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Applying Einstein in real life
Sep. 5th, 2007 07:48 pmYou've probably heard the following joke, or similar, sometimes attributed as Einstein's favorite joke:
Einstein's favorite joke
A man whose car will only start after a lot of effort (push)
gets it to the mechanics
none can fix it after examination of the car
He finds the 7th mechanic, who inspects the car and looks at its assembled parts tightens the bolts and the car works!
The bill is $150.00
How dare you charge me it took only 30 seconds!
I want an itemized bill, so the Mechanic gives him one:
Itemized bill
Parts 0
Labor .11ยข
"Knowing which screw to turn $149.89 "
My push lawnmower recently acquired an odd problem. I could start it (after priming it with that little red bulby thing), but after about two seconds it would stop. I'd prime it again, and the same thing would happen. The air filter and spark plug are relatively new, and the spark plug wire is secure. the oil level is fine, and yes, it has gas in it. The gas line is clear, and the line from the carburator to the engine is clear. Hurmph. I figured I would be taking it to the shop and dumping $150 into it for repairs, or maybe $250 for a new mower. But I Googled "lawnmower starts and stops" and lo and behold! Multiple sites all suggested a fouled carburator, and a couple indicated a cleaning method. There is a screw in the bottom of the carb that holds it on. The screw has a little hole through which the gas passes (ummmm...) and if it gets clogged, the engine will start, then stop! So I removed the screw, cleaned the hole with a paper clip, replaced the screw, and yay! the engine works fine again.
Google knows all, including which screw to turn.
(side note: you need to empty the gas from the engine, or tilt the mower appropriately, or all the gas will come out through the carb when you remove the screw)
Einstein's favorite joke
A man whose car will only start after a lot of effort (push)
gets it to the mechanics
none can fix it after examination of the car
He finds the 7th mechanic, who inspects the car and looks at its assembled parts tightens the bolts and the car works!
The bill is $150.00
How dare you charge me it took only 30 seconds!
I want an itemized bill, so the Mechanic gives him one:
Itemized bill
Parts 0
Labor .11ยข
"Knowing which screw to turn $149.89 "
My push lawnmower recently acquired an odd problem. I could start it (after priming it with that little red bulby thing), but after about two seconds it would stop. I'd prime it again, and the same thing would happen. The air filter and spark plug are relatively new, and the spark plug wire is secure. the oil level is fine, and yes, it has gas in it. The gas line is clear, and the line from the carburator to the engine is clear. Hurmph. I figured I would be taking it to the shop and dumping $150 into it for repairs, or maybe $250 for a new mower. But I Googled "lawnmower starts and stops" and lo and behold! Multiple sites all suggested a fouled carburator, and a couple indicated a cleaning method. There is a screw in the bottom of the carb that holds it on. The screw has a little hole through which the gas passes (ummmm...) and if it gets clogged, the engine will start, then stop! So I removed the screw, cleaned the hole with a paper clip, replaced the screw, and yay! the engine works fine again.
Google knows all, including which screw to turn.
(side note: you need to empty the gas from the engine, or tilt the mower appropriately, or all the gas will come out through the carb when you remove the screw)
