Automotive Mechanical

[rick]

I got this idea from the car stuff question. Some folks have had questions in the past and I will do my best to answer all questions

[zkman2002]

ik ill bite, whats the best method to put a set of long tube headers on a 78 elcamino?

[rick]

Dec 23, 2010 8:55:57 GMT -5 zkman2002 said:

ik ill bite, whats the best method to put a set of long tube headers on a 78 elcamino?

You are going to have to unbolt the motor mounts and raise the motor about 4 inches to have the clearance. And its best one on a hoist if you can so you have the ground clearance to twist the headers around

[joynerk]

My car has started shimmying when applying the brakes... usually this happens when I'm going over 50mph and especially if I'm braking going downhill. What's going on?

[rick]

Dec 23, 2010 9:08:47 GMT -5 @joynerk said:

My car has started shimmying when applying the brakes... usually this happens when I'm going over 50mph and especially if I'm braking going downhill. What's going on?

Your rotors are warped, As cheap as rotors are now days, its better to replace them rather than having them turned. What kind of car?

[joynerk]

Honda Odyssey - is this a "need to get fixed asap" problem, or just "next oil change" issue?

[rick]

Dec 23, 2010 9:13:43 GMT -5 @joynerk said:

Honda Odyssey - is this a "need to get fixed asap" problem, or just "next oil change" issue?

depends how bad it shakes. Its more of an irritation that anything. But if it shakes the wheel out of your hand then yes get it done. How many miles and have you ever had brakes done. Its a good idea to replace the pads also, unless the are recent

If you have it done in a shop it should run about 250 per axle. Im guessing you will only need the front done.If you know anyone that can do it for you it will run about 125.00

[Bluerobin]

Rick, I hope you keep this up. From the little I know, your advice on cars has always been dead on!
Teaser question: What are tappets?

[rick]

Dec 23, 2010 9:21:40 GMT -5 Bluerobin said:

Rick, I hope you keep this up. From the little I know, your advice on cars has always been dead on!
Teaser question: What are tappets?

Tappets/lifters run off the cam shaft and push on the push rods which push the rockers to open the valves.


They were called tappets in the old days when they we soloid and you always had the slight tapping noise in the top of the engine. Now days they are hydraulic which keeps the valve lash at zero so you dont hear any noise

[zkman2002]

good answer rick, motor had to go 3" up plus removal of starter, dust shield, oil filter, plus change out of crossmember to an iceman racing chrome molly piece to have clearence for 3" X pipes.

[rick]

Dec 23, 2010 9:27:46 GMT -5 zkman2002 said:

good answer rick, motor had to go 3" up plus removal of starter, dust shield, oil filter, plus change out of crossmember to an iceman racing chrome molly piece to have clearence for 3" X pipes.

3 inch pipe, its a wonder you had room

[Bluerobin]

Rick all my knowledge is from the old days! These new fangled engines scare me! You are good though!

[rick]

Dec 23, 2010 9:52:56 GMT -5 Bluerobin said:

Rick all my knowledge is from the old days! These new fangled engines scare me! You are good though!

Well I dont claim to know everything, but I can always try and find the answer. Thanks


And my exspeience covers everything from lawm mowers to 200 ton cranes

[zkman2002]

ok heres one i havent got around to yet, have this POS 05 chevy venture van, first the pass. side window switch quit working, then the temp. gauge went wonkers-goes all the way past red hot and points straight down coolent level is fine, isnt overheating, then the speedo just quit working #$@!^&( chevorlet! ive read that theres a connector plug going into floor board about halfway down under the motor that rusts and has to be cleaned. any thoughts?

[rick]

Dec 23, 2010 9:57:23 GMT -5 zkman2002 said:

ok heres one i havent got around to yet, have this POS 05 chevy venture van, first the pass. side window switch quit working, then the temp. gauge went wonkers-goes all the way past red hot and points straight down coolent level is fine, isnt overheating, then the speedo just quit working #$@!^&( chevorlet! ive read that theres a connector plug going into floor board about halfway down under the motor that rusts and has to be cleaned. any thoughts?

Of you have several problems here. The instrument panel is all intergated circuts and sound like the whole cluster could be the problem if infact you arent over heating. . Which motor, 2.8 or the 3.4. 2.8s had head gasket troubles, and if they went bad the temp gage would rise to the hot them drop fast. Now if it isnt over heating and with the speedo problem i would lean toward the cluster
Now the window, are you sure its the switch. Most of the time its a broken wire in the boot where the wires come out the door and into the A pillar

Back ti the cluster. You can take it to a shop with a scanner and pull codes and run self test on it. The new stuff is all module controlled which makes it able to store trouble codes and be able to watch the data coming in compare to whats its reading

[kent]

Dec 23, 2010 8:48:30 GMT -5 @rick said:

I got this idea from the car stuff question. Some folks have had questions in the past and I will do my best to answer all questions

OK Rick, I'll bite too. Windshield wipers are brand new but they skip/chatter/bounce when in intermittent mode (just like the previous set which were only a few months old).

If wipers run at maximum speed they do not do this nor will they exhibit this condition on a dry windshield. Windshield (and blades) have been cleaned so well they would not be out of place in a surgical environment.

The only way around this is to constantly (and I do mean constantly) use the washer fluid to "lubricate" the blades.

Rain-X lasts about 15 cycles (swipes) and then they start skipping again.

There is no way to "bend" the wiper arm to increase pressure.

Dealer said that's just the way things are - total BS! I've owned probably 30 cars and NEVER had this kind of annoying problem.

Any thoughts? Thanks in advance!

[rick]

Dec 23, 2010 11:52:43 GMT -5 kent said:

Dec 23, 2010 8:48:30 GMT -5 @rick said:

I got this idea from the car stuff question. Some folks have had questions in the past and I will do my best to answer all questions

OK Rick, I'll bite too. Windshield wipers are brand new but they skip/chatter/bounce when in intermittent mode (just like the previous set which were only a few months old).

If wipers run at maximum speed they do not do this nor will they exhibit this condition on a dry windshield. Windshield (and blades) have been cleaned so well they would not be out of place in a surgical environment.

The only way around this is to constantly (and I do mean constantly) use the washer fluid to "lubricate" the blades.

Rain-X lasts about 15 cycles (swipes) and then they start skipping again.

There is no way to "bend" the wiper arm to increase pressure.

Dealer said that's just the way things are - total BS! I've owned probably 30 cars and NEVER had this kind of annoying problem.

Any thoughts? Thanks in advance!

What Kind of car kent

[kent]

Dec 23, 2010 11:58:16 GMT -5 @rick said:

Dec 23, 2010 11:52:43 GMT -5 kent said:

OK Rick, I'll bite too. Windshield wipers are brand new but they skip/chatter/bounce when in intermittent mode (just like the previous set which were only a few months old).

If wipers run at maximum speed they do not do this nor will they exhibit this condition on a dry windshield. Windshield (and blades) have been cleaned so well they would not be out of place in a surgical environment.

The only way around this is to constantly (and I do mean constantly) use the washer fluid to "lubricate" the blades.

Rain-X lasts about 15 cycles (swipes) and then they start skipping again.

There is no way to "bend" the wiper arm to increase pressure.

Dealer said that's just the way things are - total BS! I've owned probably 30 cars and NEVER had this kind of annoying problem.

Any thoughts? Thanks in advance!

What Kind of car kent

It's a 2010 Mercedes E350 Rick

[rick]

Dec 23, 2010 12:02:42 GMT -5 kent said:

Dec 23, 2010 11:58:16 GMT -5 @rick said:

What Kind of car kent

It's a 2010 Mercedes E350 Rick

I dont know a lot about mercedes, but I would recommed an Anco blade or OEM. Some of the off brands just arent as stong as the need be. If you have tried that I dont have a clue without being able to look at it. One thing i have done that helps all around is to clean the window good then put a good coat of turtle wax on it. Its better than rain ex and will cut down on chatter. Whats happening is your blades ar sticking slightly. If there is any slope in the blade or attaching method they stck and rock in the brackets

[josie]

put a good coat of turtle wax on it

Seriously? Can you put this on your windshield and not tell its there?

[kent]

Dec 23, 2010 12:08:20 GMT -5 @rick said:

Dec 23, 2010 12:02:42 GMT -5 kent said:

It's a 2010 Mercedes E350 Rick

I dont know a lot about mercedes, but I would recommed an Anco blade or OEM. Some of the off brands just arent as stong as the need be. If you have tried that I dont have a clue without being able to look at it. One thing i have done that helps all around is to clean the window good then put a good coat of turtle wax on it. Its better than rain ex and will cut down on chatter. Whats happening is your blades ar sticking slightly. If there is any slope in the blade or attaching method they stck and rock in the brackets

Thanks Rick. I'll give the wax deal a shot. I'll do it today because we're due to have substantial rain on Saturday. I'll let you know how it turns out. I'll also be letting Mercedes know - the complaint letter is already drafted.

It really ticks me off. My 1976 Ford Elite is already on it's third set (yep, third - same for the battery) of wipers and they work just fine so there's no excuse for this!

[rick]

Dec 23, 2010 12:17:48 GMT -5 kent said:

Dec 23, 2010 12:08:20 GMT -5 @rick said:

I dont know a lot about mercedes, but I would recommed an Anco blade or OEM. Some of the off brands just arent as stong as the need be. If you have tried that I dont have a clue without being able to look at it. One thing i have done that helps all around is to clean the window good then put a good coat of turtle wax on it. Its better than rain ex and will cut down on chatter. Whats happening is your blades ar sticking slightly. If there is any slope in the blade or attaching method they stck and rock in the brackets

Thanks Rick. I'll give the wax deal a shot. I'll do it today because we're due to have substantial rain on Saturday. I'll let you know how it turns out. I'll also be letting Mercedes know - the complaint letter is already drafted.

It really ticks me off. My 1976 Ford Elite is already on it's third set (yep, third - same for the battery) of wipers and they work just fine so there's no excuse for this!

Sure let me know, and i hope it helps

[bobosensei]

I drive an 04 honda civic (manual transmission). The last and only brake change was done at 38k miles. I'm now at 78k miles. I took it in because it sounded like the brakes needed to be replaced. My receipt has the mechanics notes that just say they are "good" and it is rust and dust on them making the noise. When I asked how many millimeters were left the guy at the check out who is also a mechanic said the guy who looked at them didn't write it down, but from what he remembered it was about the midpoint. They suggest I come back in April to have them checked again. This is the first time in my life I have had to drive in lots of snow and salted down roads. They claim that is the problem. And that washing helps, but obviously not when it snows daily.

Does that sound right? How long do brake pads usually last? The area I moved to last year has tons of hills. I try to remember to downshift instead of braking, but I don't always remember. Also living and working on a military post means that the speed limit is generally 18 mph. My car doesn't make it out of 2nd gear most of the time.

[ken a.k.a OMK]

I still have the original brake pads on my 1997 Corolla with 98k miles.

[Bluerobin]

The Turtle Wax is an old trick. The only thing you will notice is that the water tends to bead on the windshield. It does make the wipers work well.

[zkman2002]

on the 04 honda, the advice you were givin sounds right. with a manual shift the pads and shoes tend to last longer due to "no load" upon coming to a stop, or down shifting takes the load off the brake system and onto the drive train.

[rick]

Dec 23, 2010 12:52:42 GMT -5 bobosensei said:

I drive an 04 honda civic (manual transmission). The last and only brake change was done at 38k miles. I'm now at 78k miles. I took it in because it sounded like the brakes needed to be replaced. My receipt has the mechanics notes that just say they are "good" and it is rust and dust on them making the noise. When I asked how many millimeters were left the guy at the check out who is also a mechanic said the guy who looked at them didn't write it down, but from what he remembered it was about the midpoint. They suggest I come back in April to have them checked again. This is the first time in my life I have had to drive in lots of snow and salted down roads. They claim that is the problem. And that washing helps, but obviously not when it snows daily.

Does that sound right? How long do brake pads usually last? The area I moved to last year has tons of hills. I try to remember to downshift instead of braking, but I don't always remember. Also living and working on a military post means that the speed limit is generally 18 mph. My car doesn't make it out of 2nd gear most of the time.

Does it sound bad all the time or just the first few applications. Salt, snow and road grime will build up on the pads and since everything now days are semi metalic they will grind a scrape the first few applications until the covering of rust is worn off. Some cars are worse than others depending on the compound of the pads.
As far as how long, thats anyone guess. When I lived in ND my original set lasted til 150k. It all depends on how you drive and the make up of the pads. If you have you oild changes done at a decent shop they check your brakes and the whole car out everytime they see it. Dont be afraid to hang around and ask to see anything they recommend

[rick]

Dec 23, 2010 13:34:40 GMT -5 zkman2002 said:

on the 04 honda, the advice you were givin sounds right. with a manual shift the pads and shoes tend to last longer due to "no load" upon coming to a stop, or down shifting takes the load off the brake system and onto the drive train.

very true zman

[kent]

Dec 23, 2010 12:21:49 GMT -5 @rick said:

Dec 23, 2010 12:17:48 GMT -5 kent said:

Thanks Rick. I'll give the wax deal a shot. I'll do it today because we're due to have substantial rain on Saturday. I'll let you know how it turns out. I'll also be letting Mercedes know - the complaint letter is already drafted.

It really ticks me off. My 1976 Ford Elite is already on it's third set (yep, third - same for the battery) of wipers and they work just fine so there's no excuse for this!

Sure let me know, and i hope it helps

OK, couldn't find wax at Pep Boys (large store) or Napa Auto Parts. The boss said she had a couple of things I might try called Hope's Perfect Glass and Invisible Glass by Stoner.

I treated it with Perfect Glass and will test that. Then I'll try the Invisible Glass and then.......I'll send my concerns to Mercedes and then....I'll send it over cliff.

[rick]

Dec 23, 2010 17:28:03 GMT -5 kent said:

Dec 23, 2010 12:21:49 GMT -5 @rick said:

Sure let me know, and i hope it helps

OK, couldn't find wax at Pep Boys (large store) or Napa Auto Parts. The boss said she had a couple of things I might try called Hope's Perfect Glass and Invisible Glass by Stoner.

I treated it with Perfect Glass and will test that. Then I'll try the Invisible Glass and then.......I'll send my concerns to Mercedes and then....I'll send it over cliff.

Any kind of car wax will work, I just thought turtle wax would be easy lol. let us know