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A Mechanic's Life - Tales From Under the Hood

3515 messages,  Last post on Jun 18, 2013 at 2:06 PM

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Messages Page 154 of 352

#1529 of 3515 Re: Diplomacy isn't my strongsuit [srs_49] by busiris

Feb 18, 2013 (3:09 pm)

Replying to: srs_49 (Feb 18, 2013 1:44 pm)
But that still wouldn't stop me from telling someone to fill the tank up, reseat the cap, and drive it around a bit.
 
I know nothing about any Ford Escape, but I do remember reading your suggestion in owner's manuals I have previously read regarding the CEL being illuminated. Whether or not its in that model's manual, I can't say.
 
Seems like a reasonable first step to me. The CEL (Service Engine Soon) light came on in my daughter's Nissan Versa a few days after she bought it, and in her case, it appears to have been a loose/improperly tightened gas cap. I re-seated the cap, and after a few miles, the light went out, and that was 4 years and 75,000 miles ago. The car's owner's manual discusses it on page 2-12.
 
I'm guessing that was the cause, but I won't testify or swear to it.

#1530 of 3515 Re: The solution... grin. [roadburner] by thecardoc3

Feb 18, 2013 (3:08 pm)

Replying to: roadburner (Feb 18, 2013 1:01 pm)
The indie shop that services my Jeep doesn't charge me to read the codes on my TJ or Mazda
 
Pulling codes isn't diagnostics and shouldn't be represented as such. The Free Diagnostics claims are at best a bait and switch. Pull the code for free and then guess a price and/or sell the real diagnostic fee. Or worse they may actually be expecting their techs to spend a legitimate amount of time that they ultimately won't be compensated for in one way or another. The trouble with that is eventually you lose the technician.

#1531 of 3515 Re: The solution... grin. [thecardoc3] by busiris

Feb 18, 2013 (3:11 pm)

Replying to: thecardoc3 (Feb 18, 2013 3:08 pm)
Pulling codes isn't diagnostics and shouldn't be represented as such. The Free Diagnostics claims are at best a bait and switch. Pull the code for free and then guess a price and/or sell the real diagnostic fee.
 
Sounds to me more like a way to sell non-needed air filters, etc., probably at inflated prices.

#1532 of 3515 Re: Diplomacy isn't my strongsuit [thecardoc3] by srs_49

Feb 18, 2013 (3:12 pm)

Replying to: thecardoc3 (Feb 18, 2013 2:59 pm)
Ahhh- trick question! Gotta luv 'em.
 
Well, it may not have a separate cap, but it does look like it has something (neoprene rubber???) on the inside of the filler neck to seal off the intake orifice. So in that sense, it has a built in cap. Is that supposed to be better than a separate gas cap? Less chance for the consumer to get it wrong?
 
So, instead of "reseat the gas cap", how 'bout "jiggle the seal"? Would have to see one in person.
 
BTW, I did see where they sell after-market regular-style gas caps for Escapes.

#1533 of 3515 Re: Diplomacy isn't my strongsuit [srs_49] by thecardoc3

Feb 18, 2013 (3:35 pm)

Replying to: srs_49 (Feb 18, 2013 3:12 pm)
So, instead of "reseat the gas cap", how 'bout "jiggle the seal"? Would have to see one in person.
 
  
http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=28320

#1534 of 3515 Re: Diplomacy isn't my strongsuit [thecardoc3] by srs_49

Feb 18, 2013 (3:54 pm)

Replying to: thecardoc3 (Feb 18, 2013 3:35 pm)
Thanks for the link, but a graphic would have been nice.
 
Sounds needlessly complicated, particularly the part about sensing the size of the tube being inserted, IMM. A solution in search of a problem, so to speak.
 
What ever happened to KISS?

#1535 of 3515 Re: Diplomacy isn't my strongsuit [srs_49] by thecardoc3

Feb 18, 2013 (4:07 pm)

Replying to: srs_49 (Feb 18, 2013 3:54 pm)
What ever happened to KISS?
 
http://www.kissonline.com/

#1536 of 3515 Re: Diplomacy isn't my strongsuit [thecardoc3] by busiris

Feb 18, 2013 (4:40 pm)

Replying to: thecardoc3 (Feb 18, 2013 4:07 pm)
LOL!!!

#1538 of 3515 Re: Diplomacy isn't my strongsuit [busiris] by thecardoc3

Feb 19, 2013 (6:15 am)

Replying to: busiris (Feb 18, 2013 1:41 pm)
The disclaimer at the end pretty much summed it up... When in doubt, follow the instruction found in the owner's manual.
 
Was there any part of the article were a suggestion was made that the manual doesn't have to be followed exactly? You can read the lines, or inbetween them, just look to see if any doubts are suggested.

Messages Page 154 of 352

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