When a mechanic needs to do really involving work, like replacing a head gasket or something, do they always look to a service manual of some sort, or do they rely on their collective experience to guide them through the process?
2007-03-05 14:32:32 · 11 answers · asked by Christian 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
I am one of those mechanics you are asking and I can tell you two things. First, there are two different types of mechanics, the ones who use the books and the ones who don't. Second, that I am one of those who do use the books, all the time, every time. And a 3rd thing, I always wipe my tools before I put them away. A good mechanic, no matter how much expereince or how many times he has done the exact same task, always checks his work, which means reviewing the books to make sure he has the right torque specs, the right bolts, the right tools. Maybe it is simply skimming to verify memory, or maybe it is in detaill, but a good mechanic always checks the specs to make sure he does the job correctly. I was a machinst mate in the Navy, in submarines, for 21 years. And I can assure you, lives depended directly on doing my job right, the first time, there would not be a chance for a do-over at sea. Collective experience is a good thing, and is an aid to doing a job right the 1st time, and there were occasions when I knew the job backwards and forwards, but I still checked each time just to be sure in my mind that I was doing things exactly as the job was designed. Look for the guy who wipes his tools. That is the guy who you can put your trust into. He takes care of details, and that is a trait you are looking for in a mencanic. If the guy takes care of his tools, it is likely he will take care in doing the job, no matter how big or small or familiar or how many times he has done the exact same job previously.
2007-03-05 15:25:53 · answer #1 · answered by rowlfe 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A service manual usually. Since installing head gaskets isn't something most mechnics do often. Given the many different types of vehicle a mechanic will see its almost impossible for them to master the intricacies of all of them. And a head gasket isn't a head gasket isnt a head gasket. In other words, installing a head gasket is not quite the same routine on every car.
2007-03-05 22:39:19 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You'd better hope they use manuals because of the following: Foot pounds of torque, torquing sequences, clearances throughout the job. Valve timing if a timing chain or belt's replaced, gaskets up or down and dozens of others. Every manufacturer is different. Unless a person works on one motor all the time and it's bone stock there are too many variables. If he looking in his shop manual he's doing his best for you the car owner
2007-03-05 22:49:37 · answer #3 · answered by Country Boy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A head gasket isn't really that big of a deal but I would imagine they may use a manual to guide them through it all you would really need it for is torque specs unless you already know them.
2007-03-05 22:39:43 · answer #4 · answered by ja man 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes any real mechanic that works on a wide range of cars uses a manuals for reference.You cant remember everything about every car out there. Like stated above I also use manuals for reference on engine specs.
2007-03-05 23:12:06 · answer #5 · answered by Johnny 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Once you've done an operation on the same vehicles several times, you may not need to use a manual. But you DO need to refer to the manual for torque specifications on many of the nuts and bolts - head bolts, crank pulley, axle nuts, transmission to engine bolts, etc.
2007-03-05 22:36:34 · answer #6 · answered by artsy5347 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i own a repair shop,and we all use a repair manual for torque specs and tightening sequences ,and tolerances,there are a lot of good mechanics out there but none good enough to remember all of this information,we all need the book once in a while,good luck,i hope this help,s.
2007-03-05 22:40:07 · answer #7 · answered by dodge man 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Lets put it this way,...if you are about to bake a different cake(different model vehicle) do you just do it or do you scan the recipe quickly to see if something odd jumps out? Mechanics do the same. Torques and head bolt tightening patterns are different from model to model.
2007-03-05 22:38:59 · answer #8 · answered by ButwhatdoIno? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if they are smart, they will always use some type of ref. mat.
there are to many different service procedures ,makes and models to keep up with them all.each application seems to have it's own "special" procedure to follow that make the difference between doing the job right & having a repeat failure
2007-03-05 22:43:04 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most of them just know from experience.
2007-03-05 22:36:59 · answer #10 · answered by prettyrick72324 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋