I Wrenched On My CTS.  It Did Not Blow Up.  YET.

"PatBateman" (PatBateman) 12/13/2017 at 18:59 • Filed to: PatBateman’s Story Time Extravaganza

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I had a misfire in cylinder 3, according to the diagnostic tool that my mechanic so graciously lended me for five minutes. It was prominent in every day driving, as well. So, I went to the zone. AUTOZONE.

I changed the coil and a stubborn-as-hell plug with the tools that they entrusted in me to not steal. The interweb suggested that I remove the strut tower and the intake manifold, but I could get to all the components without doing it. Plus, I guarantee you that I would have destroyed the engine by doing so. Trust me, I would have.

After it was done, I got the Caddy on the road and gave it the gusto, for testing purposes. Runs like a charm.

I successfully fixed my car, and only had to spend $60 doing so. This is a win. If my car blows up in a few days, though...

BeaterGT > PatBateman 12/13/2017 at 19:12

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Congrats! Nothing quite like the feeling of wrenching (whether successfully or not) on your own ride.

PatBateman > BeaterGT 12/13/2017 at 19:14

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I’m both proud and concerned. The lingering feeling of dread from thinking that I missed some truly serious step remains. I didn’t, but it’s still there.

PatBateman > BeaterGT 12/13/2017 at 19:14

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And thanks!

DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time > PatBateman 12/13/2017 at 19:17

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Did you do all the spark plugs or just one? Because if you just did one, that’s weird af bro.

404 - User No Longer Available > PatBateman 12/13/2017 at 19:30

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Same thing happens to me when I wrench my car. I did a coolant drain and fill the other day and spent the next 2 weeks worrying if I introduced a bubble somewhere in the system.

BeaterGT > PatBateman 12/13/2017 at 19:46

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It’s like buyer’s remorse, except...YOUR LIFE IS AT STAKE.

BeaterGT > 404 - User No Longer Available 12/13/2017 at 19:47

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I don’t just bleed brakes, I do it multiple times because I’m neurotic.

shop-teacher > PatBateman 12/13/2017 at 19:47

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Good work!

Chariotoflove > PatBateman 12/13/2017 at 22:25

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If it blows up, there will be no evidence of a connection to anything in your repair. So no one can take that win away from you.

PatBateman > DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time 12/13/2017 at 23:55

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Just one. I didn’t have the time, patience, nor tools to do them all.

PatBateman > shop-teacher 12/13/2017 at 23:58

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Thanks! Also, question: Is it normal to burn yourself on the engine block while doing this?

shop-teacher > PatBateman 12/14/2017 at 06:55

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Yeah. If the engine is hot, which it will be if you’re in the AutoZone parking lot, burns are definitely on the table. It’s the price of doing business :)

PatBateman > shop-teacher 12/14/2017 at 08:10

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This doesn’t make me feel a lot better about the blisters on the pads of my index finger and thumb, but I’m happy that I’m not the only one that this might have happened to.

shop-teacher > PatBateman 12/14/2017 at 08:58

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You’re definitely not alone in that. Wrenching can be rather hazardous. Get yourself some silver sulfadiazine burn cream. The stuff is amazing.

If you decide to tackle the rest of the plugs and coils, buy all the stuff, take it home, and let the engine cool off before you set to work. I honestly prefer to work on my engines on a nice weekend morning, after they’ve sat overnight.