This quarter I have learned more than I learned any other quarter. I feel like I have created a wonderful foundation of leaning, but I assure you that it is not the end. This past week has been really great for me because I have been gearing up to go out on my own. I have been finding odd jobs and gaining experience working on a variety of things… investigating options. I got a job in Roy, WA working on a KH 61 Kubota excavator. So far I have discovered several leaks only one that I could really get a picture of and figured out which circuit is losing pressure but I have a strong feeling that it has something to do with the damaged gears in the main pump (Kayaba kp4-7c-7c6c) that we tore out of there. i also got a job in California. I am getting paid to travel there and fix a 1987 school bus that has been sitting for a little over a year. From the sounds of it is just stuck in the dirt but after sitting for that long I have a feeling this thing might have some problems.  This week I learned how stupid people really are when it comes to breaks….. DON’T THEY REALIZE THAT IS YOU LIFE AND POSSIBLY SOMEONE ELSES? I took a picture of what was left of their rotors, this was a charity case.

Hours this week: 45

Hours total: 392

This week I learned a little more about how to connect to a systems computer. I used the motis to connect to a 2003 dodge V8 turbo diesel and test the horn and the windshield wipers. I also connected to a 6.7l ford diesel trainer (vin=1ftrf3bt9bea53428) and got the trouble codes for it.

This week I fixed a 91 Ford Aerostar… new rotors, new brake pads, new bearing seals, new windshield motor and a new fan. Also I have started the head gasket on a 2003 Toyota Corolla.

Until next time…

Time this week: 25

Time total: 347

This week in the engines portion of this quarter, I learned how much just a tiny bit of contaminate can cause a lot of wear and in turn a lot of damage to the entire engine. In our class discussion today we talked about all of the different things that cause excessive wear; one other example of a cause being clutch misuse/overuse or general operator mistake, we also got the chance to look at many cases of excessive engine wear. 

Also this week I completed the B section of the engines module in caterpillar basics. I am unable to complete the A section because of technical difficulties which should be solved by this afternoon, but after several hours of computer wrestling I have decided that it is better for both our healths if I discontinue for the day, so until tomorrow….

Hours this week: 25

Hours total: 322

Already this week, I reassembled my part of the 3516 Caterpillar engine and completed my precision measurement project. Also I posted the precision measurement paper for the Mercedes.  

I finally finish my darn car and its running good. I also finished up the measurements on my 3516 engine and now its time to reassemble. One lesson I learned this week I learned how (not from my own actions) the lack of the right pieces will most likely not be the last time you have to look at it because it’s probably going to cause bigger issues. I borrowed a car while mine was in the shop and I replaced the rotors and pads and clips and anti wobble springs the owner of the vehicle had replaced the brake pads previously and did not put the anti wobble springs in there and that caused very bad uneven wear and in turned rotor damage.

Hours this week: 57

Hours total: 297