[Shop-talk] New engine for a Honda? RESOLUTION

[MIQ MILLMAN]

There are many paths up the mountain, but the view is always the same.

Ask the question at least 3 times to get a hint of the true answer is my
experience.

  --Miq

On Thu, Dec 18, 2025 at 5:21 PM Jimmie Mayfield <
mayfield+shoptalk at sackheads.org> wrote:

> ChatGPT and Gemini and Claude are useful tools.  But I've run into a
> couple situations where AI answers, Gemini's in particular, were complete
> fabrications.  Most recently, I'd asked Gemini to summarize the backstory
> for an online novel that I've been reading.  Gemini's answers were
> completely believable and, in some cases, completely false.  Descriptions
> of events that never occurred and events that did occur but involved
> different characters.  (It was fascinating how the answers wove a cohesive
> picture that wound up at the same place as the original novel but took a
> different path to get there.)
>
> Trust but verify is the name of the game.
>
>
> On 12/18/25 18:25, Jim Stone wrote:
>
> I thought I would resurrect Moose’s discussion to share a recent article
> from Haggerty on the use of AI to diagnose vehicle problems.  In a
> nutshell, their experience mirrors Moose’s and suggests we might all want
> to add ChatGTP into our toolboxes.
>
> hagerty.com
> <https://www.hagerty.com/media/maintenance-and-tech/tested-is-ai-your-next-classic-car-mechanic/?utm_source=SFMC&utm_medium=email&utm_content=MED_UN_NA_EML_UN_UN_WeekendRoadTrip&hashed_email=c8a202749fb3ee180da46bc01753dfea37cacafc792579d503edc6e326ce4e4e&dtm_em=c8a202749fb3ee180da46bc01753dfea37cacafc792579d503edc6e326ce4e4e>
>
> <https://www.hagerty.com/media/maintenance-and-tech/tested-is-ai-your-next-classic-car-mechanic/?utm_source=SFMC&utm_medium=email&utm_content=MED_UN_NA_EML_UN_UN_WeekendRoadTrip&hashed_email=c8a202749fb3ee180da46bc01753dfea37cacafc792579d503edc6e326ce4e4e&dtm_em=c8a202749fb3ee180da46bc01753dfea37cacafc792579d503edc6e326ce4e4e>
> <https://www.hagerty.com/media/maintenance-and-tech/tested-is-ai-your-next-classic-car-mechanic/?utm_source=SFMC&utm_medium=email&utm_content=MED_UN_NA_EML_UN_UN_WeekendRoadTrip&hashed_email=c8a202749fb3ee180da46bc01753dfea37cacafc792579d503edc6e326ce4e4e&dtm_em=c8a202749fb3ee180da46bc01753dfea37cacafc792579d503edc6e326ce4e4e>
>
>
> On Nov 21, 2025, at 6:42 PM, Moose <eric at megageek.com> <eric at megageek.com>
> wrote:
>
> Well gurus, I fixed the Honda and I'm almost embarrassed to say it.
>
> First, I checked the intake for oil thinking that would show me if it was
> a pcv valve that failed.  It was clean.
>
> HOWEVER, I didn't realize the best way to check them is to just pull them
> out and replace them. (It was $4.50 and $8 for the grommet.)  Actually, if
> you pull them out and shake them, you should hear it rattle.
>
> Well, I replaced it. And no more oil leak!!!!!  I also borescoped the
> cylinders (all were near perfect) and replaced the spark plugs while I was
> there.  Car runs much smoother now as a result!
>
> So, who was the winner that told me this...
>
> AI.  That is right, I put the question to ChatGPT and that was the first
> thing it told me to try.  It gave me a nice list of things to try in order.
>
> Since I figured, I was on a roll, I pushed on.  One of the problems with
> the car that we never had the 'radio security code' and after a battery
> replacement, the radio was locked.
>
> So I found a link to a Honda site where you can recover the codes, but it
> required the S/N of the radio (and car VIN.)  No problem I figured.  Taking
> the radio out was 2 clips and 3 screws to get the dash off of it.  HOWEVER,
> there was a surprise hidden for 'non-Honda' mechanics that may try to do
> this.  The button for the hazard lights has an electrical connector
> attached to it.  Like all automotive connectors, it requires a magic spell,
> 2 incantations, and a bit of unicorn farts to disconnect it (Seriously, why
> can't they standardize electrical connectors?)
> Anyway, when you get it apart, the spring that returns the hazard light
> button is held in-between the switch and the connector.  So guess where
> this spring shoots one you disconnect the plug.  That's right, straight
> into the depths of the dash board.  CRUD!
>
> Luckily, I found a spring that worked in my 'springs and things' draw and
> was able to get it all back together. So the car now has a radio as well.
>
> In the end, I'm a happy man and the SO thinks I can walk on water.  Don't
> worry, I'm sure I'll screw up soon enough to dispel that image.  8>)
>
> Moose_______________________________________________
>
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