Has the small engine line of work hit rock bottom?

Hello B.,

Unfortunately, there are a lot of boot leg repair information copies that people have cracked the code on. I stay away from them. I worked for JD and saw this all the time. My general manager wanted me to actually charge area independent techs that I have known for years for any information printed off of our monthly CD copies.

I would look up the information and let them view it and make notes as they needed Most of the time it was adjustment or torque specifications.

JD is very serious about their proprietary information, and they have the money to track down and go after people who violate their systems data. The same thing has happened with other repair data companies.

When you get down to it, it's all about the money. The newer the information the more it will cost.

Hopefully the right to repair legislation will gain more traction because there are very capable people who have the tools and experience, but they are snagged by the lack of legitimate repair data.

I remember when I was in college in the late 1960s. My degree was wildlife biology, but I want to take an elective in industrial arts to learn welding n forging. My professor had a hissy cat. I told him no, I want to take welding. Ok, but I won't give you credit for the course. After I became a wildlife refuge manager, I can't tell you how many times I welded to repair broken down airboat and ATV trailers, taught my maintenance employees how to repair welders, hydraulic car lifts and vehicles. I once supervised the installation of a dragline boom on an old cable backhoe. The welds were complex. Of course, I started fixing cars as a teenager and being mechanically inclined served in the US Air Force as an atomic bomb maintenance technician and instructor. At 89 I still maintain all my yard machines. You are right, schools don't prepare kids for blue collar work. We need people to repair all the stuff we have, but the schools don't see that as important, until the AC quits. The good reapr guys deserved the money they make, but that also creates a throw away and buy new society. I quit working on 2-cycle weed trimmers because it cost over half the price of a new one just to look at it.

Sometimes it seems that we are treated as untouchables as in other societies as we do their dirty work for them...Basically it comes down that they are just plain jealous of our honest abilities.

I was given my talent [abilities] to help others and myself as has a lot of mechanics have been given theirs. It is part of our DNA...

Overall I just enjoy repairing things; although, sometimes it can drive me nuts when I can't....And it keeps me out of trouble.

Auto Doc's said:

Hello Forum,

Has our repair industry hit rock bottom?

Most of the good independent shops have closed up around my area and the dealers just want to install a new engine instead of repairing one with a blown head gasket. Even worse they often give a customer an insane repair estimate and then try to sell them the newest model in stock.

The dealer level techs are basically new equipment setup guys with no actual diagnostic or repair experience. At best they watch a couple of "training films" so the dealership can satisfy the manufacturers "certification program" requirements.

Most of my area schools have eliminated and minimized industrial arts and agronomic classes, so there is no formal introductory training anymore.

What is to become of any repair capabilities in the future?

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Food is too easy to get.