Author Archive: austin1

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1997 VW Jetta Transmission Won’t Come Out Of Park

It is a 1997 VW Jetta Gt, 4 cyl. and the starter went bad. Having replaced starters on other vehicles over the years I thought this would be a fairly simple task so my son and I decided we could fix it. My first mistake was removing the old starter without realizing it was mounted to the front motor mount bracket.

Will Green Antifreeze / Coolant Damage My 2000 Chevy Pickup

I have a 2000 GM 1500 pickup with the 4800 v8. Recently, my wife was told by the dealer that we had the wrong coolant in the engine and it needed a “radiator flush” and the proper orange coolant put in. Or else it would damage the engine, etc.

Posted in: Over Heating

Simple Tick Removal – Dog and Deer Tick Removal

A School Nurse has written the info below good enough to share And it really works!! I had a pediatrician tell me what she believes is the best way to remove a tick. This is great, because it works in those places where it’s some times difficult to get to with tweezers: between toes, in the middle of a head full of dark hair, etc. Apply a glob of liquid soap to a cotton ball.

Posted in: Traffic Tickets

2000 Acura 3.2 TL Has Some Kind of Dark Fluid Leaking Out

I have noticed some oil on the top of the gear panel; the place where I shift the gears. However the oil has a deep blue color not in pink. So I am not sure if it’s the transmission fluid or the engine oil. I have an Acura 3.2 TL of year 2000. These models are known to have some transmission issues.

Posted in: Fluid Leaks

2004 Subaru Outback Ran Low On Oil Now Needs New Engine?

I have a 2004 Subaru Outback LLbean edition with a 6L Boxter engine. I always take it to the same local shop for my oil changes and minor repairs. I recently took the car to him to perform the 30K service. About a week after I got the car from him I noticed a knocking sound in the engine. Not being a mechanic at all, I wasn’t sure what the sound was. Within a few days the check engine light came on, so I took the car to the dealership right away to see what was going on.

Posted in: Running Problems

2006 Mercury Grand Marquis Brake Pedal Goes To Floor

I feel like my brakes are going when I stop the go down i know that could mean the cylinder is bad, but the repair service says it’s the way they work. I have a 2006 Mercury Grand Marquis. Can you give me any info?

Posted in: Brakes

2004 Hyundai Sonata Front Brake Pads Worn Out Prematurely?

My question involves brakes. I have a 2004 Hyundai Sonata that had the brake pedal go to the floor recently while my wife was driving it. Sounds like a broken brake line, had it towed to a dealer, and I was told that it was not a brake line, but the pads on the right front were down to 3 percent no metal to metal yet and it needed a 4 wheel brake job no
rotors needed at a cost of $400 plus.

Posted in: Brakes

1999 Saturn Sc2 Coupe Engine Knocking Noise – Ran Out Of Oil

I have a 99 Saturn Sc2 Coupe. Ive had it for about a year and it has been running great but then I accidentally let it run low on oil and it started making a noise. I took it to get an oil change, they did everything, and the next week the engine started making a knocking noise. I took it back to the oil shop and they said it sounded like an internal problem with my engine. It only makes the quick knocking
sounds when I’m giving it gas. and more towards higher rpms.

Posted in: Used Parts

1993 Ford F150 Idle Surges Too Slow When Engine is Hot

I have a 1993 F150 5.0 2WD Automatic Transmission Ford truck. I am exasperated with this problem and cannot figure out the problem. Idle is fine for awhile and then slows after engine warm. Main problem is after engine warm, when it shifts 3rd and 4th gear it hesitates, shakes until I push down gas.

Posted in: Running Problems

2003 Honda Civic Used Car Buyers Guide

I am looking to buying a 2003 Honda Civic and the Carfax turns up that the car hasn’t had any reported maintenance at a Honda dealership since the time of purchase. Would you mind giving me a ballpark figure as to how much a 30k and 50k service would run me if I were to go and have them done? I am possibly going to use this as a bargaining tool. I tried looking on the Honda website, but it won’t give me anything but a place to log in.