-1

I miss the days when troubleshooting meant listening to the engine, not staring at a screen

Lots of guys love the new computer checks... but I think we forgot how to find problems just by listening and feeling.

3 comments

3 Comments

My dad's old Ford pickup had an engine bay you could actually reach into. Now everything's wrapped in plastic shields so you can't even hear the belts whine. It feels like we traded understanding the machine for just following error codes. Once that screen goes blank, a whole generation of mechanics won't know where to start.

karen_wells2mo ago

Right? My cousin's new SUV has this smooth plastic cover over the whole engine, lol. You pop the hood and it's just... a lid. Can't see a belt or a hose. I get they want it clean and quiet, but if the check engine light comes on, you're just hoping the code reader tells you something. Makes me nervous for when things really break down.

ray_mitchell582mo ago

But isn't that what the code readers and service manuals are for now?