You cant trust these kids working in a Automotive store.

[1929]

I told this guy to give me 2 feet of fuel line hose, he goes in the back makes a cut and hands it to me, I asked him how come it doesn't say fuel line hose, he and another guy said, they don't always list it that way. I found that hard to believe, but anything is possible when almost everything is made in China. Two weeks later car is running rough again and stalling out, Iam thinking this is impossible, everything is good, whats the problem now. Iam stuck in a parking lot, so I take the filter out, its clean, remove the fuel line, and a miniscule piece of black comes out, tear down the Stromberg its near the jets and a spec of rubber is in the S-jet inlet valve, this hose I guess was disintegrating slowly.

[Gary WA]

I hope you returned it for a full refund!!!

[MikeK]

I had the same problem WITH hose marked "fuel" from the local parts store. Black stuff disintegrated after about a week. Fortunately it was a 6" piece on my lawnmower. E10?

[C26Pinelake]

The kids are only as smart as the old guys that train them. The fault is not with the kids but with the manager and owner. I am surprised you didn't know the difference ?? Wayne.

[Synchro909]

When I converted to 12 volts, I had a 12v Bosch coil on the shelf which I decided to use. I knew that if the condenser and the coil weren't matched, I'd burn the points so I rang Bosch to find which condenser I should use. I got a young fellow on the other end and when I explained what I wanted, his reaction was coil??, points??? condenser??? I don't know what you're talking about but there is an old guy works here - he might know. I'll ask him and get back to you. I expected to never her from him but true to his word, he did ring. The young fellow was amazed that this "old guy" knew the answer straight out of his head - didn't have to look up anything. Turns out the "old guy" was in his 50's
On the other hand, this young fellow would probably have been all over electronics.

[Mitch//pa]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Buy fuel injection hose it's much better

[tbirdtbird]

agree with #5.

Gates also makes a fuel line hose with a barrier lining to the crapahol. It has green labeling on the hose and is called Barricade.

The local O"Reillys was kind enough to begin stocking for us about 4 yrs ago. It WILL stand up to crap gas. Fuel line hose always has some fiber threads running thru the walls, perhaps rayon or nylon, to reinforce it for a pressure system. If that is lacking then it is NOT fuel line

With each passing day china tries to force more and more garbage down our throats. It is getting harder and harder and harder to get proper parts any more; it is a full time job unto itself. The upcoming election could solve that problem......

[Mitch//pa]

Agree with #6. Barricade is also an excellent choice and product

[Tom Wesenberg]

I only use TYGON hose for all my small engine now.
It stays flexible and you can see if fuel is flowing through it.

[Special Coupe Frank]

Slightly OT, and more about the kids behind the counter.... a number of years ago, I was helping a friend who had bought a vintage truck from me. We needed new spark plugs. so we went to the nearby Advance Auto, and I asked the clerk ( kid behind the counter, complete with many tattoos and grommets in his ear lobes ) for six Auto-lite spark plugs and gave him the plug number (believe they were 307 - a common 14mm plug).

The kid behind the computer insisted he needed to know the year, make and model of the vehicle. I replied that I knew the part number, and had given it to him, could he just please go back to the shelves and grab six of them.

We went round & round on this point for about five minutes, neither side budging.

Finally, I said, "Okay, you asked for it. Year, make and model ? 1961 Willys 6-226 Utility Truck ! "

He just stood there blinking for a few moments, then asked me to repeat the information... I repeated it, and wrote it down for him. He tried entering the info in his computer terminal... and found nothing.

We went through Willys, Jeep, AMC, and didn't find a listing. Finally, a manager who had begun to hover jumped-in and asked if he could help.

I went back to the original request for six Auto-lite 307 spark plugs, and the manager checked stock by part number, and told me they didn't stock them, but we were able to cross to a small engine plug they did have in stock.

After about a half-hour, my buddy and I had six spark plugs, and got on with our day and got his truck running.

Seems like many trips to the auto store turn into "teachable moments" for me...

[bobbycoke]

What really gripes me about asking a question to a clerk about a product is when they start reading the package ????????? if it answered it on the package I would have read it....Yes I can read, it is something that used to be taught in school........again how the eroading of the middle class work ethic has gone to china....!

[mshmodela]

Lesson: Do your homework before you buy.

[C26Pinelake]

Originally Posted by Benson

Recently the kid brought my change ... short 85 cents.


Me: You owe me some more change.

Blank stare ... deer in the car lights look.

Me: You owe me some more change.

More blank stare ... and deer look.

Me: You owe me 85 cents ...

Another Blank stare ... deer in the car lights look.

Me: I want to talk to your manager.

Oh you want me to bring you the 85 cents.

WTFO?

What is being "taught" at home and in schools these days?

You missed the point! What kind of screening is the dumb ass employer doing ? That is where the problem is. Wayne

[daren007]

Our local auto parts store Auto Value formally National Bushing and Parts Co. has been in the parts business forever. Do not go into their stores in the evenings or weekends unless you have to. One time I needed a small tube of valve grinding compound, Reply.. They don't make it anymore. Another time I needed brake parts. We do not have them. And another I was looking for R134 to R12 adapters. They do not make them. Each of these times I returned and the parts were on the shelf.

Do not hire kids that cannot wear a hat correctly.

[big job]

Nothing taught at home and schools now. All this violence now caused by 'they took
the stick out of school' At least back then teacher wacked me with a yard stick & the old
man found out then I got double wacked with a 2x4-- justice in the 50's. back to the post, fuel injected fuel line rubber only now works with diesel. Rule one going to
these new chrome shops 'advanced and such' don't tell them its a 49 Hudson, they
can't even spell that, so go by numbers. I'm lucky but writing is on the wall these napa guys will retire, meaning I go for all tune up stuff for a 46 V8 no books no computor so the white hair
guy picks it off the shelf. (new guy there goes to stupid putor) he goes Duhh! all I
find is 5.0 stuff (me what in hell is 5.0?) its a 239 cid ya dope. speak english man, so
when ya need a H10 plug, he says whats it for, I say a potato launcher gun ! numbers ya need.......

[Terry, NJ]

A number of years ago, I was restoring a Ford 1952 8N tractor. This was a rare model because it had a Howard Rotovator with the extra low speed for rototilling. Howard was originally a British company that had moved to Australia to produce these tillers for Ford. I needed some some drawings for the coupler and a few other parts, so I called Ford, Australia and got a guy and when I explained the purpose of the call, his response was, "We made that?, We made tractors? I wasn't here then (No shlt!) so I don't know. I'm sure we have nothing in the files, Good Day!" Or something very like it!

Another bright light was working in a local A.P. store in NJ. I went in to buy a fan belt and was told that it must be off a machine because no car ever had a belt that wide. I told him he was too young to know and left.
Terry

Originally Posted by Synchro909

When I converted to 12 volts, I had a 12v Bosch coil on the shelf which I decided to use. I knew that if the condenser and the coil weren't matched, I'd burn the points so I rang Bosch to find which condenser I should use. I got a young fellow on the other end and when I explained what I wanted, his reaction was coil??, points??? condenser??? I don't know what you're talking about but there is an old guy works here - he might know. I'll ask him and get back to you. I expected to never her from him but true to his word, he did ring. The young fellow was amazed that this "old guy" knew the answer straight out of his head - didn't have to look up anything. Turns out the "old guy" was in his 50's
On the other hand, this young fellow would probably have been all over electronics.

[C26Pinelake]

I can't believe there are this many cynical people ( above ) that have no faith in our future generation. Shame on you all! Wayne

[Mitch//pa]

This is why I do all my own parts ordering for the shop myself via computer... Gone are the days of calling your jobber and giving them the YMM and still get the wrong parts...now if the part comes wrong it's my own fault...I deal with two places and have direct access to inventory , price shopping etc... Click the submit button and it's on the way.
Can even order parts from my phone from anywhere's.
As far as the idiotic public chain joints I stay away from those especially if they have service bays... I won't support a competitor

[Dick Steinkamp]

When I was young, we all had the same interests as our parents and grand parents. We all dressed the same as them and listened to the same music. We were all polite and smart. We knew all the parts for 80+ year old steam engines and didn't need any of those "books" to assist us.

All I can say to the kids of today is....

STAY OFF MY LAWN!!

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Let's NOT dump ALL the "kids" in ONE BAD category!!! There's some sharp "kids" out there. We're mostly jealous because they're YOUNG.
If we tick them off too much, they may NEVER get into the Model A Hobby.
Bill W.

[fastroadster]

When I have time....I like to screw with those kids. Ask him if he has a fuel pump in stock for a Model A Ford. What do you mean?? It has to...I just drove it in here. Are you sure? hahahahahahha

[C26Pinelake]

Originally Posted by fastroadster

When I have time....I like to screw with those kids. Ask him if he has a fuel pump in stock for a Model A Ford. What do you mean?? It has to...I just drove it in here. Are you sure? hahahahahahha

Does anyone benefit from this activity? It adds to the problem instead of helping the young person. How would you like someone wasting your time when you are at work ? So sad! Wayne

[captndan]

The NAPA store here was sold to another franchize and the older ones retired, went to another store, or just plain quit. Two went to O'Reilly's. The others at O'Reilly's are younger farm raised men. Between the employes they can come up with about any part you need. Lucky to live in rural America.

[Tinbasher]

Are you running ethanol based gas? Common problem.

John Poole

[Jeff/Illinois]

Originally Posted by Dick Steinkamp

When I was young, we all had the same interests as our parents and grand parents. We all dressed the same as them and listened to the same music. We were all polite and smart. We knew all the parts for 80+ year old steam engines and didn't need any of those "books" to assist us.

All I can say to the kids of today is....

STAY OFF MY LAWN!!

Dick you mean like..... THIS??? Nothing gets your attention faster than a Garand pointed at your head
https://youtu.be/NelBNtNm8l0

[caboose]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Originally Posted by fastroadster

When I have time....I like to screw with those kids. Ask him if he has a fuel pump in stock for a Model A Ford. What do you mean?? It has to...I just drove it in here. Are you sure? hahahahahahha

I'll quote a friend, "If you can't trust the pimply faced kid behind the parts counter, who can you trust?"

[Wick]

We have a new orileys. ...best one in there is a young boy that plays with the Honda cars. He can find me anything! Try finding parts for a 52 lincoln or 41 ford tonner and 48 packard.
I showed him how to read a tape measure when cutting fuel hose. Showed him how to match bolt threads up. I found 06 mustang gt rear shocks bolt right on to the lincoln. The guys with experience there won't take the time to look for stuff.
In Autozone I asked for a universal electric fuel pump. ...nobody had a clue what it was!
Well it was hanging on the wall behind the counter. Lmao

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by Wick

We have a new orileys. ...best one in there is a young boy that plays with the Honda cars. He can find me anything! Try finding parts for a 52 lincoln or 41 ford tonner and 48 packard.
I showed him how to read a tape measure when cutting fuel hose. Showed him how to match bolt threads up. I found 06 mustang gt rear shocks bolt right on to the lincoln. The guys with experience there won't take the time to look for stuff.
In Autozone I asked for a universal electric fuel pump. ...nobody had a clue what it was!
Well it was hanging on the wall behind the counter. Lmao

Did you tell him there are 16 inches to the foot?

[Indiana A. Lover]

Amen!

[DougVieyra]

So some of you old farts get cranky sometimes about young brain-less counter persons - get over it.

But even better - is going in (you have to have a straight face to do this) and ask for six gallons of 'Prop Wash'. You tell the young man that you saw their ad in the local paper advertising Six Gallons of Prop Wash for the price of Four, so you know he has it in stock.

The rest you can ad-lib as you go along - however, it is important to stretch out the dialog as long as possible, until the kid collapses.

While serving my first week on the USS Hornet CVS-12, I not only had to fetch a gallon of this stuff from the forward Chain Locker, but it had to be specifically "Goony Bird Special". Prop Wash is hard enough to find, let along a specific brand ! Of course, the wise old sea salt I talked to at the Forward Chain Locker, told me that they moved all the Prop Wash to the after Fan Tail - but, as I was going there anyway, would I "please take these two empty 5 gallon cans back there when you go?"

So I never have any problem of conscience when I now ask the youngster behind the counter - for my six gallons of Prop Wash. The smart ones are the ones you want to deal with. Those that go looking for it, you might want to avoid.

[Drive Shaft Dave]

Originally Posted by MikeK

I had the same problem WITH hose marked "fuel" from the local parts store. Black stuff disintegrated after about a week. Fortunately it was a 6" piece on my lawnmower. E10?

I had the same problem with my modern, last year I replaced a 8 inch section of fuel hose, marked NAPA FUEL , early this summer it split open.

[Drive Shaft Dave]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

Did you tell him there are 16 inches to the foot?

Early this spring I went to Autozone for a wheel cylinder hone , they never heard of one.

[tbirdtbird]

"Early this spring I went to Autozone for a wheel cylinder hone , they never heard of one."

Is it any wonder why eBay and Amazon are doing so well?
I save myself the gas and the time to go shagging parts no one ever heard of, and just bring'em up online in a flash...DONE

[KenCoupe]

Originally Posted by BILL WILLIAMSON

[B]Let's NOT dump ALL the "kids" in ONE BAD category!!! There's some sharp "kids" out there.
Bill W.

I agree with Bill; we can't just dump on all the young people. One of the big problems is that these chains only look at profit margins. They provide no training to their employees. My son worked for a national retailer and got virtually no training. He had to figure out what tires worked on what cars, what shocks were correct, etc. on his own. There are some younger guys (as well as older guys) that are not the "brightest bulbs in the lamp." My son picks things up pretty quickly and self taught himself what was needed to know. When I was young, you got training when starting a new job. You also worked with a guy that knew his stuff and would impart that knowledge to you (the new guy). Doesn't work that way much any more.

[1929]

Originally Posted by KenCoupe

I agree with Bill; we can't just dump on all the young people. One of the big problems is that these chains only look at profit margins. They provide no training to their employees. My son worked for a national retailer and got virtually no training. He had to figure out what tires worked on what cars, what shocks were correct, etc. on his own. There are some younger guys (as well as older guys) that are not the "brightest bulbs in the lamp." My son picks things up pretty quickly and self taught himself what was needed to know. When I was young, you got training when starting a new job. You also worked with a guy that knew his stuff and would impart that knowledge to you (the new guy). Doesn't work that way much any more.

Its true the chains only look for profit margins, and don't pay well. I brought a car in for an alignment and noticed it wasn't done, brought the car back to Mavis and watched them align it this time. I asked the manager why the guy didn't do it the first time, he said can you cant get good workers for $9 an hour.

[captndan]

If they don't know what an electric fuel pump is they also don't know what a Garand is. Sir, do you want that in 30-06 or 308?

[SeaSlugs]

Around me i cant say ive ever had a major issue at any of our auto parts stores, a few times you can tell the guy at the computer is relatively new (young and old mind you) and has trouble looking stuff up but they either A admit to it and apologize but eventually click enough places to find it or B get help/training asap. Now one of our napas has old guys in it and are less than helpful and never seems to have anything in stock(but they can order it for 6X the cost of the other places)...

ive had good luck with autozone and advanced autos fuel line by the foot... maybe its a recent supplier change

[denis4x4]

I refuse to jump on the band wagon here and complain about counter kids at the chain auto accessory stores. Instead, I complain to my local school board for cutting vocational classes. With few exceptions, I'll bet that the vast majority of 'Barners were able to learn about cars at the corner service station or from a mentor. OSHA says you can't let anybody in the service bay anymore. Give the kids a break.

[goodoldvic]

x2 denis4x4

[SeaSlugs]

Originally Posted by denis4x4

I refuse to jump on the band wagon here and complain about counter kids at the chain auto accessory stores. Instead, I complain to my local school board for cutting vocational classes. With few exceptions, I'll bet that the vast majority of 'Barners were able to learn about cars at the corner service station or from a mentor. OSHA says you can't let anybody in the service bay anymore. Give the kids a break.

yea shame really thats the first classes to go when budget cuts are going on.


I was fortunate enough to go to our township high school that had: auto mech (5 bays - 3 lifts), welding (stick and mig), metals (foundry, sheetmetal, milling, lathes), woodshop, electronics, drafting(both by hand and auto cad style - forced to do by hand first to appreciate and understand the terms to do autocad), graphic arts (printing press, photography, dark room, etc) small engines/household wiring, and ag classes.

[CarlG]

I took all 3 that were offered: Wood shop, Metal Shop, and Auto Shop. In college, I earned tuition by working in the campus print shop -- printing presses, photography, dark room, etc.

[Jeff/Illinois]

The Parts guy at our local Ford dealership is pretty sharp. I buy Motorcraft and original Ford parts every chance I get, don't fool with the junk from O'Reilly's. NAPA, AutoZone or the brain dead fools that work there.

One quick example. I had an error code on our V-6 Escape a couple years ago, said that the #5 coil pack was bad. Since it is a harder job to change the back three, I decided to just put all new ones in while I had it apart. The Ford garage only had two, I bought them and then went by the NAPA store and got the third one as I wanted to put it back together that nite and not wait a day to get another Motorcraft part. BIG mistake. Car ran fine for ABOUT one month, then the same error code popped up said it was #5 coil pack. I thought 'could it be'?? tore it all down and sure enough it was the crap part from NAPA that went south. They offered to give me a new part no question, but it was the same cheapo brand they stuck me with before. No thanks and I never went back to those sorry suckers.

An old timer mechanic told me many years ago, and I agree, if you drive a Ford use genuine Ford parts. If you drive a GM car buy AC Delco parts. Mopar use MoPar parts.

[callcoy]

I started going to a Auto Parts store with my father when I was 8 or 9, we have one store in our agricultural based town, The old time from the 20's Hockaday & Phillips, about the time I was 10 a Napa Store (Sands Auto Parts) opened up and the old place went away. At Napa you needed a part they turned around and picked it off the shelf, sometimes they had to look it up in the "Book", we usually got what we needed. Thru the years when I had my own shop, that was the only place I dealt with.

Flash forward, I managed to escape from Calif. a couple of years ago and settled outside of Nashville in an area that is agriculture but not predominant and now finding time to work on the mechanical things that dominate our lives. So I am wanting some solid core plug wire and run down to Advance, O'Rielly's and Autozone, like reported in previous posts here was greeted (?) with a dull stare and finial response from the shop manager we don't have that stuff!

Lots of tractors, equipment and lawn mowers around here, so surely the John Deere dealer stocks solid core, but no, they have kits with molded ends like the auto parts stores but they don't know about solid core is even used.

So I looked up the local Napa store, it was off on a side street away from all the glit and glamour of the main street. Hoping to find a friendly atmosphere I explained my mission and experience so far today, they were all smiles. In the process of telling them about my early experiences with Sands Auto Parts the Napa Dealer in my home time, the store owner walked over and talked to me, told me he worked at Sands for 18 years before buying this store. He set me up a commercial account and I left with my wire and terminal ends. The only auto parts store I use now!

[daren007]

The problem with these kids was not education. It was motivation.

[C26Pinelake]

Originally Posted by daren007

The problem with these kids was not education. It was motivation.

Which is a direct result of lack of proper direction provided by their parents.
Obviously you critics have no children or grandchildren or you would not be running the next generation into the ground.
Hopefully as parents you accept much of the responsibility for the way that the younger generation is progressing. If these kids turn out bad you deserve much of the credit. Wayne

[old car guy]

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While for the most part I will agree that the young people working at most of the auto parts stores do not have the information to draw from on a lot of our requests.
However it's not fair to lump all of them in a group .most if not all of them have never been to the school of antique cars trucks or tractors . Most have never even seen a older car much less ever have worked on one.
However most will try to find what you were asking for. But most of the problem lies with us not them. Not many of them ever have had to look up anything without the use of a computer. They have no idea what cross referencing is.or how anything would even move that did not have 300 plus horse power or was not a Chevy 350.
I myself have schooled many of the young counter people on what to look up and how to find it, and for the most part they were doing all they could do to find what I was needing.
So the next time you go in to the local parts store and ask for a part and you get that puzzled look as to what the blank blank is that, spend a little time with them and bring them up to speed.
You might be amazed at their reaction . I recently need some odd old school items that I knew we're not listed in the computer and sure enough the new counter person was a young girl. After I explained what it was and what it looked like she made a concerted effort to find it in there back room. I don't know who wanted to quit first me or her but since she was determined to find it , I stayed the course. And she did find what I needed and I think she was more proud of her accomplishment than I was.
And after I got the parts on my project I ran the car back over to the parts store, showed her where the parts fit and how it worked.
the next time I was in the store I was greeted with complete respect and the folks behind the counter again found what I needed.
Sometimes you get a lot more back that what you give. And we all need to remember we were all young many years ago and did not know everything either.
And I appreciate all of the old timers that set me straight along the way with their knowledge of what I did not know .

[Greg Jones]

Mr. Old Car Guy, I am with you 100%! Very well said!

[Fordors]

old car guy "gets it" for sure. Thanks o c g for restoring my faith in humanity; I've always believed you will get more with honey than you will with vinegar and you have proven that to be true again.

[Willie Krash]

Originally Posted by BILL WILLIAMSON

Let's NOT dump ALL the "kids" in ONE BAD category!!! There's some sharp "kids" out there. We're mostly jealous because they're YOUNG.
If we tick them off too much, they may NEVER get into the Model A Hobby.
Bill W.

I agree, most of these kids are making minimum wage and that is about all they can expect. I often joke when I tell someone what is wrong with their car they say the guy at the parts house said.....it was this or that....

I always asked if he offered you to super size it.

Really the big guys just see no value in paying for good help. IMO
When we grew up we had GM. Ford. Chrysler (etc,etc) to work for, the big three.
Today the big three is Subway, Wendy's and McDonald's...

[burner31]

Rubber hose on a Model A, where? why?
Excluding radiator

[larry harding]

i went into an advance a few years ago and asked the kid for a head light bulb socket and pigtail i need for a cushman scooter i was working on he wanted make ,model etc. i finally saw one hanging on a peg right behind him and said that is what i want.. another time i was building a shed at the back of my house and sent my who is asian to lowes to get me a plumb bob. the first guy she talked to sent her to the plumbing department. she finally found someone who knew what she wanted. i remember the good old days when the guy at the auto parts or hardware store knew what he was doing and wasn't someone who had worked at burger king a few weeks ago.

[C26Pinelake]

Originally Posted by larry harding

i went into an advance a few years ago and asked the kid for a head light bulb socket and pigtail i need for a cushman scooter i was working on he wanted make ,model etc. i finally saw one hanging on a peg right behind him and said that is what i want.. another time i was building a shed at the back of my house and sent my who is asian to lowes to get me a plumb bob. the first guy she talked to sent her to the plumbing department. she finally found someone who knew what she wanted. i remember the good old days when the guy at the auto parts or hardware store knew what he was doing and wasn't someone who had worked at burger king a few weeks ago.

Everybody has to learn the job. The fault in your scenarios rests with the store owner for not providing the necessary training. Give the kid credit for getting a job. Go talk to the owner and take your anger out on him. Wayne

[Cool Hand Lurker]

Originally Posted by burner31

Rubber hose on a Model A, where? why?
Excluding radiator

Well, I suppose you could use one for the windshield wiper.

[tmiller6]

Keith(Burner 31)

There are two pieces of rubber hose on your wiper vacuum line.

[burner31]

We have a pretty good young gal working in the nearby O'Reilly store, I'll call her Butch, she knows more then the two young men working there, and I prefer to deal with her.

[Cornishman]

Yet another thread that makes me glad that I live in Europe!

[Dennis Pereira]

Save yourself the frustration and always have the old part with you . That way you don't waste hour's with people shaking their head while you try to explain what you need .

[C26Pinelake]

Originally Posted by Dennis Pereira

Save yourself the frustration and always have the old part with you . That way you don't waste hour's with people shaking their head while you try to explain what you need .

Great advice! Wayne

[C26Pinelake]

Originally Posted by Cornishman

Yet another thread that makes me glad that I live in Europe!

[B To ridicule our future generation is shameless! wayne[/B]

[burner31]

Originally Posted by Cornishman

Yet another thread that makes me glad that I live in Europe!

OK...I'll bite
I agree with you

[Mitch//pa]

Originally Posted by Cornishman

Yet another thread that makes me glad that I live in Europe!

Mazel Tov

[C26Pinelake]

Mazel Tov means good luck or congratulations in the Jewush community! Wayne