Messages

1

Auto Repair Car Questions / Re: 2005 Mazda Tribute P0171

« on: August 31, 2010, 11:26:12 AM »

If Alldata wont tell you, I have no clue.  You can probably visit your local Mazda parts department and ask to see a computer print out of the intake, and you are wanting to buy a new intake or something to make it worth their time to show you.  Parts guys will usually help out if they feel you might buy the parts from them, so act interested and get prices.  

2

Auto Repair Car Questions / Re: 99 Bonneville shifting issues

« on: August 31, 2010, 10:51:57 AM »

I am not a transmission mechanic, but I think you need an overhaul. I dont think the crank sensor will do anything, sorry.

3

Auto Repair Car Questions / Re: Hard starting/stumbles

« on: August 31, 2010, 10:42:06 AM »

I would start with checking fuel pressure at the fuel rail.  You can bang on the bottom of the fuel tank AS someone is cranking over the engine, this can sometimes jump start a weak fuel pump.

4

Auto Repair Car Questions / Re: Body Shop Owners/Managers: Financial Question

« on: August 31, 2010, 10:40:15 AM »

I would say our average ticket at our body shop is about $2200. We have 15 tow trucks bringing in wrecks from Houston streets and we also have drive in traffic as well.

5

Auto Repair Car Questions / Re: Supplier for weather seals? (Dodge)

« on: August 31, 2010, 10:27:25 AM »

I think the dealership or a junk yard (removing them from old parts) are about the only two places that are going to have those.  You might do a search on ebay just for the heck of it.  If it was an older Chevy truck, it would be pretty easy finding aftermarket replacements.

6

Auto Repair Car Questions / Re: lexus U140E transmission

« on: October 10, 2008, 09:21:36 AM »

Hopefully this is an adjustment issue.....as long as the transmission is not SLIPPING...then it is an internal transmission problem

I hope you got a direct replacement transmission though, I am a little concerned with why you had to replace the case to get the mount to line up.  Could this transmission NOT be for this exact year model?

If its not an exact match, you will have big problems since this is an electronic controlled transmission and who knows what transmission control module this transmission is supposed to be compatible with.

I would definitely go back to the rebuilder and demand they correct this at their expense.

7

Auto Repair Car Questions / Re: Missing Link?

« on: August 15, 2008, 02:27:27 PM »

Thank you again for your time and email.

You are correct about the hassle and expense of a broken belt. And you are also correct, I totally left out the change interval on my list....shame on me!

The rule of thumb used to be replace all rubber products (belts and hoses) at 60K miles, but the quality of the rubber belts and hoses seems to have increased over the last few years and many shops are allowing more time between change intervals. To be honest, I have only seen maybe 1.....yes 1, serpentine fan belt actually break do to excessive wear.  Now, I have seen many of them break or come off the pulley due to a broken belt tensioner or a bad pulley or something else on the engine that broke and caused the belt to jump the pulley.

I have seen severely cracked serpentine fan belts last 100K or more on some of my more price conscious customers, and I have seen many shops replace serpentine belts with just a few small cracks.....which I think is more of a sales ploy than an actual needed repair.

I would definitely have a talk with your oil change place for not bringing the worn out belt to your attention, I am surprised they did not try to upsell you a belt on your last few visits.

8

Auto Repair Car Questions / Re: tires

« on: August 01, 2008, 10:06:27 AM »

That is an interesting thought discretesignals.....but ramming a car backwards? Thanks for the info though, I seem to be out of the tire industry loop

The front brakes do most of the stopping power....I think I would stick to the old school thought, put the best tread forward so you have better turning and stopping capability.

Can we compromise, one new tire on the front and one on the rear?  heheh

9

Auto Repair Car Questions / Re: 2000 Honda Civic DX stalls while driving...

« on: July 31, 2008, 02:09:00 PM »

I would have your battery "load tested" and your alternator "out put" tested. You could have a bad battery or a weak alternator.

Most cell phone companies have road side assistance built into your phone, so call and check on that.  BUT, I HIGHLY recommend you get a relationship with a local mechanic who also has a towing service or uses a trusted 24 hour service.  This way your car gets towed back to your trusted mechanic, and you don't have to pay them cash on the scene, since they can bill your mechanic who can collect from you.

There is not much a "road side mechanic" can really do on the side of the road these days...a relationship with a towing service is a much better and safer/more economical idea.

10

Auto Repair Car Questions / Re: 2000 Nissan Altima GLE.

« on: July 31, 2008, 08:38:14 AM »

Could this be a transmission or clutch problem?  You have spent enough money guessing (sorry) so I would HIGHLY suggest you get a proper diagnosis from the dealer or a qualified shop and go from there....you can still do the repair yourself to save money, once you find out what it is.

11

Auto Repair Car Questions / Re: 99 Montana LED Radio

« on: July 31, 2008, 08:35:25 AM »

This should be repairable....by a qualified radio shop.  Personally I would not try to take the radio apart myself to replace a bulb.  It might not be that difficult, but probably very time consuming if you have not done it before.

12

Auto Repair Car Questions / Re: 1997 Cirrus Brake drum.

« on: July 31, 2008, 08:33:40 AM »

The dealership can give you a print out of the area you are working in with nut sizes and torque specs.  They should give it to you no charge if you ask them nicely.

13

Auto Repair Car Questions / Re: 1999 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS STALLING

« on: July 31, 2008, 08:32:10 AM »

First thing I would do is clean the throttle body and the idle speed control motor.  If you have a MAP sensor....I would also clean that as well.

Here is more on the throttle body

http://www.trustmymechanic.com/auto-repair/29/my-car-engine-stops-at-stop-signs-and-at-slow-speeds.html

14

Auto Repair Car Questions / Re: 1988 S10 has bad shake..

« on: July 31, 2008, 08:29:29 AM »

I would definitely have a qualified mechanic inspect this wobble for you, but since this is a newly purchased used vehicle I would not spend any money on this vehicle until after I got a compression test on the engine to verify it is not worn out. Compression test will cost you about $100 or less, but it would be wise information to know before you spend $100's fixing a wobble. Hopefully it passes the test without issue....then repair the wobble.

15

Auto Repair Car Questions / Re: 1997 chevy camaro starting issue

« on: July 31, 2008, 08:26:06 AM »

I would try another ignition key first, the security system could have a problem reading the chip on the key you are currently using.  Second thing, make sure the battery connections are good and tight and clean.

Third thing I would do is get the battery "load tested". You could have a bad cell in the battery causing this problem and still have enough power to operate the clock/radio etc. etc. etc.  Lastly, check to see if you have power to the ignition switch, if not check the neutral safety switch.