Maintenance & Repairs - February 2007

My gauge reads like it is running hot, can I put aomething in the line to make it read about half of what it is.

2007-02-21 06:13:17 · 5 answers · asked by chippola 1

I have removed the entire taillight housing, but the bulbs are not accessible from the inside and the only way seems to be to pry off the colored lenses with a thin blade, but that's tricky because the plastic is so fragile. What's the secret?

2007-02-21 06:12:13 · 1 answers · asked by proscribner 1

I know Mazda 626s are notorious for tranny problems due to a ford built cd4e, but how reliable are the manual trannies?

2007-02-21 06:10:38 · 2 answers · asked by TJ 2

2007-02-21 06:08:07 · 9 answers · asked by sherry v 1

I wanna kno before i get the car

2007-02-21 06:05:05 · 2 answers · asked by westgatekracka 1

How do I replace my tailight on a 2003 pontiac grand am?

2007-02-21 05:49:13 · 4 answers · asked by alwaysperfec237 3

automotive question.

2007-02-21 05:39:58 · 5 answers · asked by 93prelude 1

Ive got an 88 Grand Am as my back and forth drive to work beater car.
In the past month, Ive had to fill the power steering reservoir twice. So, Ive got a leak someplace, that much I realize. Its been freezing here in Chicago, and I havent had the time to search for it.
Since I drive 120 miles round trip to work and back daily, if the power steering pump goes out will that prevent me from driving it?
Its got the serpentine belt that drives all accessories.
Also if youre a mechanic and answer this, for a backyard mechanic such as myself (Ive done brakes, heater-core, radiator, etc.) how diffuluclt of a job is this? Brakes were easy, radiator was easy, heater core was a PITA though!

So, 2 questions.
1. If the power steering pump goes, will it strand me on the highway, or will I be able to drive it just with no power steering?
2. As a backyard mechanic, how diffulcult of a job is putting in a new steering pump on this Grand Am?

Thanks, and hopefully a knowledgeable mechanic will reply.

2007-02-21 05:33:49 · 5 answers · asked by Toe Motor 3

99 Grand Am front drivers side coild around the strut has snapped in half. Can I drive it 70 miles a day for 3 more days?

2007-02-21 05:24:00 · 6 answers · asked by countrythunder2001 1

What are the mechanical reasons why cars like Hondas and Corollas are considered much mroe dependable than Fords, Chevys, etc?

2007-02-21 04:35:58 · 6 answers · asked by jilip_99 1

They told me I needed $1138.48 in repairs and they everything from brakes to coollant flush. They showed me my brakes and they looked pretty bad as in the pads were thin but why would I need new drums if it was just my bads were worn?

2007-02-21 04:32:39 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous 3

2007-02-21 04:27:19 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous

I have a Mitisubishi lancer (non evolution) and I want to install a turbo kit. My question is, are there any parts needed besides the kit to make sure I dont damage my engine or any other component of the car?

2007-02-21 04:24:28 · 2 answers · asked by Chris B 1

I drive a 1999 VW Cabrio. Overall, a solid car, but I do have these problems and need advice before taking to a mechanic...

1. I need to heat up the car for at least 3 minutes in the morning, if not, when I accelerate, it revs up the engine, but, stalls for a second, then jolts forward. If I happen to be on a steep incline, it reverses when I put my foot off the brake (bad if someone's behind you), and when I quickly accelerate, it jolts so fast the tires screech... But once the engine warms up, everything runs smooth (sometimes)..
2. On the freeway, 4th gear going 70mph. I slow down and the rpm quickly drops to 10. Hit the gas again, rpm shoots up to 70-80 and engine just revs..
3. If I am stopped, then hit the gas once it's a green, sometimes it takes time to change gears until i put my foot of the gas, then switches to the next gear...

Alot of questions, hope you can honestly answer... Thanks so much!!

2007-02-21 04:12:33 · 6 answers · asked by cbleon_99 1

Well, you guys are the BEST, I thought I would start a new thread. I have a local mechanic insisting that my alternator is bad, so I think I need to find someone else. Thanks for the quick responses in my previous thread. I have one more question (Sorry for the multiples), if I unhook the negative cable on my battery (While everything is shutoff...no lights, no radio, no wipers, nothing), get a multimeter and test the voltage between the negative cable and the negative battery terminal, am I correct to bel that anything below 12 volts means that no parasite sucking my battery exists? Or any reading, including a 10 volt or 11 volt reading might be proof of an existing parasite? Needless to say, my mechanic has no idea about any pf this, hence the reason why I am here

2007-02-21 03:52:55 · 8 answers · asked by Avellino 1

2007-02-21 03:51:39 · 12 answers · asked by prawdzikmd 1

Please help me! I was cleaning tools and pots. I found that soaking in dishwasher granules works great. I stupidly bought a granule bar, and used it with my hands to scrub. Now no matter what I do (wash and dry) the skin on my hands is completely sticky! Nothing gets it off. Help! So far I have tried soap, Goop Off liquid version, carpet spot cleaner and hydrogen peroxide. Is there somebody out there that works with glue or tools or something that can tell me: How do I get this sticky stuff off? I'm going nuts! Thanks! Signed, the cure is worse than the problem :-( ......

2007-02-21 03:43:39 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous

I just bought a 2002 Ford Focus and the engine is all dirty. I am thinking of pressure washing it when the engine is cold. Is this a good idea?

Also, my engine hesitates when it is not warmed up. What should I do? I plan to change the spark plugs, change the air filter, add fuel injector cleaner to the gas, and maybe change the fuel filter. Will this solve my problem?

Also, my automatic transmission slips when I am between gears. For example, first gear works fine, but it slips before going into second gear (I can press on the gas, and the transmission doesn't engage right away- the engine just revs up). Is this an electrical problem?

2007-02-21 03:37:04 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous

I replaced my battery a few days ago.
This morning with a multimeter (Car was sitting overnight), I saw that the volts on my battery was roughly at 12.54 which is good. (Car not running)
Checked the BAT Terminal on my alternator, roughly the same (also good)
Started the car, the BAT Terminal reported 14.6 and my battery was also reporting roughly the same, after a few minutes, I began opening headlights, defrost, wipers, heaters .....
The car battery voltage began to drop 13 and lower , the second I provided some acceleration, the battery clearly went back to 13.99 to almost 14.2
All that time, the alternator was still registering 14.4 to 14.6 volts
To me, this seems to be working as designed. In an idle state with no gas and all bells running, I bel it is normal to be hovering at 12.5. (Again Idle, with no gas what's so ever)
My mechanic insists it is not normal.

2007-02-21 03:26:03 · 13 answers · asked by Avellino 1

2007-02-21 03:12:47 · 4 answers · asked by guadalupemorenojr 1

Drivers side window wiper won't work, passenger side moves fine. I am guessing this means the motor is ok, and the problem is in the arm linkage system, is this a fair assumption? Any suggestions or words of warning before I start to tear apart my car?

2007-02-21 02:59:57 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous

It smells like burnt oil.I noticed as I turned on the heater and got a wiff.I know my explorer burns oil fast,but the thing is I just got a tune-up,new fuel filter,and an engine flush what could it be now?

=(

2007-02-21 02:40:57 · 5 answers · asked by Butterflied 3

I own a detailing shop, i am wondering why some car wax are flaunting that they have silicone on their wax and some don't have it. what is the deal with it?

2007-02-21 02:19:00 · 3 answers · asked by iceman 1

This is a revision of my last question. I can start my car if I gas it as soon as I turn the ignition, but if I don't it starts for a second then stops, at which point I have to have someone turn the ignition as I am banging on the gas tank.

2007-02-21 01:47:11 · 4 answers · asked by 15fsg546rge1rrheljh45hjr90459ty3 3

my 2000 ford ranger suddenly is having power steering trouble.
when turning the wheel , not under motion, the movement of the tires is real jerky, it will actually shake the front end of the truck.
while driving down the road, it doesnt do that, but it still feels funky.
the front end is solid, new wheel bearings, and just had it aligned.
i am thinking the power steering pump is crapping out, even though there are no leaks. i dont see any air bubles in the fluid, and the level is correct. good tight serpentine belt, which is also new. it has got me stumped. like i said the front end is tight.
any ideas? i dont want to replace the pump, if that is not the problem, but i cant imagine what else it could be at this point.
must be some motor heads out there who can help.
thanks.

2007-02-21 01:43:49 · 6 answers · asked by t3wheel 1

2007-02-21 01:30:29 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous

I can't start my car unless I have someone turn it over as I am banging on the gas tank with something heavy and blunt. Is it just ice in the tank, or do I need a new fuel pump? I put the gas anti-freeze in it, and no change. It is warm out now where I live, so I am starting to get a little paranoid. What should I do to diagnose the problem?

2007-02-21 01:24:21 · 4 answers · asked by 15fsg546rge1rrheljh45hjr90459ty3 3

I posted a question yesterday about the "mayonnaise" in the oil in my VW engine. There were two possibilities - a blown gasket (or worse) with coolant leaking into oil, or maybe, due to recent very cold temperatures and short trips we made with this car, it was just a lot of condensation - there was not enough heat and time for the water to evaporate.

I checked the coolant level and it looks exactly the same as before, which means that there couldn't possibly be a lot (or any) leakage. Also, I drove the car this morning and checked the oil - it's nice caramel color and there is no trace of gunk in it! There is still some residue under the oil cap, but not much.

Would you say I'm safe?

2007-02-21 01:14:08 · 3 answers · asked by stopwar11112 3

i have been told my clutch has gone on my car an been quated 300 in total(150 for clutch and 150 for labour) for it to be repaired a i was wondering if i could find clutch myself cheaper as price for this does not seem right,y wud this garage charge same price for labour and part, does anyone no the list of full parts i need to replace the clutch do i just look for a full clutch kit or what? thanks

2007-02-21 01:03:12 · 5 answers · asked by trueplayer666 1

2007-02-21 00:57:12 · 3 answers · asked by ANTHILL 1