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Cars > Past Chats
On April 16, 2004 at 1 p.m. . . . Megg (Moderator) 11:50AM John Paul is ready to take your questions. JohnPaul (Moderator) 11:52AM The Car Doctor is in cartrouble 11:54AM john what is your email JohnPaul (Moderator) 11:55AM cartrouble, you can always email me at AAA jpaul@aaasne.com dd 11:58AM Are the 30,000 and 60,000 mile check ups really necessary (at $300+)? JohnPaul (Moderator) 12:00PM dd, they are necessary especially for warranty , but follow the recomendation from the owners manual. Sometimes some shops will add extras that are not necessary RGL 12:01PM JOHN: WHY DOES FORD MAKE BALL-JOINTS WITH-OUT GREASE FITTINGS? I HAVE EXPLORER AND HAD TO HAVE UPPER AND LOWER ALL REPLACED, "FAILED INSPECTION" WHY IS THE UPPER "Y" TYPE ARM PART OF UPPER B.JOINT TOO. FRUSTRATED... JohnPaul (Moderator) 12:02PM RGL Ford and many other make ball joints without lube fittings. Some last forever some don't. Try to get a non factory part with a grease fitting bolts 12:02PM Hi John! Nice and early today. I just had to have the head gasket on my 95 Honda Civic replaced 3 weeks ago. The mechanic told me that 20% of the time, lower engine failure follows, due to increased compression. Does that sound right to you? Also, he urged me to keep a close check on the oil and coolant levels. So far, oil is perfect, but the coolant resevoir tank ran dry (radiator still full). He said there are air pockets in the radiator and cooling system, and this is normal. Correct? What else should I be looking for? Thanks. audiouttti 12:02PM JP, my audi dealer told me my back tires are feathering...do i need new ones..or an aligment? please help educate me? JohnPaul (Moderator) 12:02PM RGL Ford and many other make ball joints without lube fittings. Some last forever some don't. Try to get a non factory part with a grease fitting JohnPaul (Moderator) 12:04PM bolts, It can happen if the engine has very high miles. When ever you do a valve job it is possible the extra compression will put stress on the lower end. If it was just a headgasket with out a head rebuild very little chance of this Gonzo 12:04PM Last October I purchased a 2003 Nissan Murano. The car has CVT. Are there any precautions I need to know about to ensure a long successful CVT life? JohnPaul (Moderator) 12:06PM audiottti, feathering means two things, it is possible the rear wheels are out of alignment and then a 4 wheel alignment will fix the problem but the wear will likely continue usless you start rotating the tires. The other possibility is you corner a little too agressively JohnPaul (Moderator) 12:07PM Gonzo, just follow the owners manual. The jury on CVT is still out. GM just had some real problems with the Vue CVT North Shore 12:07PM John, I have an Audi 100S (now the A6) which still looks brand new inside and out. It has 127,000 and is 11 years old. I have owned it since it was 2 years old, how long should I keep it before maintenance is a losing battle. It has been highly reliable and I am very happy with it. I was think 200,000 — 250,000 miles easily. heynow 12:07PM what's the deal with "re-manned" engines vs. rebuilt? Are mopar re-mans worth the doe ray me? JohnPaul (Moderator) 12:09PM NorthShore, You can probably keep it forever until the rust worm starts to eat away at it. In most cases it is always cheaper to repair a car than buy a new one. JohnPaul (Moderator) 12:10PM heynow, no real difference. REMAN and Rebuilt mean tht all the waer parts are replaced (pistons bearing etc) In some cases it is the amount of parts and the quality of the machine work that mmake the difference BNU 12:10PM John, when do you feel that hybrid cars will be supported enough to be practical? What I mean is, I'm very interested in buying one, but I am wondering when more garages will be able to repair them etc... price gouge12:10PM Hi JohnPaul thanks for having us. I recently bought a used pick-up and wanted to buy a few parts for it that had cosmetic issues more than anything. I keep bumping into the whole shop vs. list price. It drives me nuts that if I go to a dealer I have to pay list, but if I call from some random car repair shop I can the same part for less. Is there any way that I as a consumer can get the same price as the "shop"? I don't buy that the manufacturer doesn't make money on "shop" prices either. Have a great weekend! JohnPaul (Moderator) 12:12PM BNU, I don't think it is that big a deal. The gas engine is pretty standard. The electrical requires caution. But brakes steering exhaust, oil changes are all the same audiouttti 12:12PM Yo JP dont skip the audi feathering tires question? Help out PLEASE! JohnPaul (Moderator) 12:14PM audiouttti, thought i got it. Have the alignment checked and rotate the tires more often. Feathering wear can be caused by too quick of cornering JohnPaul (Moderator) 12:16PM pricegouge, thats a question that crosses many trades. The big aftermarket stores sell jobber price to most anyone. Dealers typically discount 10% to the trade. It is true a shop does need to mark up or sell at list to cover the cost of operation bostonbean 12:16PM I have a 2001 Honda Civic with 66,000 miles on it. I'd like to keep it for atleast 100,000 if not more. If i follow ALL the maintenance procedures is there any reason why not?heynow 12:16PM how can you tell where/how the a/c is leaking so the right part can be replaced in a 96 neon sport? JohnPaul (Moderator) 12:19PM bostonbean, no good reason that your civic shouldn't go 200,000. But you will need to keep up on the repairs. As an example in the next year your car may need a radiator. If your ignored a minor leak the car could overheat and you may need an engine. Follow the maintenence and get periodic inspection by a repair shop you trust JohnPaul (Moderator) 12:21PM heynow, You can try a refridg dye available in most part stores---but it has to be a pretty good leak, Other than that perhaps you can borrow an electronic tester or have someone check it out for you. Then replace the part and have the system recharged Gonzo 12:21PM I have a chip in my windscreen that I got on the highway about 6 months ago. It has held and no cracks have developed. What I can I do to fill this and make it less noticiable asside from replacing the wind screen. JohnPaul (Moderator) 12:22PM Gonzo have a professional do a chip repair its about $25-$35.00 and works great. don't bother with the DIY kits LuvMyNissan 12:22PM Hi John... I took my Nissan in for a recall fix 2 weeks ago (headlight clamps) and now my horn has died. I've checked the fuses and they are fine. The wire appears to be ok and connected to the horn itself. Any suggestions? It is still under warranty JohnPaul (Moderator) 12:23PM LuvMyNissan, It may be a poor ground from the headlight repair. I would just go back to the dealer bostonbean 12:24PM Also, what do you think in general about Subaru? I've never really done any research on them in terms of maintenance, repairs, etc..engine troubles... Gonzo 12:24PM Thats why I didn't buy a GM product. CHB's Jalopy 12:24PM Audi Scmaudy! I'm tired of the A4's and A6's being the yuppie car of the moment. Give me a classic Cadillac for looks, comfort, and a frost class ride. What do you think JP? CHB's Jalopy 12:24PM Hi John Paul. I'm a big fan of riding topless in the good weather, yet having the convertible up when weather dictactes. Hey, nothing like the wind whipping through your hair on a crisp New England day. I don't understand what's going on in peoples brains that discourage convertible purchases in the Northeast corridor. I'm in the market for a sporty new convertible. What are some of the best in the under 40k price range? JohnPaul (Moderator) 12:26PM CHB Jalopy, if by classic you mean a 1963 Caddy or a 1965 T-bird I agree. But if I were to buy a new convertible today I would look at the Sebring a very good value for the money. Overall I like it better than Toyota's Solara FlorianHallDriveThru 12:26PM Paul: I’ve heard a lot about this new technology that can automatically steer your car away from oncoming objects, like buildings. Do you know anything about it? I could really use it. JohnPaul (Moderator) 12:28PM FHDT, not yet but in the next 10 years It really is possible that with GPS and electronic controls that this isn't SciFi JIM B 12:28PM I OWN A 2001 GRAND CHEROKEE LMT WITH 52000 HIGHWAY MI. MY ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES ALREADY AND NEED A FORTH. THE BRAKE PADS AT THIS TIME ARE BEARLY HALF WORN. IKNOW THE ROTORS ARE THIN BUT IS THIS NORMAL? JohnPaul (Moderator) 12:32PM JimB Have the rear brakes checked and perhaps change the type of brake pad you are using. Rotors go bad bue to heat and cooling as well as poorly done wheel service. Use caution when reinstalling wheels after tire rotation Jen's Binky 12:33PM Hey John Paul. My job just recently transferred me from Boston to Pawtucket. I don't make a ton of money, so I can't afford a new car. Any advice on how to get an older car ready for the longer commute? JohnPaul (Moderator) 12:34PM Jens' binky, Just have a good checkup. tires belts and hoses are the major cause of breakdown. Every week check the fluid levels and make sure everthing stay full GreenOnTheIce 12:35PM Any hybrid all-wheel-drive SEDANS on the horizon? JohnPaul (Moderator) 12:36PM greenonthinice. nothing yet, but I would say soon. Toyota is introducing the Hybrid RX330 and I just went for a ide in a Hybrid Escape from Ford heynow 12:36PM could the installation of a reman cause the a/c to crap out? in my case, the a/c worked perfectly (cooling quickly) before the installation then didn't cool at all after. i brought it back, thinking they just missed that step in the installation. they recharged it and without telling me, used the dye trick. i had a/c when i left the garage so thought all was golden. unfortunately, a few days later when it was hot and i wanted a/c, it wouldn't get cool. so when i brought my neon back the next day, they pointed out where all the dye leaked...all over, requiring big big money to replace the parts. it all sounded kinda hinkey to me. i don't expect you to say, "oh yep, they're crooked" but some professional insight would be greatly appreciated. thanks.JohnPaul (Moderator) 12:37PM heynow, can you be a little more specific with the leak. It is possible a hose came loose or they damaged the condensor bolts 12:38PM John, just following up on my head gasket repair question. I did not need the head bebuild, so I appreciate your earlier reassurance. My mechanic also urged me to keep a close check on the oil and coolant levels. So far, oil is perfect, but the coolant resevoir tank ran dry (radiator still full). He said there are air pockets in the radiator and cooling system, and this is normal. Correct? At what point should I be concerned with this? Anything else should I be looking for? Thanks. JohnPaul (Moderator) 12:39PM bolts, Follow his instructions It is ossible you had an air pocket. Even though it was just a gasket replaced drive like it was a new car for a 1000 or so miles and then bring it back and have the shop recheck their work Mike 12:39PM Hi John JohnPaul (Moderator) 12:40PM Mike, helllllllo Altima Steve 12:40PM JohnPaul, I bought a 2004 Nissan Altima 3.5 SE that has sport suspension and low profile 215/55r/17 tires. I have found the ride to be quite stiff and jarring on even the smallest bumps. Will this soften up over time or will I just have to get used to the bumps? I have 4500 miles on it now. JohnPaul (Moderator) 12:41PM Altima Steve, get used to the ride, low profile and jarring ride can go together. With pothole season hear be very careful PBSCMobile 12:41PM When I make a sharp left my steerling wheel feels like it's pulling it's not smooth. Do you know what this could be from? JohnPaul (Moderator) 12:42PM PBSCMobile, have the steering checked it could be a badly worn ball joint tie road end or even a worn strut Mike 12:42PM I own a 1996 Dodge Dakota 4 Wheel Drive. At take off Steeringwheel vibrates.then goes awaay after 2nd gear. Also vibration thru entire truck at Highway speeds. Any Ideas? JohnPaul (Moderator) 12:43PM Mike, start with a check of wheels and the sdrive shaft and u-joints. A quick trip to a good tire/alignment shop should pinpoint the problem whit 12:44PM I have to move a 58' Austin Healey from Detroit to Boston. It needs work so it cannot run and has some loose parts. I would prefer not to tow it or pay excessive moving prices especially with fears some of the parts might walk. We might try to rent a moving truck and load it into the back using car whell dollies, but we aren't sure how to load it. Any suggestions on this method or any other method? I haven't found any useful information on the internet in how to move it from MI to MA. JohnPaul (Moderator) 12:45PM whit, I think I would try an actual car trailer. Dolly work fine but you still have two wheels on the ground. If you have a decent tow vehicle rent a trailer mystique owner 12:45PM hello, i own a 1998 mercury mystique 2.5 auto trans. check engine light went on and code p1744. i am told by the dealership i need to replace the turbine shaft sensor, what exactly does that sensor do ? heynow 12:46PM they never mentioned a hose, but they showed me with an ultraviolet light where the dye was...i think there were three different places including the condensor and another big part all costing over a grand to fix. JohnPaul (Moderator) 12:47PM mystiqueowner, send an email to jpaul@aaasne.com and I'll send you the actual repair infoJohnPaul (Moderator) 12:48PM heynow, It is possible try could have damaged the condensor when replacing the engine Sherri 12:48PM I have a 94 cougar. Every year they fill the a/c — this year is no exception. We've put some sort of dye in it to find the leak but it never shows up. I'm a little tired of spending 70 for a recharge every year. Suggestions on what to do? JohnPaul (Moderator) 12:49PM Sherri, Small leaks are hard to find. But you could spend several hundred to track down the leak and do the actual repair JIM B 12:50PM I have done all the factory recommended work and all the things that you have recommended including rear brake change. Is this unusual at this low milage and I know many other jeep owners who have had the same problems with their rotors? Jim B BUZZ OFF 12:50PM John big fan JohnPaul (Moderator) 12:52PM JimB I just checked www.alldata.com have the dealer check bulliten NUMBER: 05-003-02 REV. B it has to do with the same problem. JohnPaul (Moderator) 12:53PM Buzz Off Hey thanks motorhead 12:53PM I have a slow leak in my tire. How can I tell if it's the tire and not the rim, which is a little banged up? JimmyK 12:53PM My car is creeping up to 40k miles. When do I replace the brakes and tires? JohnPaul (Moderator) 12:54PM motorhead. The best way is to completly put the wheel and tire under water. It not take a spray bottle with soap and water and look for bubbles JohnPaul (Moderator) 12:55PM JimmyK, It all depends on you the driver. 40K is avaerage but some people can go 80K with no problem. Tires once they become 5 years old not a bad idea just to change them even if they look good JohnPaul (Moderator) 01:03PM This chat flew by. If I didn't get to your question email me at jpaul@aaasne.com. Tune into the Car Doctor Radio program on Saturday on wjda am1300 and wesx am1230 from 9-11:00. Saturday April 24th we will be broadcasting from Sullivan Tire on Ivory Street in Braintree MA collecting batteries for the Earth Day Great Battery Roundup. For other battery drop of locations email me |
