A Word About Safety for DIY-ers

[BimmerM3inGA]

I debated whether or not I should post this because I loath when people do something stupid, then spread it all over the Internet with sensational subject lines in an attempt to get attention.

But then I figured that maybe someone could learn from my mistakes. And my mistake this time is that I sent myself to the emergency room a couple of weeks ago after getting hurt working on a car. Now, I've been working on cars for close to 25 years, and have gotten hurt before. Who hasn't? But it's never been anything so serious that it couldn't be dealt with by a careful selection of curse words and a couple of Band-Aides.

I've been chasing oil and coolant leaks on my 2002 X5 4.6is after an epic timing chain guide replacement project and three attempts to correctly set the timing. To locate the latest leak, I had removed the aluminum skid plate from under the front subframe (again). I traced the oil leak to the O-Ring at the bottom of the dipstick tube and was in the process of buttoning it up.

If you've ever had to remove/replace the skid plate, you know that it's an awkward job with difficult access. If you haven't done the job, there are six 16mm bolts holding the plate to the underside of the front subframe. Each one passed through the plate and subframe, and then has a nut on top of top of the subframe. You have to hold that nut with a wrench while tightening the bolts from underneath. Access to the bolts is easy - they are all exposed. But the nuts are a different story. There is a lot of stuff in the way, and you have to really contort yourself to get a grip on a couple of them.

I had managed to get them all tight and was checking the torque when, on the last one, the 1/2" drive socket wrench I was using slipped off the bolt head and hit me in the upper lip - just below my right nostril. I knew it was bad because I tasted blood almost immediately. But I had no idea what had actually happened.

To her credit, my wife was a model of composure when I came running into the house spewing blood and expletives. It was obvious that something was wrong and she calmly asked if I would be requiring assistance. Um, yeah! She took one look and in a very uncharacteristically assertive tone, informed me that we were going to the ER. I didn’t argue. By this time, there was blood all over the bathroom sink, but I was able to use a paper towel to keep pressure on my lip and slow the bleeding. It was about 5:00PM Sunday afternoon.

I kicked all my tools and assorted gubbins into the garage, closed the door, and she took me to the local Med Stop. We waited for an hour and a half to see a doctor, and in the meantime the shock was wearing off and it was really starting to hurt like a mofo. The doc took one look at my lip that was split open and insisted that we go to the ER in Macon - about a 35 minute drive. My wife doesn’t like to drive on the Interstate (especially at night), so we debated going to a closer local ER. But ultimately decided to take the doctor’s advice. I’m glad we did. The wait was very short and Dr. Hatchcox demonstrated superb skill and bedside manor.

At 45 years old, I’ve never had stitches and didn’t know what to expect. Let’s just say it’s an unpleasant experience. In fact, the entire experience was very unpleasant and inconvenient. I ended up with 5 stitches in my lip, but thankfully no loose teeth or other significant injuries. I was very lucky. I could have easily knocked out a tooth, or broken my nose. I’m thankful that it was a relatively minor injury.

So when you’re working on a car, do pay attention and be aware of what you’re doing. I should have known I would be in the path of any suddenly freed tools and been more careful. In fact, I did know it. But I was so close to being done and just wanted to get that last bolt snugged up.

The attached photo was taken 5 days later just before the stitches were taken out. I must say that I’m pleased with how well it’s healing. I’ll probably have a permanent scar, but two weeks later and it doesn’t hurt and is almost completely healed.

Oh, and I couldn’t shave for the last 2 weeks, so I thought I’d see how I look with a goatee. I’m not a fan!