Not so often anymore but LOTS when I was younger. Mostly now I'm asked to consult before repairs by others. I've finally managed to wean one particular cheapskate who had no qualms about calling for roadside service and then not even offering anything. No need for "friends" like that.
"The gas pedal wouldn't go to the floor if it weren't meant to be there"
encourage him to buy a car you can't service.
My "friend" is also a notorious neglector of all things mechanical. He will drive a car to utter failure after all the warnings have been delivered by the car, myself and others. I have run out of compassion for his plight on the the last predicted breakdown. He also can WELL afford to maintain his vehicles at the going shop rate.
"The gas pedal wouldn't go to the floor if it weren't meant to be there"
I adopted a new stance a while back - I now say 'you wont learn unless you do it. I will watch to make sure you dont make a total f...k up of it' . Then if they do turn up its you with the feet up drinking the tea. Its easier than saying outright 'no' and you get a laugh when THEY sheer bolts and get spanner rash![]()
This is the way to go.
A good friend bought a nice e39 touring, got understandably excited, and decided to take care of a bunch of maintenance items. We ordered a water pump, belts, fan clutch, 02 sensors, fuel filter, plugs, coil boots etc and planned to go at it. He says "this shouldn't take more than a couple of hours huh?" I said "well, number one, I've never worked on an e39 and two, you're doing the wrenching, so don't plan on being home for lunch" He's a carpenter, so knows his way around 'tools', but it was funny watching him get the blue shower when he drained the coolantI literally sat there and drank tea while reading the bentley and pointing at tools. He couldn't believe how much time the little things like getting the car in the air and draining fluids can take.
Someone else for a change............
Dave
10/90 Build 525im, 630,000+km, Eibach/Sachs, Engine Rebuild
*RIP Oskar the DOG*
I think this is the way to go too, time to be a technical advisor instead!
Trouble is that I actually enjoy working on the cars to the point where it's only after I've fixed it that I realise that I've been taken for a ride!