Automotive Mechanical

[la808]

I'm thinking of getting a classic. Maybe a 60's El Camino. How hard would it be to have AC installed and have it look nice, and would it hamper engine performance much?

[rick]

Dec 29, 2010 14:59:27 GMT -5 @la808 said:

I'm thinking of getting a classic. Maybe a 60's El Camino. How hard would it be to have AC installed and have it look nice, and would it hamper engine performance much?

You can go several ways. If you can find a donor and get all the parts that way it would be best, and be original. If you want a retro system Im sure a web search will come up with something. Either way you will have to have it charged with 134a for the simple fact its cheaper and easier to find. You can still get R12, but you pay for it. The last time I bought it, it was 100 bucks a pound, and that original system held 4,25 pounds. While 134a is about 10 bucks a pound. 134a doesnt cool as well with low RPM, but once you get moving it does fine. I guesss its all going to depend on what you want the car to be when its all done.

[la808]

Thanks. When you say find a donor, I'm confused. Do you mean an original AC? They didn't have AC's back then, did they?

[rick]

Dec 29, 2010 15:17:14 GMT -5 @la808 said:

Thanks. When you say find a donor, I'm confused. Do you mean an original AC? They didn't have AC's back then, did they?

Donor means parts car. Yes you can get AC out of a Chellvelle or El Camino, Im thinking late 60s. If you go early you wont find it

[zkman2002]

there is a company thats called vintage air which sells a unit that fits under the dash of old collector cars, el caminos come in what they call five different generations, i have a 5th generation which is a 1978 model, if you want to get your feet wet and learn about caminos try www.elcaminocentral.com

[rick]

Thanks Zman

[la808]

Looks like a great site. Thanks, will check it out.

[rick]

Apple


the answer to your questions is. The codes you are getting is a P0401/P1408. EGR low flow detected. Whet you need is a DPFE. Go to Ford and tell parts you need a 9J460. You can change it yourself. Its a little square black box sitting on top of 2 tubes coming off the exhaust manifold, or Manifold pipe on the back of the motor

[wvugurl26]

I found a car wash today. Went to lunch with a group from work at a new place. I fully intended to use it but the line was 15 cars deep and I was already working on a 2 hour lunch
Disclaimer: I do wash the car, its just really hard to find them sometimes in this awful ghetto city I moved to. Lots of em back in WV, they are good money makers.
Suz please stick around sorry if I came across as rude.

[Apple]

Thanks! I really love my car, happy to see it's not a bearing issue. I may have more questions for you after I feel well enough to go look at it

[TrixAre4Kids]

dumb girly question here. How do I know when I need new tires? Do I really stick a quarter in the tread?

[rick]

Dec 29, 2010 23:30:42 GMT -5 TrixAre4Kids said:

dumb girly question here. How do I know when I need new tires? Do I really stick a quarter in the tread?

Not a dumb question at all. Tires are considered worn out under 2/32 of tread. Use a penny, insert between the tread, If the tread is lower than the top of Lincoln's head they are ready for replacement

[rick]

;D

[rick]

Pretty quiet day today

[kent]

Dec 30, 2010 16:12:47 GMT -5 @rick said:

Pretty quiet day today

That's only because it hasn't rained yet so I can't test whether or not waxing my windshield will actually cure my bouncing wiper situation. I did call the dealership and told them I thought the problem was ridiculous and that they should replace the entire arm assembly, not just the blades. They readily agreed and have ordered them so on Monday or Tuesday we'll try that.

If it doesn't solve the problem, the letter goes to headquarters asking them when I should return the #$@% car. (yeah, like they will agree to that one) On the other hand, I can write letters on a par with most any attorney so.....who knows what I might accomplish?

[Opti]

I have a BMW that I need to get both read coil springs replaced.
Is this something I can safely get a non-dealer to do for less
money?

Also, I've been told the power steering pressure hose is leaking.
Is it OK to buy power steering fluid and top it off until I have
the money to get the hose replaced?

[rick]

Dec 30, 2010 22:58:07 GMT -5 Opti said:

I have a BMW that I need to get both read coil springs replaced.
Is this something I can safely get a non-dealer to do for less
money?

Also, I've been told the power steering pressure hose is leaking.
Is it OK to buy power steering fluid and top it off until I have
the money to get the hose replaced?

Sure you can have an aftermaret shop do the springs, and any alignment shop can do it. The P/S hose can also be done in and aftermakrket shop. If its not leaking to bad just top it off till you can afford it.Did they show you where its leaking. Take a look and see how bad it is.

[Opti]

No, I haven't seen how bad it was leaking yet.

[rick]

Dec 30, 2010 23:28:59 GMT -5 Opti said:

No, I haven't seen how bad it was leaking yet.

Check it out. Have you seen spots in the drive

[netscapenavigator]

I take my car to the dealership,don't need any advice,sorry...

[Opti]

Dec 30, 2010 23:34:55 GMT -5 @rick said:

Dec 30, 2010 23:28:59 GMT -5 Opti said:

No, I haven't seen how bad it was leaking yet.

Check it out. Have you seen spots in the drive

I don't think so. However, lots of ice and snow lately so I
haven't looked.

[rick]

Dec 30, 2010 23:40:50 GMT -5 @netscapenavigator said:

I take my car to the dealership,don't need any advice,sorry...

You are entitled to that, sorry you have to be so negative

[Deleted]

Okay. Here's a question that didn't get covered in car school:

When I have my cruise on and go down a hill--large or small, doesn't make any difference--she speeds up apparently in relation to the steepness of the hill. In the summertime, she goes faster than in the winter before adjusting to the speed that's been set.

No, I don't imagine it; it really happens. Why is that?

And when I was in car school, yes, cruise control did exist

[The J]

Gravity. That's why it'll slow down a little going uphill before adjusting.

[rick]

Dec 31, 2010 14:09:16 GMT -5 @missrigby said:

Okay. Here's a question that didn't get covered in car school:

When I have my cruise on and go down a hill--large or small, doesn't make any difference--she speeds up apparently in relation to the steepness of the hill. In the summertime, she goes faster than in the winter before adjusting to the speed that's been set.

No, I don't imagine it; it really happens. Why is that?

And when I was in car school, yes, cruise control did exist

If everything is working right you shouldnt see more than a mile or two increase. Now of course if the hill is really steep, the cruise cant over come the force of gravity. If the cruise closes the throttle off completely , gravity will win.
As far as gining more speed in the winter verses summer. My only thought there is the care is more limber when its warm than cold. Fluids and grease really thicken up when its cold.

[Deleted]

Dec 29, 2010 14:51:13 GMT -5 @rick said:

Dec 29, 2010 14:46:11 GMT -5 spartyparty said:

Hey Rick, back when I had my old Chevelle I used to use Vasoline on the seals to keep them from dry rotting. I've got another one now so I'm curious if there is something better to use these days, not only for the Chevelle, but the newer cars as well....I'm looking at the seal on the sunroof on my Monte and it's needing some attention.

Baby oil is the best I have found. Im sure if you shop the car magazines they will have something also, but you can get baby oil anywhere

I've used Armor- all on the door seals of my p/u trucks. The oldest is a 1990. I just wipe it on with a cloth and they stay like new.

[TD2K]

Rick, just to say I appreciate you taking the time to answer all the questions people have asked.

[rick]

Dec 31, 2010 17:25:53 GMT -5 TD2K said:

Rick, just to say I appreciate you taking the time to answer all the questions people have asked.

Thanks TD, I enjoy it. I figure if I can field phone calls, I can do it here and people have something to refer back to

[josie]

I was told the motor needed to be replaced so my windshield wiper fluid would squirt. I just need to know if this is something easy enough for the inexperienced to do or should I take it to a mechanic?

[TD2K]

< I was told the motor needed to be replaced so my windshield wiper fluid would squirt. >

It shouldn't be that difficult to do yourself. Can you get access to the windshield fluid pump fairly easily?