Here’s a good example of where a DIY mechanic follows sensible attempts at a repair only to wind up in trouble and confusing a repair job because of an unexpected problem that is not so unexpected with experienced mechanics---faked online auto parts.
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There’s No Shame in Taking Your Failed Repair to a Mechanic
You are a DIY auto enthusiast who likes to keep his or her car in great shape and make repairs when needed based on diagnosis skills you may have learned online and a scan tool that comes highly recommended---great! You are ahead of most car owners by a long shot. Especially those with good intentions, but are guilty of firing the parts cannon at a problem hoping something will stick and solve a problem. Been there, done that---it’s all part of the learning process.
But what if after following a commercial repair manual’s guided instructions and having performed the recommended part(s) replacement, the problem remains unresolved?
What every DIY mechanic needs to know is that there is no shame (but some acceptable level of embarrassment) when you realize that you are missing something and need someone with more experience to help solve your car issue. That’s when going to a mechanic makes sense and it is much better (and cheaper) than carrying on with dogged determination that could make a diagnosis more difficult by the time it does get to a professional.
Another thing the DIY mechanic needs to know is that you can rely only so far on what a scan tool says---it takes training and experience to pinpoint some problems that a scan tool can only hint at in many cases.
That said, the best advice to follow with any DIY repair is to make notes about what brought the problem to your attention, what you did to try to fix the problem, make sure to keep any replaced parts, and be upfront with the mechanic when seeking help---it’ll make his or her job easier, a repair finished quicker, and will save you money in the end.
Case in Point
Here's a good example on a recent Diagnose Dan YouTube channel video of where a DIY car enthusiast/mechanic decides to diagnosis an error code where his fuel system is running too lean and attempts to rectify the problem with sensible parts replacement, but actually missed on checking something more basic that was the real cause of his car’s problem. In addition, this is also a good example of discovering the risks of buying inexpensive faked name-brand parts online that can confuse a repair for both inexperienced and experienced mechanics.
Related article: Amazon Sells Counterfeit Honda Parts Warning
Please Note Before Watching the Video: On the video the faked auto parts section begins at timepoint 19:20 of the video, The first 19 minutes are worth watching as well with Diagnose Dan explaining an air suspension problem, but it is not germane to this article’s focus.
Fake Parts Causing Faultcodes
And finally…
For additional articles about car repair and maintenance related to this piece, here are a recommended few for your perusal:
• Toyota Maintenance Non-OEM Parts Warning
• Aftermarket Auto Parts Warning Says This Mechanic
• Avoid Voiding Your Toyota Warranty with This Important Advice on How Warranties Work and Don’t Work
COMING UP NEXT: Things You Should Never Do to a Manual Transmission Car
Timothy Boyer is a Torque News automotive reporter based in Cincinnati. Experienced with early car restorations, he regularly restores older vehicles with engine modifications for improved performance. Follow Tim on Twitter at @TimBoyerWrites for daily new and used vehicle news.
Image Source: Pexels
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