Diagnostics Isn’t a Guess: Go the Distance

Ron opens with the truth about diagnostics: commitment, not guessing, gets cars fixed. A stubborn ’06 Acura misfire sets the stage, then real calls highlight trust, process, and the dangers of shortcuts—from a Subaru owner who celebrates his shop, to a Jeep with a rear main leak, a Silverado with a dragging brake, and a Buick Enclave that turned into a parts-cannon case study.

Chapter Markers & Highlights

00:00 – Monologue: The Relationship & The Process


Story of an ’06 Acura with years of failed repairs.


Point: diagnostics require commitment (“go the distance”), not poking and hoping.

12:05 – Micah in Maine: Subaru Legacy


Example of a strong shop–customer relationship.


Rustproofing mishap solved because both shop and supplier worked together.


Lesson: trust and respect pay off.

17:45 – Rocky in Maine: ’92 Jeep Wrangler


Rear main seal leaking after clutch job.


No miracle fixes; check PCV/blowby.


Seal job takes finesse; plan proper repair when practical.

24:45 – Ted in Illinois: ’17 Chevy Silverado


RF brake drags after driving.


Internal hose failure can act like a check valve—sometimes on the other side.


At ~100k miles, replace both front hoses and bleed system.

31:00 – Jacob: ’11 Buick Enclave


Replaced injectors, pumps, cats removed, still bogging/misfiring.


Lesson: stop the parts cannon.


Next steps: restore cats, check manifold vacuum, test injectors properly.

Close – Ron’s Reminder
Mechanics aren’t expensive. They’re priceless—when you let them follow the process.
Grab your Car Doctor gear – T-shirts & more at CarDoctorShow.com


Follow the wrench – Instagram @ronananian for shop life & behind-the-scenes


Watch & learn – Auto repair tips & videos on our YouTube Channel


Got a car question? Call the Car Doctor Hotline 24/7 – (855) 560-9900


Join the conversation LIVE – Saturdays 2–4 PM Eastern

 

 

 

Diagnostics Isn&rsquo;t a Guess: Go the Distance
Ron opens with the truth about diagnostics: commitment, not guessing, gets cars fixed. A stubborn &rsquo;06 Acura misfire sets the stage, then real calls highlight trust, process, and the dangers of shortcuts&mdash;from a Subaru owner who celebrates his shop, to a Jeep with a rear main leak, a Silverado with a dragging brake, and a Buick Enclave that turned into a parts-cannon case study.
<hr data-start="620" data-end="623">
Chapter Markers &amp; Highlights
00:00 &ndash; Monologue: The Relationship &amp; The Process
<ul data-start="715" data-end="856">
<li data-start="715" data-end="770">
Story of an &rsquo;06 Acura with years of failed repairs.
</li>
<li data-start="771" data-end="856">
Point: diagnostics require commitment (&ldquo;go the distance&rdquo;), not poking and hoping.
</li>
</ul>
12:05 &ndash; Micah in Maine: Subaru Legacy
<ul data-start="902" data-end="1071">
<li data-start="902" data-end="953">
Example of a strong shop&ndash;customer relationship.
</li>
<li data-start="954" data-end="1032">
Rustproofing mishap solved because both shop and supplier worked together.
</li>
<li data-start="1033" data-end="1071">
Lesson: trust and respect pay off.
</li>
</ul>
17:45 &ndash; Rocky in Maine: &rsquo;92 Jeep Wrangler
<ul data-start="1121" data-end="1268">
<li data-start="1121" data-end="1165">
Rear main seal leaking after clutch job.
</li>
<li data-start="1166" data-end="1205">
No miracle fixes; check PCV/blowby.
</li>
<li data-start="1206" data-end="1268">
Seal job takes finesse; plan proper repair when practical.
</li>
</ul>
24:45 &ndash; Ted in Illinois: &rsquo;17 Chevy Silverado
<ul data-start="1321" data-end="1501">
<li data-start="1321" data-end="1354">
RF brake drags after driving.
</li>
<li data-start="1355" data-end="1438">
Internal hose failure can act like a check valve&mdash;sometimes on the other side.
</li>
<li data-start="1439" data-end="1501">
At ~100k miles, replace both front hoses and bleed system.
</li>
</ul>
31:00 &ndash; Jacob: &rsquo;11 Buick Enclave
<ul data-start="1542" data-end="1724">
<li data-start="1542" data-end="1611">
Replaced injectors, pumps, cats removed, still bogging/misfiring.
</li>
<li data-start="1612" data-end="1646">
Lesson: stop the parts cannon.
</li>
<li data-start="1647" data-end="1724">
Next steps: restore cats, check manifold vacuum, test injectors properly.
</li>
</ul>
Close &ndash; Ron&rsquo;s Reminder Mechanics aren&rsquo;t expensive. They&rsquo;re priceless&mdash;when you let them follow the process.
<ul>
<li data-start="67" data-end="172">Grab your Car Doctor gear &ndash; T-shirts &amp; more at <a href="https://www.cardoctorshow.com" data-start="120" data-end="170">CarDoctorShow.com</a></li>
<li data-start="173" data-end="260">
Follow the wrench &ndash; Instagram @ronananian for shop life &amp; behind-the-scenes
</li>
<li data-start="261" data-end="333">
Watch &amp; learn &ndash; Auto repair tips &amp; videos on our YouTube Channel
</li>
<li data-start="334" data-end="419">
Got a car question? Call the Car Doctor Hotline 24/7 &ndash; (855) 560-9900
</li>
<li data-start="420" data-end="485">
Join the conversation LIVE &ndash; Saturdays 2&ndash;4 PM Eastern
</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

With over 40 years of repairing cars and 27 on the radio helping you repair them, Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, is an expert at everything automotive. Call us at 855-560-9900.

With over 40 years of repairing cars and 27 on the radio helping you repair them, Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, is an expert at everything automotive.  Call us at 855-560-9900.

Ron Ananian The Car Doctor

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, is a nationally recognized automotive expert, master technician, and trusted voice in car repair and consumer advice. For more than 30 years, Ron has blended real-world shop experience with straight-talk radio, helping drivers understand their vehicles and the industry with clarity, humor, and honesty. As host of the long-running Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor radio show—heard nationwide across major networks—he brings diagnostics, storytelling, and practical wisdom together in a way only a seasoned mechanic can. Whether it’s a tough trouble code, a buying decision, or a behind-the-scenes look at shop life, Ron delivers the insight listeners rely on.

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, is a nationally recognized automotive expert, master technician, and trusted voice in car repair and consumer advice. For more than 30 years, Ron has blended real-world shop experience with straight-talk radio, helping drivers understand their vehicles and the industry with clarity, humor, and honesty. As host of the long-running Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor radio show&mdash;heard nationwide across major networks&mdash;he brings diagnostics, storytelling, and practical wisdom together in a way only a seasoned mechanic can. Whether it&rsquo;s a tough trouble code, a buying decision, or a behind-the-scenes look at shop life, Ron delivers the insight listeners rely on.

Ron Ananian The Car Doctor™

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - August 30, 2025 - Hour 1 - Diagnostics Isn’t a Guess: Go the Distance - (855)560-9900 - 24/7 Hotline

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/758e56af-064c-4459-a9d1-b3490153a6b9/transcript

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