OBSandaNNBS]

Oh yeah, I forgot about the alignments. These days you pretty much need the whole computerized alignment after doing the front end parts. Local place charges $120 for the four-wheel alignment. I think that's pretty reasonable considering the investment required in the equipment.

When I redid the whole front end on my wife's Cadillac, got it as close as I could with the equipment I have. Don't know why I was so disappointed when they handed me the sheet showing before and after. I think I was within one degree on almost everything, LOL. I guess I was disappointed because if I'm going to pay $120 I wanted to get more for my money than one degree

That's a pretty good job! A hillbilly alignment (not saying that's what you did) is a good skill to have so you can drive it to a shop safely enough.