A publication about fixing things, written by someone who actually fixes them. Real repairs, real parts, real prices — and the cost-benefit math done out loud.https://thefixdiary.com/https://thefixdiary.com/fixes/ac-blowing-warm-air-capacitor/https://thefixdiary.com/fixes/ac-blowing-warm-air-capacitor/The first time our AC died, a technician swapped the capacitor in minutes for a couple hundred dollars. The second time, on Labor Day weekend, I matched the specs off the old capacitor's label, got one same-day from Amazon, and had cold air by evening.Fri, 03 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://thefixdiary.com/fixes/ge-dishwasher-ftd/https://thefixdiary.com/fixes/ge-dishwasher-ftd/FTD means failure to drain, and GE's advice starts with the drain path. But if your GE dishwasher drains fine and still throws FTD, the water-level pressure sensor is probably lying to the board. Cleaning mine bought one cycle; the $25 genuine part fixed it in 15 minutes.Tue, 30 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://thefixdiary.com/guides/mini-split-installation/https://thefixdiary.com/guides/mini-split-installation/A mini split install is two different jobs: mounting boxes, which a careful homeowner can do, and HVAC commissioning, where the expensive failures live. The full map: sizing, flares, nitrogen tests, micron evacuation, condensate, and the rescue problem nobody warns you about.Tue, 23 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://thefixdiary.com/guides/opal-icemaker-problems/https://thefixdiary.com/guides/opal-icemaker-problems/Add Water with a full tank, constant defrost, screeching, black sludge: the fixes Opal owners keep landing on, organized by symptom, with an escalation ladder from no-tools checks to parts replacement.Tue, 16 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://thefixdiary.com/fixes/honda-mower-surging-fix/https://thefixdiary.com/fixes/honda-mower-surging-fix/My used Honda HRN216 mower (GCV170 engine) ran great for a few minutes, then started surging. Here's the 15-minute carb swap that fixed it, plus every other fix Honda owners report, from pilot jets to gasket traps.Tue, 09 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://thefixdiary.com/fixes/pressure-washer-starts-then-dies/https://thefixdiary.com/fixes/pressure-washer-starts-then-dies/My friend couldn't keep my Honda GCV160 pressure washer running: it fired on starting fluid, then died. That one clue said fuel, not spark. Here's the crusty carb I found, and the $30 genuine Honda replacement that fixed it in 15 minutes.Tue, 02 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT