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ASK THE NEIGHBOURHOOD MECHANIC
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Most Vehicles use oil. It's not usual to add a litre between changes. Get into the habit of checking the oil after two or three fill-ups. Here's a tip: the area between the two lines on the dip stick represents 1 litre of oil. The oil level should be between these two marks. If the oil is dirty it's time for a change.
Hi Dave
I have a 1988 Chevy Van with 84,000 miles on it. Recently, I've been hearing two quick clicking noises when starting it. I hear the noises while the engine is starting up/turning over. The van has been starting up just fine, and everything seems normal, aside from the clicking. I don't hear the clicking when the truck is running. Any ideas?
Dan
Sounds as if you're developing a crack in the flywheel...the noise will get worse as the crack spreads Try and remove the converter shielding and see if you can pin point the sound. ..only solution here would be to remove transmission and replace the flywheel.
Dave
Lately when I go to drive my car it starts, then about five minutes later it stops. All electricity is cut off. I turn the ignition off and wait about 30 seconds and all the electricity comes back on. It does this all the time so I keep doing the same thing as I drive, can you HELP?
Wes
This type of repair is almost impossible to diagnose without access to the car. If were to hazard a guess I would look into the ignition switch ...Sounds as if it's worn and over heating, this would cause the contacts to loose their continuity. Have the vehicle scanned by a competent technician. Be patient electrical problems are hard to find.
Dave Redinger a mechanic with over 40 yrs of experience operates his
shop "DOCTOR H HONDA SPECIALISTS in Toronto for the last 25 yrs. Dave can be heard every Saturday morning at 9:00 on "THE NEIGHBOURHOOD MECHANIC"
Email your questions to: davidredinger@rogers.com or AM740.ca
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ASK THE NEIGHBOURHOOD MECHANIC (2/1/06)
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I HATE SHOVING SNOW!! I just returned from the trip to Quebec City. They get a lot of snow in Quebec. They must hate shoveling too, so...they put up tents in the driveway and use them as portable car ports. I assume it comes down in spring. Just like the Christmas lights.
What a novel way to make winter just that little bit easier.
I have a problem with my car a 92Toyota Camry V6. (yes, its 14 yrs old and still running!) My heater is broken. When I blast my heater, all I feel is warm air. By the time I get to work ( 35 min from home ), The cold in my car is still present. Is there a cooler or filter for my car heater that I can replace? Is there any way I can fix it or troubleshoot the problem so I don't have to go far and beyond repairing it for $2000.
Jacqueline
I don't think your problem is with the heater rather the cooling system. Have the temperature of the coolant tested when you are in the no heat condition. More than likely you will find that the thermostat is worn and
needs to be replaced. The thermostat controls the temperature of the coolant. Usually in cold weather we recommend a 95c. At the same time check the belts, hoses and replace the coolant The cost of replacing a thermostat and coolant, about $200.
I overfilled the expansion (coolant overflow) reservoir with a coolant, so that the level of the fluid is about an inch and a half above the line where it should be. Should I drain out the excess fluid or the cooling system have a safety vent for excess pressure or is there a danger that the tank will blow up?
Not to worry. The expansion tank will vent directly to the atmosphere....The radiator is sealed and pressurized. Usually the pressure is set at 16 psi. Venting is done by the cap which is set at 16 or what ever pressure is called for by the manufacturer. Why is the system pressurized? The higher the pressure the higher the boiling point. By increasing pressure of the fluid we are able to deal with more heat without boiling over...Kinda cheating mother- nature. Water boils at 212 degrees....a lot of cars run at 220 under load quite safely.
Dave Redinger a mechanic with over 40 yrs of experience operates his shop "DOCTOR H HONDA SPECIALISTS in Toronto for the last 25 yrs. Dave can be heard every Saturday morning at 9:00 on "THE NEIGHBOURHOOD MECHANIC" on AM74
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