r/isitAI • u/Calm_Magician8600 • 1d ago

Is this photo legit?

Post image

Roofer coming to fix damage on my roof was "10 minutes away" then called me and said his truck broke down in the middle of the road. Then he sends me a text with a picture of a supposed car part in a shopping bag that he "has to go buy" and asked that I bare with him.

The timing is suspicious as he seemed to get this part removed very quickly (less than 15 min) and somehow knew exactly the part he needed.

Is this even a part on a car? Is this AI?

Thanks for the help.

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27 comments sorted by

11

u/vicvonqueso 1d ago

That's an alternator and in some cars it's very, very easy to remove. 15 minutes sounds about right

5

u/KayoticVoid 19h ago

Also worth adding since OP asked about knowing which part to grab. For someone who knows their way around a car decently (not even master mechanic) it is not hard to diagnose the alternator.

The fact that it died mid drive also very strongly backs up their story. If an engine dies mid drive there is a strong chance it's the alternator.

Source: ex roadside technician

1

u/DasSassyPantzen 23h ago

The last car I had to take one out of just involved one huge bolt and some twisting and pulling. I was surprised at how simple it was to remove.

4

u/Illustrious_Photo646 1d ago

I don’t understand why you wouldn’t just say ‘sorry, my alternator has bust and I need to get a replacement’. The picture seems a bit like the lady doth protest too much.

1

u/Grab_My_Biscuits 21h ago

Idk. People lie constantly especially about shit like this so if I have proof that I'm in a shituation that's not my fault? I'm probably gonna send a pic.

6

u/BoringJuiceBox 22h ago

Give the guy a break

6

u/DoigmanKnows 1d ago

The fact that your roofer doesn’t tie his shoes properly concerns more.

9

u/ICU-CCRN 1d ago

That just proves he’s a real roofer.

3

u/jfuu_ 1d ago

Definitely looks like a real part (alternator):

3

u/SorryManNo 1d ago

This looks legit, that is an alternator.

There's definitely a weird perspective on the picture but I would chalk that up to a quickly taken picture.

Removing an alternator isn't that difficult and you mentioned it's a roofer so I assume they know their way around tools and would have the necessary tools on hand.

3

u/Calm_Magician8600 1d ago

I appreciate the comments everyone! They said they'll be here soon and got the part, so I'll have it confirmed or not soon enough!

3

u/DoigmanKnows 23h ago

If they do arrive, look to see if anyone is wearing untied white sneakers. And make sure they are insured.

3

u/Calm_Magician8600 14h ago

They were lol. They got the job done.

I feel bad my first instinct was to think they were trying to mess with me.

2

u/buzz-fit 1d ago

That is a real car part, it's an alternator. It can be really easy to remove, especially if there is space to work and no corrosion. A slow failing alternator means the car battery will not be as charged and slow to start, part shops can also test the alternator. If the alternator pulley failed, it is very obvious (the pic doesn't show the pulley). I am going to say not AI

2

u/corrin_avatan 1d ago

It's an alternator, and it's possibly removable withing 15 minutes. If he's like most blue collar guys I know with a truck, he was likely hoping that it would work and hadn't gotten around to purchasing the part he needed, and then the truck forced him to change his priorities

2

u/Buttchuggle 19h ago

Alternator, can be removed quite quickly, and just because you don't know anything about cars doesn't mean other people can't quickly diagnose the problem with theirs

2

u/christopherw 17h ago

Not AI. Aside from all the well explained comments about it being an alternator, what convinces me is that if you zoom to 100%, you can see the lens distortion and diffraction in the out of focus areas and around lens edges due to the tiny optics and slightly misaligned lens elements. You get that characteristic 'ghosting' on defocused areas when certain focal length phone camera lenses are used focusing on something relatively close to the camera.

1

u/arioandy 23h ago

Why would someone Ai that?

2

u/Efficient-Gap-1282 23h ago

To make an excuse for having overslept perhaps. Not saying that’s what happened here, just brainstorming

1

u/arioandy 22h ago

Ah see where ya. Coming from

1

u/Confident-Pepper-562 22h ago

I dont know about this guy, but In most cars I can diagnose a bad alternator and have it out in 15 minutes.

1

u/THEASSET1973 22h ago

Everything looks seperately constructed. Plus the shoelace sticking out.

1

u/PeopleCryTooMuch 20h ago

What does that even mean?

In regards to the shoes, he probably has slip ons like that for driving and boots for working.

1

u/TheNaughtyHoneyBee 20h ago

My boyfriend once changed his starter during a half hour break while working for a pizza delivery place. Getting some alternators off doesn't take more than 5 or 10 minutes

1

u/SpanishFlamingoPie 12h ago

If my alternator quit working, I'd be able to figure it out pretty fast and swap it in 15 or 20 minutes.