The "Ask a Mechanic" Thread (merged)

[twa]

Gunk or gumout on cleaning, kerosene will work
mineral spirits would be more effective than oil

[DCsportsfan53]

Blew a head gasket on my K-5. 350 w/ TBI.

I'm going to have to clean up the top end before I put it back together. (its an 87 and NO work has been done that we can see - all stock). What do you guys use to clean engine parts? We usually use gasoline, but I want to use something else as I'm older and really don't want my hands to be jacked up (again). Was thinking mineral oil or something like that, but I don't know anything about other products.

I appreciate any and all responses.

If the head gasket blew are you having the head checked for warping at a machine shop (or yourself with a straight edge)? If so the machine shop should be able to get it spotless in their hot tank for not much coin.

[DaGoonie55]

Gunk or gumout on cleaning, kerosene will work
mineral spirits would be more effective than oil

Mineral oil...what was I thinking. See how often I don't use gas? LOL

I'll give those a try. Thanks TWA.

[Warpath11]

So my 2005 Infiniti G35x started making a high pitch squeal upon starting especially when it has cooled (after I leave work or home in the morning). The car squeals for a minute then it behaves normally during my general commute. I've heard other cars do this but I have no idea what is causing the high pitch squeal. Taking it to the dealer next week i just want to know what I can expect. I assume its a belt of some sort but not really sure.

[SpringfieldSkins]

So my 2005 Infiniti G35x started making a high pitch squeal upon starting especially when it has cooled (after I leave work or home in the morning). The car squeals for a minute then it behaves normally during my general commute. I've heard other cars do this but I have no idea what is causing the high pitch squeal. Taking it to the dealer next week i just want to know what I can expect. I assume its a belt of some sort but not really sure.

I would assume it's something as simple as a belt being old and stretched but it could be something else like a belt tensioner as well.

[skinsmarydu]

OK, my '99 Monte Carlo's "service engine soon" light comes on/goes off. My mechanic is a GM muscle car specialist, and he got it to go off, but 2-3 days later it came on again. It's been recently completely overhauled, so we're all ?????.
Thought I'd ask ya'll before I take her to the shop again. Thanks.

[twa]

most common if it is running well is a loose gas cap or a o2 sensor
it can even happen as a result of some of the gas they are selling now
have him run a code if it stays on

[skinsmarydu]

most common if it is running well is a loose gas cap or a o2 sensor
it can even happen as a result of some of the gas they are selling now
have him run a code if it stays on

We have to have emissions testing yearly to renew tags, and they test it...it always passes, and I've had to replace the one in my Saturn to get it to pass.
But the gas cap on the MC is the original one, so I'll start there. Thanks.
...a locking one is probably in order in my neighborhood, now that I think about it, lol

[twa]

loose also means not turned far enough, if your market has went to E-15 gas it also could do it

yeah with the price of gas heading up again,a locking cap might be good

[skinscountry]

Anyone happen to know where the camshaft position sensor is located at on a 1997 mercury cougar? any help would be greatly appreciated. thanks in advance.

[twa]

Anyone happen to know where the camshaft position sensor is located at on a 1997 mercury cougar? any help would be greatly appreciated. thanks in advance.

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Where_is_t...Cougar_4.6L_V8

depends on the engine

http://www.justanswer.com/car/0p97t-...ft-sensor.html

[skinscountry]

Thanks so much. You were a big help. The links you provided helped me find it. Thanks again.

[Mr. Sinister]

most common if it is running well is a loose gas cap or a o2 sensor
it can even happen as a result of some of the gas they are selling now
have him run a code if it stays on

I have a Rodeo as a 2nd vehicle, and that is currently happening. Pretty much everything on there is fairly new. Just got a new fuel pump, and the light came right back on a few days after getting it out of the shop. I never knew about the 02 sensor or the type f gas you get possibly setting it off, but I think it may be a bad cap, because when I go to the gas station to fill it up, and tighten the cap, the check engine light (as well as the ABS light) go off, but a couple days later, they'll both come back on.

[TheMalcolmConnection]

Great thread. So I have a 1999 Ford Ranger I'm trying to sell and not trying to put much money back into it because it's got 155k miles and was only my dump truck. So long story longer, everyone who has been test driving it will go about 5 miles and the temperature gauge shoots up to hot and then comes back down to normal. It only does this once, and nothing seems wrong. I looked on Ranger forums and most think it's a thermostat. Is that most likely what's wrong? If so, how much is that repair normally? I don't even want to do the repair stuff, just want to get rid of the truck and knock some money off for any little problems.

[twa]

A thermostat is easy to change out(subject to Murphys law),parts less than $10

could be a lower hose collapsing or a airpocket, but most likely the thermostat

---------- Post added February-19th-2013 at 02:55 PM ----------

the check engine light (as well as the ABS light) go off, but a couple days later, they'll both come back on.

The cap,nor filling it up, should not have anything to do with the ABS light....odd

does it go off after the truck sits?