Ron An Aian.

Ron An Aian.

You know, one of the advantages of having a scan tool that will allow you to select PIDs in case you're wondering, it's it's so that you can focus on what you're looking for, but it's also so that it doesn't slow down the tool. The Car Doctor.

You know, one of the advantages of having a scan tool that will allow you to select PIDs in case you're wondering, it's it's so that you can focus on what you're looking for, but it's also so that it doesn't slow down the tool. The Car Doctor.

There was two cold non related.

There was two cold non related.

To two codes where because you're telling me you're getting you're getting multiple system failure two codes wear which module is that?

To two codes where because you're telling me you're getting you're getting multiple system failure two codes wear which module is that?

It was nothing to do with old white, something to do with the break and I know I need new break.

It was nothing to do with old white, something to do with the break and I know I need new break.

Well, now let's back up a second.

Well, now let's back up a second.

Welcome to the radio home of ron An Aian, The Car Doctor. Since nineteen ninety one, this is where car owners the world overturned to for their definitive opinion on automotive repair. If your mechanics giving you a busy signal, pick up the phone and call in.

Welcome to the radio home of ron An Aian, The Car Doctor. Since nineteen ninety one, this is where car owners the world overturned to for their definitive opinion on automotive repair. If your mechanics giving you a busy signal, pick up the phone and call in.

The garage doors are open, but I am here to take your call at eighty five five five six ninety nine hundred and now pee.

The garage doors are open, but I am here to take your call at eighty five five five six ninety nine hundred and now pee.

Running.

Running.

I want to start out this week with a story from the shop. It was one of those weeks this week at the shop. We were prepared for it because well, you know, this was the week of the second full moon. I think we had a blue moon this month and a super moon or something, and the moon was it was crazy. You know, it's not that big of a story, but it is to me because I think every vehicle this week was you know, if the national average is two thousand dollars a vehicle, everybody was spending three thousand dollars a vehicle. And you start to notice those things, not because the the the cash register is ringing up, but because you're seeing yourself. One how did it repairing cars get to be so expensive? And two? When did everybody become so agreeable to fix it? And why is it that they're in such a rush and they seem to be. I read an article a couple of weeks back that said the price of the average used car, and we've touched on it here and there in the show. The price of a decent used car now is a minimum of twenty grand. And that twenty thousand dollars car, I think to myself, what does that look like. Well, it's four to five years old, it's got somewhere between fifty and eighty thousand miles on it, and it's you know, twenty to twenty five thousand dollars, and I said, wow, when did cars get to be so expensive? You know, I remember when cars well, I don't remember when they were first created. Tom does, he's older than me, But I remember when cars first came around as stories were that you know, was designed to be transportation. They were just designed to you know, catch you a to B and then all of a sudden they became your living room couch with wheels and creature comforts. Set in a few cars this week that had heated and air conditioned seats. One car had heated and air conditioned cup holder, like really you need that. It's called ice cube, and a water cooler, you know, a water jug like I don't get it. But this one Subaru really struck me as kind of neat this week. One customer he's been driving it like this for a while and he finally got he saved up some money and he said, you know, Ron, I want you to go through the car. I want you to make it right. And we did. It needed two rear wheel bearings, both wheelbarriers. One was screaming louder than the other. It was sort of like a mad race to see which one was actually gonnail for us. He'd been driving it that way for a while and he knew the noise was getting progressively louder. It was so bad when we got that left rear wheel bearing out, you couldn't turn it by hand. And we didn't beat it up taking it out. It actually came out fairly easy, but it was just so bad in terms of abuse and lack of grease. Probably wasn't any that you couldn't turn it by hand. And it needed four wheel brakes, and it had three calipers. Two were stuck, one was buying. We did four calipers. It needed front swaybar links. The rear sway bar bushings were so bad it was like it's just going going down the road. Did one of those. It was amazing what a difference, you know, a couple of thousand dollars and some concerted effort would do to a car. Because this car sounded night and day better. And he called me up the next day and he said, I got to tell you, the car just sounds a whole lot better. And he said, I think you just confirmed our belief that we're going to keep this car another five years. And he said, so what if we put three four or five thousand dollars in it every couple of years. He said, it doesn't matter. A new car is fifty and a used car is and he said, you know, doesn't it make more sense to just keep driving that same old car? Kind of makes me wonder, you know, it's it's funny watching the car culture change and evolve and how it drives people's habits and what you're doing with that, and how you're reacting to the change in the market. I wonder if he will keep that car another five years, that would make that twenty twelve Subaru seventy well fifteen years old. Yeah, it'll be fifteen years old in five years, sixteen years old in five years. Cars aren't getting any cheaper, and they're not getting any younger. You wonder if it's a it's a future trend, a cycle, you know. I remember reading a couple of years back that the age of the average car in the US roads, the age of the fleet, had reached eleven years. And the writer of this article was shocked when he discovered that. He made a big point about it. Well, I think you're about to see the age of the average American vehicle get even higher. I think it's going to hit I think fourteen and fifteen years. People are hanging on to the cars longer. People don't want to do some of the repairs on the newer vehicles because of the cost. Somebody pointed out to me this week that they would only buy a new vehicle if they had an extended warranty plan because they were so afraid of what would happen if a computer module failed outside a warranty. It would exceed the value of the car. Said, well, I don't know if it'll be that bad, but yeah, it's you know, you've got to get used to three to five thousand dollars repair bills on a newer vehicle. It's just it's just part of the process. And most of that is parts. We were talking about trends and the costs. On Fridays, myself and a couple of other guys from the gym, we stop at a local bagel place. We figured, what the heck, we worked all month for it, We're gonna have one bagel and then we go we have bagel and coffee at seven o'clock after the workout, and we kind of talk, and you know, they're younger families they're younger guys, and I'm listening to their stories, and you know, it's got to be hard for young people today to make ends meet, to put to put two dollars together, to feed the family, to keep the car going, to get back and forth, to work, to do all the things that you have to do as a family. And I look at how cars are intertwined into this, and then I say, maybe it does make sense to put four or five thousand dollars every once in a while into an older car that you know the history on, because you know the history and you know what you're getting. But then I also have to add in the fact that you got to have a good mechanic, because if you have a lousy mechanic, it doesn't work because you're just going back and repairing the same thing over and over and over again. And maybe that's the barometer. You know, it's okay to go back for different things, well, different things that aren't related to the last thing that broke, but you're not going back all the time for the same thing. You know, I'm probably the worst judge or the hardest judge on my industry because I want my industry to do good. I want my guys to I want people out there that represent what I've made a living at to do well, to keep everybody safe, to keep everybody on the road and reliable. But it's got to be hard. It's hard on both sides of the counter. I think about this all the time. I have a letter from Steve and se Bec, Maine. Steve writ saying, Hey, Ron, love the show. I listened every Sunday morning at ten on WVOM one O three point nine here in se Bec, Maine. I love listening to your stories about the vehicles you work on. I've been working on car since nineteen seventy eight professionally. I have many cars stories of my own, and one good one just recently on a suberru. I've got a good few good manufacturing alternative names, and I love yours. When I heard last week watching a twelve thirty four yf webinar, which tell me Steve is all right, Steve's still attending class. Look at that a guy who cares, Isn't that wonderful? Four backwards mean driver returned on foot. Yeah I've heard that, but yeah, I know. I was working on a Fiat this morning in the shop. The guy was a clam digger, so you can imagine what the vehicle smelled like. You know, I got to tell you cars and smells. I don't know what some of you people are doing, but taking showers isn't one of them. So the one. So I have an alternative name for a fiat. It means found it amongst trash. Have a great day and thanks for sharing us with us out here. Kind regards Stevens Beckman. You know, Steve, Uncle Steve once said to me. He said, Ron, You're gonna know when you've reached your pinnacle because when those among you, when your peers accept you, it means that you're doing well and you've kind of hit your stride. So, Steve, this letter means a lot to me. All your letters mean a lot to me. I should I should interject that, But every once in a while I hear from the guy in the bay, and you know what, it tells me, I'm doing good because, believe me, I want to do good. I want to do well. I want you guys to enjoy the show, and I want you to be proud of me because I'm just trying to help represent all of us, and I appreciate you sharing your thoughts A five five five six zero nine nine zero zero. I am Ronn and Andy and the car Doctor, and I'll be back right after this. You need advice on how to maintain that classic gt O. Ron is the guy eight five five five six zero nine nine zero zero. Here's Ron. Hey, let's get over to Arizona and talk to Samo. Three buckles, Sabers Sam. Welcome to the Car Doctor, sir, how can I help?

I want to start out this week with a story from the shop. It was one of those weeks this week at the shop. We were prepared for it because well, you know, this was the week of the second full moon. I think we had a blue moon this month and a super moon or something, and the moon was it was crazy. You know, it's not that big of a story, but it is to me because I think every vehicle this week was you know, if the national average is two thousand dollars a vehicle, everybody was spending three thousand dollars a vehicle. And you start to notice those things, not because the the the cash register is ringing up, but because you're seeing yourself. One how did it repairing cars get to be so expensive? And two? When did everybody become so agreeable to fix it? And why is it that they're in such a rush and they seem to be. I read an article a couple of weeks back that said the price of the average used car, and we've touched on it here and there in the show. The price of a decent used car now is a minimum of twenty grand. And that twenty thousand dollars car, I think to myself, what does that look like. Well, it's four to five years old, it's got somewhere between fifty and eighty thousand miles on it, and it's you know, twenty to twenty five thousand dollars, and I said, wow, when did cars get to be so expensive? You know, I remember when cars well, I don't remember when they were first created. Tom does, he's older than me, But I remember when cars first came around as stories were that you know, was designed to be transportation. They were just designed to you know, catch you a to B and then all of a sudden they became your living room couch with wheels and creature comforts. Set in a few cars this week that had heated and air conditioned seats. One car had heated and air conditioned cup holder, like really you need that. It's called ice cube, and a water cooler, you know, a water jug like I don't get it. But this one Subaru really struck me as kind of neat this week. One customer he's been driving it like this for a while and he finally got he saved up some money and he said, you know, Ron, I want you to go through the car. I want you to make it right. And we did. It needed two rear wheel bearings, both wheelbarriers. One was screaming louder than the other. It was sort of like a mad race to see which one was actually gonnail for us. He'd been driving it that way for a while and he knew the noise was getting progressively louder. It was so bad when we got that left rear wheel bearing out, you couldn't turn it by hand. And we didn't beat it up taking it out. It actually came out fairly easy, but it was just so bad in terms of abuse and lack of grease. Probably wasn't any that you couldn't turn it by hand. And it needed four wheel brakes, and it had three calipers. Two were stuck, one was buying. We did four calipers. It needed front swaybar links. The rear sway bar bushings were so bad it was like it's just going going down the road. Did one of those. It was amazing what a difference, you know, a couple of thousand dollars and some concerted effort would do to a car. Because this car sounded night and day better. And he called me up the next day and he said, I got to tell you, the car just sounds a whole lot better. And he said, I think you just confirmed our belief that we're going to keep this car another five years. And he said, so what if we put three four or five thousand dollars in it every couple of years. He said, it doesn't matter. A new car is fifty and a used car is and he said, you know, doesn't it make more sense to just keep driving that same old car? Kind of makes me wonder, you know, it's it's funny watching the car culture change and evolve and how it drives people's habits and what you're doing with that, and how you're reacting to the change in the market. I wonder if he will keep that car another five years, that would make that twenty twelve Subaru seventy well fifteen years old. Yeah, it'll be fifteen years old in five years, sixteen years old in five years. Cars aren't getting any cheaper, and they're not getting any younger. You wonder if it's a it's a future trend, a cycle, you know. I remember reading a couple of years back that the age of the average car in the US roads, the age of the fleet, had reached eleven years. And the writer of this article was shocked when he discovered that. He made a big point about it. Well, I think you're about to see the age of the average American vehicle get even higher. I think it's going to hit I think fourteen and fifteen years. People are hanging on to the cars longer. People don't want to do some of the repairs on the newer vehicles because of the cost. Somebody pointed out to me this week that they would only buy a new vehicle if they had an extended warranty plan because they were so afraid of what would happen if a computer module failed outside a warranty. It would exceed the value of the car. Said, well, I don't know if it'll be that bad, but yeah, it's you know, you've got to get used to three to five thousand dollars repair bills on a newer vehicle. It's just it's just part of the process. And most of that is parts. We were talking about trends and the costs. On Fridays, myself and a couple of other guys from the gym, we stop at a local bagel place. We figured, what the heck, we worked all month for it, We're gonna have one bagel and then we go we have bagel and coffee at seven o'clock after the workout, and we kind of talk, and you know, they're younger families they're younger guys, and I'm listening to their stories, and you know, it's got to be hard for young people today to make ends meet, to put to put two dollars together, to feed the family, to keep the car going, to get back and forth, to work, to do all the things that you have to do as a family. And I look at how cars are intertwined into this, and then I say, maybe it does make sense to put four or five thousand dollars every once in a while into an older car that you know the history on, because you know the history and you know what you're getting. But then I also have to add in the fact that you got to have a good mechanic, because if you have a lousy mechanic, it doesn't work because you're just going back and repairing the same thing over and over and over again. And maybe that's the barometer. You know, it's okay to go back for different things, well, different things that aren't related to the last thing that broke, but you're not going back all the time for the same thing. You know, I'm probably the worst judge or the hardest judge on my industry because I want my industry to do good. I want my guys to I want people out there that represent what I've made a living at to do well, to keep everybody safe, to keep everybody on the road and reliable. But it's got to be hard. It's hard on both sides of the counter. I think about this all the time. I have a letter from Steve and se Bec, Maine. Steve writ saying, Hey, Ron, love the show. I listened every Sunday morning at ten on WVOM one O three point nine here in se Bec, Maine. I love listening to your stories about the vehicles you work on. I've been working on car since nineteen seventy eight professionally. I have many cars stories of my own, and one good one just recently on a suberru. I've got a good few good manufacturing alternative names, and I love yours. When I heard last week watching a twelve thirty four yf webinar, which tell me Steve is all right, Steve's still attending class. Look at that a guy who cares, Isn't that wonderful? Four backwards mean driver returned on foot. Yeah I've heard that, but yeah, I know. I was working on a Fiat this morning in the shop. The guy was a clam digger, so you can imagine what the vehicle smelled like. You know, I got to tell you cars and smells. I don't know what some of you people are doing, but taking showers isn't one of them. So the one. So I have an alternative name for a fiat. It means found it amongst trash. Have a great day and thanks for sharing us with us out here. Kind regards Stevens Beckman. You know, Steve, Uncle Steve once said to me. He said, Ron, You're gonna know when you've reached your pinnacle because when those among you, when your peers accept you, it means that you're doing well and you've kind of hit your stride. So, Steve, this letter means a lot to me. All your letters mean a lot to me. I should I should interject that, But every once in a while I hear from the guy in the bay, and you know what, it tells me, I'm doing good because, believe me, I want to do good. I want to do well. I want you guys to enjoy the show, and I want you to be proud of me because I'm just trying to help represent all of us, and I appreciate you sharing your thoughts A five five five six zero nine nine zero zero. I am Ronn and Andy and the car Doctor, and I'll be back right after this. You need advice on how to maintain that classic gt O. Ron is the guy eight five five five six zero nine nine zero zero. Here's Ron. Hey, let's get over to Arizona and talk to Samo. Three buckles, Sabers Sam. Welcome to the Car Doctor, sir, how can I help?

Hi? Thanks for taking my call on You're welcome?

Hi? Thanks for taking my call on You're welcome?

What's going on?

What's going on?

Black coolant? So it's not sick? You should be more green yellowish? Right? And it maybe started a couple of years ago, but now it's really black. And two years ago I replaced the lower intake four gaskets with stepdated metal type ones and I also replaced the upper plane with updated design. Okay, so it's running.

Black coolant? So it's not sick? You should be more green yellowish? Right? And it maybe started a couple of years ago, but now it's really black. And two years ago I replaced the lower intake four gaskets with stepdated metal type ones and I also replaced the upper plane with updated design. Okay, so it's running.

Great, right, it runs good. It's been going on for a couple of years. Right, it seems to.

Great, right, it runs good. It's been going on for a couple of years. Right, it seems to.

Get darker and darker. And I'm not sure if someone, well, I get it all changes someone accidentally or on purpose? Dump comes in there. But it's it's not thick though, so it's boggling me.

Get darker and darker. And I'm not sure if someone, well, I get it all changes someone accidentally or on purpose? Dump comes in there. But it's it's not thick though, so it's boggling me.

So I have a w.

So I have a w.

Intake before we go there. You know when you do when you replace the coolant, are you just draining the radiator? Are you actually doing a flush, clearing out the block, the heater, core, et cetera.

Intake before we go there. You know when you do when you replace the coolant, are you just draining the radiator? Are you actually doing a flush, clearing out the block, the heater, core, et cetera.

Oh, I flushed everything when I this is like two years ago when I did the lower intake menifold gasket and the plantum.

Oh, I flushed everything when I this is like two years ago when I did the lower intake menifold gasket and the plantum.

Okay, so so you actually get everything out. You got clear water coming out, and then you fill with fresh cooling.

Okay, so so you actually get everything out. You got clear water coming out, and then you fill with fresh cooling.

Yep.

Yep.

So just out of curiosity, once you flush the block, there's water resordue left in there. How do you account for it? I mean, how do you add your coolant back in?

So just out of curiosity, once you flush the block, there's water resordue left in there. How do you account for it? I mean, how do you add your coolant back in?

Oh? I had a little more concentrated cool.

Oh? I had a little more concentrated cool.

Okay, that's right answer. I just want to see what you're thinking. So and then it turns black again, and how short a period or how long a period of time?

Okay, that's right answer. I just want to see what you're thinking. So and then it turns black again, and how short a period or how long a period of time?

Like over yere, I just started to notice the cool overflow tank was a little black, and then it just seems I mean, now it's really black, but it's not tick.

Like over yere, I just started to notice the cool overflow tank was a little black, and then it just seems I mean, now it's really black, but it's not tick.

Is the coolant overflow tank new or is it the original?

Is the coolant overflow tank new or is it the original?

It's original. I cleaned all that out there. I mean it was clean coolant, and I look at the oil cap. It doesn't look milky. The oil doesn't look milky.

It's original. I cleaned all that out there. I mean it was clean coolant, and I look at the oil cap. It doesn't look milky. The oil doesn't look milky.

What color is the trans fluid? I don't think it's this, but I just want to be sure red, okay. And there's no signs of cross contamination, like the trans cooler is seeping inside the radiator. And then we could have the conversation about which way would it go? Higher pressure, lower pressure? But trans fluid is red. It doesn't look like it's mixing with anything from the radiator.

What color is the trans fluid? I don't think it's this, but I just want to be sure red, okay. And there's no signs of cross contamination, like the trans cooler is seeping inside the radiator. And then we could have the conversation about which way would it go? Higher pressure, lower pressure? But trans fluid is red. It doesn't look like it's mixing with anything from the radiator.

Yeah, I don't think so, it doesn't look.

Yeah, I don't think so, it doesn't look.

Low and same the same thing. Well, and you know the fact that it's going on a couple of years. It would have lasted this long. The trans would have failed after three months. And engine oil looks normally. You see no signs of anything strange there. It looks just like normal engine oil.

Low and same the same thing. Well, and you know the fact that it's going on a couple of years. It would have lasted this long. The trans would have failed after three months. And engine oil looks normally. You see no signs of anything strange there. It looks just like normal engine oil.

Yep.

Yep.

How old are the hoses.

How old are the hoses.

When I redid the lower so two years old, okay.

When I redid the lower so two years old, okay.

Because I have seen older GM hoses contribute to black coolant. So you know that's and that's why i'm you know, how how clean is clean? This is a case where the argument can be made for using a coolant exchange machine and getting all of it out. So my next comment would be I would take a sample of that coolant and send it out for analysis and what are the results? What do the show is in there?

Because I have seen older GM hoses contribute to black coolant. So you know that's and that's why i'm you know, how how clean is clean? This is a case where the argument can be made for using a coolant exchange machine and getting all of it out. So my next comment would be I would take a sample of that coolant and send it out for analysis and what are the results? What do the show is in there?

So can they tell you if it's oil or if it's what.

So can they tell you if it's oil or if it's what.

They should be able to Yeah, Blackstone Labs, you know where everybody sends their their engine oil for their for their testing. I would call them and see if they can do a coolant and analysis test, which I'm fairly sure they can, because that way, at least you'll know what's in there. And you're using this car every day. It shows no signs, no abnormalities, it runs well, no check engine light, good fuel economy, good performance, everything.

They should be able to Yeah, Blackstone Labs, you know where everybody sends their their engine oil for their for their testing. I would call them and see if they can do a coolant and analysis test, which I'm fairly sure they can, because that way, at least you'll know what's in there. And you're using this car every day. It shows no signs, no abnormalities, it runs well, no check engine light, good fuel economy, good performance, everything.

Yeah, yeah, I love it. Solid engine yep, yep.

Yeah, yeah, I love it. Solid engine yep, yep.

So you know, I think I think that will at least tell you what we're chasing, because obviously it's being contaminated from somewhere.

So you know, I think I think that will at least tell you what we're chasing, because obviously it's being contaminated from somewhere.

You know.

You know.

The only other thing I could suggest is the next time you want to do a cooling exchange, it's gonna make I'm gonna make it spend money. Is find a shop that's got a machine and run it through until there's actually clean fluid, and then run water through it until there's clean water, and then just keep going until you're absolutely certain it's it's spotlessly whistle clean inside out. But before I go there doing the machine, I'd like to know what I'm chasing, so I would do I would do a fluid analysis to see what they tell you it is.

The only other thing I could suggest is the next time you want to do a cooling exchange, it's gonna make I'm gonna make it spend money. Is find a shop that's got a machine and run it through until there's actually clean fluid, and then run water through it until there's clean water, and then just keep going until you're absolutely certain it's it's spotlessly whistle clean inside out. But before I go there doing the machine, I'd like to know what I'm chasing, so I would do I would do a fluid analysis to see what they tell you it is.

Okay, all right about that? Awesome?

Okay, all right about that? Awesome?

Yeah, that's that's You're on the right track, you know. I remember, I remember we had conversation when you changed the intake on this right.

Yeah, that's that's You're on the right track, you know. I remember, I remember we had conversation when you changed the intake on this right.

Yeah you called it.

Yeah you called it.

Yeah, yeah, I talked to I was having a high idol. It turned out to be the I control nolve.

Yeah, yeah, I talked to I was having a high idol. It turned out to be the I control nolve.

Right, yep, thank you, sir. You're very welcome you. Let's know what happened, Sam, you'd be well, let's get over to Roy in Pennsylvania. Some questions about maintenance Roy. Welcome to the car doctor, sir. How can I help?

Right, yep, thank you, sir. You're very welcome you. Let's know what happened, Sam, you'd be well, let's get over to Roy in Pennsylvania. Some questions about maintenance Roy. Welcome to the car doctor, sir. How can I help?

Hey?

Hey?

Thanks for taking that call round you will.

Thanks for taking that call round you will.

You're very welcome, sir. What's up?

You're very welcome, sir. What's up?

Hey?

Hey?

I got two one, I got a question, and I got a story for you. Can I give you the story first?

I got two one, I got a question, and I got a story for you. Can I give you the story first?

Yeah?

Yeah?

Go ahead, way back.

Go ahead, way back.

I'm an old guy, so way back when nineteen sixty six, my dad bought a brand new Galaxy five hundred convertible. Okay, three fifty two, three fifty two four battle right, nice took a car anyway. Sunday mornings, we had to go to church nine o'clock Mass, we go to wed come out of Mass because sometimes for a special treatment would go to Howard Johnson's in Camp, Prussia. This is going way back now, So we're we're driving to Howard Johnson's and my dad used to want to blow the carbon out because he didn't get a chance to drive the car that much. Well, we're going up this hill and he's into the gas pedal. You know what the flour barrels sound like moving that air, and well for the big baboom. All of a sudden there's all kinds of noise in the car with the muffort blew out. My mother turned around and looked at him like what did you do?

I'm an old guy, so way back when nineteen sixty six, my dad bought a brand new Galaxy five hundred convertible. Okay, three fifty two, three fifty two four battle right, nice took a car anyway. Sunday mornings, we had to go to church nine o'clock Mass, we go to wed come out of Mass because sometimes for a special treatment would go to Howard Johnson's in Camp, Prussia. This is going way back now, So we're we're driving to Howard Johnson's and my dad used to want to blow the carbon out because he didn't get a chance to drive the car that much. Well, we're going up this hill and he's into the gas pedal. You know what the flour barrels sound like moving that air, and well for the big baboom. All of a sudden there's all kinds of noise in the car with the muffort blew out. My mother turned around and looked at him like what did you do?

What did you just what did you just do?

What did you just what did you just do?

And she was yelling and screaming at him, going up on one side of him down the other. I told you not to do this. Well, it turns out the next day she had to go to the convent to pick nuns up and take them shopping that she couldn't take them because of the car that way. So we get home from from and breakfast and my Dad's out there. We got changed and he's out there, come out and help me, like he was trying to see if we can get this this thing put back together. But it didn't didn't work, and my dad got a cold show for about two weeks because of that.

And she was yelling and screaming at him, going up on one side of him down the other. I told you not to do this. Well, it turns out the next day she had to go to the convent to pick nuns up and take them shopping that she couldn't take them because of the car that way. So we get home from from and breakfast and my Dad's out there. We got changed and he's out there, come out and help me, like he was trying to see if we can get this this thing put back together. But it didn't didn't work, and my dad got a cold show for about two weeks because of that.

So well, I'm sorry, but you know what it put. It put the taste in the bite of performance and hot rods into your head, didn't it. It gave you a taste.

So well, I'm sorry, but you know what it put. It put the taste in the bite of performance and hot rods into your head, didn't it. It gave you a taste.

Yeah, exactly, yeah? Four bow oh yeah.

Yeah, exactly, yeah? Four bow oh yeah.

Back in the day, what do you do for a living, Roy, you're still working. You're retired?

Back in the day, what do you do for a living, Roy, you're still working. You're retired?

Oh, I retired.

Oh, I retired.

I was a general contractor.

I was a general contractor.

Yeah.

Yeah.

So you know what, So a lot of that working with your hands came from the sensation of working on cars, I guarantee you.

So you know what, So a lot of that working with your hands came from the sensation of working on cars, I guarantee you.

Oh yeah, yeah.

Oh yeah, yeah.

We used to tear bolk flags apart, and lawnmowers knew we were That's what we did, exactly. Yeah.

We used to tear bolk flags apart, and lawnmowers knew we were That's what we did, exactly. Yeah.

Yeah, So you know what, I'm sure. I'm sure your mom if she were here, I'm sure she'd tell you. Hey, you know what, it wasn't so bad. You turned out, okay, kid, Yeah, exactly, always a good thing. What's your question, kiddo?

Yeah, So you know what, I'm sure. I'm sure your mom if she were here, I'm sure she'd tell you. Hey, you know what, it wasn't so bad. You turned out, okay, kid, Yeah, exactly, always a good thing. What's your question, kiddo?

So the wife and I were buying our car police. It's a twenty twenty MTZ with the two liter turbo engine. Right, So now I keep up with maintenance. I changed the oil every six months because they only got sixteen thousand miles. It's three years on it. I put fuel, I do the beryman's and the gas tank like like you say to do, right, change the fields and all that kind of good stuff. But I'm gonna We're gonna buy the car. And these are two leaders, if I'm not mistaken, are notorious for some issues with heads or intrusions with exhaust gas or something.

So the wife and I were buying our car police. It's a twenty twenty MTZ with the two liter turbo engine. Right, So now I keep up with maintenance. I changed the oil every six months because they only got sixteen thousand miles. It's three years on it. I put fuel, I do the beryman's and the gas tank like like you say to do, right, change the fields and all that kind of good stuff. But I'm gonna We're gonna buy the car. And these are two leaders, if I'm not mistaken, are notorious for some issues with heads or intrusions with exhaust gas or something.

Yeah, they've they've they've got their issues. I mean, bottom line, stay up on the oil changes. You know, I'm a believer in the twenty percent rule. If the manufacturer says cool ands in five years, do it and four. If they say transfluid at sixty, do it at fifty. You know that kind of a thing. If enough is good, more is better, and too much is just enough. Because I'm sure this is at least while this was probably a sixty thousand dollars vehicle or is today you know the period, Yeah, you know the price of the car is, you know, shows you what the value of the maintenances so you know, you want to stay on top of the fluids, and you know, because you're gonna buy it, maybe you want to consider buying an extended warranty just to cover the electronics because some of the manufacturers, and I believe Lincoln and Ford does do that now. We they'll offer electronics coverage. So if a module fails in the first eighty thousand miles in eight years, you're gonna get some kind of protection and coverage because the electronics is what's gonna cost a lot more nowadays than anything else. I appreciate the call and the story.

Yeah, they've they've they've got their issues. I mean, bottom line, stay up on the oil changes. You know, I'm a believer in the twenty percent rule. If the manufacturer says cool ands in five years, do it and four. If they say transfluid at sixty, do it at fifty. You know that kind of a thing. If enough is good, more is better, and too much is just enough. Because I'm sure this is at least while this was probably a sixty thousand dollars vehicle or is today you know the period, Yeah, you know the price of the car is, you know, shows you what the value of the maintenances so you know, you want to stay on top of the fluids, and you know, because you're gonna buy it, maybe you want to consider buying an extended warranty just to cover the electronics because some of the manufacturers, and I believe Lincoln and Ford does do that now. We they'll offer electronics coverage. So if a module fails in the first eighty thousand miles in eight years, you're gonna get some kind of protection and coverage because the electronics is what's gonna cost a lot more nowadays than anything else. I appreciate the call and the story.

Roy.

Roy.

If you need more, you know where to find me. I'm running Andy in the car Doctor. I'll be back right after this.

If you need more, you know where to find me. I'm running Andy in the car Doctor. I'll be back right after this.

Ron's in his own the Auto Zone studio, and he'll be back right after this. Welcome back to the AutoZone studio.

Ron's in his own the Auto Zone studio, and he'll be back right after this. Welcome back to the AutoZone studio.

Here's Ron. Hey, let's cruise on over. Let's go see what Butch is doing in Minnesota. Butch, Welcome to the Car Doctor. How can I help.

Here's Ron. Hey, let's cruise on over. Let's go see what Butch is doing in Minnesota. Butch, Welcome to the Car Doctor. How can I help.

Ron. It's a pleasure to talk to you. It's a blessing. Let me just tell you this Ron fit. When I bought this car, it had forty four thousand's a Chevy Classic two thousand and five.

Ron. It's a pleasure to talk to you. It's a blessing. Let me just tell you this Ron fit. When I bought this car, it had forty four thousand's a Chevy Classic two thousand and five.

Ok.

Ok.

Just a wonder wonderful car. Seventeen years later, I'll be seventy five this month and I still have it, and I put on one hundred and ninety one thousand miles. Ron didn't have any issues with it. My wife and I were driving home and we lost our steerring on it. And I've got a couple of reports from people from mechanics. He said, it's the rack and pinion gear, which I know nothing about. I'm just wondering if I should put money into it, or you're the expert. So whatever you tell me, Ron, I'm going to go with either way, I appreciate it.

Just a wonder wonderful car. Seventeen years later, I'll be seventy five this month and I still have it, and I put on one hundred and ninety one thousand miles. Ron didn't have any issues with it. My wife and I were driving home and we lost our steerring on it. And I've got a couple of reports from people from mechanics. He said, it's the rack and pinion gear, which I know nothing about. I'm just wondering if I should put money into it, or you're the expert. So whatever you tell me, Ron, I'm going to go with either way, I appreciate it.

So thank you. Who's do you have regular mechanic that sees his car on a regular basis? Butcher?

So thank you. Who's do you have regular mechanic that sees his car on a regular basis? Butcher?

You know, Ron, I got a wonderful fella. I really really trust him. He's done work on my vehicle before. And he quoted me a price with the labor and all the above, it would cost about eight hundred and fifty dollars.

You know, Ron, I got a wonderful fella. I really really trust him. He's done work on my vehicle before. And he quoted me a price with the labor and all the above, it would cost about eight hundred and fifty dollars.

Okay, that's cheap, you know. And I say that because let's let's think of it like this. Let's we'll make some assumptions which are dangerous. But you sound like somebody that will know when I ask you. You've done all your maintenance. You've been staying on top of oil changes in fluids and spark plugs and things like that, so you know what you're dealing with, right.

Okay, that's cheap, you know. And I say that because let's let's think of it like this. Let's we'll make some assumptions which are dangerous. But you sound like somebody that will know when I ask you. You've done all your maintenance. You've been staying on top of oil changes in fluids and spark plugs and things like that, so you know what you're dealing with, right.

Yes, sir?

Yes, sir?

Okay, So let's say you put a fifty Let's say it's a thousand bucks. Let's say you put a thousand bucks into this car. Yes, and three months from now the trans fails.

Okay, So let's say you put a fifty Let's say it's a thousand bucks. Let's say you put a thousand bucks into this car. Yes, and three months from now the trans fails.

Yes, sir?

Yes, sir?

Would you put a trans in it?

Would you put a trans in it?

No?

No?

Okay, then you're done.

Okay, then you're done.

The reason I the way it's running right now, ron is the I checked the oil all the time on it. I had I probably have had about a half a pint between my three tolls and oil changes. I haven't had any problems with the transmission. You know it's a sealed transmission.

The reason I the way it's running right now, ron is the I checked the oil all the time on it. I had I probably have had about a half a pint between my three tolls and oil changes. I haven't had any problems with the transmission. You know it's a sealed transmission.

Sure, but you can't you know, you can't look at Listen, one day I'm gonna I'm gonna keep going until one day when I don't. You know what I'm saying. You can't. You can't look at it. As you know, Eadie, you're in this for the long haul.

Sure, but you can't you know, you can't look at Listen, one day I'm gonna I'm gonna keep going until one day when I don't. You know what I'm saying. You can't. You can't look at it. As you know, Eadie, you're in this for the long haul.

You're not.

You're not.

Now.

Now.

My argument against replacing this car is, you know if eight hundred and fifty dollars seems like a lot of money. Why do you get to the price of a new car. Boy, that's gonna, you know, knock you back a few. But my argument for you know, keeping this is it's only eight hundred and fifty bucks, and you know the history of the car, and I do you know you know that that has a lot to say. But you know this is all about this is all about power window regulators. But all right, I've had people come to me over the years and oh, Ron, I love this car. Ron, I want to keep this car run. I want to keep this car going forever and ever and ever. And it needs it needs one thousand dollars worth of widgets. And I asked, I asked him that same question, and they say, well, yeah, I guess I'd put a transmission in it, but I wouldn't do anything else. And I asked him, well, what if one of the power window regulators broke, Well, I guess I guess I'd do the one, and then what if the second one broke, Well, I guess I'd do the second. And by the time we get up to the fourth power window regulator, I know where we are because I know if they're really yeah, like I'm into it for the long haul, or yeah, you're right, it's time. You know, there's no right or wrong answer. All right, it's all a role.

My argument against replacing this car is, you know if eight hundred and fifty dollars seems like a lot of money. Why do you get to the price of a new car. Boy, that's gonna, you know, knock you back a few. But my argument for you know, keeping this is it's only eight hundred and fifty bucks, and you know the history of the car, and I do you know you know that that has a lot to say. But you know this is all about this is all about power window regulators. But all right, I've had people come to me over the years and oh, Ron, I love this car. Ron, I want to keep this car run. I want to keep this car going forever and ever and ever. And it needs it needs one thousand dollars worth of widgets. And I asked, I asked him that same question, and they say, well, yeah, I guess I'd put a transmission in it, but I wouldn't do anything else. And I asked him, well, what if one of the power window regulators broke, Well, I guess I guess I'd do the one, and then what if the second one broke, Well, I guess I'd do the second. And by the time we get up to the fourth power window regulator, I know where we are because I know if they're really yeah, like I'm into it for the long haul, or yeah, you're right, it's time. You know, there's no right or wrong answer. All right, it's all a role.

You'll just interject one thing, please. The fellow has it up and up here in northern Minnesota with all the rust and everything. He's had to do a like a little repair on one of the break lines, and you wasn't sure about the gas lines and the brake lines. So I'm kind of leaning That's why I called you on. Whatever you decide or I know I have to make the decision, but anything you can say to help me, it'll just kind.

You'll just interject one thing, please. The fellow has it up and up here in northern Minnesota with all the rust and everything. He's had to do a like a little repair on one of the break lines, and you wasn't sure about the gas lines and the brake lines. So I'm kind of leaning That's why I called you on. Whatever you decide or I know I have to make the decision, but anything you can say to help me, it'll just kind.

Of make me well. So is rust a factor in this vehicle?

Of make me well. So is rust a factor in this vehicle?

Now? Now that i'm there's something about the sub something I don't know, something about the structure.

Now? Now that i'm there's something about the sub something I don't know, something about the structure.

That the subframe, the subframes, the sub the subframe has been weakened.

That the subframe, the subframes, the sub the subframe has been weakened.

He didn't necessarily come out and say that. He just mentioned the word subframe, and so I didn't even know. I didn't even ask him beyond that, I think, I think you've.

He didn't necessarily come out and say that. He just mentioned the word subframe, and so I didn't even know. I didn't even ask him beyond that, I think, I think you've.

Got to get more information, butch, but if if the subframe is compromised, it's sort of like the outer hull of the spaceship. You know, it's it's we've weakened the structure so we can hang things on it, but then at what point does the rest of it fail?

Got to get more information, butch, but if if the subframe is compromised, it's sort of like the outer hull of the spaceship. You know, it's it's we've weakened the structure so we can hang things on it, but then at what point does the rest of it fail?

Right?

Right?

Right?

Right?

Well, i'll tell you, Ron, I really appreciate you taking a call. We're just sitting here drinking coffee, looking at it, a few tears in the eyes. But it's been such a wonderful, wonderful vehicle for us, and maybe it's time to part way, sir.

Well, i'll tell you, Ron, I really appreciate you taking a call. We're just sitting here drinking coffee, looking at it, a few tears in the eyes. But it's been such a wonderful, wonderful vehicle for us, and maybe it's time to part way, sir.

Well, maybe it's also you get you have to have the adventure of creating memories with a new one.

Well, maybe it's also you get you have to have the adventure of creating memories with a new one.

You know, I think so life's thanks a million runs.

You know, I think so life's thanks a million runs.

Life's about the memories. But go make some new ones and enjoy yourself and enjoy your coffee. You're very welcome, sir. Yeah, you're very welcome. You're very welcome. You know, it's it's hard. Where do you Where do you get rid of a car? And when don't you get rid of a car? And you know that that becomes the issue. But you see, the key piece of information there was the rust is you can't fix rust. I've got three rules on where I get rid of a car. Overwhelming electrical issues, moisture damage and rust Because any one of those three will make a car unreliable. And beyond that, it's just a steel frame with an engine and a body and it's all the same. You know, you can you can make any thing out of anything at that point. The other factor that comes into effect these days, though, is also that of what parts are available or not available. Parts are a huge issue. And you know, would Butch get another one hundred and ninety one thousand miles out of that steering rack, Probably not, because that's likely a reman rack, something somebody's had to rebuilt. I doubt that that's new. Very few companies are making new anymore. And steering racks, steering racks and brake calipers and power steering pumps are three areas where the industry is falling short, and they have for the last two years. They're having a real struggle keeping up with making and rebuilding those particular components. So, you know, Butch, I think if you're still listening, I think if you're out there and it's it's got some rust issues, I think that's the overwhelming factor. And yes, sir, then it's then it's time. Because the other thing we could have a conversation about is it's seventy five. Do you want to be out on a road in an older vehicle? And then how reliable is it? And you know how much aggravation do we need? We want to get you and you and missus butch to point A and point B safely and reliably. So I think that's the right call, especially if rust is there. Eight five five five six zero nine nine zero zero. I'm ronnin eating the car doctor, and I'll be back right after this. Don't go away like stop, welcome back. I'm run nading the car doctor here at eight five five five six zero nine nine zero zero. Give us a call, leave a message if we're not on the air, and we'll get you in the next live queue or call. Now we're live, let's go over and talk to Let's go to Allen and Iowa six ' four Taurus. Allen. Welcome to the car Doctor, sir. How can I help?

Life's about the memories. But go make some new ones and enjoy yourself and enjoy your coffee. You're very welcome, sir. Yeah, you're very welcome. You're very welcome. You know, it's it's hard. Where do you Where do you get rid of a car? And when don't you get rid of a car? And you know that that becomes the issue. But you see, the key piece of information there was the rust is you can't fix rust. I've got three rules on where I get rid of a car. Overwhelming electrical issues, moisture damage and rust Because any one of those three will make a car unreliable. And beyond that, it's just a steel frame with an engine and a body and it's all the same. You know, you can you can make any thing out of anything at that point. The other factor that comes into effect these days, though, is also that of what parts are available or not available. Parts are a huge issue. And you know, would Butch get another one hundred and ninety one thousand miles out of that steering rack, Probably not, because that's likely a reman rack, something somebody's had to rebuilt. I doubt that that's new. Very few companies are making new anymore. And steering racks, steering racks and brake calipers and power steering pumps are three areas where the industry is falling short, and they have for the last two years. They're having a real struggle keeping up with making and rebuilding those particular components. So, you know, Butch, I think if you're still listening, I think if you're out there and it's it's got some rust issues, I think that's the overwhelming factor. And yes, sir, then it's then it's time. Because the other thing we could have a conversation about is it's seventy five. Do you want to be out on a road in an older vehicle? And then how reliable is it? And you know how much aggravation do we need? We want to get you and you and missus butch to point A and point B safely and reliably. So I think that's the right call, especially if rust is there. Eight five five five six zero nine nine zero zero. I'm ronnin eating the car doctor, and I'll be back right after this. Don't go away like stop, welcome back. I'm run nading the car doctor here at eight five five five six zero nine nine zero zero. Give us a call, leave a message if we're not on the air, and we'll get you in the next live queue or call. Now we're live, let's go over and talk to Let's go to Allen and Iowa six ' four Taurus. Allen. Welcome to the car Doctor, sir. How can I help?

Hello, sir? Yes, right, yes, I just had some new prres installed on my car and had this car for a little while. I tried to keep high and tight and about forty thousand miles ago, new quick struts put on it and so on, had alignment check. After I put on the new tires and the passenger side front to strut on that is basically a fixed situation where they have in order the alignment.

Hello, sir? Yes, right, yes, I just had some new prres installed on my car and had this car for a little while. I tried to keep high and tight and about forty thousand miles ago, new quick struts put on it and so on, had alignment check. After I put on the new tires and the passenger side front to strut on that is basically a fixed situation where they have in order the alignment.

It was.

It was.

Pretty green on the print out, but it was slightly out and the guy said, it's really not bad. But anyway, that strut needs the upper flange needs to be broken loose in order to and then I think rotated in order to provide some room for them to actually get it back into tolerance. And the gentleman had said, and I bring my car to this shop. I go to two different shops, one here where I live and then one in Omaha where I'm at half the time also But anyway, but he had said that what he wanted to do was take a chill and a hammer to that up the lange and break it off. And basically I just said, now, let's not do that today. You know, I'll be back soon enough and maybe I can do the alignment or whatever. Then so I did some research on my own, and long story shortage, all I can find online is that they would drill it, you know, drill that out. And my question is, is that is the way of doing that? Is that a good way to do it? Or should I go, you know, check a little check a little bit on and having them drill that out versus beat on it with a chisel.

Pretty green on the print out, but it was slightly out and the guy said, it's really not bad. But anyway, that strut needs the upper flange needs to be broken loose in order to and then I think rotated in order to provide some room for them to actually get it back into tolerance. And the gentleman had said, and I bring my car to this shop. I go to two different shops, one here where I live and then one in Omaha where I'm at half the time also But anyway, but he had said that what he wanted to do was take a chill and a hammer to that up the lange and break it off. And basically I just said, now, let's not do that today. You know, I'll be back soon enough and maybe I can do the alignment or whatever. Then so I did some research on my own, and long story shortage, all I can find online is that they would drill it, you know, drill that out. And my question is, is that is the way of doing that? Is that a good way to do it? Or should I go, you know, check a little check a little bit on and having them drill that out versus beat on it with a chisel.

Well, I think I think he's talking about breaking the spot well that holds the top strutmount in position because something's something's shifted, either either something is bent over the years or something has sagged over the years and it's causing it to be out of alignment. The question is what's out of alignment and how much out of alignment is it? And is it possible to correct? You know, some front end companies, from some front end manufacturers like Moog and there's others, typically will come out with time saving kits that will allow you to put camber or cast or adjustment into a vehicle that's not done so by the factory, you know. So to answer your question directly, I've seen this before, all right. I'm not a fan of it. I've seen it. We've done it, all right. There's been cases where we have no choice. It's not so much it's it's not as crude as he sounds, at least not the way we do it. Will you know, we might break the spot weld and shift the strut a little bit left right, depending upon what readings we're trying to get, and then we'll lock it back up in place. We'll either bolt it back in place or we'll we'll lock it in place. Sometimes we've welded it back in place, you know, just replicating what the factory has. So you know, my first question would be, well, that's my explanation, but my first question would be how bad is this out? Is this right on the fuzzy edge of being green that it's you know, a quarter degree over the line, a quarter degree. I'm not going to worry about to the age of the vehicle and the cost to do this, because sometimes it's just cheaper to repair the car. I'm sorry to replace the tire in three years instead of four, if that makes sense. Did he talk about any of that with it?

Well, I think I think he's talking about breaking the spot well that holds the top strutmount in position because something's something's shifted, either either something is bent over the years or something has sagged over the years and it's causing it to be out of alignment. The question is what's out of alignment and how much out of alignment is it? And is it possible to correct? You know, some front end companies, from some front end manufacturers like Moog and there's others, typically will come out with time saving kits that will allow you to put camber or cast or adjustment into a vehicle that's not done so by the factory, you know. So to answer your question directly, I've seen this before, all right. I'm not a fan of it. I've seen it. We've done it, all right. There's been cases where we have no choice. It's not so much it's it's not as crude as he sounds, at least not the way we do it. Will you know, we might break the spot weld and shift the strut a little bit left right, depending upon what readings we're trying to get, and then we'll lock it back up in place. We'll either bolt it back in place or we'll we'll lock it in place. Sometimes we've welded it back in place, you know, just replicating what the factory has. So you know, my first question would be, well, that's my explanation, but my first question would be how bad is this out? Is this right on the fuzzy edge of being green that it's you know, a quarter degree over the line, a quarter degree. I'm not going to worry about to the age of the vehicle and the cost to do this, because sometimes it's just cheaper to repair the car. I'm sorry to replace the tire in three years instead of four, if that makes sense. Did he talk about any of that with it?

Did he?

Did he?

Did he talk about any of that with you?

Did he talk about any of that with you?

Yeah, yes he did, And he said, basically, it isn't that bad. I think it was like a degree out the right.

Yeah, yes he did, And he said, basically, it isn't that bad. I think it was like a degree out the right.

Was it camber? Was it castor it was camber?

Was it camber? Was it castor it was camber?

I believe?

I believe?

Okay? And is it negative? Is it positive? Did he say tire in tire out?

Okay? And is it negative? Is it positive? Did he say tire in tire out?

I think it was negative. I didn't get a print out. We just looked at it on the screen. I didn't get an actual print out, but I think it was a negative.

I think it was negative. I didn't get a print out. We just looked at it on the screen. I didn't get an actual print out, but I think it was a negative.

You know, I think ultimately the question is, first of all, you're in a good place, right because you got a shop you trust, You've got a shop you've been doing business with, and that here's here's where that long term relationship really comes in, right. You know, I think this is a question of, Hey, if this was your car, what would you do? And you know, you gotta trust you gotta trust his input. He's the attending physician. I've seen it done both ways. I've I've I've had the experience of having to do it one way or not the other way in terms of doing it or not doing it. You know, it's really up to that individual. We see, you know, a degree, it's enough, but you know, where is it on the print out and the scale of what's the overall speck? You know, we get up to three degrees. Yeah, we're doing it. You know, you're in that You're kind of in that fuzzy gray area where is it is it justifiable versus the expense of doing it versus a tire?

You know, I think ultimately the question is, first of all, you're in a good place, right because you got a shop you trust, You've got a shop you've been doing business with, and that here's here's where that long term relationship really comes in, right. You know, I think this is a question of, Hey, if this was your car, what would you do? And you know, you gotta trust you gotta trust his input. He's the attending physician. I've seen it done both ways. I've I've I've had the experience of having to do it one way or not the other way in terms of doing it or not doing it. You know, it's really up to that individual. We see, you know, a degree, it's enough, but you know, where is it on the print out and the scale of what's the overall speck? You know, we get up to three degrees. Yeah, we're doing it. You know, you're in that You're kind of in that fuzzy gray area where is it is it justifiable versus the expense of doing it versus a tire?

Gotcha? Yeah? And that's kind of where he was where it's like, okay, it's kind of on the edge. But you know he goes, since along story short, since you keep a car, you know, pretty good condition this and that he goes. You know, I he pip up a coin. Whether he'd do it or not, he was just kind of on the stance on whether he'd do it. So so I didn't car.

Gotcha? Yeah? And that's kind of where he was where it's like, okay, it's kind of on the edge. But you know he goes, since along story short, since you keep a car, you know, pretty good condition this and that he goes. You know, I he pip up a coin. Whether he'd do it or not, he was just kind of on the stance on whether he'd do it. So so I didn't car.

Car rides straight, car goes down the road straight, steering wheels level, Oh yes, yeah, yeah, if it handles good and it's straight and level and so forth, you're gambling the price of a tire, in my opinion. So that's that's the biggest thing at stake right here. And you know what did he say it was going to cost to move the strut.

Car rides straight, car goes down the road straight, steering wheels level, Oh yes, yeah, yeah, if it handles good and it's straight and level and so forth, you're gambling the price of a tire, in my opinion. So that's that's the biggest thing at stake right here. And you know what did he say it was going to cost to move the strut.

Half an hour to an hour?

Half an hour to an hour?

Right, So there's a hundred yeah bucks, there's one hundred and fifty bucks. Let's call it price of a tire. You're gonna have the car longer than four years?

Right, So there's a hundred yeah bucks, there's one hundred and fifty bucks. Let's call it price of a tire. You're gonna have the car longer than four years?

Well, actually, the car, I mean about it with sixty thousand miles and a couple of years ago I put on a lot of miles and now it's got two hundred and thirty five thousand. Every objective is is to run it till three hundred thousand.

Well, actually, the car, I mean about it with sixty thousand miles and a couple of years ago I put on a lot of miles and now it's got two hundred and thirty five thousand. Every objective is is to run it till three hundred thousand.

Right, So there's your there's your new tire that you just put on. Right. You know, it sounds like you'll get another sixty thousand miles out of that tire and the car and then you're done. So it's it's it's a question of safety, Allen. That's that's what it really comes down to. It's a question of safety. And if he thinks it's safe to drive and the number is just over the line, then I think you got to follow his advice. He's your mechanic. But I would concur and say, yeah, I think you're okay to let it go for the moment. Just keep an eye on tire where all right, sir?

Right, So there's your there's your new tire that you just put on. Right. You know, it sounds like you'll get another sixty thousand miles out of that tire and the car and then you're done. So it's it's it's a question of safety, Allen. That's that's what it really comes down to. It's a question of safety. And if he thinks it's safe to drive and the number is just over the line, then I think you got to follow his advice. He's your mechanic. But I would concur and say, yeah, I think you're okay to let it go for the moment. Just keep an eye on tire where all right, sir?

Gotcha?

Gotcha?

All right?

All right?

Excellent, Thank you.

Excellent, Thank you.

You're very welcome. You'd be well, I'm running any of the car doctor. We'll be back right after this.

You're very welcome. You'd be well, I'm running any of the car doctor. We'll be back right after this.

I came the first resisting.

I came the first resisting.

Let's go to Mike in Pennsylvania.

Let's go to Mike in Pennsylvania.

Mike you there, Yes, I am, thanks for taking my thanks for taking my Come. Okay, I've got a transmission issue. I had a rebuilt transmission, UH put in my van, and when I go down the road, as occasions, it feels like I'm running over rumble strips, you know, the umble steps on the road. And so I took it back to the mechanic and he said, uh. He put his machine on its OBD and he said that I have a misfire on it. That it's not the transmission. I have a I have a cheap ob D two and I put it on and it's showing the transmission slip. That does show a missfire too.

Mike you there, Yes, I am, thanks for taking my thanks for taking my Come. Okay, I've got a transmission issue. I had a rebuilt transmission, UH put in my van, and when I go down the road, as occasions, it feels like I'm running over rumble strips, you know, the umble steps on the road. And so I took it back to the mechanic and he said, uh. He put his machine on its OBD and he said that I have a misfire on it. That it's not the transmission. I have a I have a cheap ob D two and I put it on and it's showing the transmission slip. That does show a missfire too.

Well, you've got to fix the misfire first, all right, So you know this is this is which came first, the chicken or the egg? What cylinder's misfiring?

Well, you've got to fix the misfire first, all right, So you know this is this is which came first, the chicken or the egg? What cylinder's misfiring?

But I don't I don't know.

But I don't I don't know.

Okay, so listen. First things first, do you have access to or can you get another shop just to put a third scan tool on it. Let's verify that you know your tool is as accurate as we hope it is. That it shows a translip issue and a misfire issue one and the same. Yeah, okay, because you know I would attack the misfire, and the way I would attack it is looking at it with a scan tool in live data stream? Do I actually see misfires on the scan tool while the problem is happening? All right? It's not inconceivable that a chattering or shuddering torque converter can cause a misfire code to be set when there isn't one there all right, or or one of significance. The other thing I would look at is if you can replicate the shutter. And I'm going to venture to guess this is likely in third or fourth gear highway speed fifty to fifty five miles an hour. Does it sound familiar? Yeah, exactly, Yeah, when the shutter is there. If you can find that sweet spot, when the shutter is happening and happening and happening with your other foot, tap the brake pedal, hold it there in that shutter, tap the brake pedal, does the shutter go away? If the shutter goes away, that tells me that the converter is turning off, lock up or overdrive because it now sees breke switch input and it's canceling it. And then I would lean more likely on the converter as a problem, not the misfire. Let me know what happens. I'm running into the card doctor. The mechanics aren't expensive, they're priceless.

Okay, so listen. First things first, do you have access to or can you get another shop just to put a third scan tool on it. Let's verify that you know your tool is as accurate as we hope it is. That it shows a translip issue and a misfire issue one and the same. Yeah, okay, because you know I would attack the misfire, and the way I would attack it is looking at it with a scan tool in live data stream? Do I actually see misfires on the scan tool while the problem is happening? All right? It's not inconceivable that a chattering or shuddering torque converter can cause a misfire code to be set when there isn't one there all right, or or one of significance. The other thing I would look at is if you can replicate the shutter. And I'm going to venture to guess this is likely in third or fourth gear highway speed fifty to fifty five miles an hour. Does it sound familiar? Yeah, exactly, Yeah, when the shutter is there. If you can find that sweet spot, when the shutter is happening and happening and happening with your other foot, tap the brake pedal, hold it there in that shutter, tap the brake pedal, does the shutter go away? If the shutter goes away, that tells me that the converter is turning off, lock up or overdrive because it now sees breke switch input and it's canceling it. And then I would lean more likely on the converter as a problem, not the misfire. Let me know what happens. I'm running into the card doctor. The mechanics aren't expensive, they're priceless.