Is ignornance really bliss?

[hostage]

The more I learn about boats, engines, and cars, the more anal I get about maintaining and fixing them up. The question, in the long run, if I spend money fixing all issues, large and small, will it save money on some really large ones that people dread? The worst thing of all is the "i told you so...". For some reason g/f's are better at giving them than receiving them.

 

[RogersJetboat454]

Re: Is ignornance really bliss?

The more I learn about boats, engines, and cars, the more anal I get about maintaining and fixing them up. The question, in the long run, if I spend money fixing all issues, large and small, will it save money on some really large ones that people dread? The worst thing of all is the "i told you so...". For some reason g/f's are better at giving them than receiving them.

One would hope so.
Murphy's law dictates luck and indifference make for terrible insurance policies...

Stay anal-retentive my friend.

 

[robert graham]

Re: Is ignornance really bliss?

I used to watch my grandmother put just a drop of oil on all those moving journals, links and parts on that very old Singer sewing machine of her's, and I loved the way it ran and sounded. That's how I like my stuff to run, so Yes!, preventive maintenance is the only way to go, for me anyway!

 

[sasto]

Re: Is ignornance really bliss?

Oh how true you are, Hostage.

The more you learn and know about boats, or other equipment, the more work there is. PM goes a long way!

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Is ignornance really bliss?

LOL proper preventative maintenance is worth it's weight in gold. You end up replacing and repairing in smaller scale and do a little at a time as you go along.

Now...... I am very big on doing maintenance when needed/scheduled and doing it right. I hate to put it off and just hope it does not go bad....... well.......... there are those times when things do "POP" up and bite you right in the butt. Today is an excellent example for me....... we got a lovely 18-24" of fresh snow and I had to plow. My plow truck gets repairs and PM done the right way so why did I blow a brake line on top of a huge hill today GRRRRRRRRRR I shifted into low range and crawled down the hill and limped it home. When I repair that I will change the entire line and do it right. There is no way I will scrimp on a brake repair. Trust me, while I am under the truck ALL the brake lines will be scrutinized and replaced if there is any question.

A proper repair to my trucks brakes insures that I am around to hear my wife tell me "I TOLD YOU SO!!" The ability to hear those words is worth it

 

[Cofe]

Re: Is ignornance really bliss?

LOL....My favorite line from the Red Green show is......If they don't find you attractive, let them find you handy....

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: Is ignornance really bliss?

Preventive maintenance is good. But, as with anything, some go overboard to the point of mental illness.

 

[DECK SWABBER 58]

Re: Is ignornance really bliss?

YES

I learned PM from grandpa. It works! Thanks grandpa.

 

[scipper77]

Re: Is ignornance really bliss?

I work with a guy who told me that one time every week he goes around and turns off and then back on every water shut off valve in his house so that when he has an issue they won't be stuck!! A little much in my opinion.

Me, I pick and choose what's important. For example, Oil changes are important. My fuel filter is 18,000 miles past the recommended time to replace it, I'll do it when the weather warms up. Proper tire rotation doubles the life of the tires on my car (rear has tow in).

My point is that ignorance is bliss but knowing what you are doing will make your life better (unless you are OCD)

 

[dingbat]

Re: Is ignornance really bliss?

As a Mechanical Design Engineer, I?m anal and methodical about anything mechanical. Anything I work on is usually better than new when I?m done.
Having said that, I?m a firm believer there is no such thing as scheduled maintenance. I change fuel filters when the pressure drop exceeds spec. My tires get rotated when they need it and the oil gets changed per the manufacturers recommended schedule, not Jiffy Lubes.
On the other hand I can tell you off the top of my head what the compression is in each cylinder, when the plugs where last gapped or changed and how long ago the gaskets in the carbs where changed.

 

[monk-monk]

Re: Is ignornance really bliss?

Lucky are those who have the aptitude to maintain and/or repair their personal equipment...Thankfully, i have that ability...i think it all started with my first bicycle, and now, nearly 45 years later...there's not much stuff i can't work on...BOTTOM LINE: Over all the years, and all the stuff i have had to maintain or repair...Cars, trucks, boats, bikes, farm tractors, motorhomes, chainsaws...with no exaggeration, i have easily saved $20,000...i can't imagine having to pay somebody else to keep my machinery up and running...

 

[DJ]

Re: Is ignornance really bliss?

I work with a guy who told me that one time every week he goes around and turns off and then back on every water shut off valve in his house so that when he has an issue they won't be stuck!! A little much in my opinion.

)

That is darn good advice. After spending two weekends under sinks replacing stuck wall valves, I know it is.

I think once a week may be a bit excessive.