I used to think those 'ask me anything' forums were just for celebrities, but then I got real help fixing my old truck.

I was stuck on a weird engine knock and a guy on a forum, not a mechanic, walked me through checking the torque converter bolts over video chat. Has anyone else had a random internet stranger solve a problem that stumped you?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_tara2mo agoMost Upvoted

Nah, I gotta push back on this. Handing over a video call to some random person online is asking for trouble. You got lucky this time. Doesn't mean it's smart. Could have been someone recording your garage layout, your tools, your face. Scoping you out for a robbery later. Or just wasting your time for laughs. Plus most people on forums don't know what they're talking about. They guess. Guessing on an engine knock can blow your whole motor. Cost you thousands. Real mechanics charge for a reason. They stand behind their work. Some random guy with a webcam has zero accountability. Glad it worked out for you. But let's not pretend that's the norm. Most internet advice is garbage. Sometimes dangerous garbage.

robert644mo ago

Video chat? A total stranger just hopped on a call to look at your engine? That is some next level trust right there. The internet can be a surprisingly decent place sometimes. My cousin had a similar thing happen with a weird electrical gremlin in his boat.

thompson.brian4mo agoMost Upvoted

Was it really that big of a deal?