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Cars > Past Chats
AAA CAR DOCTOR
JOHN PAUL
06/15/2004 |
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June Chat
Problems under
the hood?
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On June 15, 2004 at 1 p.m. . . .
JohnPaul (Moderator)
12:57PM The "Car Doctor" is in
octoruss
01:03PM Hi Paul, I ahve a 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee that has had brake problems since I first got it. ABout 9 months after taking delivery, I noticed a significant shudder when I applied the brakes. It was even more pronounced when I was traveling at high speeds. The dealer replaced the pads and something else, having charged me $400 saying it wasn't covered under warranty. Then a year later the same problem happened again. At that time, Jeep announced a recall for brake problems, and apparently my Jeep qualified. The brakes were fixed again. Then last year I started having the same problem again. The dealer again replaced all the brake pads (and other brake-related parts I don't remember) and charged me $1200! (again, not under warranty). Now since last month, I've got the same shudder happening again and I'm furious! Is this normal for a Jeep?
JohnPaul (Moderator)
01:04PM octoruss, the is a technical updae to date vehicle NUMBER: 05-003-02 REV. B, it involes almost a complete repair of the rake system. Some of the parts should have been covered b the warranty--depending on your milage. Jeep is not adding additional mileage or time.
octoruss
01:06PM Thanks John. But does this mean that i should return it to the dealer and insist they replace it for free--even thought there's only 36k miles on it?
JohnPaul (Moderator)
01:07PM octoruss I would go back to the dealer and ask them to lok up the information if you don't get anywhere then call Jeep customer assistance
willy02
01:07PM Hi Paul, how often should I have the radiator coolant changed and the a/c system recharged?
JohnPaul (Moderator)
01:08PM willy2, change the coolant every 2-3 years check it every 6 months. Charge the a/c when it doesn't cool properly.
Beckys Cougar
01:12PM Jon, I have a 94 Cougar. I just had all four springs replaced. Several years ago I had two replaced as well. The mechanic all replaced my shocks/struts (?) saying I might have a bad strut/shock that is causing the problem. Is this a normal problem? It tends to happen in the summer after a long winter.
JohnPaul (Moderator)
01:17PM Beckys Cougar, This is very unusual. Springs normally last close to the life of the car. spring break becausee of too much weight or severe corrosion
Staples
01:17PM I have a 1992 subaru and need an AC recharge --- the places that I have been said that they do not do cars that old. Do you know of a local place that can do it?
JohnPaul (Moderator)
01:18PM Staples, you need to retrofit to R134, it really isn't a big deal. check out the approved auto repair section on the www.aaa.com website for a garage to fix your a/c
edrie
01:18PM How long to catalytic converters usually last. I have a 2001 VW Golf Turbo and ours seems to have gone. I know I need to replace it (not under warrenty by the way...) or it won't pass inspection but I figured something like that should last the life of the car
JohnPaul (Moderator)
01:20PM edrie, the cat should last at least 80,000 miles--the warranty should be 8 years 80K miles. Some will last much longer. the killer of Cat conv. is when an engine is allowed to skip and miss-fire or if it runs to "rich"
kerrie
01:20PM Hello John, I park my cars outside and mice have moved into the engine areas of both cars. Any idea what I can do to keep them away, since indoor parking is not an option for me? Thanks!
JohnPaul (Moderator)
01:22PM kerrie, I have seen people try mothballs with pretty good luck. But the real answer is take away the food source that is bringing them to your car. If you have birdfeeders nearby that my be attracting them
Hull Lights
01:22PM Are under-carriage lights legal in MA? Can I install them for the summer and if so, do I do any damage to my car.
JohnPaul (Moderator)
01:23PM Hull Lights, It is my understanding---and I'm not 100% sure that under carrage lights are not legal when the car is in motion.
$2 a Gallon
01:23PM My steering wheel is starting to vibrate quite a bit when I press down on my brakes. Is this a steering problem, or brake problem?
edrie
01:24PM It failed at 81K ;-) Figures huh
JohnPaul (Moderator)
01:24PM $2.00 a gallon This is a brake problem the brake rotors are out of round
Beckys Cougar
01:24PM Jon, my car is garaged and driven very little. My mechanic thought they broke b/c I have the 4.6L V8 engine in my car instead of the regular V6. Should this matter and are there heavy duty springs I should buy instead? Becky
JohnPaul (Moderator)
01:27PM Becky I did a little research on alldata.com and didn't find any updates. In this case I would try an aftermarket spring/suspension manufacturer like ---Moog
Passat
01:27PM I am thinking I will go Camry or Accord or Maxima next time — I love my Passat, but it's just not as reliable as the Japanese cars.
Passat
01:27PM John, my Passat (1999 GLS V6 5 speed) has burned a quart of oil between oil changes (5k intervals) since new. What gives?
JohnPaul (Moderator)
01:28PM Passat, pretty normal for the car-many VW's use more oil than this and is considered normal by VW. The Camry and Accord are very good-different personalities but none better
Low Rider
01:29PM And can I legally have a whale's tail that is 5 feet high from my rear deck?
Low Rider
01:29PM How do I get those wicked cool bouncing shocks in my ride?
JohnPaul (Moderator)
01:30PM Low rider, I think you are watching too much Monster Garage- If you really want to bounce try motion hydralics--they are on the south shore somewhere
OCTANE
01:30PM Sorry, with gas prices being what they are you've probably answered this a number of times, but what is the simple story on proper Octane, benefits or consequences. For my 2004 Maxima, the manual first paragraph says to use 87, but the second paragraph goes on to recommend 89. My wallet prefers 87, but is there a long term problem developing that I'll pay more for down the road?
JohnPaul (Moderator)
01:32PM Octane, the Maxima can run perfectly fine on 87 octane but will perform better have more power and get better milage on 89. do a comparison. Fill up with 87 for a couple of tankfulls tehn 89 for a couple. check your milage I think you will find more miles per gallon with 89 and in the end turns out cheaper
edrie
01:32PM What are some basic steps I can take to make sure my car lasts 150+K I drive 500 miles a week and would like the cars I drive to last. Also, is there a car that you know goes that distance without much trouble? I'd love to buy it!
JohnPaul (Moderator)
01:34PM edrie, change the oil every 4000 miles, change the coolant every 2-3 years and check all the fluid levels on a regular basis. Drive it like its a new car every day. The
better you take care of it and the easier you drive the longer it will last
Mustang Manny
01:34PM JohnPaul, I love the Mustang. Does that make me a muscle-car head?
JohnPaul (Moderator)
01:34PM MustangManny maybe???
hognuts
01:35PM JP, I have a 02 VW Jetta. I've been hearing a knocking noise, front right wheel. I only hear the noise when just coming out of park, going in reverse or forward, as I turn the wheel. So basically, I hear the knock when going about 5-15 MPH...VW tells me that the brake pads are just shifting...does that sound right to you??
JohnPaul (Moderator)
01:36PM hognuts, could be but the brake pads shouldn't shift and make noise. They should take the caliper off and check the pads and caliper slides
Gas Guzzler Gus
01:36PM Paul, read about the hybrids delivering much less mileage than advertised? The media is keeping this story down, but some hybrids barely have better mileage than the high-mileage gasoline cars.
JohnPaul (Moderator)
01:38PM Gas Guzzler Gus, I have driven the Prius quite a bit and never got less than 40++ miles per gallon. It can make a difference how you drive. You can get better milage from a VW diesel but it pollutes the air much more. Hybrids are about milage and clean air
Diesel Dan
01:38PM Is the new lower sulphur diesel going to increase diesel car popularity in the US — like in Europe?
JohnPaul (Moderator)
01:39PM Diesel Dan I would think so the new Mercedes Benz diesel is great--not for sale in Mass. It offers good milage, quiet and 0-60 in 7 seconds. Check out Royal Fords review
sims71
01:39PM hello i have a 01 dodge ram with a 5.9. I was thinking about putting one of those K&N K&N High Performance Intake Kits on it Will this really help with improved gas mileage
JohnPaul (Moderator)
01:42PM sims71, probably not. It will make the car breathe better and that is a good thing better milage maybe slightly---besides K&N fram makes a new style filter call an Airhog worth taking a look
Bamboo
01:42PM I have a 1991 Tercel with 67,500 miles on it. My mother was the original owner, and now I've had it for three years. It runs well, and we've both kept up repairs and taken very good care of it. I realize my car is a "disposable" car (according to my service center). How much longer can I expect this car to last me before the repairs get too costly? Is there a rule of thumb? I'm trying to decide when I need a new car.
JohnPaul (Moderator)
01:43PM Bamboo it is always cheaper to fix an old car than by a new one. You have to make the call when it becomes undependable or perhaps when the body starts to rust away
woostate
01:43PM hi paul, can you tell me if you know anything about saturns and their radiators? mine gets a little above hot and i just want to know if the change in temperature from 1/4 hot to 1/2 hot is okay and it won't damage my car. thanks!
JohnPaul (Moderator)
01:45PM woostate, it could be a couple of things. It may be the radiator is not cooling properly ---poor heat transfer. A sticky engine thermostat or even low coolant. Although running 1/2 is probably not bad it is why did it change is more of the problem. Bring it into a garage and have it looked at
Jeep
01:45PM The Drive belt in my Jeep Wrangler is squeaking when I first start it up. After the engine is warmed up, it stops. is there anyway to fix this? The belt itself is only a year old, and it seems to be tight enough, but how do I know for sure?
JohnPaul (Moderator)
01:47PM Jeep take a look it is the alternator belt slipping. Everytime it slips the belt glazes and eventually it will get worse. Have it replaced
longdrive
01:47PM I commute 160 miles a day (yes, I'm insane), virtually all of it highway. Right now I'm driving a 2000 Civic and getting 33-36 mpg. Is it going to be worth my while to get in line for a Prius?
JohnPaul (Moderator)
01:49PM longdrive, makes my 100 mile commute seem short. Your civic is probably not worth much look at what it is worth and what is would cost to by a Prius--I bet you could buy a lot of gas. besides there is a 6 month wait for a Prius
$2 a Gallon
01:49PM what would cause my steering wheel to pulsate/vibrate when I hit my brakes?
JohnPaul (Moderator)
01:50PM $2, thought I answered this one, your vehicle has out of round brake rotors- they may be able to be resurfaced but may need replacing
saturn
01:52PM Hi JohnPaul, just wanted to let woostate know that my saturn used to run hot too, but the dealer told me it was because of the stainless steel exhaust system. They accomodate for this by having a "fan" that comes on when the temperature reaches a certain point. Sure enough, whenever my temp gauge started to climb up, I'd hear the fan come on. Hope this helps.
JohnPaul (Moderator)
01:53PM saturn, thanks for the tip
JohnPaul (Moderator)
01:55PM Please feel free to email your questions, send them to jpaul@aaasne.com. You can listen to the "Car Doctor" radio program saturday morning from 9-11 on wjda am1300 and wesx am1230
sec
01:55PM My 00 sienna van has a tire pressure light on but the tire pressure is OK...What's wrong?
johnboy
01:56PM On the Jeep belt. I'd suggest he check the tension, as it is not spring loaded like GM or Fords. The jeep 6s have not only the long shaft screw to provide tension, but they have lock nuts on the front AND back of the alternator. If you miss that back one, it may have felt tight, but never really was, nor aligned properly which will cause it to stretch. Try loosening up the 3 bolts, retension, and then ensure your tighten all 3. The back one is a pain to get to. BTW I average 80K on my belts (140K on my cherokee and 215K on my current Grand Cherokee)
JohnPaul (Moderator)
01:56PM sec, it may be a faulty sensor. The change it weather makes these air pressure sensors nuts.
JohnPaul (Moderator)
01:57PM johnboy I agree check the tension but if the belt is glazed I think you would agree it money well spent to change it
johnboy
02:01PM JohnPaul, Regarding glazing, you are correct it is short money, but I was trying to explain why it will glaze so early in the 1st place. It will happen again if he replaces the belt without understand what is causing the glazing.
JohnPaul (Moderator)
02:01PM johnboy---thanks you are correct
vwNut
02:07PM JohnPaul, any comments on Bio-Diesel burning cleaner than a hybrid? I have a vw golf that i run on bio diesel and I wondered how "cleaner" that is as opposed to conventional diesel
JohnPaul (Moderator)
02:10PM vwnut, I don't think cleaner in all aspects it is cleaner than conventional diesel fuel but the pasticlares are still there and there is still a high nox number
JohnPaul (Moderator)
02:00PM My hour is up, try to stay cool and be good to your car.
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