Coolant Question

[erikv11]

Annnnnnddddd ... I think it's a great video, like the show and tell too!

[Jazzop]

Keep in mind there's not necessarily an active pot to stir, as this thread is more than three years old.

rspi likes to bump up old threads with links to his videos.

I never understood why some discussion forums have such a hatred of old threads. I think that the optimal way to go is to discourage multiple threads on the same topic and merge them into one thread, no matter how old. It makes searches much easier and, for those who never search before posting, it allows the rest of the users to yell at them for not doing their due diligence by at least reading the "XYZ master thread."

I've noticed that the phenomenon seems to vary strongly with the average age of the forum members. The Honda forums, filled with snotty little punks who can't spell, generally consider a thread over 2 weeks old to be a "dinosaur"; while something like a business traveller forum, filled with old people, has better thread maintenance.

[erikv11]

No hatred here, I am fine with bumping old threads, do it myself at times. I just wanted you to realize this was not an active thread, that likely none of the original posters are still around or at any rate aware of the contents of the thread. To help keep the thread constructive.

In this case, within a few minutes rspi bumped 5 coolant threads with no-text links to one of his most recent videos. So these bumps showed up not because of a sudden surge in overall member interest in coolant, but because of one person's interest. And that seems a fine way for him to advertise his relevant and useful product, but often when an old thread is bumped like this, members will start posting suggestions to fix the problem discussed in the thread. Not much point in that, as almost by definition the problem is gone and no one is going to try any suggestion. My observation is that people can get confused, forum attention is wasted on futile posts. On the other hand, if you are fully aware of the age of the thread and want to bump it, I say post away!

So I agree with your point that thread maintenance is useful (especially closing out old ones of your own!), but there can also be a downside to bumping old threads, especially blindly. It can actually create thread maintenance problems, not advantages. I know no one asked me to referee, so I'm no different from the thread-bumper in that this is simply my opinion. That's what the forum is for. IMHO.

[rspi]

As for multiple threads... this site is most accepted of them. Two people can post the same question two post away and no one will even suggest that the latest poster look at the post that was made 30 minutes prior. It is a very friendly thing to do and is not the end of the world. It keeps a lot of activity going.

As for reserecting old threads, it happens all the time. I don't mind it as long as it is related information and adds to the subject. My take is, if a thread appears in a Google search, it can be easily found by someone in need and should have the most relevant solution in it. So if there is a thread that is 6 years old that people can find in a search, that tells people to purchase a part that is no longer available, or has missing pictures, it would be good to update them.

I kinda feel the same way about instructions. When I did a thread poll asking members if they would like written instructions or a video, hands down every response asked for videos. So when I produce one that may be useful and have multiple threads floating around, i sometimes will search them out and link to them.

[abscate]

Mod note....we do like people to start a new thread for a new problem, that is, please don't add your "car won't start" post to the last "no start" thread.

Adding updated info or one of Roberts great videos to an old thread is both good and appreciated.