I've always used the same totally reliable, careful and friendly shop to do all my oil changes etc. This week I called and wanted them to change my oil/filter and put in a new fuel filter. This is a restoration shop a friend owns, not usually doing general car care stuff, but he always helps me out for doing car posters for him. He couldn't do it for a couple weeks and wanted to charge me $30 labor, so I decided I'd teach him a lesson. Here's how I saved big bucks:

1 set of rhino ramps - $30.00
1 concrete drill bit - $10.00 (had to put anchor bolts in garage floor for 2x4's to keep the ramps from sliding around like Dorothy Hamil at the Olympics)
4 concrete anchors and bolts - $8.00
1 new oil filter wrench to fit the smaller filter on the Vette $10.00
1 2x8" board to make the stops for the ramp extensions so spoiler wouldn't drag. - $5.00
1 new sawblade to replace old one to cut the 2x8" ramp extensions - $10.00
1 set of "O" rings for the fuel filter - $1.92
1 new shirt to replace the one torn when escaping the gasoline waterfall from the filter - $40.00
1 oil drain pan to recycle the used oil - $10.00
1 roll of paper towels to mop up the gas and oil - $2.00
1 can of carpet cleaner to clean up the oil tracks in the family room - $8.00
1 tank of gas to go to the Chevy dealer/hardware store/AutoZone, and oil recycling place - $30.00
1 box of bandaids to repair assorted cuts and scrapes - $4.00
1 tube of Neosporin to prevent infection - $4.00
1 can of concrete cleaner to finish up the clean-up in the garage - $7.00
1 entire day of my expert labor - Priceless

Hah! I'll bet my buddy thinks twice next time he tries to rip me off for $30.00 for such a simple job!





[Modified by dwaltz, 9:35 AM 4/18/2002]

 

All I did was buy a $3,000 lift.
PS i know its just a joke but the Old and new filter use the same size wrench

 

I don't even use a filter wrench anymore, I just twist it off with my hand(and yes it is on there tight enough!)

But basically I do the same except I jack it up with my floor jack and slide the ramps under the front wheels.

 

Sounds like you got yourself a deal:D .

 

I know the origional post was writte as a joke to show what a painit is to change the oil. But after hearing storiesof rocker panel dammage, drain bolts not properly tigatened, etc I would rather do it myself. the only way you can be sure the job is done right is to do it yourself

 

I have a lot of trust for my mechanic. You need to find the right one. And I always stay and watch just incase there is a problem (no one knows my car better than me).

 

No, you don't understand. The filter wrench I had was purchased in 1969, when I was a mechanic. It would even come close to going small enough to grip the filter on the Vette! Although I have a giant pair of Channel Lock pliers that would work no problem, a man's just gotta have his tools, right?

 

I guess I don't get I am always buying tools tonadd to my collection, the C4 wrench is the same size as the C5 even though the filter is smaller

 

Thanks....you made me smile this morning...Do you work for the MasterCard Advertising Department? :nopity

 

no, Visa..... ;)

 

Same here...but it don't "bother" him with things unless i KNOW that either i don't know WTF is goin' on...or he has the things needed to do the job and i don't.

I have a lotta trust in my mechanic too...but accidents DO happen. An' it's easier for me to "forgive" myself for strippin out a bolt than him. :yesnod: