YouTube's greatest use... fixing your appliances

[Peyton00]

My blinker for my truck that is imbedded in the sideview mirror is burning out the LED lights, I only have 2 in the driver's side mirror. The new part, last time I looked, was $68. There is a YT on how to change it out. I have gone to the dealer and a favorite body shop to see if they could do it for me (don't have the tools). All said no. So, the only option I have is to buy new mirrors at $800+ a whack at the dealer. Just going to research more for parts and wait for income tax return. For sure, replace the passenger side mirror, had an argument with the post on the carport while backing up.

I would save that repair for the next owner.

 

[Tim L]

This is truth. I should have included it initially. The Park Tool videos are a gold mine of well filmed information:

Park Tool

Since our founding in 1963, Park Tool has been the leading name in bicycle tools. Our YouTube channel is an extension of our mission to be the ultimate resource for mechanics and riders of all skill levels. Here you will find comprehensive repair help tutorials for a wide range of components and...

www.youtube.com

Amen! I'll add another one of the best below (anyone else with a bike related favorite, feel free to tack on)

GCN Tech

Brought to you by the world’s biggest cycling channel, the Global Cycling Network (GCN), GCN Tech goes deeper into the bikes, kit and technology stories that matter. GCN Tech is utterly obsessed with seeking out and showcasing the best in bikes, tech, products and upgrades. Everywhere. Every...

www.youtube.com

 

[Josh]

When I hire a professional, I always watch to learn more. Expensive education? YUP. But still worth it to get it done correctly.

 

[Wadin' Boot]

So, what did you do for the hard water stains? We have a glass shower door that I can't get clean.

Well we dumped some nasty home depot acid into the shitter. Don't know I would want to do that with shower tile...

 

[BigSky_ 2]

So, what did you do for the hard water stains? We have a glass shower door that I can't get clean.

Try old school "EdFred", apartment cleaners have been using it for decades.

 

[BriGuy]

With YT, you do have to spend time wading through the crap to find the really useful content. However, watching the crappy videos will often show you the innards of what you are trying to fix. That is often enough information to start with.

I'd probably miss YT the most if l couldn't have Internet.

 

[Dave Boyle]

Love it, flashing light on AC button in car. YouTube, one $22 relay switch from O’Reilly’s later, done. The dissapointment from the garage my wife had called to fix it was quite palpable when I called to say it fixed itself….

Dave

 

[JudyM]

Well we dumped some nasty home depot acid into the shitter. Don't know I would want to do that with shower tile...

A solution of vinegar and water.

 

[RCF]

A solution of vinegar and water.

Or baking soda and vinegar

 

[JudyM]

I would save that repair for the next owner.

Passing it down to the daughter, it will be paid off. 2011 Ford Explorer Limited with 139,000 original miles.

 

[Nick Clayton]

Some times I try to remember how I ever fixed/repaired/replaced anything around the house or on a vehicle/boat prior to YT, but my brain goes blank. Id be paying so many more professionals if not for that wonderful site.

 

[Tom Butler]

Don't know I would want to do that with shower tile...

A solution of vinegar and water.

50/50 and a magic eraser! Makes a glass door sparkle too.

Before YT, everything was Kenmore, so it hardly ever failed, but if it did it was on warranty or Sears service contract (cheap back then).

 

[PhilR]

Some times I try to remember how I ever fixed/repaired/replaced anything around the house or on a vehicle/boat prior to YT, but my brain goes blank. Id be paying so many more professionals if not for that wonderful site.

There was the big orange book I got from the despot when I bought my first house. And handy friends. And a lot of half assed projects

 

[Peyton00]

Passing it down to the daughter, it will be paid off. 2011 Ford Explorer Limited with 139,000 original miles.

I have same make and model year. 182,000.

 

[RCF]

Quick questions: Is youtube the new MacGyver?

If you do not have internet when out in the boonies, what do you do? Walk to civilization?

 

[JimTravers¤£a!!Travers]

When I GO ONLINE I'm always lookin to gain money. These days they're paying you to watch youtube's!! Several well known Internet Business Entities are currently paying decent rates to GO ONLINE and watch youtubes

 

[jasmillo]

I’ve was watching YouTube videos last night on how to replace the lower element in my 9 year old LG stove. It’s internal so a bit of a chore but seems totally doable based on what I’ve watched. If not for YouTube, I’d probably looking at a multi week wait and repair bill rivaling the cost of just buying a new appliance.

 

[SurfnFish]

6 or 7 years ago, came across a very neglected old JM Marlin lever action 30/30 that was beat up and wouldn't cycle shells. Not a hunter anymore, it appealed as a winter project for when those OR coastal rains went non-stop, so bought some gunsmithing tools, started scrolling through YT videos and had at it. Learned to steam the stock to remove dents, hand mix finish oils, blue steel, and correct a tricky loading gate issue. When it was done, shot a few rounds to satisfy it worked, than passed it on to a young hunter who liked to hunt deer in the brush. Without those UT videos, it'd be still collecting dust.

 

[SilverFly]

Once again I have come to the conclusion that YouTube's greatest reason for existing is... videos that explain how to take apart and fix your household appliances*.

Finding a video that told me exactly how to disassemble my dryer, replace the belt, and put it back together saved me a couple hundred bucks, a week or two of laundry-mat, and a whole lot of hassle compared to paying someone to fix it. Since I knew each step, I didn't screw anything up.

Over the years I've replaced dishwasher control boards, dryer tubs/belts, and other random things. YouTube may suck for lots of reasons, but this ain't one of them.

*"videos that explain how to fix things in your car" is also an acceptable answer. Though in my experience, finding a decent mechanic is easier than an appliance repair person.

Agreed. Although spending all day at work fixing the "appliances from hell" that pattern semiconductor chip circuits, there are few things I despise doing more than fixing home appliances. Youtube can be immensely helpful, or sometimes misleading. I repaired a circuit board on our dryer a few months ago. Was ready to spend a couple hundred on a board, but took the time to test all the relays with a 9v battery and meter. Relays were good, then found a cold solder joint. Cheap easy fix that time, others not so much.

Be glad you don't have to fix these things. I've been wrenching on this shit for over 20 years and still makes my head hurt.

(disassembled view I found online, not our machine)

 

[troutstalker]

6 or 7 years ago, came across a very neglected old JM Marlin lever action 30/30 that was beat up and wouldn't cycle shells. Not a hunter anymore, it appealed as a winter project for when those OR coastal rains went non-stop, so bought some gunsmithing tools, started scrolling through YT videos and had at it. Learned to steam the stock to remove dents, hand mix finish oils, blue steel, and correct a tricky loading gate issue. When it was done, shot a few rounds to satisfy it worked, than passed it on to a young hunter who liked to hunt deer in the brush. Without those UT videos, it'd be still collecting dust.
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What a cool project and how nice of you to gift it to a young hunter! Awesome!