Whos Qualified?

[cabbydave]

After going on a couple of Forums it seems so scary that people take bad advice  from unqualified folk. Would you ask the postman what was wrong with you if you had a pain or tooth ache. So why do people take advise off someone who hasn't got any qualifications or in a lot of cases any idea about car problems. Even worse letting them loose on their cars without any public liability insurance either. Rant over.

[Treboeth]

Agreed   s:mrgreen: :mrgreen: s:mrgreen:  

I guy got all  spiss piss spiss y on a forum the other day, he was asking for medical advice on a shopping forum. I told him he needs to see his doctor and he told me to mind my own business if I couldn`t help   s:shock: :shock: s:shock:

[shnazzle]

I have no qualifications what so ever, other than in IT hehe.
So, ignore anything I say haha

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[MartinC]

This reminds me of the famous quote:-

"Who's the more foolish; the fool, or the fool who follows him?"  - Obi-Wan Kenobi.

[Ardent]

In respect to Toyota MR2s
Steve at D1 customs.

You can look at as his Toyota certificates, whilst he is working on your 2.   s:D s:D

[1979scotte]

I agree with Daves sentiment but there are some very good amateur mechanics out there.
Its knowing those who know from those that dont thats the problem.

[Ardent]

agreed.

Look at us lot. Much better informed than some (many) so called professional mechanics.

[cabbydave]

I worked Steve out in 2 minutes not only can he talk the talk he can walk it as wel. People like Steve and Mr Chambers I have time for. Unlike some folk on another public forum I understand I don't know everything about everything to do with cars and we never stop learning in this day and age.

[Lee H]

I agree with Daves sentiment but there are some very good amateur mechanics out there.
Its knowing those who know from those that dont thats the problem.

This, I feel quite offended that I shouldn't be giving any advice given the projects I've taken on over the years, maybe I should realise I'm just an accountant.

Without us mere "normal" people giving "advice" forums would be more dead than they are already.

[Essex2Visuvesi]

I agree with Daves sentiment but there are some very good amateur mechanics out there.
Its knowing those who know from those that dont thats the problem.

This, I feel quite offended that I shouldn't be giving any advice given the projects I've taken on over the years, maybe I should realise I'm just an accountant.

Without us mere "normal" people giving "advice" forums would be more dead than they are already.

Very true, and as they say "there's always more than one way to skin a cat"

FWIW I did an apprenticeship as a Motorcycle Mechanic then went into IT. also spent 3 years in Finland working on agricultural machinery from Vintage Fergies to the latest computerised Ponsse Wood clearers.
This makes me fully qualified to give legal and medical advice on the interwebs   s:lol: :lol: s:lol:

[McMr2]

The world is full of mixed advice - much of it well intentioned. Acting on advice from any public forum without questioning it is plain irresponsible.

[shnazzle]

The good thing is, we have genuine qualified people on here. Maybe not on paper. But there's the likes of Domtheplumb, Richard, Lee, Carolyn, Spit, Nic, ChrisGB,.. To name just a few, who i would trust with my car far more than any dealership filled with "qualified" technicians.

The amount of knowledge and hands-on experience is staggering on here.


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[tommyzoom99]

there is a wealth of knowledge on here that has helped me over the years, like some have mentioned you just need to know who knows what there talking about and not blinding following some advice, i dont trust garages at all these days which is why i do all the work on my mr2 my self, the only thing i can say im officially qualified for is designing carbon ceramic brakes and brake systems.

cheers tommy

[The Other Stu]

there is a wealth of knowledge on here that has helped me over the years, like some have mentioned you just need to know who knows what there talking about and not blinding following some advice, i dont trust garages at all these days which is why i do all the work on my mr2 my self, the only thing i can say I'm officially qualified for is designing carbon ceramic brakes and brake systems.

cheers tommy

Well, that's quite a useful thing to know.

Like others, I'm skilled in certain wizarding IT ways (no I'm not a web developer, although I'm pretty good with Apache and Tomcat based apps and no, I can't fix your computer - well yes, I can, but I won't).

The only thing that I might be vaguely useful for on this forum is that as a radio amateur, I'm expected to know electronics inside out - I have qualifications to prove it. However, putting things into practice is another story.

Which I guess leads me onto Mechanics. "Jack of all trades" is probably the best way to describe how they have to work. Most mechanics are expected to work on anything from a 2cv to a Rolls Royce and anything in between. Every car has its foibles and issues. You can't expect someone in your local garage to know, for instance, that a lack of rear braking on an MR2 is more likely to be a seized (or poorly working) calliper than the cable that runs from the handbrake being stretched as happens in most cars. I'm not saying that it's as cut and dried as that, but most people on this forum, for instance, will know that the MR2 has brake issues. In the same way, we know to look for oil burning. How many other car owners of 12 year old cars with 50k on them check the oil every 500 miles? These aren't 50 year old classics, they're the same age as everyday cars.

I'm sure that many mechanics would love to specialise in one particular model. But that's fairly career limiting, not to mention limiting your customer base. Unless you're a specialist in, say, Porsche 911s.

[cabbydave]

The rear brakes on  a 2 isn't rocket science its just the same as vw's ford's etc. Plus if its a good garage they will have the tools to look up all the info on the car they are working on. If all else fails I usually get parts to ring the main dealer and get the info off them, they don't mind giving us info as we spend thousands with our suppliers every month.

[John is200sport]

A mechanic I sometimes used to use spent ages looking for my handbrake adjustment cable on a 2002 Honda crv and dismantled half my car dash, broke stuff and didn't put it back together properly. The annoying thing is i could of told him is on the passenger rear floor, just pull the passenger front seat forward and lift the carpet flap. There was even a Haynes manual for the car on the front passenger seat and pointed that out when dropping the car off.

[1979scotte]

The rear brakes on  a 2 isn't rocket science its just the same as vw's ford's etc. Plus if its a good garage they will have the tools to look up all the info on the car they are working on. If all else fails I usually get parts to ring the main dealer and get the info off them, they don't mind giving us info as we spend thousands with our suppliers every month.

Dave you know what your talking about.
I trust your knowledge as a mechanic.
Unfortunately plenty out there they dont care or know less than they think.

I am in construction.
I do partioning and ceilings for a living.
Im not the best but not the worst either.
I gaurentee that nothing that i build will fall down and injure you.
Unlike a few people who i have worked with.

[loadswine]

Fair comment Dave, even more widespread in other areas, such as construction. The advice dished out and spread around is truly ridiculous. I am qualified in that area, at least, Chartered Building Engineer, ( surveyor, essentially)  s;) s;)
I am acutely aware of my own shortcomings though, so have resolved that, after helping out a person who has asked very nicely for a little help, that's it for me, on other people's cars.

[Eastsoutheast]

I value other owners actual experience over biased advise from a stealer,,,

[shnazzle]

Ive always wanted a scoring system for posts. But, this is also a deterrent for people to try to contribute unfortunately.

Ultimately it would be best if, if someone spouted some incorrect stuff on here, someone who knows for sure it's incorrect could either drop a friendly pm for them to correct it, or state it openly in a constructive fashion.

This is where forums come alive and what separates good forums from bad ones; good forums have members that can go into discussion to find the best answer, without it turning into a slugfest.

.. I know I've spouted some right crap on here and I've been very glad to be corrected, because then I learn as well.

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[MR TWO]

Much of what is written on the tinterweb forums is more akin to what is said in the pub. Mostly its an enjoyable way to chat & socialise and there's a lot of great help and information hidden amongst the banter. Again, much like the pub!

Now I'm off to align the front nearside exhaust bearing as it's stopping the 4wd injector mufflers going into lift...

[shnazzle]

As long as you double clutch like you should on the upshift

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[Anonymous]

How many times do I need to say this

CHECK THE FLUX CAPACITOR

[Joesson]

With most things of importance I check with more than one source of reference.
I don' t want to die from a misprint!

[Joesson]

Further to my reference to the dangers of a misprint and in believing all on the www.

I read today some comments about a post:
First reply: " You are obviously a person of effluence"
Second reply: " You mean a person of affluence"
Third reply: "You mean a person of eloquence"

You can make your own mind up about who is correct, maybe all of them  s:!: :!: s:!:    s:wink: :wink: s:wink: