I think I'll advise my son-in-law to stay away from your brother's flights. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Frank

Frank - that's probably a good idea. I have yet to fly with the kid, but after incidents like this one and the one with the Honda (and a few more that I am not going to mention), he is not boosting my confidence any. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" />

I just spoke with him, and he told me that he was almost certain that it was Dextron III that he used to refill it, and when he drove it home afterward it was shuttering on the shifts. (I guess this whole mess started because saw an oil change as a chance to use those nice lifts they have on base).

Anyway, when he got it home he parked it and had his wife take him back to the base. When she picked him up they stopped at the dealer and he bought the right fluid, got home and drained the old stuff and refilled it with the Mitsu-spec SP III.

I told him to now go back to the dealer and have them flush it out and put in a new filter and new fluid. Any other suggestions?

On top of this, the kid had the nerve to get mad at me for calling him "stupid" (that's easy to do to someone who's bigger than you over the phone), and I'm dumb enough not to back down, so I backed up my name calling by stating the following facts to him: a) he's already ruined one car trying to do an oil change himself; b) he called and asked me which plug to pull and I told him to put down his tools, walk away and not attempt it <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shame.gif" alt="" />; c) he went ahead and tried to do it anyway <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shiner.gif" alt="" />; and, d) he is now going to pay about $250 for a $25 oil change - now that's stupid. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/nana.gif" alt="" />

Then, of course, I told him I was glad his flights went well and to continue to fly safe and that I love him, but that he ever calls me with an automotive repair question again (that he's trying to do himself) I'll kick his butt - or at least try to.

Thank you, again, for all the help. The collective knowledge and expertise on the 'board here is amazing, and being a humble and relative newbie, I am glad I have somewhere to turn in a crisis. Hopefully one day I will be able to return the favor. Don, my brother, sends his thanks and regards as well. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />

Take care,

Jim

Nope - unless someone else has a suggestion, that should cover it. I doubt any damage was done, but like a lot of young fellas, he has to learn somehow, eh? Let him learn - we all get better with experience and the best way to get that is to do it yourself - although it can be an expensive education. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shiner.gif" alt="" />

You're right about the guys using the cheap/free shop on the bases - they're a fantastic idea and I'm glad they get the opportunity to use those garage units. They don't get paid very much for what they do and a little perk like that is a good thing imo - but it gets get them in trouble sometimes. I did hear a story about air-gun greasing a Yukon with the suspension unloaded and grease flying everywhere when the grease boot blew back off the joint. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> Speaking of which, I have to go pick up a new grease boot for my truck tomorrow to replace one I tore when the lower control slipped on the racing jack while I was taking off one of the knuckles <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" /> - so stuff happens to all of us.

Hope you get it worked out ok - when you're yelling at him on the phone, just remember he'll be back before too long and might come looking for you! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Frank