IS THIS SAFE TO DO???
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Racer
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 485
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From: STLMO31Fo
Re: IS THIS SAFE TO DO??? (Rick Church)
I wouldn't do it but I'm a wuss... I've seen my mechanic do it a million times and he's made it to his late 50's. A manual car in more likely to jump out of gear than into gear.
What ever you do BE CAREFUL! If you get squished it not gonna smell pretty burnning you off the motor! :jester
What ever you do BE CAREFUL! If you get squished it not gonna smell pretty burnning you off the motor! :jester
Racer
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 363
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From: Winston-Salem NC
Re: IS THIS SAFE TO DO??? (Rick Church)
Rick, I don't anybody who looks forward to crawling under a running car while it's on jackstands, but sometimes it's just the only way to check a problem. Take every precaution you can - park on level ground, make sure your stands are up to the task, crank the car and let it run for a few minutes to make sure everything looks secure. Then do what you need to do and get out from under it as quickly as possible. Obviously, the less time you are under the car, the less time there is for a potential accident. Most of us have had to do it at one time or another. You'll be fine....
But just in case, feel free to name me as beneficiary in your will before you crawl up under there! :D
Jeff
But just in case, feel free to name me as beneficiary in your will before you crawl up under there! :D
Jeff
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 2,218
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From: Glendale AZ
Re: IS THIS SAFE TO DO??? (Rick Church)
IMO by having just the front end up, the jack stands are not making FULL contact with the frame. If I were doing something simple ok no biggie. But If I wanted to run the engine while looking underneath I would suggest this 
The jacks stands all have solid contact, and the engine rpm was brought up slowly each time.
Take your time, check everything, be smart, be safe
good luck
cheers
chad
The jacks stands all have solid contact, and the engine rpm was brought up slowly each time.
Take your time, check everything, be smart, be safe
good luck
cheers
chad
3rd Gear
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Northborough MA
Re: IS THIS SAFE TO DO??? (Rick Church)
If the car is sitting properly on the jack stands, and the rear tires are chocked it should be pretty darn safe. If you dont believe it, give the car a good push/shake before you go underneath it. The car shouldnt budge, and you'll feel a lot better.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,125
Likes: 9
From: Crescent City, CA
Re: IS THIS SAFE TO DO??? (Rick Church)
Rick
Why not clean the bottom of the engine, let it run for 5-10 minutes and then get under it (not running). Unless this leak is major, I don't think a couple of minutes under a running car is going to show you anything. Again here is where the oil additive and blacklite would work.
With the car jacked up it could cause or correct leak problems. If the front of your valve cover was leaking, with the car jacked up no oil would puddle in this area, as an example.
JMHO
Terry
Why not clean the bottom of the engine, let it run for 5-10 minutes and then get under it (not running). Unless this leak is major, I don't think a couple of minutes under a running car is going to show you anything. Again here is where the oil additive and blacklite would work.
With the car jacked up it could cause or correct leak problems. If the front of your valve cover was leaking, with the car jacked up no oil would puddle in this area, as an example.
JMHO
Terry
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 774
Likes: 0
From: Palatine IL
Re: IS THIS SAFE TO DO??? (71'AirStrike)
IMO by having just the front end up, the jack stands are not making FULL contact with the frame. If I were doing something simple ok no biggie. But If I wanted to run the engine while looking underneath I would suggest this
The jacks stands all have solid contact, and the engine rpm was brought up slowly each time.
Take your time, check everything, be smart, be safe
good luck
cheers
chad
The jacks stands all have solid contact, and the engine rpm was brought up slowly each time.
Take your time, check everything, be smart, be safe
good luck
cheers
chad
IMHO, get another set of jack stands and get the rear wheels off the ground. That would be the safest. Also, I don't like running the engine when it is not level for long periods of time.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 171
Likes: 1
From: Rolla MO
Re: IS THIS SAFE TO DO??? (Rummy)
And while you give it a good shake/push before going under, watch the jackstands to see if they move or wobble. As 71'AirStrike said, the contact geometry may not be favorable when using jackstands on the front only. Make sure your jackstands "bite" the frame firmly.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
Likes: 46
From: Huntersville NC
Re: IS THIS SAFE TO DO??? (rollavette71)
When I was in a similar situation I felt better with the front of the car up on ramps. I was looking for a p/s leak so with the front on the ramps I jacked it up a little farther and put the stands under the front so I could wiggle the steering wheel a bit while the ramps were still under the wheels.
Also a good place to mention: Something I learned here on the forum: Never run your car in gear with the rear wheels off the ground - not a safety issue but will damage the drivetrain if the rear wheels are hanging off the ground and put in gear. MJ
Also a good place to mention: Something I learned here on the forum: Never run your car in gear with the rear wheels off the ground - not a safety issue but will damage the drivetrain if the rear wheels are hanging off the ground and put in gear. MJ
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,000
Likes: 22
From: Boulder Creek California
Re: IS THIS SAFE TO DO??? (MNJack)
This thread suprised me, I thought that was the perfectly normal way to do it? TWO WORDS: WHEEL CHOCKS! Cheap at your local Autozone type thing. I've been under my car with it only on the factory jack...now that is a bad idea! The threads on that thing stripped out, dropping the car a couple inches last week. Fortunately it was still on the way up so noone was under it! Ah yes, lessons learned the easy way...
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 52
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From: San Bernardino CA
Re: IS THIS SAFE TO DO??? (Rick Church)
I wouldn't do it!!! No way!! :nonod: I've had to many bad incidents, and nothing is 100% safe already!!! If I were you, I'd just take it to a shop that has a Lift. There you should be able to see it for yourself and I'm sure they wouldn't charge you a ton just to send it up!!! The other thing is, wipe everything clean, put a large white paper underneath, make reference as to what lines-up against the paper, start it, wait for the 1st drip, then shut it off and take a gander!!! Good-Luck!!! Remember, if you do decide to crawl under a Running Car.............SShhhht Happens!!!!! Play it Safe!!!! :seeya
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,731
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From: Marietta Ga.
Re: IS THIS SAFE TO DO??? (MrAzz74)
Another word of advice, it's real easy to concentrate so hard on the problem at hand, that you forget it's running and put your hand into a belt on fan blade while trying to reposition yourself.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 351
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From: Stoney Creek, Ontario, Canada
Re: IS THIS SAFE TO DO??? (Rick Church)
As long as you have good heavy duty jackstands it is fine. There are some things that do require the engine running. I always double the safety by putting 2 sets of jackstands up front and chocking the rear wheels with emerg. brake on and make sure the surface is level.
Abby Normal
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 53,463
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From: Press "2" for English
Re: IS THIS SAFE TO DO??? (76Pitter)
not me, man! :nonod: ain't no way! :nono:
if your going to get under a running car then do it right. there may not be any 'hindsight' if you do it wrong.
drive the front up on ramps. jack up the back end and support on jackstands. remove the rear wheels and jack up and support the T/A slightly so they don't bind if the tranny is in gear. then i think it would be about as safe as you could get it without having a grease pit.
if your going to get under a running car then do it right. there may not be any 'hindsight' if you do it wrong.
drive the front up on ramps. jack up the back end and support on jackstands. remove the rear wheels and jack up and support the T/A slightly so they don't bind if the tranny is in gear. then i think it would be about as safe as you could get it without having a grease pit.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,411
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From: Wylie TX
Re: IS THIS SAFE TO DO??? (clutchdust)
I jack the car up, put the front wheels on ramps and place jackstands under the frame, just in case.
I have done this a few times to find oil leaks, but I usually don't lay under the car while it's running. I just run it long enough for the leak to develop (with dye in the oil), kill the engine, and then go under with the UV light to see where it's coming from.
I have done this a few times to find oil leaks, but I usually don't lay under the car while it's running. I just run it long enough for the leak to develop (with dye in the oil), kill the engine, and then go under with the UV light to see where it's coming from.
Team Owner
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Re: IS THIS SAFE TO DO??? (76Pitter)
I would do it if the front wheels were up on ramps. I trust jack stands up to the point that the car is running, or you really have to start torquing and pushing and prying on something. The stands should be more than secure enough.
Of course, chock the rear wheels and watch out for that damn hot exhaust, flywheel, electrical and the fan and belts.
Good luck to ya.
Of course, chock the rear wheels and watch out for that damn hot exhaust, flywheel, electrical and the fan and belts.
Good luck to ya.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 2,218
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From: Glendale AZ
Re: IS THIS SAFE TO DO??? (Cookwithvette)
"changing the bulb" ha ha thats funny :lol: :lol:
where did you get "ghetto-draw"? is it a microsoft offical product?
Id pay 50 bucks for that cool program :lol: :lol:
chad
where did you get "ghetto-draw"? is it a microsoft offical product?
Id pay 50 bucks for that cool program :lol: :lol:
chad