Author Archive: austin1

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By December 18, 2006 0 Comments Read More →

1997 Toyota Corolla Power Steering Not Working Right?

1987 Toyota Corolla hatchback 85,000 miles (I am original owner, so I know history of car). Power steering went bad about a year ago, had the rack/pinion and pump replaced. Steering was on and off for the 6-month warranty period, then got progressively worse, so that last month it made noise on every turn of the steering wheel. It did not make any noise going straight ahead, just on the turns. Also noticed a few drops under the car (power steering fluid). Brought it to another repair shop and they replaced the hose, said it did not need a new pump. Charged $145 for the hose, and 2 hours labor to replace the hose. Altogether $265, plus tax. When I drove the car away, however, it now made a constant whirring noise – going straight ahead, without even turning. This noise was NOT present when I brought it in. Brought it back to the shop, who now said they had to replace the power steering pump and wanted to charge $235 more. Somehow I felt like I was being taken for a ride (no pun intended).

Posted in: Reader Questions
By December 18, 2006 0 Comments Read More →

Toyota Hatchback Power Steering Fluid Leak – Mechanic is Scamming Me?

1987 Toyota Corolla hatchback 85,000 miles (I am original owner, so I know history of car). Power steering went bad about a year ago, had the rack/pinion and pump replaced. Steering was on and off for the 6-month warranty period, then got progressively worse, so that last month it made noise on every turn of the steering wheel. It did not make any noise going straight ahead, just on the turns. Also noticed a few drops under the car (power steering fluid). Brought it to another repair shop and they replaced the hose, said it did not need a new pump. Charged $145 for the hose, and 2 hours labor to replace the hose. Altogether $265, plus tax. When I drove the car away, however, it now made a constant whirring noise – going straight ahead, without even turning. This noise was NOT present when I brought it in. Brought it back to the shop, who now said they had to replace the power steering pump and wanted to charge $235 more. Somehow I felt like I was being taken for a ride (no pun intended).

Posted in: Fluid Leaks
By December 18, 2006 0 Comments Read More →

PLymouth Voyager Heater Is Not Hot – Heater Core is Not Leaking?

I have a 1989 Plymouth Voyager SE that is having issues with heat. The radiator works fine and the thermostat appears to be working as well since all of the hoses are hot. The heater core is not leaking so we are assuming that it is ok. We have lukewarm heat but it is not quite enough to keep the windows clear of ice. The air conditioning motor keeps coming on and my father in-law is thinking that it shouldn’t be but since we just got the vehicle we are not sure.

Posted in: A/C and Heating
By December 18, 2006 0 Comments Read More →

2000 DTS Automatic Transmission Is Already Going Out?

Is it kind of soon for my 2000 DTS transmission to be going out? It has 88,400 miles. And auto insurance don’t fix mechanical problems right?

Posted in: Transmission Issues
By December 18, 2006 0 Comments Read More →

Plymouth Voyager Red Oil Light On Dash Came On

I have a 1998 Plymouth voyager. Recently the red oil light on the top of the dash next to the brake light would come on when I would come to a stop and would start chiming. Once I started driving again the light and noise would go away. I am thinking maybe I have a bad oil sending device. What are your thoughts? The car has 132000 miles.

Posted in: Check Engine Lights
By December 18, 2006 0 Comments Read More →

1996 Jeep Radiator Is Leaking Antifreeze From Somewhere

Our 1996 Jeep was leaking anti-freeze. Our mechanic determined the problem was the radiator and so we paid to have a new one put in. Now, a few weeks later, the car was leaking antifreeze again and on the way to the mechanic it overheated and needed to be towed. The mechanic is looking at it and thinks it may be the head gasket, which he says will be a costly repair. Could this have blown because of him not doing the radiator repair correctly? I don’t want to pay $1500 if the problem could have resulted from his doing the $500 job inadequately.

Posted in: Over Heating
By December 18, 2006 0 Comments Read More →

How Do I Flush The Radiator On My Ford Taurus

How do I flush the radiator on my 1994 ford Taurus, and how much antifreeze do I replace?

Posted in: Over Heating
By December 18, 2006 1 Comments Read More →

Where Can I Get A Reliable Rebuilt Transmission for a 1994 Chevy Truck

hey i have a 1994 Chevy k1500 and the transmissions blown. would it be more reliable to have it rebuilt or replace it with a junkyard diamond?

Posted in: Transmission Issues
By December 18, 2006 0 Comments Read More →

1992 Honda Accord Engine Runs Rich When Engine Temp is Normal

Just a quick question on ’92 accord w/2.2, and something that’s a real brain teaser. after about 10-20 min or running when engine reaches full operating temp engine seems to run approx. 500 rpm higher/richer, with nothing else showing fault or error codes. although, pulling the ECU reset fixes it temporarily, but symptom returns. i hope with your years of honda service and expertise you have seen this very same thing, any idea?? thanks for your time. Thanks, Raf

Posted in: Running Problems
By December 18, 2006 0 Comments Read More →

1999 Olds Alero Brake Pedal Goes to The Floor When Stopping

I have a 1999 Oldsmobile Alero,Just replaced the Master Cylinder,and the mechanic told me that he did bleed the lines , when I drive and come to a stop light, with my foot on the brake it still slowly goes to the floor still, I thought that problem was solved,what else cloud it be? The fluid is leaving but we see no leak can you help,where is the brake fluid going?

Posted in: Brakes
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