chevyguy

Genuine parts is the mother company of Napa which is why I'm posting it in here. Blackstone has sold its stake in UK-based auto parts distributor Alliance Automotive Group (AAG) to listed US trade buyer Genuine Parts Company in a deal giving the business an enterprise value of $2bn. https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2017/09/25/genuine-parts-buying-europes-second-largest-auto.html http://www.unquote.com/uk/official-record/3006732/blackstone-sells-aag-to-genuine-parts-company-for-usd2bn

I thought this was in an interesting article if true, in the NY Post today. Carl Icahn, activist investor and shareholder rights champion, can add a third title to his résumé: bathroom monitor. Auto Plus, Icahn’s car parts distributor, has started monitoring the bathroom breaks taken by the Kennesaw, Ga., company’s drivers, The Post has learned. The company requires its drivers, who make runs to service stations to deliver car parts, to log out and then back in when they leave for and return from the facilities, said one part-time Massachusetts driver, speaking on background. The drivers, who earn $11 an hour, still get paid for the potty breaks, but the company monitors their runs to the john so they are not abused, according to the worker. The bathroom monitoring was one of several belt-tightening measures Auto Plus implemented this year, the driver said. It also ended holiday pay, dental and eye coverage and disability benefits for its part-time drivers, who represent the largest portion of its workers, he said. The bathroom monitoring is “ridiculous,” the driver said. “When I asked the human resources person if she has to log her bathroom breaks, she refused to respond.” “I was told that it was a way to keep track when drivers were ready [to make deliveries],” the driver beefed. “How long does it take to take a leak?” When contacted Monday, Andrew Langham, an Icahn Enterprises lawyer, said, “We have over 1,200 stores and this is the first we are hearing of these problems.” Separately, the Harvard Legal Aid Bureau on Sept. 20 filed a demand letter to Auto Plus on behalf of the driver, alleging that he has been accruing sick time at a rate that falls below the state legal minimum since Jan. 1, according to a copy of the letter reviewed by The Post. Icahn bought Auto Plus for $340 million in 2015 and found it to be a poorly run business, a source said. http://nypost.com/2017/09/25/carl-icahns-car-parts-company-logs-employee-bathroom-breaks/

Back from vacation and got the equinox back from the dealer. They changed the converter under recall and also changed the fuel pump and an adjustable seat bolt, which were also both under recall. No check engine light and runs great so far.

So we left Saturday on vacation and left the equinox at the dealer to check into the car efficiency code, oil consumption, occasional hard shift, and slow l/f tire leak. So we'll see, they have it for the week. I also dug up a letter from GM for an extended warranty on replacing the cat if needed.

Haven't taken it yet, check engine light still on. Might have to bring it after vacation.

Advance Auto Parts has GearWrench Combination Ratcheting Wrenches for $34.99 Metric Wrenches SAE Wrenches Product Features: The Patented GearWrench® ratcheting box end needs as little as 5#176; of sweep to move a fastener, while a standard 12-point box-end wrench needs 30#176;, or 6x as much room; the flex head tilts 180#176; at any interval with continuous head tension Long bolts and threaded rods are not a problem for the GearWrench®; the ratcheting head allows the wrench to travel the length of the threads without removing the box end from the fastener The thin head and shank allow the GearWrench® into the tightest areas The Surface Drive® box end configuration virtually eliminates the rounding of fasteners; by moving the contact points of the wrench back from the edge of the fastener, the area of flat contact is expanded, distributing the load over a wider area Extremely strong, GearWrench® ratcheting combination wrench meets or exceeds ANSI, DIN and federal torque specifications for standard professional combination wrenches The GearWrench® ratcheting combination wrench is a precision tool and is not intended to free frozen fasteners

Nope, we are going to drop it off at the dealer in a couple of weeks so they can check it out. Hopefully its part of one of the added special warranties...

Yeah, I'm leaning towards a clogged catalytic converter.

Looks like its off of backorder and I have yet to find this for a better price! I had ordered enough for free shipping with $100 order.

That is true...lol.

I've never heard that really and the big difference is that synthetic oil doesn't break down as fast and offers additives that are friction modifiers. When oil breaks down and loses it's ability to properly lubricate, you get more friction which takes a toll on internal engine parts with wear and gumming up the engine, which is why it's important to regularly change oil. Repair shops used to (may still today) offer oil flushes to clean a gummed up engine. Today, clearances are much smaller and tighter and in some cases you have to use synthetic oil. I would say synthetic on newer cars more than older makes a difference and could extend the life of an engine. Once oil breaks down, turns black, no good.

Platinum and iridium. Sounds like a commodities market. It is, but it’s also what’s under the hood! Today we’re talking about metal. There are different types of metal used in spark plug electrodes. Whether it’s nickel alloy, platinum or iridium, different metals bring different characteristics and uses to spark plugs. Watch the latest installment of Counter Intelligence to learn more. Source: http://www.counterman.com/watch-talking-metal-platinum-iridium-make-spark-plugs-great/

They filled the back order at that price, it's coming this week. The website still says: This item is currently on backorder with no eta date from the manufacturer. You may place an order for this item on line or call 1-800-345-4545 and speak with one of our technical sales representatives to discuss your best options! (Option 2 for sales, then option 2 for a technical sales rep) They must be only filling the backorders and at that price, I'm sure they sold a bunch.

I have used EZ Chill Refrigerant this year and it works well. Walmart seems to have the best price at $17.88 , here's the link: https://www.walmart.com/ip/EZ-Chill-Measure-and-Charge-Can-with-Inline-Gauge/16930284

Jegs has AC-Delco Full-Synthetic Motor Oil 5W-30 (dexos1) at $3.99 a quart. I ordered a bunch but its on back order. Great price though. http://www.jegs.com/i/Chevrolet-Performance/809/88865635/10002/-1 Chevrolet Performance 88865635 AC-Delco Full-Synthetic Motor Oil 5W-30 (dexos1)

Interesting forum and I wasn't aware of all the auto parts stores that are around and online. I've heard someone mention Autopart international and I looked them up on google for the newark nj area and it says there is a location but is this a store you can go in or do you have to be wholesale?

So my check engine light came on and I was able to pull a code P0420 Catalyst system low efficiency. Now I know this could mean a bad cat, bad O2 sensor(s) or even a crack in the manifold. I have a 2011 Chevy Equinox 2.4L with a little over 80k on it. Does anyone know if there is a common fix for this? I was hoping it was a loose gas cap or something lol...But seems from looking online it can be a variety of things.