The "Ask a Mechanic" Thread (merged)

[SpringfieldSkins]

this is a great thread imo. Hopefully ss will be around for a while so we can randomly bump this when we have questions.

Honestly, I've been thinking of making a thread like this for a couple of days now. The couple of threads I came across asking for mechanical help got me thinking. I don't plan on going anywhere, although I don't normally get on here untill after 8 or so. Gotta work during the days ya konw, upselling all of those oil changes.


I asked my girl what she thought about this thread before I started it. She thought it was self indulgent. Oh well. My clothes better be clean in the morning is all I'm saying.

uh oh, looks like the "ask a ____" threads are making a come back

Would you rather have religious and gay threads all day long? Change of pace my friend. How about "Ask a Poker Player" thread?

Ooh, maybe I should've added "The Official:" in front of my thread title.

[HogNose]

Now, I'll try and explain oil.

Oil, as we all know, is a petrolium product. All petrolium products contain sulfur among many other things. All oils contain additive packages such as friction modifiers to help prevent the oil from breaking down and causing a loss of viscosity or lubrication. Conventional oil (non-synthetic and non-semi-synthetic) contains sulfur which, when combined with heat and moisture will create sulfuric acid. Sulfuric acid eats through the additive packages, breaks down the oil and causes engine damage eventually. Synthetic oil (Mobil 1 among others) is not something that is synthesized in a lab, contrairy to popular belief. Synthetic oil is petrolium, just like the rest, but has all of the sulfur synthesized out of it. Without the sulfur in the oil, sulfuric acid will not build up as quick (read further) and will last a lot longer without breaking down. I say will not build up "as quick" because sulfur is still introduced into the oiling system from combustion.

I've learned a lot already. Are you sure you aren't one of the Car Guys from CarTalk on NPR?

[SpringfieldSkins]

I've learned a lot already. Are you sure you aren't one of the Car Guys from CarTalk on NPR?

Yeah, that's me on the right... Don't you love the cool jean jacket?

Anyhow, I'm glad I could help. That's what I wanted when I started this thread. I think generally, people want to know, it's just there is so much information out there. A lot of that information is incorrect and it's hard to get a straight answer out of anyone because of that. It's hard to get on the internet and find out exactly what you want to know about your car.

[BayouBrave86]

The cable spring broke to open my hood in my Jeep and I'm wondering how much it would cost to fix it. The mechanic at the local shop told me it could be up to 200 bucks?? Are you kidding me? Is this true? Would it be cheaper just taking it to the dealership since I wouldn't have to worry about the mechanic at the local shop trying to find the part?

[Fletch_Lives59]

can you fix the air conditioner unit in my bedroom?

window unit??? you must live on Gramby Street...

[PleaseBlitz]

I skipped my cars 60,000 mile scheduled service. Im now pushing 75,000. Do i need to eventually get it done?

[Koolblue13]

I skipped my cars 60,000 mile scheduled service. Im now pushing 75,000. Do i need to eventually get it done?

Not at all. You will just burn more fuel and eventually the car will let you know it's had enough and quit. You can get everything done then.

[PleaseBlitz]

Not at all. You will just burn more fuel and eventually the car will let you know it's had enough and quit. You can get everything done then.

Are you a mechanic?

[Koolblue13]

I have a question. I have a 01' F-150. 4.6L SOHC, Automatic, 4x4. It has 85k on it.

I know Ford makes a junk trans for all of their cars. I have talked to people who have only had problems after their flush, so should I ignore it and just drive it until I have a problem, like I am certain I will eventually.

Also, I will usually change my timing chain and redo to heads at 100k, but seeing as I have no faith in my motor, should I ignore that until I have problems as well?

I slipped the chain towing my derby car to the bone yard once, but after putting the correct, thin as piss oil in it, it was fine. I know the new Ford motors have a pin hole to oil the chain and I having always driven older iron, had 10-40 in it. I'm on 5-20 now and haven't had a problem again. That was 20 k ago.

[Koolblue13]

Are you a mechanic?

I was. I had a garage building hot rods. Used to race trucks and worked in a junkyard for years.

I still have a good customer base whos cars I do all the work on.

[Thiebear]

While idleing my car starts make a screaching sound that gets louder and then stops.
Kids think the car is going to explode.
Never happens when moving. Someone said belt:

94 volvo 740

[PleaseBlitz]

I was. I had a garage building hot rods. Used to race trucks and worked in a junkyard for years.

I still have a good customer base whos cars I do all the work on.

Well, i dont own a hot rod, truck, or piece of junk. Maybe just let the OP handle the questions.

[Koolblue13]

Well, i dont own a hot rod, truck, or piece of junk. Maybe just let the OP handle the questions.

and what next, should I then leave all the religious conversations to Zguy and techboy? Or the political conversations to Chommie and Sarge? No way.

Don't get your car serviced and prove me wrong.

It would also help saying what kind of car you have rookie.

[PleaseBlitz]

and what next, should I then leave all the religious conversations to Zguy and techboy? Or the political conversations to Chommie and Sarge? No way.

Don't get your car serviced and prove me wrong.

It would also help saying what kind of car you have rookie.

Goddamn, take it personally.

How about this: I think you are kind of a nut, so im not going to take anything you say seriously anyways, and i dont want the OP to see that someone gave an answer to my question (even a very simplistic one) and think that its already been answered. Hows that?

And if you need to know what kind of car i have, why didnt you ask that before you answered? Rookie.

[Koolblue13]

Goddamn, take it personally.

How about this: I think you are kind of a nut, so im not going to take anything you say seriously anyways, and i dont want the OP to see that someone gave an answer to my question (even a very simplistic one) and think that its already been answered. Hows that?

And if you need to know what kind of car i have, why didnt you ask that before you answered? Rookie.

Fair enough. But I would think anything about a car would depend on the car, basic info, basic stuff.

So the guy who thinks we should do away with cash thinks I'm kind of a nut, interesting.