The "Ask a Mechanic" Thread (merged)

[twa]

If I had a nickel for every free repair or advice

At least most are appreciative,and it's hard for me to turn a female away

[Mickalino]

I had all my brakes fixed at a place that I was suspicious of their work to begin with, and the reason i went there is because I had a credit card for their shop, and didn't have the cash, so I had them do my brakes.

Within a couple weeks, my brakes squeal every once in a while, when I apply them. Is this a clue they didn't do the work right ? And if so, what is the problem ?

[SpringfieldSkins]

I had all my brakes fixed at a place that I was suspicious of their work to begin with, and the reason i went there is because I had a credit card for their shop, and didn't have the cash, so I had them do my brakes.

Within a couple weeks, my brakes squeal every once in a while, when I apply them. Is this a clue they didn't do the work right ? And if so, what is the problem ?

It's not really a clue that they didn't do the work correctly, I'd say it's more of a clue that they used inferior parts. Inexpensive (cheap) brake pads will work as advertised (read: they will stop your car) but can make noise just because of the composition of the pads. It could also be a sign that they didn't lubricate caliper slides or replace brake hardware also.

What kind of car do you have Mick?

[Mickalino]

It's not really a clue that they didn't do the work correctly, I'd say it's more of a clue that they used inferior parts. Inexpensive (cheap) brake pads will work as advertised (read: they will stop your car) but can make noise just because of the composition of the pads. It could also be a sign that they didn't lubricate caliper slides or replace brake hardware also.

What kind of car do you have Mick?

It's a 97 Buick LeSabre.....inherited it from my Dad when he died, in case you'r wondering why I drive such a car.

[SpringfieldSkins]

It's a 97 Buick LeSabre.....inherited it from my Dad when he died, in case you'r wondering why I drive such a car.

I never wonder why anyone drives the car that they do. No explanation needed.

You should go back to the shop though and tell them it's squeaking. That should be covered by they warranty that you have for both parts and labor. There is no reason you should have to drive a car with squeaky brakes when you just paid for all that money for them. You shouldn't be charged a dime to correct your problem either.

[Mickalino]

I never wonder why anyone drives the car that they do. No explanation needed.

You should go back to the shop though and tell them it's squeaking. That should be covered by they warranty that you have for both parts and labor. There is no reason you should have to drive a car with squeaky brakes when you just paid for all that money for them. You shouldn't be charged a dime to correct your problem either.

Yea, it's still under warranty, so I'll bring it back. Thanks

[Mark The Homer]

Awright -

My 18 yr old daughter has a '99 Toyota Corolla. Over the past month or so, it doesn't want to start. Dash lights up and then when you turn the key we hear a single click, and then the dash lights go out.

Repeat - same thing.

It'll start eventually, but sometimes it takes fifteen tries. It's always worse in the morning. Generally works fine after the initial daily start.

Sometimes you can hear the starter - it will grab the fly wheel and turn it just a half a turn or so, then stop. This makes me think the battery was under charged.

I put a voltage meter on the battery and it read 12 volts exactly. I thought maybe it should read closer to 13 and a half volts. So I ended up buying a new battery. Installed it.

Next morning, same exact thing. I mean exactly. No difference at all.

****.

What do you think?

Thanks

Replacing the starter on those cars is easier than you would think. That one may be on the back of the engine. I can't recall.



I bet it's the starter. Just sayin'.

Okay - now that a solid 10 + weeks has passed, and the car is no longer reliable, I am trying to replace the starter.

This ain't no easy job. The starter is in the front, but it's halfway up with the intake manifold wrapped around it.

I have the Haynes manual. It sucks. It doesn't tell me ****.

Got the bottom bolt out. The top bolt is impossible for me to get to without removing something.

Found this:

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_to_rem...Toyota_corolla

But I don't know wtf removing the top radiator hose will do for me.

The link info seems to want me to remove the intake manifold. That's the four tubes running out of the side. I agree, that would help me get to the starter, but seems way involved. Haynes says I need to drain the radiator first.

What if I just removed the alternator? That seems much easier. But even then, I'm not super confident I can get to the starter bolt. But I figure it might be worth a try.

Part of me wants to say **** it and take it to the shop and pay the money. But I don't want to wimp out.

Below is a pic. You can see the starter in the lower right behind all those intake tubes.

Thoughts?

[twa]

Have you tried from underneath?

[Mark The Homer]

lol

Of course. I got the bottom bolt out.

I think I understand now why the upper radiator hose has to come off. Otherwise the intake manifold won't come out.

How hard is it and how complicated is it to take the intake off? Anybody know? Those four tubes are all one piece, they're welded to the metal box to the right. So all that has to come out.

[twa]

lol

Of course. I got the bottom bolt out.

I think I understand now why the upper radiator hose has to come off. Otherwise the intake manifold won't come out.

How hard is it and how complicated is it to take the intake off? Anybody know? Those four tubes are all one piece, they're welded to the metal box to the right. So all that has to come out.

Not too hard if the bolts aren't froze....break one and a new adventure begins

[Mark The Homer]

Yeah. I also need time.

Anybody know what the approx. cost would be for a shop to do this? My daughter's pissed because she has no car...

[twa]

I would guess $160 labor + parts ,approx 2hrs(if they don't break a bolt)

Not sure on ya'lls rates though

[Mark The Homer]

Prolly double whatever it is in Texas

I'll supply the starter.

DLSF knows a couple motorheads. Maybe they'll do it for $100 bucks.

[twa]

Prolly double whatever it is in Texas

I'll supply the starter.

DLSF knows a couple motorheads. Maybe they'll do it for $100 bucks.

Probably so,ours is $65 mech with a few dealers at 80

it varies greatly...

[Brad_Edwards_Fan]

Ok... so whenever i start my car (2001 pathfinder) the exhaust smells very heavy of fuel. My first thought was either the charcoal capsul or the catalytic converter. The smell is never present if the car has not been running. Im guessing catalytic converter just because i also have a problem with it where the very outer "shield" on it is pretty corroded and pulling away.

Does it make sense that the catalytic converter if not functioning well would cause that smell, or do i just have 2 unique problems here (one with the corroded converter and another causing the smell)

Thanks