How mad do you get when you work on a car? (or anything for that matter?)

[Scuba Steve]

The one that was already pretty bad could have taken an endless supply of PB Blaster. It has about 3" where it's smooth before you even get to the threaded part. No clue about this last one but I hope it breaks free today. Guess I'll know in about an hour.

There's so much original rubber down there I have no clue if someone was in there before or if someone slipped in the factory. I complain about the car enough but it seems to have held up pretty well if it's been this long before anyone needed to take it apart and things that I've fixed have tended to stay that way. It's just ridiculously hard to get at almost everything.

[porsche4life]

Other than brakes and some small cosmetic things like replacing bulbs or waxing I am done working on my daily drivers. When I was in college and poor it was necessary, but I find no joy in it now. None.



However I still love working on cars, just on my time. Last summer I rebuilt the engine and transmission on my current project a 1990 Corrado G60. I would work on it Saturday mornings or late at night when everyone was asleep. 1-2 hours at most and just until I got tired or frustrated. As soon as I felt the least bit angry at something I was done. Took me better part of 4 months but I got it all done.







As a hobby I love it. Otherwise it pisses me off and I just don't enjoy it anymore.

I had one of those. Fun car to drive, frustrating as hell to work on!

[Scuba Steve]

I'm 0 for 2 on the problematic bolts today. The one near the front of the engine broke in two, and the one near the center refuses to come out no matter which trick I try. Even if I drill it out it's unclear whether I'd be able to remove the intake manifold because of the one that broke, and if I am able to remove the intake whether I would have any of the broken bolt to grab on to.

Anyone ever removed the intake manifold on a Mercedes with a 5.6L engine and might happen to know offhand?

[gsxrken]

In 1988 I could throw a baseball 81MPH, but I bet my 1/2" ratchet reached the 90's when it went through my father's garage door from across the driveway.
I've gone from that, which has to be around a 9, to 2-3 tops. Walking away works best for me, as I know there is still a green Hulk in there if I ignore the signs.

[yetibone]

Originally Posted by Scuba Steve

I'm 0 for 2 on the problematic bolts today. The one near the front of the engine broke in two, and the one near the center refuses to come out no matter which trick I try. Even if I drill it out it's unclear whether I'd be able to remove the intake manifold because of the one that broke, and if I am able to remove the intake whether I would have any of the broken bolt to grab on to.

Anyone ever removed the intake manifold on a Mercedes with a 5.6L engine and might happen to know offhand?

Keep trying on that stubborn bolt with PB or Kroil, and working it back and fourth. If it breaks, you may still be able to remove the intake with them broken because IIRC, they're nearly vertical, and the intake comes straight up, and off.

If there's not enough left to grab onto, you'll just have to cut it flush, and drill, which is no fun on a steel bolt in an aluminum head. It's hard to keep the bit centered.

If it comes to that, of course, start with the smallest bit you can safely use to make a pilot hole first, then the next larger bit in your index, then the next, etc... Good luck, man.