Overview (upd 11-26-13)

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Amskeptic
IAC "Help Desk"
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Overview (upd 11-26-13)

Post by Amskeptic » Sun Sep 03, 2006 7:59 pm

We want to maintain a broad perspective here. Some folks are going to be crawling in the tall grass, some are going to be buffeted by passing trucks, some are going to be enduring cold rain, and some are going to be in an immaculate three-bay garage with wet bar and superb HVAC to complement the well-stocked garage refrigerator.

There are many ways to keep your VW running, and there are many different budgets to support the above. We appreciate them all, and have experience across the entire continuum of work environments.

Expect some constructive criticisms if your methods trigger safety concerns.
We do not want to nanny you to death, but if you display a shocking lack of common sense, we must and will alert you .
Use your wits. Use common sense and be aware!

GRAVITY EXISTS
Don't go under items that can squish you unless you really trust it. . . that means give it a shove to see if your jackstands are going to hold it.
If in California or other seismically active areas, give it four shoves in succession before you trust your jacking method. (expect trouble if an earthquake hits, any notion that one is happening, don't ponder under the car, get out from under it)(NOW)

CHEMICAL REACTIONS OCCUR
Don't play with gasoline AND drop the incandescent bulb trouble light on the floor next to it. If you can smell gasoline, so can a spark. Please no gasoline smelly rags tossed near the gas water heater.

KINETIC ENERGY HAPPENS
If the engine is running, be cautious around the fan belt. Any rotating mechanical mass has energy, be prepared to avoid, harness, or stop it, on your terms.

VEHICULAR ELECTRICITY COMPETES WITH YOUR OWN
If you have a capacitive discharge ignition, best not to stand in a pool of mercury while grabbing frayed ignition wires. The usual 20,000 volt spark will not stop your heart in a dry environment, but a high-energy ignition system with a good ground path through YOU can disrupt the delicate electrical circuit that keeps your heart beating.

BREATHING IS IMPORTANT TO LIFE
Exhaust has two effects:
a) it displaces your oxygen supply in the air - that, we are intuitively familiar with but:
b) it also steals a seat in your hemoglobin carrying capacity, so even if your unconscious body is dragged to fresh air, it may not be quick enough.

It is your responsibility to maintain access to oxygen and to avoid carbon monoxide. Because monoxide is odorless, you have to pay attention to the presence of other exhaust gases. If you should ever feel woozy in the presence of your running engine, shut it off, clear out of there, redesign the air flow requirements for your life processes. For example, always have the tailpipe out of the garage if your engine has to be running.

PROTECT THE NEXT GENERATION OF VW ENTHUSIASTS
If you have children, under no circumstance should they be in the garage without another adult present. You really can't pay attention to them and the car at the same time, you have to pick one. I don't let them play "bus driver" in the garage, but I do let them dream of the future when the car is outside. . . with the keys in my pocket and a wheel chocked securely.

DO NOT BE A RECIPIENT OF A DARWIN AWARD
Common sense folks. Always be deliberate and conscious, not distracted, rushed, upset, in your favorite trance, etc.
Working on your VW should be life-affirming.

(edit-11/26/13)
BobD - 78 Bus . . . 112,730 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles

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