Tech Session Check List-Work Sheet

I've been thinking about this for a while now.  Our cars aren't getting any newer.  Lets face it, we need to treat them well or they will bite us again and again.  Most of us it seems just drive and drive till something breaks or starts acting up.  Then it's panic stations.

How about a well thought out tech session work sheet.  Lots of tick boxes and room on the bottom to write details, just like you would find at the repair shop.

-- Tristan, you could help by sending me some actual shop examples you've used in the field --

If we put our heads together, we could list all the likely Fiero issues.  This would be a Fiero specific check list.

Here's my vision.  We show up to a tech session and everyone gets their car checked out.  As a group we take each car and go through the check list.  Maybe we put the car up on stands, take all four wheels off and start going through the list.  If something is found it gets written down.  Then drop the car and roll the next one up.  On and on till every car has been looked at.

If there is some time left, maybe we start fixing stuff.  If not, then at least the owner knows what he or she needs to do.

If we get to the point where everyone has their sheets filled out.  Then the tech sessions can concentrate on repairs.  This in my opinion is what a car club if for.  Working on our cars together.  Enjoying our cars together.

I am willing to do the design work for the actual form but I will need lots of input from the group.  This could end up being quite the list.

Send me ideas and I will tabulate them.

The Dawg

This is a list that I think was a BCAA type check list when buying a used car:

BODY

1.    Body/sheet metal damage

2.    Frame/Cross member

3.    Paint

4.    Chrome/mouldings

5.    Upholstery/interior trim

6.    Safety belts

7.    Glass/Windshield

8.    Door stays

9.    Door locks/latches

10. Hood locks/latches

11. Trunk lock/latches

12. Tailgate (p/u)

13. Van

14. Motorhome

15. Bumpers

16. Body rust

BRAKES

17. Drums

18. Rotors

19. Wheel cylinder leakage

20. Calipers

21. Flex hoses

22. Fluid leaks/level

23. Power assist

24. Emergency brake operation

25. Brake pedal reserve

26. Lining remaining:

COOLING SYSTEM

27. Radiator

28. Upper hose

29. Lower hose

30. Heater hose(s)

31. Bypass hose

32. Frost plug(s)

33. Fan/shroud

34. Water pump

35. Coolant level

36. Coolant condition

37. Anti-freeze protection

38. Pressure cap

39. Expansion tank

40. Pressure test level

DRIVE LINE

41. Trans. Road test

42. Shift indicator

43. Shift linkage

44. Trans. Mount

45. Clutch operation/adjustment

46. Auto fluid level/cond.

47. Cooler lines

48. Drive shaft(s)

49. U-Joints

50. CV joints/boots

51. Rear axle noise/bearings

52. Seals/gaskets

 

 

ELEC. SYSTEM

53. Battery cond./level

54. Terminals/hold downs

55. Wiring/cables

56. Instruments/switches

57. Horn

58. Headlights/lenses

59. Tail/park lights/lenses

60. Stop lights/lenses

61. License plate lights

62. Back-up lights/lenses

63. Turn signals

64. Emergency flashers

65. Marker lights/lenses

66. Starter operation/solenoid

67. Charging system

68. Charging voltage

69. Wiper/washer cond.

70. Heater motor/defroster

71. Ignition system

72. Accessories

73. Neutral safety switch

74. Mirrors

ENGINE

75. Cylinder power balance

76. Engine mounts

77. Engine noise

78. Valve train noise

79. Valve covers

80. Cyl. Head area (external)

81. Intake manifold

82. Exhaust manifolds

83. Timing cover/frt seal area

84. Rear seal area

85. Oil pan/plug

86. Belts

87. Pulleys/brackets

88. Oil filter

89. Oil level/condition

90. Oil pressure sender

91. Emission control devices

FRONT SUSP. & STEERING

92. Stabilizer Bushings/links

93. Control arms/bushings

94. Lower ball joints

95. Upper balls joints

96. King pin bushings

97. Idler arm

98. Pitman arm

99. Tie rod ends

100. Center link

101. Steering box

102. Rack & Pinion assy

103. Steering shaft/joint(s)

104. P/S Pump/reservoir

105. P/S Operation

106. P/S hoses/fittings

107. Springs/shackles

108. Torsion bars

109. McPherson struts

110. Shock absorbers/bushings

111. Wheel bearings

112. Alignment (visual only)

REAR SUSP.

113. Springs/shackles

114. Torsion bars

115. Mountings

116. Control arms/bushings

117. Stabilizer bushings

118. McPherson struts

119. Shock absorber/bushings

120. Axle housing/mounts

121. Oil plug/seal

122. Wheel bearings

123. Hubs/seals/gaskets

FUEL & EXH. SYS.

124. Accelerator pedal

125. Carburetor

126. Fuel injection

127. Linkages/controls

128. Air cleaner/filter

129. Pre-heat/fresh air ducting

130. Fuel lines

131. Fuel pump

132. Gas tank

133. Seals/gaskets

134. Exhaust pipe

135. Muffler

136. Resonator

137. Catalytic converter

138. Tail pipe

139. Hangers/clamps

140. Exhaust system noise

WHEELS & TIRES

141. Tire tread remaining

142. R/frt %

143. L/frt %

144. R/rear %

145. L/rear %

146. Spare

147. Wheel rims

148. Lug nuts/bolts

149. Wheel covers

150. Odometer reading ________ ML’s/KM

Ok....here's another one.

How many Fieros out there are still totally stock?  Less and less as the years go by.  Wouldn't it be cool to have a car journal?  Basically it would be a list of non standard modifications that have been made along with where the parts came from.

Caliper from this car and it's part number.  Idler from here and the number for the longer belt.  Larger oil filter number.

Get the idea?  Never mind an engine swap, holy crap.

Then if some poor bugger buys your car, he's not totally lost.  Some of the Fiero's bad reputation in mechanical shops is this very thing.  The poor mechanic has to try and figure out where the goodies came from.

What do you guys think?

The Dawg