Yes, a huge thanks to the car wizard. I'm always looking for self-help videos for my vehicles. Mr wizard makes things easy to understand and shows the most efficient way of doing things.
Here's a tip. If you're working on a car that's parked on grass, spread out an old blanket or tarp onto the grass and park the car on that. If you drop something small like a screw or bolt, it'll be a ton quicker and easier to find it on a tarp or blanket than if it fell into the grass.
A magnet will make finding metal parts easier in that situation, too. You can also put the magnet in a plastic bag to pick up swarf and turn the bag inside out as you remove the magnet and bin the bag, leaving you with a clean magnet.
One of my favorite tips was to use a small cardboard box to keep bolts of different sizes/lengths in order... especially for a water pump replacement! I draw a crude outline of the bolt pattern on the box, poke holes in the appropriate places and insert the bolts in order as I remove them. Keeps me from using a long bolt in a short hole or vice-versa when I re-install!
I did the same thing when I had to take the top of a Honda Goldwing apart to get to the Air filter. Nothing will make you want to swing a monkey wrench at an engineer quite like changing the air filter on a Goldwing!
I use lots of polystyrene egg cartons for small engine and electrical work . I write on the box with a sharpie the direction of assy. or disassy. I also use them for the cardboard as substitute on smaller fasteners.
haha good one. In the case of my 2006 Focus ST with a Volvo engine crammed into a smallish car, the transmission fill plug is a total nightmare to get loose. You have to cut down a 24mm socket to super low profile and use a wobble bar just to get some bite onto it. If you can get that loose before draining your fluid at least you are not stuck with an empty 'box if things go wrong.
I made that mistake on an old Porsche manual transmission. The plug is a 17mm Allen with pipe threads. I ended up using a 3/4” EZ out and breaker bar but oh what PITA.
Also, get some cheap paint markers (you can find these at just about any hardware store, Grainger, etc.) and put a little dot on the hoses / fasteners, and put a dot of the same color on where the fastener goes, or where the hose plugs in to. If you have a ton of hoses, or only have one paint marker, you can use multiple dots (like 2:2, 3:3, and so on) or a cross (or some other symbol) so you don't even have to confuse the color coding. I've also used different colored electrical tape for this purpose as well. This is extremely useful for vacuum hoses, which may have multiple hoses of the same diameter. Manufacturers often do this for lining up certain components as well during assembly.
Thank you! I remember the days before TH-cam and asking a mechanic or two for information and I get a reply: "trade secret," or worse, ignore mode. It is nice to know information can be shared now.
Tip 7: Another reason to always leave the window down is most newer cars with frame-less windows lower the window a little when the door opens. If you leave the window up and then disconnect the battery and get in the car you'll damage it when you close the door and the window is all the way up. The service manual for my car specifically states the window must be lowered as part of the procedure of disconnecting the battery.
The AC O-ring was a secret unknown. But all were excellent. Never liked the radiator drain because it was too slow & wouldn't clear out any debris as well as the hose outlets. Tip #11. Marry a great, innovative & supportive person.
Car Wizard reminds me of a heating n cooling guy I finally met a few years ago. A real straight shooter that wants to help,treats you fairly,doesn't talk down to you and truly has your best interests at heart. Someone you can be proud to recommend to others.
These tips remind me of lessons I learned from my dad and grandpa in the garage -- not amazing mechanics like you, but amazingly resourceful guys. Thanks for sharing!
“Don’t use the petcock.” BINGO! A number of years ago I was going on a 10 day trip and decided to change the coolant in my wife’s car. Using the petcock, I broke the solder on the bung it was screwed into. I was screwed. Obviously, the radiator had to be removed for repair. (I think those were the days before JB Weld, which I am never without) I had no time and my wife had to take me to the airport and use my car while I was gone. Use the bottom radiator hose and leave yourself some time for the repairs before really needing the car.
I'm a DIY mechanic and I always have the rule to not touch the drain plug on any radiator and I also like to take some pics of the engine before I take it apart. It really does make life easier.
A.J. W. Prices just went up on em lol. Bmw uses the green o rings on lot of their sensors and solenoids. The old ones seam to be in pretty good shape after removing. Getting me a box asap
Neil Murphy because you can’t- not quite anyway. You wouldn’t want to use them on moving seals exposed to brake fluid for example. Static should be ok though.
I love the o ring tip I'm a A/C tech you are 100% correct that's also going to give more confidence from your customer with your work. You rock Wizard👍🤟👌🧙♂️
Fantastic! I watched the three videos with our tips - I'm actually a DIY mechanic and use few. I liked most the oring lubricant idea, relay switch, A/C o-rings and few others. Please do more videos like this. The DIY community appreciate it very much!
I lose the straws for my spray cans before they are empty! LOL! I have done the dremmel on broke bolts too! I also haven't touched a peacock in 20 years. So much easier and faster to drain coolant from the bottom hose.
12:00 :) very good idea. I do actually leave the windows open while working on my own car - especially after witnessing a fellow guy breaking the window of his car - the car was left running idle but it locked up itself. The owner was literally crying breaking this window. Later it came out the smallest windown he has chosen to break was the most expensive one :) Then he cried for the second time.
Another method to use besides the straws from spray cans is to use white cable ties. The locking groves plus the white make it easy to read the level of fluid in transfer cases and differentials.
Google and youtube are the only reason im capable of doing all my own auto repairs. Some basic standard and metric tool sets and google lets you take care of a lot of problems
Hello Wizard, I wanted to thank you for your respect for apprentices and backyard mechanics, I’m from France and when I started my mechanics reconversion last year there was so many of these tips that could have save tons of time, but better learn late than never, you’re a great mentor
Almost 40 years ago, the first thing I learned as a tech was to roll the window down. I still do it, even in my own garage when I'm doing an oil change.
I keep my truck rear slider window unlocked but closed even when I am not working on it. The I can use a broom handle or whatever is long enough to unlatch the inside front door.
Great Video ! SUGGESTION : Could you do a video about the car lifts maybe ? How to choose them ? What concrete bed do you need ? Drive on vs arm lifts ? How do you position a vehicle for safe lifting. How not to bed rocker arm pinch welds. When do you need to consider using a screw jack under the vehicle also. Safe working procedures around/ under lifts. Thank you. Love the channel
I'd add: when you have a 10x10cm (3x3in) surface where to put your lifter (I mean the Hydraulic Trolley Jack Car Lift), how can then you put the stands below the car? As working with the car on the lifter isn't safe, but you can't both have the car lifted and put the stand if there is just 9sqin surface for all.
Not that long ago i had to drain coolant on my car but it didnt have a petcock so i had to tak the bottom hose off. Turns out i was lucky i didnt have to deal with it.
@@kacperstick I prefer having a petcock personally, due to having pulled a bottom radiator hose off only to have the stupid crap plastic bottom tank split on me - and yes, it was an American car - but most of the cars I've done coolant servicing on have been Japanese cars that have had pretty decent quality petcocks.
you have to drain the coolant anwyays so why not just take the lower bigger hose off. never got why they put those on radiators, never seen anyone use it ever
@@Zirion123 If done right, a good quality petcock that doesn't require tools would be easier to work with. However because of cost cutting they should've just not included one at all.
Figured out a lot of these tips by myself over the years but kinda though they were not” professional “ enough . You just made me feel good about them now .
I remember those TV carts! Good idea there. In the body shop we had to keep the windows up. A good place for keys also is on the driver side wiper blade at the base of the windshield.
Great tips my friend! One tip I used when I was once working as an apprentice mechanic was when remounting a cylinder head back on the gasket and block, (especially if there are no studs) was use a few drill bits in the bolt holes to keep the gasket from slipping out. Worked great on inline 4 and 6 engines. There may be something better to use but the drills never let me down.
Best bit: not using the radiator drain valve. Wish I had heard that before busting mine a few months ago. $250 screwup sponsored by GM's cheap plastic design and my own lack of knowledge. Thanks for the tips!
@@wildberry752 just pulled the good radiator out of my nice 94 300zx to do the timing belt service. Did not touch the petcock . Chris Fix does great vids and this old guy has learned some stuff from him. It is best to have numerous advisors. I have seen well intended vids on YT on different topics that have given terrible advice. Best to watch numerous if you undertake a task and are looking for help.
+1 on taking a photo of complicated wiring/tubing +1 on avoiding the radiator petcock. Always breaks, refuses to turn or refuses to seal. Great stuff! 👍👍
@rogue I use my dremel all the time. you can create a new smaller head on a stripped bolt too. Never saw a spark except when I hit a nail with a circle cutter bit made for wood.
I spent 2 hours trying to get a buried hose clamp off. On my way to buy a new Dremel to cut the clamp I stopped at a pawnshop. Lucky me they had beautiful comprehensive Dremel kit for 40 bucks. Now use it often for over 10 years
I put pool noodles, from the Dollar Store, on the vertical posts of the shop cart. Keeps the cart from damaging a car's paint if someone hits it by accident. Cheap insurance.
This is wonderfully like depression era mentality. I wonder if the Wizard’s grandfather taught him to operate this way! I appreciate him teaching our current generation. We are in late 60’s and have accumulated what we have by operating this way.
This man is taking time out of his busy day for our benefit. He provides valuable information on issues that every car owner should know. Thank you car wizard.
I've built and worked on vehicles for the last 56 years and you sir are a mechanic after my own heart. I always replace any plastic petcock with brass ones, AND, I cover them with some kind of cover to keep dirt from jamming them up, just as I always replace under vehicle bolts with stainless ones, particularly on exhaust systems. I too have collections of all kinds of shaped metal pieces for my presses. Great videos!
My Dremel is a life saver. The AC o-ring tip is so logical. I'm going to stock up. Thanks. Your video's are great teaching tools. All the best to Mrs. Wizard also.
I always love your shop tips! Keep them coming. I would also like to see you do one on the shop waist oil furnace that you mentioned in this video. I think that would be interesting.
neutrodyne I think It stays stoped up- clogd up more than it runs Mr. wisser don’t know how to filter oil enough to burn in heater heense clogged up goes out wizz can’t figure it out.
Thank you for all of the tips. I leave the keys either in my pocket or the ignition. Most cars cannot be locked with the key in the ignition. Leaving the window down is ok if you don't have any potential rodents. I didn't know about the A/C seals can also be used on oil seals. Great Video!!! Sounds like the Mrs. Wizard came up with all of the tips.
Ron Randall MR. WEARDDID SURE has a LOT of special RULES. NO way I could handle even working around this arrogant dude much less for him . He’s the only one in that warehouse probably can’t keep help the condescending way he sounds when explaining one of HIS RULES.
Some, mostly older petcocks are/were brass or aluminum. I with that was the case, but as long as it appears to be plastic, I too drain a radiator by removing the lower hose.
Only been wrenching for a couple years now but as I'm watching this video I realize the people that trained me really did know what they were talking about. I've seen almost every tip being used by someone in my shop, except the TV cart, that's pretty neat
Nice tips! About grinding a slot in rounded allen bolts: works great! Usually before resorting to that you could try using a torx! For some sizes an oversized torx will barely fit an allen bolt head, which is good, because you can rotate it until it indexes but doesn't fit and then hammer it in. :)
Man, the last tip about the petcocks... I don't feel so terrible now but wish I'd known back then. Did that on my Scooby Doo and it cost me a new radiator. :-)
I agree 100% about not using the petcock! And if you are trying to flush the system, water flow out the petcock is way too slow to flush the system properly!
CW, let me change your life...Those spray straws- heat them up with a match or lighter and you can bend them to spray at odd angles or to dip into the transaxle. BOOM, life changed. 🍻
@@blipco5 That is the most ingenious thing I have ever heard in my entire life and I cannot wait for spring to come so I can try this. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
KLAW90 ...I was at a motorcycle show and I was at a booth that some guy was selling motorcycle chain lube. I was telling him that my chain was a pain to get to. He pulls a cigarette lighter out of his pocket and says "Here, just do this". He heats It briefly and beds it at about a 75 or 80 degree bend. Now I'm a good mechanic and a pretty resourceful guy but my jaw dropped to the floor wondering why I have never thought to do that in like thirty years or more. If you look on my tool bench I have several straws bent to certain angles to match the bike I'm going to lube. Glad I could help. Cheers 🍻
Back in the 1970's when I first learned to work on cars, an old mechanic got me in the habit of taking photos before I even turned the first screw or bolt. It saved me a whole lot of headaches.
What a great tip about the press items. Retired 35 yr. Cat dealer mechanic. I kept a lot of races and other parts like that just like you do. Great video.
Your tips are great for beginners. I'm a weekend warrior and just started fixing up an old work truck, your paper in the socket trick saved my bacon on an obnoxiously placed bolt doing the headlights. You're the man, thanks and keep up the good work.
My vocational school instructor taught me the picture tip almost 10 years ago. I am now an aircraft maintainer and still use it to this day. Great tip!
Tip #11 Use a shop vac with 3 feet long 1/4 inch clear plumbing tubing. Stick it straight down radiator opening (if it has one). Will only work on radiators that has the opening on either end of radiator. No mess bro! Keep in mind most lower hoses are couple inches higher than bottom of radiator.
Yes Sir......Its a rule in my shop too. Window down. Every shop I've worked at as well. I myself learned that lesson 25 years ago the hard way. Drilled that into my head.
the Wizard said he's called Omega Auto Clinic. I looked it up, like...it's right in the centre of of America. Right in the middle. Very convenient for everyone! THANKS for the content, Wizard!
S V hey I worked in auto painting ,auto body,mechanics tv repair, industrial electronics heavy equipment, pc board repairs , marine repairs marine electronics , hf communications vhf uhf communications ,hvac and controls , motor rebuilding ,alternator rebuilding ,pump overhauls ,building automation,pc repairs .networking , industrial mechanical, pneumatics,hydraulics, welding ,brazing ,microwaves ,fabricating,medical electronics ,networking ,audio ,phone ,and auto electronics pcm , train remotes ,security cameras, robotics. My hobbies auto restoration custom auto painting engine building ,boat restoration ,fishing all types canoeing ,short wave listening ham radio .Guess what I don’t like to throw out much stuff ,also I was in my own business 35 + years I did exactly as Wizard and Scotty save time money and every dollar not spent is as good as a dollar earned !!
Awesome video Wizard! I remember, back in the 80's, I worked rotating shifts for a very big company. On my days off I worked casually for a video rental chain (VHS days) and learned from the owner all the same type of tips to open a new store. You could fill the store with older used videos from brokers and get the new releases a few at a time to build your clientele. Our best rentals were not new vids but old horror and karate movies! I see this as your intro to newbies on your business.
For old parts functioning as tools (tip #6) if you slap a coat of spray paint on them in some uncommon colour like safety orange, school bus yellow, etc... that would make it less likely someone else will confuse them for scrap or the new guy doesn't pick up the wrong one and put is on a customers car. Which colour doesn't really matter. As long as it is consistent and stands out so everyone knows it is a shop tool.
Thanks for your tips.Im not a mechanic.I like to do work on my car,but understand my limits.I seen your videos,and learned alot from you.Thank you again,God bless you and your family.
I'm currently going to flush out my radiator and was concerned about that brittle looking piece, so I'm glad I watched this video today to avoid a catastrophe. Thanks car wizard!
So just remember, if someone wants you to pet their cock, say no! I have never had this problem but every radiator I have done this on had a brass or aluminum valve but I was still careful with it.
IMPRESSIVE:: There are many smart, talented, articulate people in the world who generously share their knowledge and experience. Car Wizard channel is one of the best for many reasons. Thanks!
Tbh. Only if you're experienced and know how to estimate the time the car needs fixing. Well maintained reliable cars usually are in the shop for an hour. And those make money as well. And don't cost space or time guessing
Wet Lettuce Not if you’re good at actually charging for your labor, or in most cases like the wizard, charging for more hours than it takes. An oil change there’s really not much time available to make up additional free time and you have a lot of time just spent dealing with the customer, especially the ones who like to BS for a while. Nothing wrong with that of course, it’s just part of the deal but it can eat up a lot of time and the more customers you have to deal with per day the worse it gets.
When the ShopKo stores here in Nebraska closed down last year, I bought a ton of old fixtures for cheap for my shop. I got 40 feet of modular shelving for $180, worth about $12,000 new, and it works great for storing spare parts and fluids. You can save a lot of money going to closing businesses and stocking up. A lot of store fixtures can be repurposed for practical shop uses and will save you thousands instead of buying new.
Thank you so much for this awesome tip's guidance, i watched all 3 parts,and actually learned stuff that i didn't know or had forgotten, i have been a mechanic for a very long time! please post more, if you get the time, as appreciate you have a busy shop there, appreciation and blessings from the U.K 🙂😇👍
Great tip on the photo part. Anybody who restores old cars knows that can be a real life saver when you have to put it back together several months/years later.
![PASULOL รามเกียรติ์ ตอนที่ 4 นนทกพบรัก [Ramakien Ep.4: Nonthok in love]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/tMUQgmZzf_A/mqdefault.jpg)
You do realize you are basically mentoring thousands of people through TH-cam. I appreciate it a lot.
Absolutely, i owners a car stereo shop for almost 20 years . The wizard is mentoring us mentors.
Yes, a huge thanks to the car wizard. I'm always looking for self-help videos for my vehicles. Mr wizard makes things easy to understand and shows the most efficient way of doing things.
Here's a tip. If you're working on a car that's parked on grass, spread out an old blanket or tarp onto the grass and park the car on that. If you drop something small like a screw or bolt, it'll be a ton quicker and easier to find it on a tarp or blanket than if it fell into the grass.
Awesome tips you are truly blessed by God and his Spirit. Thank you.
A magnet will make finding metal parts easier in that situation, too. You can also put the magnet in a plastic bag to pick up swarf and turn the bag inside out as you remove the magnet and bin the bag, leaving you with a clean magnet.
auto picnic in other words
Laying a tarp down is a good tip because I lost so much crap in the grass already! 😢
One of my favorite tips was to use a small cardboard box to keep bolts of different sizes/lengths in order... especially for a water pump replacement! I draw a crude outline of the bolt pattern on the box, poke holes in the appropriate places and insert the bolts in order as I remove them. Keeps me from using a long bolt in a short hole or vice-versa when I re-install!
Very useful idea!
This idea is great. My father did the same thing in his shop. Takes all the guess work out and speeds up the assembly process.
I did the same thing when I had to take the top of a Honda Goldwing apart to get to the Air filter.
Nothing will make you want to swing a monkey wrench at an engineer quite like changing the air filter on a Goldwing!
I use lots of polystyrene egg cartons for small engine and electrical work . I write on the box with a sharpie the direction of assy. or disassy. I also use them for the cardboard as substitute on smaller fasteners.
I often just put the bolt in the correct slot in the old water pump
Love this guy. No goofin' around: right to the point, patiently, so everyone gets it.
My tip: always undo the transmission fill plug before the drain plug.
haha good one. In the case of my 2006 Focus ST with a Volvo engine crammed into a smallish car, the transmission fill plug is a total nightmare to get loose. You have to cut down a 24mm socket to super low profile and use a wobble bar just to get some bite onto it. If you can get that loose before draining your fluid at least you are not stuck with an empty 'box if things go wrong.
Same goes for diffs. Always get the fill plug loose before removing the pan.
I made that mistake on an old Porsche manual transmission. The plug is a 17mm Allen with pipe threads. I ended up using a 3/4” EZ out and breaker bar but oh what PITA.
Kodak moments excellent advice as well as keep window down. 👍🏻thx
@@royevans4581 just use a 6 point wrench.. or a super shallow socket. Lol
Take several photos. One after each part removed. That way you just look at the images in reverse order when you're putting it back together again.
Definitely bag and label hardware too, that includes bolts and brackets... especially if you're not going to immediately put it back together
darkiee69 wished I had more than once.
Like building a Lego set!
Also, get some cheap paint markers (you can find these at just about any hardware store, Grainger, etc.) and put a little dot on the hoses / fasteners, and put a dot of the same color on where the fastener goes, or where the hose plugs in to. If you have a ton of hoses, or only have one paint marker, you can use multiple dots (like 2:2, 3:3, and so on) or a cross (or some other symbol) so you don't even have to confuse the color coding. I've also used different colored electrical tape for this purpose as well. This is extremely useful for vacuum hoses, which may have multiple hoses of the same diameter. Manufacturers often do this for lining up certain components as well during assembly.
This is a must on my wife's Jetta Tsi.
Thank you! I remember the days before TH-cam and asking a mechanic or two for information and I get a reply: "trade secret," or worse, ignore mode. It is nice to know information can be shared now.
Spent 4 Years at college, and learned more here in 20 minutes.
Lol yeah right you musta had you eyes and ears closed the time dummy
I'm sorry i have to tell you wasted 4 years then lol these tips for person who really love snap on and spending time and money on stupid stuff .
@@zaynehm2444 lol
😂❤️
This guy is humble gold for saving money. May his kind increase.
Tip 7: Another reason to always leave the window down is most newer cars with frame-less windows lower the window a little when the door opens. If you leave the window up and then disconnect the battery and get in the car you'll damage it when you close the door and the window is all the way up. The service manual for my car specifically states the window must be lowered as part of the procedure of disconnecting the battery.
The AC O-ring was a secret unknown. But all were excellent. Never liked the radiator drain because it was too slow & wouldn't clear out any debris as well as the hose outlets.
Tip #11.
Marry a great, innovative & supportive person.
sleepyhollow783 Mrs Wizard is a keeper for sure.
I jiggle it a little bit. And usely pull my hose !💑 Great Scott!
Dig it!
Mrs.wizard is just the best
@@derkdiggler4995 Sounds like a personal problem…
Car Wizard reminds me of a heating n cooling guy I finally met a few years ago. A real straight shooter that wants to help,treats you fairly,doesn't talk down to you and truly has your best interests at heart. Someone you can be proud to recommend to others.
These tips remind me of lessons I learned from my dad and grandpa in the garage -- not amazing mechanics like you, but amazingly resourceful guys. Thanks for sharing!
“Don’t use the petcock.” BINGO!
A number of years ago I was going on a 10 day trip and decided to change the coolant in my wife’s car. Using the petcock, I broke the solder on the bung it was screwed into. I was screwed. Obviously, the radiator had to be removed for repair. (I think those were the days before JB Weld, which I am never without) I had no time and my wife had to take me to the airport and use my car while I was gone. Use the bottom radiator hose and leave yourself some time for the repairs before really needing the car.
I'm a DIY mechanic and I always have the rule to not touch the drain plug on any radiator and I also like to take some pics of the engine before I take it apart. It really does make life easier.
That green Mustang in the background, gorgeous.
A/C O-ring tip is great, will have to keep that in mind for next time! Will check the Amazon page...
Ya me to never knew you could use them on everything
A.J. W. Prices just went up on em lol. Bmw uses the green o rings on lot of their sensors and solenoids. The old ones seam to be in pretty good shape after removing. Getting me a box asap
hyelifels haha no kidding, Wizard has quite a following.
Neil Murphy because you can’t- not quite anyway. You wouldn’t want to use them on moving seals exposed to brake fluid for example. Static should be ok though.
@@brogenville ya I guess they weren't made for that
I love the o ring tip I'm a A/C tech you are 100% correct that's also going to give more confidence from your customer with your work. You rock Wizard👍🤟👌🧙♂️
Fantastic! I watched the three videos with our tips - I'm actually a DIY mechanic and use few. I liked most the oring lubricant idea, relay switch, A/C o-rings and few others. Please do more videos like this. The DIY community appreciate it very much!
I lose the straws for my spray cans before they are empty! LOL! I have done the dremmel on broke bolts too! I also haven't touched a peacock in 20 years. So much easier and faster to drain coolant from the bottom hose.
I touched a peacock once. I will *never* be allowed back to that zoo.
12:00 :) very good idea. I do actually leave the windows open while working on my own car - especially after witnessing a fellow guy breaking the window of his car - the car was left running idle but it locked up itself. The owner was literally crying breaking this window. Later it came out the smallest windown he has chosen to break was the most expensive one :) Then he cried for the second time.
I swear I have 10,000 of them in my garage, somewhere. I think there is a black hole under my workbench somewhere. It got an 11mm deep the other day.
seeya205 10-4 on bottom rad. hose 20
Another method to use besides the straws from spray cans is to use white cable ties. The locking groves plus the white make it easy to read the level of fluid in transfer cases and differentials.
I use a traditional "L" shaped Allen wrench
Excellent tip about the O rings. I've been using AC ones for everything for years.
Even for fuel injectors? Are they ok?
This is why you are called the wizard. Great video and information!
Google and youtube are the only reason im capable of doing all my own auto repairs. Some basic standard and metric tool sets and google lets you take care of a lot of problems
Be careful, you'll end up with thousands worth of tools, but they'll save you 10x that over a lifetime
My dremel has been a lifesaver many times, Paid $10 for it at a yard sale a few years ago, brand new and came with a 500 piece bit set.
Hello Wizard, I wanted to thank you for your respect for apprentices and backyard mechanics, I’m from France and when I started my mechanics reconversion last year there was so many of these tips that could have save tons of time, but better learn late than never, you’re a great mentor
Before the dremel you take torx Key and hammer it in. Works almost every time.
Nice turtle
60% of the time it works every time
@@SerbanCMusca & it's not a Torx bit anymore 99% of the time.
@@SerbanCMusca & it's not a Torx bit anymore 99% of the time.
@@timewa851 Torx or triple square bit.
Almost 40 years ago, the first thing I learned as a tech was to roll the window down. I still do it, even in my own garage when I'm doing an oil change.
I keep my truck rear slider window unlocked but closed even when I am not working on it. The I can use a broom handle or whatever is long enough to unlatch the inside front door.
Always roll it down! Still do it today as well
Good man. It's nice to see a mechanic that is not ashamed of adminitg that he needs help
Great Video ! SUGGESTION : Could you do a video about the car lifts maybe ? How to choose them ? What concrete bed do you need ? Drive on vs arm lifts ? How do you position a vehicle for safe lifting. How not to bed rocker arm pinch welds. When do you need to consider using a screw jack under the vehicle also. Safe working procedures around/ under lifts. Thank you. Love the channel
I'd add: when you have a 10x10cm (3x3in) surface where to put your lifter (I mean the Hydraulic Trolley Jack Car Lift), how can then you put the stands below the car? As working with the car on the lifter isn't safe, but you can't both have the car lifted and put the stand if there is just 9sqin surface for all.
I’m so confident, I love “pulling it out and taking a picture!“
petcock recommendation is legit, I had a hell of a time with that one on a chevy sonic
Not that long ago i had to drain coolant on my car but it didnt have a petcock so i had to tak the bottom hose off. Turns out i was lucky i didnt have to deal with it.
@@kacperstick I prefer having a petcock personally, due to having pulled a bottom radiator hose off only to have the stupid crap plastic bottom tank split on me - and yes, it was an American car - but most of the cars I've done coolant servicing on have been Japanese cars that have had pretty decent quality petcocks.
I tried to open the petcock on my sisters Saturn and it completely rounded out. I wont to that again. Thank you Car Wizard!
you have to drain the coolant anwyays so why not just take the lower bigger hose off. never got why they put those on radiators, never seen anyone use it ever
@@Zirion123 If done right, a good quality petcock that doesn't require tools would be easier to work with.
However because of cost cutting they should've just not included one at all.
Figured out a lot of these tips by myself over the years but kinda though they were not” professional “ enough . You just made me feel good about them now .
I remember those TV carts! Good idea there. In the body shop we had to keep the windows up. A good place for keys also is on the driver side wiper blade at the base of the windshield.
Great tips my friend! One tip I used when I was once working as an apprentice mechanic was when remounting a cylinder head back on the gasket and block, (especially if there are no studs) was use a few drill bits in the bolt holes to keep the gasket from slipping out. Worked great on inline 4 and 6 engines. There may be something better to use but the drills never let me down.
Best bit: not using the radiator drain valve. Wish I had heard that before busting mine a few months ago. $250 screwup sponsored by GM's cheap plastic design and my own lack of knowledge. Thanks for the tips!
that saved me
I learned the hard way 35 years ago. Ya want to use the intended component and expect it will be ok........NOT.
@@johnmichaelkarma even chrisfix used the petcock
@@wildberry752 just pulled the good radiator out of my nice 94 300zx to do the timing belt service. Did not touch the petcock . Chris Fix does great vids and this old guy has learned some stuff from him. It is best to have numerous advisors. I have seen well intended vids on YT on different topics that have given terrible advice. Best to watch numerous if you undertake a task and are looking for help.
+1 on taking a photo of complicated wiring/tubing
+1 on avoiding the radiator petcock. Always breaks, refuses to turn or refuses to seal.
Great stuff! 👍👍
Thanks for the o-ring suggestion!
The cut screwhead thing has come in so handy for me over the years. It’s an essential trick, that’s for sure.
The Dremel is a highly underrated tool in auto repair!
Invaluable in tight spaces.
Chip B it’s great for removing nose hair
Amen, brother!
@rogue I use my dremel all the time. you can create a new smaller head on a stripped bolt too. Never saw a spark except when I hit a nail with a circle cutter bit made for wood.
I spent 2 hours trying to get a buried hose clamp off. On my way to buy a new Dremel to cut the clamp I stopped at a pawnshop. Lucky me they had beautiful comprehensive Dremel kit for 40 bucks. Now use it often for over 10 years
I put pool noodles, from the Dollar Store, on the vertical posts of the shop cart. Keeps the cart from damaging a car's paint if someone hits it by accident. Cheap insurance.
That last one with the petcock, yeah, I've been there...
This is wonderfully like depression era mentality. I wonder if the Wizard’s grandfather taught him to operate this way! I appreciate him teaching our current generation. We are in late 60’s and have accumulated what we have by operating this way.
This man is taking time out of his busy day for our benefit. He provides valuable information on issues that every car owner should know. Thank you car wizard.
I've built and worked on vehicles for the last 56 years and you sir are a mechanic after my own heart. I always replace any plastic petcock with brass ones, AND, I cover them with some kind of cover to keep dirt from jamming them up, just as I always replace under vehicle bolts with stainless ones, particularly on exhaust systems. I too have collections of all kinds of shaped metal pieces for my presses. Great videos!
Wizard is the man.
I would gladly have him work on my automobiles.
Oil changes payoff but we show the customer what they need and safety’s always over manitnece! 🔎👍
My Dremel is a life saver. The AC o-ring tip is so logical. I'm going to stock up. Thanks. Your video's are great teaching tools. All the best to Mrs. Wizard also.
These videos are not only really good tips but the Wizard has a wonderfully dry sense of humor. He would seem to be a great boss.
I always love your shop tips! Keep them coming. I would also like to see you do one on the shop waist oil furnace that you mentioned in this video. I think that would be interesting.
neutrodyne I think It stays stoped up- clogd up more than it runs Mr. wisser don’t know how to filter oil enough to burn in heater heense clogged up goes out wizz can’t figure it out.
This is one of the greatest DIY car repair videos ever. Thank you
I like the petcock tip the best! Obvious - but I never thought about it. Thanks!
Just amazing! I wish i had watched this before i broke the rad drain plug on my car! Liked and subbed.
Thank you for all of the tips. I leave the keys either in my pocket or the ignition. Most cars cannot be locked with the key in the ignition. Leaving the window down is ok if you don't have any potential rodents. I didn't know about the A/C seals can also be used on oil seals. Great Video!!! Sounds like the Mrs. Wizard came up with all of the tips.
Not to mention dust and shop smells 👍
Ron Randall MR. WEARDDID SURE has a LOT of special RULES. NO way I could handle even working around this arrogant dude much less for him . He’s the only one in that warehouse probably can’t keep help the condescending way he sounds when explaining one of HIS RULES.
Awesome tips! I always use the lower radiator hose for the same reason, as well as it drains a hell of a lot faster than a tiny drain hole.
Some, mostly older petcocks are/were brass or aluminum. I with that was the case, but as long as it appears to be plastic, I too drain a radiator by removing the lower hose.
Only been wrenching for a couple years now but as I'm watching this video I realize the people that trained me really did know what they were talking about. I've seen almost every tip being used by someone in my shop, except the TV cart, that's pretty neat
Nice tips! About grinding a slot in rounded allen bolts: works great! Usually before resorting to that you could try using a torx! For some sizes an oversized torx will barely fit an allen bolt head, which is good, because you can rotate it until it indexes but doesn't fit and then hammer it in. :)
Man, the last tip about the petcocks... I don't feel so terrible now but wish I'd known back then. Did that on my Scooby Doo and it cost me a new radiator. :-)
do you live by the river? lol
@@TheUnknownHarbingers, lived on the coast of Maine when it happened. :-) You were as close as it gets. Peace.
Good tips! I will never forget the last tip from now on
I agree 100% about not using the petcock! And if you are trying to flush the system, water flow out the petcock is way too slow to flush the system properly!
CW, let me change your life...Those spray straws- heat them up with a match or lighter and you can bend them to spray at odd angles or to dip into the transaxle.
BOOM, life changed. 🍻
Very cool !
Czechbound ...Somebody showed me how to do it for lubing my motorcycle chain instead of twisting the can every which way. Try it. 🍻
@@blipco5 That is the most ingenious thing I have ever heard in my entire life and I cannot wait for spring to come so I can try this. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
KLAW90 ...I was at a motorcycle show and I was at a booth that some guy was selling motorcycle chain lube. I was telling him that my chain was a pain to get to. He pulls a cigarette lighter out of his pocket and says "Here, just do this". He heats It briefly and beds it at about a 75 or 80 degree bend. Now I'm a good mechanic and a pretty resourceful guy but my jaw dropped to the floor wondering why I have never thought to do that in like thirty years or more. If you look on my tool bench I have several straws bent to certain angles to match the bike I'm going to lube.
Glad I could help. Cheers 🍻
blipco5 Been doing that for years when I had sport bikes. Wish I had thought of it, myself. Too simple.
The Pic before disassembly (or halfway) is also what I use when service mechanical watches, it works very well.
You the man Wiz... love the tips. Old dogs can learn, I’m telling you
It makes me happy to see that at least one man of this new generation that has a lot of old school common sense,and knowledge.
Great tips, and loving that Corrado!
Back in the 1970's when I first learned to work on cars, an old mechanic got me in the habit of taking photos before I even turned the first screw or bolt. It saved me a whole lot of headaches.
Love the Dremel too! best multi tool ever
Very clever trick with the paper patch on the bolt!
Love this! Thanks a million for sharing your experience, Wizard!
What a great tip about the press items. Retired 35 yr. Cat dealer mechanic. I kept a lot of races and other parts like that just like you do. Great video.
Amazing tips especially for beginners, Thanks for sharing Wizard👍
Your tips are great for beginners. I'm a weekend warrior and just started fixing up an old work truck, your paper in the socket trick saved my bacon on an obnoxiously placed bolt doing the headlights. You're the man, thanks and keep up the good work.
I love the wizard tips videos! I use the dremel tip on security and one way screws quite often! 👍
My vocational school instructor taught me the picture tip almost 10 years ago. I am now an aircraft maintainer and still use it to this day. Great tip!
i used the petcock on my 2007 mustang, it worked fine. still a good tip, I'll go with the hose method from now on.
You don't want to become another Craigslist seller selling his broken mustang.
Stick with the hose method.
Tip #11 Use a shop vac with 3 feet long 1/4 inch clear plumbing tubing. Stick it straight down radiator opening (if it has one). Will only work on radiators that has the opening on either end of radiator. No mess bro! Keep in mind most lower hoses are couple inches higher than bottom of radiator.
The window thing was a thing in all the shops I have worked at and it’s become a force of habit for me even working on my own vehicles
Been watching you since you started your channel, I love the tips and tricks you teach us! I've been implementing some of them with my cars i work on!
Yes Sir......Its a rule in my shop too. Window down. Every shop I've worked at as well. I myself learned that lesson 25 years ago the hard way. Drilled that into my head.
Great tips Wizard, thanks for the share. You're a Lucky guy, Mrs. Wizard by your side.👍💯💯💯
the Wizard said he's called Omega Auto Clinic. I looked it up, like...it's right in the centre of of America. Right in the middle. Very convenient for everyone! THANKS for the content, Wizard!
Video in the year 2050: Hoarder Intervention: Mrs. Wizard forces David to give up his 50,000,000 spray can tubes and old brake pads. ;)
Have you seen Shouty Kilmer's garage? :)
LOL
drippingwax The hoarder police have!
@@drippingwax Its not a garage, its a dumpster.
S V hey I worked in auto painting ,auto body,mechanics tv repair, industrial electronics heavy equipment, pc board repairs , marine repairs marine electronics , hf communications vhf uhf communications ,hvac and controls , motor rebuilding ,alternator rebuilding ,pump overhauls ,building automation,pc repairs .networking , industrial mechanical, pneumatics,hydraulics, welding ,brazing ,microwaves ,fabricating,medical electronics ,networking ,audio ,phone ,and auto electronics pcm , train remotes ,security cameras, robotics. My hobbies auto restoration custom auto painting engine building ,boat restoration ,fishing all types canoeing ,short wave listening ham radio .Guess what I don’t like to throw out much stuff ,also I was in my own business 35 + years I did exactly as Wizard and Scotty save time money and every dollar not spent is as good as a dollar earned !!
Awesome video Wizard! I remember, back in the 80's, I worked rotating shifts for a very big company. On my days off I worked casually for a video rental chain (VHS days) and learned from the owner all the same type of tips to open a new store. You could fill the store with older used videos from brokers and get the new releases a few at a time to build your clientele. Our best rentals were not new vids but old horror and karate movies! I see this as your intro to newbies on your business.
For old parts functioning as tools (tip #6) if you slap a coat of spray paint on them in some uncommon colour like safety orange, school bus yellow, etc... that would make it less likely someone else will confuse them for scrap or the new guy doesn't pick up the wrong one and put is on a customers car. Which colour doesn't really matter. As long as it is consistent and stands out so everyone knows it is a shop tool.
thats interesting where I work we spray the stuff with paint that is to be thrown away
Thanks for your tips.Im not a mechanic.I like to do work on my car,but understand my limits.I seen your videos,and learned alot from you.Thank you again,God bless you and your family.
Good stuff wizard!. Thanks
I'm currently going to flush out my radiator and was concerned about that brittle looking piece, so I'm glad I watched this video today to avoid a catastrophe. Thanks car wizard!
Was pleasantly surprised when I went to flush the cooling system on my '93 roadmaster and the petcock was a metal valve.
My only tip to add is always have "JB weld" on hand. Always. Fixes almost anything automotive. Amazing stuff.
Car business master wizard!
The window thing I have always done. Whether working on a car or just warming one up. Great call there Wizard.
I ran into #10 last year working on a neighbors’s car; the people at Autozone didn’t even know what a petcock was.
Show them a picture of a rooster 🤣
So just remember, if someone wants you to pet their cock, say no!
I have never had this problem but every radiator I have done this on had a brass or aluminum valve but I was still careful with it.
@@bartfoster1311 What the?! What cars are you working on that have metal petcocks?
@@bwwilson1765 my 95 toyota pickup,2001 Montero, 95 Chevy w4 box truck. They used to make things a little better.
How about just plugging up the petcock hole with JB Weld Water Weld after you break it?
IMPRESSIVE:: There are many smart, talented, articulate people in the world who generously share their knowledge and experience. Car Wizard channel is one of the best for many reasons. Thanks!
Yes! More Weeeeeezard!
All these years never thought about the petcock breaking , just got lucky I guess, great tip.
Essential Mechanic Tips Part 4: Have a constant stream of income from an idiot friend who buys broken cars.
Tbh. Only if you're experienced and know how to estimate the time the car needs fixing. Well maintained reliable cars usually are in the shop for an hour. And those make money as well. And don't cost space or time guessing
@@tr33c21 Oil changes and brakes are your bread and butter
Wet Lettuce Not if you’re good at actually charging for your labor, or in most cases like the wizard, charging for more hours than it takes.
An oil change there’s really not much time available to make up additional free time and you have a lot of time just spent dealing with the customer, especially the ones who like to BS for a while. Nothing wrong with that of course, it’s just part of the deal but it can eat up a lot of time and the more customers you have to deal with per day the worse it gets.
Showbiz
I buy cars when someone wants to write them off for junk and it’s mostly my time and my hoist it’s going to get me something!🦍💨
When the ShopKo stores here in Nebraska closed down last year, I bought a ton of old fixtures for cheap for my shop. I got 40 feet of modular shelving for $180, worth about $12,000 new, and it works great for storing spare parts and fluids. You can save a lot of money going to closing businesses and stocking up. A lot of store fixtures can be repurposed for practical shop uses and will save you thousands instead of buying new.
viton is also a damn good o-ring material.
Thank you so much for this awesome tip's guidance, i watched all 3 parts,and actually learned stuff that i didn't know or had forgotten, i have been a mechanic for a very long time! please post more, if you get the time, as appreciate you have a busy shop there, appreciation and blessings from the U.K 🙂😇👍
Wait, the Wizard has an actual name? And it's David? I feel like some of the magic just evaporated.
Great tip on the photo part. Anybody who restores old cars knows that can be a real life saver when you have to put it back together several months/years later.