Skipped it for a long time is the part that gets me, cause thats exactly where most of us start. That cylinder base nut is a good example though, cause those are known to walk on these engines and a quarter turn is enough to start losing clamp load even if it hasnt let go yet. Question for you though: when you found it, did you just torque it back and reseal it, or did you pull the jug to check for damage under the flange? That would be my big worry, cause if it was loose long enough to back off, the fretting and the stud threads could be chewed up and just snugging it back down hides the real problem. Curious how you handled it cause Im never sure how far to take it once something like that turns up.

Had the same thing happen to me on a water pump on a 5.4 Triton, booked like 6 hours and I had it done before lunch because I've probably done 40 of those things and my hands just know where to go. Honestly though, the flip side is I've had days where some rusted out nightmare eats my whole day and I make less than the kid at the oil change bay. Flat rate rewards you for being fast and punishes you when the car fights back, so days like your Tuesday feel great but you gotta remember the bad ones even out. I'm still on the fence about it, some weeks flat rate is a goldmine and some weeks I'd rather just clock in and get a steady check.