Motor medic

WASILLA — Except for a four-year stint in the military, Lee McCarroll has been tinkering with engines and fixing automobiles for about four decades.

“Well, I’ve been at this a long time,” he said. McCarroll is a mechanic at Mr. Lube, voted Best Auto Repair in the 2009 Best of the Valley balloting. Mechanically, cars have changed drastically over the past 40 years, and McCarroll said he’s kept busy keeping up with the technology.

From training to be a mechanic to advice on choosing the right one for you, McCarroll pulled himself out from under a late-model Honda on Monday to answer a few questions.

Frontiersman: What training and continuing education do you need to be an auto mechanic?

McCarroll: With all the technology changes and advanced technology, you have to keep up with it all the time. A lot of it is self-study.

F: What can students do to jump-start their careers while still in school?

M: The vocational schools and technical colleges are great. My son is going to a college in Oregon. They’re great. … Also, (taking mechanics courses in high school) is a great idea. There’s a lot of experience you can get there.

F: Describe one of the most unusual or memorable repairs you’ve made?

M: Well, let’s see. Years ago, we had a guy bring a car in and rats had eaten up all the wiring. They did a number on it. Needless to say, he didn’t drive it in.

F: How has the auto mechanic industry changed over the past 40 years?

M: Oh, it’s changed drastically. There are so many different changes you can’t list them all. Before, you had combustion engines, and they only relied on fuel, air and ignition. Now, everything’s computerized.

F: How important is preventative maintenance and what types should people regularly have done?

M: It’s really important. Oil changes, charge the coolant every couple years — at least — and above all, keep that oil changed regularly. That’s so important, because after a period of time, the oil loses its lubricating capacity, which leads to high-dollar (repairs).

F: What are some auto issues unique to Alaska?

M: Suspensions, it’s really hard on suspensions up here. We have a lot of rough roads and when it gets to 20 or 30 degrees below zero, that’s really tough on suspensions too. … All those components have oil and fluids in them and they can freeze up as much (as) the oil and fluids in your engine.

F: What should people look for when choosing a mechanic?

M: A lot of people know how to fix cars. What you should look for is honesty, integrity and someone who’s straightforward with you. That is the difficult part. We don’t need to stick people just to make a living, and that’s why we’re so busy all the time.

F: What are the most common auto ailments in the summer? In winter?

M: Brakes are a big deal (in all seasons), because of the severity of the roads and all the stopping and starting going on. It’s also hard on shock absorbers and struts. I do a lot of front-end alignments.

F: What are the advantages of winterizing your engine with a block heater and battery blanket?

M: There are lots. No. 1, it’ll start, and No. 2, it’s so much easier on the engine. It’s like you getting out of bed and putting your feet on an ice-cold floor. You wouldn’t want to go anywhere either. Also, the synthetic oils are another wintertime plus.

F: Will you do mechanical inspections of used vehicles drivers may be considering to purchase?

M: I do that all the time, and most of the people who are buying (the car) are willing to pay for the inspection. It’s not much, usually about for a half-hour, and sometimes the dealership will pay for it as well.

F: How important is having a used vehicle inspected before buying?

M: I think it’s pretty important. If a guy has an unbiased opinion, it gives you better (knowledge) of what you’re buying. I just tell people what’s going on mechanically.

Contact Greg Johnson at greg.johnson@frontiersman.com or 352-2269.

FIND A GOOD MECHANIC

Kristie Leong, a contributor to eHow.com, has these basic tips for finding a good auto mechanic.

Look before you need one

This may be the most important advice of all. Start looking for a competent mechanic before your car decides to die on you. There’s nothing more frustrating than having a dead car and no one to call. Chances are you’ll flip through the Yellow Pages and call the first mechanic who can fit you in. Your chances of finding a good one are slim using this approach. As soon as you get a new car or move to a new area, begin your search for a reliable mechanic.

Test the mechanic with simple repairs

Once you’ve selected a potential mechanic, it’s best to test their level of honesty and competency by taking your car in for a minor repair job. If you’re satisfied with the work done, keep your new mechanic on speed dial.

Do a background check

Call your Better Business Bureau and see if any complaints have been filed against the shop you’re considering. Ask as many people as you can about their experience at the shop. The more information you have, the better.

Look for ASE certification

Look for auto mechanics that have ASE certification. This means they have had at least two years of hands-on, full-time car repair experience and have passed a series of competency exams. Although this doesn’t necessarily make a mechanic honest, it does mean that he has a basic level of car repair knowledge.

Seek advice from car clubs

If there’s a group that knows cars and the importance a good auto repair service, it’s the members of antique car clubs. Call local car clubs in your area and ask for a local referral. This is particularly important if you happen to have an antique car yourself.