The "Ask a Mechanic" Thread (merged)

[IONTOP]

My car says "Check coolant level" but when I go into my engine, the coolant cap says "Do not open when hot"... But it's summer... do I have to wait for winter just nighttime?

[twa]

After letting it set overnight would be best,if you have a overflow reservoir simply make sure it is full (only open it hot if it has a non pressurized cap)

trust me ,coolant burns suck bigtime

[IONTOP]

After letting it set overnight would be best,if you have a overflow reservoir simply make sure it is full (only open it hot if it has a non pressurized cap)

trust me ,coolant burns suck bigtime

But it's usually around 90* when I wake up. Does humidity affect it at all?Just messing with ya, I was thinking about how funny it'd be to say that on the drive home

[DCsportsfan53]

But it's usually around 90* when I wake up. Does humidity affect it at all?Just messing with ya, I was thinking about how funny it'd be to say that on the drive home

The system is pressurized as the coolant heats with engine temperature, it will normally run around 180-200 degrees at full temp. Just let it cool for a few hours after driving it or check it in the morning. You're just waiting for the engine to cool down.

[twa]

But it's usually around 90* when I wake up. Does humidity affect it at all?Just messing with ya, I was thinking about how funny it'd be to say that on the drive home

You are messing with me ain't ya?

yep

add

I knew you weren't a mouthbreather,but you would not believe some of the stupid questions I get

[RememberOsaka]

I just bought a Lexus and inquired about the cost of an oil change from the dealer with synthetic oil....$140! Does that include the lube?

[IONTOP]

Actually do have a serious question... 97 BMW 540i, I was driving home tonight and it sounded like my exhaust was hitting my car right under the center console (Actually sounded like I had a vibrator in the center console), only under light acceleration, when I went to even moderate or heavy acceleration the sound was not there... Any thoughts?

[twa]

question for the mechanics

why wont a brake caliper installed on the wrong side work easily despite fitting and functioning the same as the other? (yes another DIY customer screwup)

---------- Post added July-8th-2011 at 10:26 PM ----------

I just bought a Lexus and inquired about the cost of an oil change from the dealer with synthetic oil....$140! Does that include the lube?

I would hope so....with a dealer it never hurts to ask first though

add

where is Springfields?.....married life is interfering with taking care of business

[RememberOsaka]

---------- Post added July-8th-2011 at 10:26 PM ----------




I would hope so....with a dealer it never hurts to ask first though

I meant for me....not the car.

[twa]

I meant for me....not the car.

so did I

be gentle

add true story
I let my wife take the new car to the dealer for a oil change

$178 and they told her to have it changed again in 3k miles

[landrydirty30skins]

I meant for me....not the car.

thats about standard for a Lexus my friend, its doesnt get much cheaper if you dont go to the dealer, maybe by 20-30 bucks if you use a full synthetic

---------- Post added July-9th-2011 at 09:15 AM ----------

Actually do have a serious question... 97 BMW 540i, I was driving home tonight and it sounded like my exhaust was hitting my car right under the center console (Actually sounded like I had a vibrator in the center console), only under light acceleration, when I went to even moderate or heavy acceleration the sound was not there... Any thoughts?

has there been a change in the tone of the exhaust? if not then it prolly came loose, there are rubber hangers that allow the exhaust to flex and move, if one of them broke or became loose, than it could be hitting the floor boards.

on top of that there are heat shields on certain spots on the exhaust to protect the floorboards from the heat. the welds could have broke off the heat shield and thats causing a rattle also. Not a big deal just have someone look at it when you can

[DCsportsfan53]

I just bought a Lexus and inquired about the cost of an oil change from the dealer with synthetic oil....$140! Does that include the lube?

This goes back to one of my favorite autmotive sayings....ride big pay big. Seriously though most of it is that many modern cars, especially performance/luxury cars require synthetic oil, which is usually above $12 a quart. So if your car takes 6 quarts of oil at $16 a quart that's where most of the expense is. Find out what the exact oil standards/weight are for your vehicle and buy it ahead of time and bring it with you if you want to pinch a few pennies. I would stick with the manufacturerer's oil filter, though and make sure the oil meets the specifications, not just the weight.

Actually do have a serious question... 97 BMW 540i, I was driving home tonight and it sounded like my exhaust was hitting my car right under the center console (Actually sounded like I had a vibrator in the center console), only under light acceleration, when I went to even moderate or heavy acceleration the sound was not there... Any thoughts?

Could be a broken exhaust hanger or portion of the exahaust. Does it sound like there's an exhaust leak or broken muffler? The other thing that would come to mind is one of the driveshaft support bearing/bushings is shot allowing too much movement in the driveshaft.

[twa]

What oil change interval would you recommend for Mobile 1 ?

[skinfan2k]

you could take your Lexus to a Toyota Dealer. They do the same work

[DCsportsfan53]

What oil change interval would you recommend for Mobile 1 ?

Depends on the car. Me personally, I don't like to go over 5k even with synthetic but I know many manufacturerer's specify much higher mileage intervals nowadays. Depends a lot on the driving, too. The more stop and go/short trips and dusty roads you drive on, the better it is to change it sooner. If you don't have particularly harsh commuting habits then I'd just go by the manufacturer recommendations. I still use dino oil in all my cars and change every 2-3k miles. I would say 5k is a good number for quality synthetics like Mobil1.