Repair Mistakes & Blunders!

[RockAuto]

We are looking for some good "Repair Mistake & Blunder" true stories to feature in the RockAuto newsletter (we know you have some)! Tell us about your most infamous auto repair blunder or unconventional fix. Use your woe to help others avoid similar mistakes or share off-the-wall solutions that worked ... at least for a while!

Please e-mail your story to Flamur@RockAuto.com. Include your mailing address and let us know if you would like a RockAuto T-shirt (please let us know your shirt size) or Hat if we publish your story. See the T-shirts and Hats by looking under the "Tools & Universal Parts" tab in the RockAuto.com online catalog.

The story will be credited using only your first name and your vague geographic location (state, province, country, continent, etc.) so you can remain semi-anonymous!

Read the latest "Repair Mistake & Blunder" story in our current newsletter : RockAuto March Newsletter

Enjoy (and learn how to avoid) even more "Repair Mistakes & Blunders" in the newsletter archives: RockAuto Newsletter Archive

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***‪*‪**‪**‪***‪**‪***‪*‪*****‪**‪*‪**‪‪***‪**‪‪** ‪*Chevy Aveo 2006 SVP
About two months after I had replaced my timing belt, the accessory drive pulley came off in the driveway. This was a big hint. I had not used a torque wrench. I had ask for help for putting the pulley back onto the car as I just had hernia surgery. My buddy asked for torque wrench too and I said it will be all right.

About two weeks later, the pulley came off again while I was doing 70. The pulley keeps the timing belt in place. It moved off the crank shaft pulley cutting into the plastic housing and then slipping off. All my valves got smashed in my interference engine. I replaced all the parts from Rock Auto when I rebuilt the head.

Lesson learned: Always use a Torque Wrench.