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390 messages, Last post on Oct 31, 2009 at 11:59 AM

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What is this discussion about? Brakes, Electrical, Engine, Coupe, Convertible, Hatchback, Truck, Sedan, Wagon, SUV, Van

This topic will hopefully allow the more knowledgable of our community members share what they know with those seeking a good explanation for "how things work" in a car; or, this is a good place for equally knowledgable people to discuss the finer points of a technology.

Outline

Messages Page 34 of 39: 1; ...; 31; 32; 33; 34; 35; 36; 37; ...; 39; Prev; Next; Last

#331 of 390 Re: Acura TSX New Clutch at 18000 miles [bflhrty] by kiawah Nov 29, 2007 (7:11 pm)
Replying to: bflhrty (Nov 29, 2007 10:08 am) It is certainly possible to go thru a clutch in 18K miles, if either there was a mechanical issue or a user issue. Since you've driven manuals for years and many miles without problems, I would be leaning toward some mechanical defect as the cause. Proving it however, is the challenge. A mis-adjusted clutch would be my first guess, and some binding in the clutch pedal would be my second guess (not allowing the pedal to return up completely). I had a truck years ago with this problem, which caused the throwout bearing to go prematurely. If you have any pedal binding that you can show now, that should be enough to indicate to them that the binding was/is the original problem, the clutch wear was the result of that binding. Would be impossible to show now a mis-adjusted clutch, if that was the problem.
#332 of 390 car jacks by redhead79 Dec 15, 2007 (3:18 pm)
my boyfriend's car jack is a piece of crap!! it is a silver craftsman jack (possibly 2 tons) that came in a set with 2 jack stands (work fine). it rolls back and forth when he uses it (while lifting the car up) and shifts the car over real bad at the same time. it's awful!! he can't even get it up one notch on the jack stands!! without the piece of crap making it worse. any recommendations on a solid jack that is under $100?? i'd like to buy it as a late xmas present so ASAP responses would be great. models as well as where to buy it would help. he has an old VW golf so it's not a heavy car and i have a Nissan Altima - so i need a jack suited for both. possibly a 2 or 3 ton jack?? please help!!! (i know aluminum racing jacks are over $100 so i can't go that awesome) Replies to this message: bdkinnh (Dec 17, 2007 9:40 am) redhead79 (Dec 17, 2007 7:30 pm)
#333 of 390 Re: car jacks [redhead79] by bdkinnh Dec 17, 2007 (9:40 am)
Replying to: redhead79 (Dec 15, 2007 3:18 pm) >"any recommendations on a solid jack that is under $100" Not likely. A decent jack will cost more than that. You may find another Craftsman jack for around $100, but it may have the same problems as the one he has now. Replies to this message: redhead79 (Dec 17, 2007 7:30 pm)
#334 of 390 Re: car jacks [bdkinnh] by redhead79 Dec 17, 2007 (7:30 pm)
Replying to: bdkinnh (Dec 17, 2007 9:40 am) thank you for your help! i had a feeling that was the answer. i think i'll let him buy the jack on his own and i'll look for something else.
#335 of 390 Re: Tire pressure monitors... [wilzap] by autodr Dec 22, 2007 (2:30 pm)
Replying to: wilzap (Oct 20, 2007 7:03 am) What kind of vehicle? There will be no "bypassing" it, I can tell you that for sure. But... why would you buy new sensors? Transfer the old ones to the new rims. There are 2 main styles of TPMS sensors, assuming you have a vehicle using a direct tire pressure monitor system and not an indirect monitor system. One style is actually the valve stem. Look at the valve stems. If they are metal with a nut at the base of the stem, then that should be the valve stem type and will usually transfer to most any brand of rims. But I'm sure you'll come across some brand that they won't fit into or the inside of the rim where the sensor rests may not be the right shape. If you have a plain valve stem, then you likely have the kind that are inside the tire strapped to the rim down in the mounting well of the rim. It is held in place with a huge hose clamp that runs around the entire rim. With those, usually all you need to do is get a larger replacement clamp. For example, if you car has 16in rims from the factory and you want to throw some 20's, 22's, or whatever on it, then you need a larger clamp for the larger rim and you are in business.
#336 of 390 195 tire instead of 185-75-14 by miragesea Dec 26, 2007 (8:23 am)
Hello: I plan to buy 4 new tires for 96 Olds Cutlas Ciera. The normal size is 185-75-R14 but I'm having lots of difficulty locating this size. Costco can order new Michelins for me but only the 195 size. They say the tires will be wider. I'd like to know. Will the 195 tires look strange and visibly wide? Will there be any transmission problems? Any other problems associated with using the 195 tire? many thanks in advance Sarah Replies to this message: Mr_Shiftright (Dec 26, 2007 9:33 am)
#337 of 390 Re: 195 tire instead of 185-75-14 [miragesea] by Mr_Shiftright HOST Dec 26, 2007 (9:33 am)
Replying to: miragesea (Dec 26, 2007 8:23 am) Should be fine. The differences are pretty small, if you look at the chart below. And no you won't notice it visually. Specification Sidewall Radius Diameter Circumference Revs/Mile Difference 185/75-14 5.5in 12.5in 24.9in 78.3in 809 0.0% 195/75-14 5.8in 12.8in 25.5in 80.2in 790 2.4% There will however, be a small speedometer error. I have been told that anything under 3% is acceptable. . So when your speedometer says 60 mph, you are actually traveling 61.4 mph.
#338 of 390 fuel leak and dead battery by watt476 Dec 29, 2007 (9:50 pm)
Both seemed to happen at the same time. I have a 91 Olds Cutlass Ciera and it stalled on me. When I got the battery charged I noticed gas bubbling from a valve on top of the motor-it doesn't even need to be running for the gas to flow. The battery isn't very old, and I have not been having any other problems. Can anyone help? Replies to this message: kiawah (Dec 30, 2007 6:58 am) watt476 (Dec 30, 2007 11:09 pm) bolivar (Dec 30, 2007 11:12 pm) and 2 more...
#339 of 390 Re: fuel leak and dead battery [watt476] by kiawah Dec 30, 2007 (6:58 am)
Replying to: watt476 (Dec 29, 2007 9:50 pm) If you have gas bubbling from a valve on top of the engine, you need to NOT start it or drive it. Have it towed to a garage. You'll have a high probability of engine fire. Replies to this message: watt476 (Dec 30, 2007 11:09 pm) bolivar (Dec 30, 2007 11:12 pm) watt476 (Dec 31, 2007 8:23 pm) and 1 more...
#340 of 390 Re: fuel leak and dead battery [kiawah] by watt476 Dec 30, 2007 (11:09 pm)
Replying to: kiawah (Dec 30, 2007 6:58 am) Thank you, I did think of that. Do you have any ideas about the problem? The battery is only a year old, but will not hold a charge. And the fuel leak appeared at the same time. Are the two problems related? Or just a coincedence? Thanks for any advice you can give. Replies to this message: bolivar (Dec 30, 2007 11:12 pm) watt476 (Dec 31, 2007 8:23 pm) watt476 (Feb 08, 2008 8:06 pm)