The "Ask a Mechanic" Thread (merged)

[DCsportsfan53]

Timing belt replacement varies greatly between manufacturer and engine. Outside of visually inspecting the belt for obvious wear and cracks, there is no way to no it's on it's way out until it snaps and then you're SOL. If the tensioner's locking up you may get warning noise from it before it takes the belt out. Bottom line, don't play with it, expensive engine damage will likely result if it fails. Consult your owner's manual or look it up online and don't exceed the recommended mileage/time interval of replacement. Not worth the cost.

---------- Post added November-21st-2011 at 09:54 AM ----------

Ren, send me a PM and I'll get you in touch with someone. A good friend of mine for over a decade, and probably the only person other than myself I would trust to work on my car, is the only tech at a small shop is Silver Spring. They have very reasonable rates, he knows his stuff and is honest.

[skinfan2k]

Does anyone know a place that fixes alloy wheels? Its just cosmetic repairs on 2 of my rims

[/COLOR]Ren, send me a PM and I'll get you in touch with someone. A good friend of mine for over a decade, and probably the only person other than myself I would trust to work on my car, is the only tech at a small shop is Silver Spring. They have very reasonable rates, he knows his stuff and is honest.

DC where is your shop at?

[twa]

Does anyone know a place that fixes alloy wheels? Its just cosmetic repairs on 2 of my rims

Wheels of America might be in your area....you are a little out of my hood

[skinfan2k]

Wheels of America might be in your area....you are a little out of my hood

TWA. the shop near my house said 180 per wheel. Does that seem expensive?

[twa]

TWA. the shop near my house said 180 per wheel. Does that seem expensive?

WOA is usually 125 with mount+balance here, so a little high but a shop is gonna markup

ya might google for wheel repair and cut out the middleman

[skinfan2k]

WOA is usually 125 with mount+balance here, so a little high but a shop is gonna markup

ya might google for wheel repair and cut out the middleman

i have a ton of scratches on the rim. thats what i want to get fixed

[twa]

They do that well and a good job, down here I could offer more options.

you might try
http://www.fixrim.com/?gclid=CMX2q9y69qwCFcVgTAodm1nETQ
but they list none in your area

google
http://www.google.com/search?q=mobil...ient=firefox-a

[sportjunkie07]

i have an 03 chevy cavalier (automatic), and i cant turn the key. the car is in park, i have tried moving the steering wheel, and tapping the key into the column (to loosen tumblers) with a mallet.

this problem was first noticed as i was attempting to start the car and drive it out of the used car dealership (go figure). it took me about 5 minutes to get the key (which looks very worn) to turn, and i figured it was just a little touchy and i needed to get used to it. ive been trying to get the key to turn for a couple hours now, to no avail.

all signs are pointing to a replacement of the locking mechanism, which is pretty pricey.. suggestions?

[twa]

you can try flushing it with wd-40 ect, and trying a spare key or having another cut possibly
aside from that,levering the key slightly up and down while rocking the steering wheel sometimes works
or flag down a thief with a slidehammer to pop it out

don't think that yr has the chip in the key,if not getting another cut is cheap and needed anyway

add
sometimes pulling it out just slightly while turning works

[sportjunkie07]

you can try flushing it with wd-40 ect, and trying a spare key or having another cut possibly
aside from that,levering the key slightly up and down while rocking the steering wheel sometimes works
or flag down a thief with a slidehammer to pop it out

i have tried moving the steering wheel while fidgeting the key. i can get it to go backward occasionally, but cant get it to go all the way forward anymore.

i was about to try the wd-40.

and i figured that it's worth getting a new key cut to at least see if that works, though i doubt it, since the new cut will be based on the old worn key.

fyi, i bought it at King of Cars in Pasadena.

[SpringfieldSkins]

i have an 03 chevy cavalier (automatic), and i cant turn the key. the car is in park, i have tried moving the steering wheel, and tapping the key into the column (to loosen tumblers) with a mallet.

this problem was first noticed as i was attempting to start the car and drive it out of the used car dealership (go figure). it took me about 5 minutes to get the key (which looks very worn) to turn, and i figured it was just a little touchy and i needed to get used to it. ive been trying to get the key to turn for a couple hours now, to no avail.

all signs are pointing to a replacement of the locking mechanism, which is pretty pricey.. suggestions?

I'd try a new key first. If that doesn't help then you're right, it probably is the lock cylinder.

[twa]

new cut keys are usually slightly larger

take the worn key and shove it up the car lot managers ass.(no,I don't know him)

[skinfan2k]

i think someone hit my car over the weekend, i see an indent but i see no paint. just as if someone punched that area.

[sportjunkie07]

I'd try a new key first. If that doesn't help then you're right, it probably is the lock cylinder.

new cut keys are usually slightly larger

take the worn key and shove it up the car lot managers ass.(no,I don't know him)

got a key made at walmart last night.. was skeptical but it started on the first try. youre right the new key is about 2 millimeters larger in length than the old one. thanks, $1.98 is much better than $650.00

[twa]

glad to hear it....especially after the mallet bit

frustrating as hell ain't it