Author Archive: austin1

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By October 18, 2006 0 Comments Read More →

Ford Mustang Dies at Stops and Idles Too Slow

I have a 1998 Ford Mustang GT. It has 95k miles and last week it started doing this. When it starts it won’t idle, it dies. If you hold the gas down and let if warm up it will start to idle on it’s own at about 500rpms. When I drive it, it drives fine, it doesn’t bog out or anything when driving, but, when I got to stop it will idle down so low that it will die. It just started this last week. I don’t know what to do and I don’t want to take it somewhere for them to tell me it needs 1k in repairs if it really only needs the plugs changed. What should I do or where should I start?

Posted in: Running Problems
By October 17, 2006 0 Comments Read More →

GMC Safari Van Dash Gauges Went Out While Driving – Alternator?

I have a question I’m hoping you can help answer. I have some auto experience, but, newer vehicles behave differently so I’m not positive. I have a 97 Safari, and started having trouble with gauges and the motor. The motor would gag and seem to quit while driving, and the gauges would go nasty haywire. The problems didn’t always happen at the same time, and never lasted more than a few seconds, then things would return to normal. One day a week or so after the first incident, it happened again, this time prolonged, off and on, for a minute or two til the van finally died and had to be towed. Initially they just replaced the battery,then later that day, I noticed the battery wasnt charging right- alternator was shot as well. I kinda guessed that but I was told at the shop it was working when they tested it. I know these newer vehicles so much relies on computer, which relies on battery/power supply. I’m assuming that if thats the case, if there is something wrong with the supply,that it can cause gauges to do funky things, like not work, give inaccurate readings etc? Assuming that, then if the supply problem is intermittent,then gauge problems can be as well? Ok, more than one question sorry….I know you are probably busy, I understand that, but even on the internet I’m having trouble finding the answers to this particular situation. Lots of general stuff,just not what I need.

By October 17, 2006 0 Comments Read More →

1995 Chevy Lumina Mini Van Automatic Transmission is Slipping

I have a 1995 Chevy Lumina Mini Van 3.1L V6 TBI. The van is having difficulty shifting gears, especially reverse. It’s making a lot of noise when trying to shift mainly from the first gear to second and reverse. I so afraid that I’m going to be out somewhere and my van won’t go into reverse, or I’ll be driving and the transmission will just fall out! First Can you tell me if I need a whole new transmission or is it something else that can be easily repaired? Second, How dangerous is it to drive? Third, What would be a fair price to repair this problem?

By October 13, 2006 2 Comments Read More →

1990 Honda CRX Smokes Coming Out Oil Dipstick Tube?

Hi, I would really appreciate your help on this. I have a 1990 Honda CRX. I just changed my valve cover gasket and now there is smoke coming from the dipstick? Could it be coming from the oil tube? Thank you very much.

Posted in: Exhaust Smoke
By October 13, 2006 1 Comments Read More →

1997 Ford Explorer Engine Won’t Start Sometimes When it Sits

I have a 1997 two door Ford Explorer sport. I’ve used it an average of about once every two months just to make sure it runs still. The last time I used it I drove it to the grocery store and it started fine. When I came out of the store it wouldn’t start. I left it there over night and a guy came and jumped it, but it took a little while before it started. When I got home I charged the battery since it’s only 1 year old and it makes the sound like it’s about to start but it just won’t kick over. My neighbor even let me try his battery and it still won’t start. I now have decided to sell it to a friend, but I told him I want to fix this first. I went to start it today and it sounds like it wants to kick over but it won’t. I’m thinking that since the gas in it is almost a year old it may have clogged the injectors or clogged something?

Posted in: Won't Start Issues
By October 13, 2006 0 Comments Read More →

Automatic Transmission Problems with My Mercedes 300E

A couple of times, I had a bit of a delay engaging into reverse in my 1990 Mercedes 300e with 200K miles. Tranny fluild is black. Otherwise car runs great. Gave this car to my daughter to go around town. Can you tell me. Is it safe and can I do damage to the car tranny by waiting to do a tranny job. Will a tranny service help? How long before the tranny dies. Thanks much. I’m not sure if I should spend 2500 on a tranny job or if I can keep it around for a couple of years till my daugher goes to college.

By October 13, 2006 0 Comments Read More →

Ford F250 Pick Up with 460 Engine Exhaust Smokes on Deceleration

I have a Ford F250 that I recently dropped a 460 into from a 1978 Lincoln Continental. The car sat for 14 years not started, I cranked it (with fresh gas from a can) after I got it home, it ran fine so I just did a “poor mans bottom end” on it, I have about 6000 miles on it now and it smokes pretty bad on the deceleration from the passenger side pipe, is this a sign of a broken oil control ring ? I am sure I should have put rings in it while I had it on the stand in the shed when I put a new cam, lifters, valve stem seals, springs, retainers and locks, oil pump, timing set, rod & main bearings. The car had 93K miles on it when I pulled the engine and did not smoke when I started it, and it ran so smooth I thought the compression and rings all were fine… it has come back to bite me in the … well the back side, do you think I should pull the engine and bore it .030 with new pistons and rings, or do an in-frame hone and just new rings.

Posted in: Exhaust Smoke
By October 13, 2006 29 Comments Read More →

Chevy S10 Blazer Engine Won’t Start – Turns Over But Won’t Ignite

I have a 1994 Chevy S10 Blazer and after a trip i arrived back home and casually turned it off. When i tried to turn it back on, it turned but there was no response. I then went to a next door neighbor who is a mechanic and he said the biggest problem would be the fuel pump. He hit it once with a hammer and on cranking the car it started. So we deemed the problem to be the fuel pump. I replaced the fuel pump myself and it now turns on when the key is on the ON position and the fuel lines are pumping fuel. (I checked it on the engine.) But after i replaced the fuel pump and checked that it was pumping fuel i tried to start the car and it gave the same response. So it turns over but just won’t start. I have since checked the spark plugs and they seemed to produce spark. (I checked them by opening the wire connecting to the spark plug sticking a screwdriver inside and touching the metal part to a “ground” like the top of the engine, and it produced sparks) So what could be the problem now? What could cause the engine to not start after the fuel pump has been replaced and the spark plugs checked?

Posted in: Won't Start Issues
By October 13, 2006 2 Comments Read More →

Jeep Cherokee Automatic Transmission Wont Go Into Reverse

I have one question for you. I just bought 1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo. We tested it out, drove and reversed out of the driveway. We got home, and for some reason we can’t get it to go into reverse. We just got it, and we had scrounge into our little bit of savings, so we dont really have alot of money to get it fixed, or rather we dont have enough to pay ten people to “look” at it. From looking online, the closest thing I found was that it might be something with the transmission? I dont know. If you could please help us, it would be very greatly appreciated

By October 13, 2006 0 Comments Read More →

I Want To Buy A Car On Ebay – Is it A Lemon Or a Good Deal?

I would like to bid on a 1995 camaro, 3.4L. It’s well below blue book value, and 135000 miles, manual. Description says new battery, alternator, co;air intake. belt,clutch, plugs and wires, new starter, carbon filter interior accents, white face guage cluster, and an extremely clean interior. (Body also looks nice). Ok the bad; The car starts right up and runs, but after aprox. 15 min. of run time, the engine gets hot and the car has to be turned off. They say they have no clue what it could be. He says mabey a thermostat?? Does this sound like any of the above, since this auction has a day and a half left, im just hopeing I;m getting a good deal, the current price is, 1200.00. The body and interior seems to be in great shape! What do you think?