As a non-DYI & new owner of an old volvo I've learned a few things in the past few months reading the board & asking for advice. They are as follows:

1. Do you homework first, read the FAQ & previous postings. Most BB's don't seem to want to answer the same simple questions over & over. Who would?

2. Be humble! Remember these guys are offering their help (& opinions) it's the latter that tends to get people fired up. So be thankful for whatever info you can get (good or bad!). It still helps to make you more informed.

3. Be prepared if you push the wrong button on a topic. As with any other forum of this sort, people have their own opinions, not always in line with everyone else. The folks on this board are from all over North America & beyond, hence, a different view from a diverse group.

4. Don't take offense from any replies. A big part of learning is taking your licks, either at the mechanics shop or in some case on the board.

5. Filter the infomation received. Since the group is so diverse in mechanical skill & knowledge, not every bit of info will necessarily be 100% correct. Use it as a troubleshooting guide & if you are a "rookie" like me, proceed with caution before firing up the torch and burning off the front end.

6. Most important, don't be afraid to ask. Being uninformed is much more dangerous then knowing. In this case "ignorance" is not bliss.

7. Enjoy the banter back & forth. There are nights when my wife hears me out here laughing my a** off at some of the posts. Some of these guys are not only knowledgeable but are pretty damn funny when they get going.

Lastly, This board is a valued tool for me. It can be time consuming as the attraction to continue to gain knowledge leads into hours of reading posts. Nevertheless, I've become much more informed and have a better level of knowledge about my car than I did two months ago. If not for all you guys helping out, I would be walking around in the dark.

Continued thanks for the ongoing help from everyone!