The "Ask a Mechanic" Thread (merged)

[IONTOP]

Any recommendations on a good hood scoop for my civic?

[Botched]

2007 Chevy Trailblazer with automatic windows. The passenger window barely moves and gets stuck. I won't even attempt to roll it down anymore because I'm afraid it will get stuck down and we're now in December. Drivers side window is very slow moving and gets stuck sometimes as well. What gives?

Does it only happen when you operate the windows from the driver's side? If so, it might just be a flaky master window switch. Try rolling down the passenger's side window using the switch on that door. Those master switch panels on the drivers side seem to burn out fairly often in Trailblazers. Happened in my Envoy too, which is basically the same truck.

[SpringfieldSkins]

Any recommendations on a good hood scoop for my civic?

Haha!

It's funny cause somebody who is a member here, and a friend of mine on Facebook posted a picture of a Civic with a hood scoop earlier today.

[big#44]

Any recommendations on a good hood scoop for my civic?

None. But if you must do it, go all the way and get a complete hood, not just a bolt on scoop. It looks tacky and cheap, and unless your cutting out sections of your stock hood (which is beyond stupid) it isnt going to be functional. What kind of Civic?

[SpringfieldSkins]

I'm assuming it was a joke.

I hope it was a joke.

Please tell me it was a joke.

[twa]

My first thought is that the window motors are probably getting weak. They'll overheat and stop moving when going up. After they cool down they will go up again. Going down isn't a problem.

Yep, sometimes soaking the rubber channel the glass runs in with spray silicone lubricant will ease the load on the motor

[big#44]

I'm assuming it was a joke.

I hope it was a joke.

Please tell me it was a joke.

I wasnt sure myself. When in doubt I just answer seriously so as not to offend.

[IONTOP]

I'm assuming it was a joke.

I hope it was a joke.

Please tell me it was a joke.

[Koolblue13]

I'm assuming it was a joke.

I hope it was a joke.

Please tell me it was a joke.

[Mr. Grundle]

Does it only happen when you operate the windows from the driver's side? If so, it might just be a flaky master window switch. Try rolling down the passenger's side window using the switch on that door. Those master switch panels on the drivers side seem to burn out fairly often in Trailblazers. Happened in my Envoy too, which is basically the same truck.

No its the same problem whether you try from the master panel on the drivers side or the single button on the passenger side. Plus I can roll down the back windows from the master panel no problem, so it doesn't seem like the switch is the problem.

[landrydirty30skins]

sounds like a motor problem. The master switch is on recall for the trailblazers and envoys because they catch fire though

[Malapropismic Depository]

I found this interesting quote on the internet, in regards to saving gas......what are your thoughts ? bogus, and potentially damaging to the car ? or truthful ?

"I have a 2000 dodge minivan 3.3l. You might think its odd, but I mix non-detergent SAE 30 motor oil with the gas ( 1 qt to 15-20 gals ), and it gets me a lot better milage, and runs better too. Been doing it for years, it will also extend the life of your fuel pump."

[twa]

I found this interesting quote on the internet, in regards to saving gas......what are your thoughts ? bogus ? or truthful ?

"I have a 2000 dodge minivan 3.3l. You might think its odd, but I mix non-detergent SAE 30 motor oil with the gas ( 1 qt to 15-20 gals ), and it gets me a lot better milage, and runs better too. Been doing it for years, it will also extend the life of your fuel pump."

never heard of it, we used to put a quart of trans fluid in a tank to clean the engine (smoked like hell)

[SpringfieldSkins]

I found this interesting quote on the internet, in regards to saving gas......what are your thoughts ? bogus, and potentially damaging to the car ? or truthful ?

"I have a 2000 dodge minivan 3.3l. You might think its odd, but I mix non-detergent SAE 30 motor oil with the gas ( 1 qt to 15-20 gals ), and it gets me a lot better milage, and runs better too. Been doing it for years, it will also extend the life of your fuel pump."

Sounds like a good way to ruin a catalytic converter to me. I wouldn't do it.

The more I think about it, the less likely it would seem that it would even increase fuel economy.

---------- Post added February-1st-2013 at 09:39 PM ----------

never heard of it, we used to put a quart of trans fluid in a tank to clean the engine (smoked like hell)

Transmission fluid is a detergent. Engine oil is a lubricant.

[twa]

[/COLOR]

Transmission fluid is a detergent. Engine oil is a lubricant.

must be why we used it to clean

I have heard of using non-detergent oil in 2 cycle engines...but that's a different critter