Helping People with Problems on this Site.

[fishndirk]

"Ceck your service manual" is not a generic answer to post to peoples questions on this sight. There are A LOT of people with A LOT of experience on this forum that can really help people. People with problems on this sight need to be specific but people with experience need to also ask the right questions before giving a diagnosis. I am an M1A1 tank mechanic, which believe me, is a complicated beast and one of the first things we are taught is ask a lot of questions about exactly what the crewman were doing before their cr*p broke. You can figure a lot of stuff out by taking the time to dig into these details before even breaking out the first tool.

 

[reddogg]

Re: Helping People with Problems on this Site.

I couldn't agree more. Being prior service I know where you are comming from. Maybe some guys forget that one day in the past, they didn't know jack either, but than on the other hand the person who asks the question should take the time to become reasonably familiar with their "equipment". In my early training, I had an instructor that everytime I asked him a question his responce was "read the book". That guy pissed me off to no extent untill I realised that part of the training was learning to use the manuals provided and learning to troubleshoot and figure it out (using the book) without a shoulder to lean on. Someone who posts a question here who obviously hasn't evan tried to figure it out and just wants an easy answer to save a few bucks might very well get that kind of responce. Bearing in mind that all this is just my opinion I encourage anyone who ownes a complicated piece of equipment to get and read the manual, lol, you should see the manuals that come with a 688 class sub

Red

 

[fishndirk]

Re: Helping People with Problems on this Site.

Exactly!!! If people wanted to blow some money than they would buy some service manuals and order some parts on a hunch but it doesnt mean that they will understand their equipment any better just cause you told them to "check your service manual". Understanding how "stuff" works is half the battle to fixing it. The only way your going to understand how "stuff" works is through personal experience or through asking or knowing somebody else who's done it. "Reading the Book" doesnt give you the actual understanding of a "real" person whos "been there, done that". The only trick is to be selective on who you take advice from. Use your own head a little bit.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Helping People with Problems on this Site.

And on the other hand, someone trying to shade tree a repair and save $500, shouldn't be so cheap as to not buy a manual.

A service manual will give you a basic understanding as to how it works, and detailed how to instructions.
Then ask specifics if you are having troubles or can't find the info.


Asking us to hand type an answer that covers 7 pages in the manual is a little too much.




Also, 99% of the questions asked, have already been asked.
Unfortunately, the latest version of the "search function" doesn't work too well.

 

[bouttime007]

Re: Helping People with Problems on this Site.

The search feature has been sketchy for sure Ros.

 

[fishndirk]

Re: Helping People with Problems on this Site.

Doesnt matter how advanced the "search feature" is, every problem is unique. And its not a matter of being "cheap". Its a matter of maybe that person doesnt know anybody else and maybe theres somebody out there that can answer that problem directy. They hope that someone out there has had the same experience. Chase the service manual to the end of your wallet and let me know how that works out for you.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Helping People with Problems on this Site.

doesnt matter how advanced the "search feature" is, every problem is unique.

lol

 

[JB]

Re: Helping People with Problems on this Site.

Anyone who tries to work on an outboard without a Service Manual has a fool for a mechanic.

A factory Service Manual is probably the most important tool in the shop.

Helpers here can help people use it, but we cannot replace it.

If we convince a member to get, and use, the manual we have helped him/her more than most people realize.

 

[Brewman61]

Re: Helping People with Problems on this Site.

One of the first things I acquire when I get a new toy is a factory service manual. Motorcycles, snowmobiles, boat, they've all repaid the investment many times over in saved service costs.

 

[skargo]

Re: Helping People with Problems on this Site.

Anyone who tries to work on an outboard without a Service Manual has a fool for a mechanic.

A factory Service Manual is probably the most important tool in the shop.

Helpers here can help people use it, but we cannot replace it.

If we convince a member to get, and use, the manual we have helped him/her more than most people realize.

I agree with this 100%, in fact, every vehicle I own, I get a factory service manual. If you want to do your own work, it is cheap in the long run.
Or you could not buy a manual, and take it to a mechanic and pay even more.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Helping People with Problems on this Site.

There are quite a few things that can require the best of all three worlds. In a perfect setting, the poster would ask the question while giving background info.

"While on the water yesterday, the engine started to"......"after checking what I could, I found this happening"....."any idea where I should be looking?"

The responses would then indicate the probable areas of the offending problem.

"It certainly sounds to us like you need to replace the transitional proportioner valve or you are low on propwash..."

Then the OP would get the appropriate parts as well as any technical data to fix or replace the issue. And then post their results!!!


My biggest head scratcher are the people that do what they want even after they have been given adequate direction as to how to fix (properly and safely!!) their problem!

"I know I am supposed to have a blower and bilge pump, but I wanted to take the family out fishing anyway, so I just left the doghouse off and threw a bucket in the boat, just in case..."

Part of me wants to post back that if you are going to do what you want anyway, why did you even waste your time and ours by posting the question in the first place???

 

[fishndirk]

Re: Helping People with Problems on this Site.

True, I have taken all comments with a grain of salt. Im not trying to say that a service manual is completely useless. I have learned several things about my equipment from service manuals. I am just trying to say that "check your service manual" is not the only response that should be given to someone in need of help. Certain questions that you can ask (if you really know your stuff) can lead to someone thinking of something they havent thought of before. When a tank breaks, often times asking the right questions about what they were doing before can lead you to the cause of the problem. And believe me, the electronics and hydraulics of that beast are more complicated than any boat could ever dream of becomming.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Helping People with Problems on this Site.

True, I have taken all comments with a grain of salt. Im not trying to say that a service manual is completely useless. I have learned several things about my equipment from service manuals. I am just trying to say that "check your service manual" is not the only response that should be given to someone in need of help. Certain questions that you can ask (if you really know your stuff) can lead to someone thinking of something they havent thought of before. When a tank breaks, often times asking the right questions about what they were doing before can lead you to the cause of the problem. And believe me, the electronics and hydraulics of that beast are more complicated than any boat could ever dream of becomming.

Ayuh,... While I'll not argue yer point,...

Feel free to help me out,.. When you've answered 37,000 questions,...
Come on back, 'n tell Us again how each, 'n every problem is Different...

With I/Os, the Factory Service Manual, 'n an alignment bar are the 2 tools ya can't live without...

 

[j_martin]

Re: Helping People with Problems on this Site.

When the OP comes on with a "I don't know anything, but it quit, should I replace the most expensive part first cause someone at the marina said that's probably it..........

When the OP says "I feel like this motor, this boat, all boaters, and the sea hate me." ......

When you tell the OP to do something, and he does the opposite, then complains.......

It's pretty hard to keep a straight face.

The other item that's hard to deal with is the "helper" that jumps in with a limited amount of book only knowledge and a pretty good buzz on indicated by general confusion.

just my 02
JM

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Helping People with Problems on this Site.

Just like fishing......... Teach a man to fish and he will eat forever.

Suggesting direction of where to look and procedures to follow will help people learn.

I have recently told an iboats member to get a manual and start troubleshooting and of course later on he finally reveals that he was talking about an IO and not an outboard...........

 

[Laddies]

Re: Helping People with Problems on this Site.

This site has several different types of people that frequent site.
1. Experienced mechanics.
2. Wannabee mechanics.
3. Someone that holds wrenches for the neighbor while he tries to change his spark plugs.
4. Someone that really needs help to get out of a bind.
5. People that think it's a chat room.
6. Padders working on being a Supreme Mariner or Moderator.
7. Computer geeks that are just cruising.
8. Linkers that obviously know nothing about the subjuct at hand but will link you with some other site.
9. People with little practical experince but excellent readers that want you to find a manual to read, to find the gap of a spark plug because they don't have a clue.
10. Those that are experinced and know that without a manual no one can remember all the fine points of repair of the hundreds of types of outboards built today.

Rememeber this is free info given to you on a site that iboats pays for and many of you recommend purchaces at other sites. thats hardly right.

But we are all in this boat together!

 

[fishndirk]

Re: Helping People with Problems on this Site.

I refuse to believe that thousands of mechanical questions can be asked, and the majority of them are about the same thing. The worst mechanics Ive seen are the ones who think they can solve a problem just because it "sounds" like another problem they've had to deal with in the past. They dont ask questions or try stuff, they just jump to conclusions. Its always best to start with a fresh mind set and understand the situation before you throw the "check your service manual" line out there. That doesnt help anybody. By the way, I have answered thousands of questions from nuckcle heads who abuse their equipment and dont understand it. These "knuckle heads" used that equipment to probably save lives only because myself and my mechanics were able to keep it going while it really matterd. And as far as I know, their knuckle headed equipment hadnt failed in the heat of battle due to any mechanical neglect on my end. Hows that for 37,000 replies?

 

[JB]

Re: Helping People with Problems on this Site.

Hahahaha. Did you ever see a Chihuahua trying to intimidate a really big dog?? "Yap, yap, yap."

Topics
486,931
Posts
3,370,386
Members
302,687

We have clearly been doing this whole thing wrong, fishndirk. Thanks for setting us straight.

 

[j_martin]

Re: Helping People with Problems on this Site.

Hahahaha. Did you ever see a Chihuahua trying to intimidate a really big dog?? "Yap, yap, yap."

Dangit JB. Now I have coffee all over my 'puter.

 

[rickryder]

Re: Helping People with Problems on this Site.

Hahahaha. Did you ever see a Chihuahua trying to intimidate a really big dog?? "Yap, yap, yap."

Topics
486,931
Posts
3,370,386
Members
302,687

We have clearly been doing this whole thing wrong, fishndirk. Thanks for setting us straight.

Right on JB!