Thread: Are some people really this unaware about cars?

I went to my Aunties place today to finish here yard after i was rained out last week. After i was finished i was talking to my cousin and we got talking about cars. He mentioned he needs to start his (a little mazda 121) with a pair of scissors across the contacts on the starter motor, it works, but would get painful after a while. Anyway the engine was absolutely covered in oil, leaking tappet cover gasket i assume, the oil started right at the top and worked its way down. So i checked the oil, not a drop on the dipstick. "Who long has it been since you changed your oil?" i asked. "I havent had it done since i bought it." came the reply. "How long ago was that?" i asked. "18 months. 8O ". Once i picked myself up i asked how many km's he had done in that time. 20000km in 18months and not one single oil change. I checked the radiator and it was brown with rust.

So, i said right lets got to Auto one in Springwood and we'll get the stuff you need to get it right before you blow it up. $55 later we had a filter, some coolant and some Castrol motor oil.

I drained the oil, all 600ml 8O , yes 600ml, of it and changed the filter. I then asked if the oil light had been coming on. Oh, it flickers every now and then he says. It stuffs me how the damn thing was still running, and more to the point how the oil was being picked up by the pump, there was less than an inch of oil in the bottom of the 4L ice cream container we drained it into.

So, some new oil and some new coolant later it was running and sounding alot better. I have no idea how long he would have been driving around like that if i hadnt forced him to spend the 5o bucks to change it.

My dad was there and he still can't get over it. Matt

Originally posted by disco95

I agree, I spill more than that when topping up the power steering box

my power steering box runs just fine,,
on 100% seal reconditioner

still leaks though :roll: