Popular questions

What you are describing sounds like a dirty or failing idle air control valve. The idle air control valve monitors the air intake as it is mixed with fuel prior to being injected into the engine at low speeds and...

Hello there. We'd be happy to provide you with a price estimate to have one of our professional mobile mechanics come to your location and complete a water pump replacement. In order to do so, we need to collect a...

Hi there. That's very difficult to answer. The cost of a vehicle is not as important as the mechanical condition of the vehicle. If all systems are properly lubricated, the coolant system works correctly, all belts and hoses are tight...

Hello, thank you for writing in. The oil should be changed at the same time as the oil separator is replaced. The separator is not located in a place where the oil needs to be drained to access it, so...

It's got a problem in the fuel injection system. It's going too high. So, the first thing you'd want to do is try my video "how to clean fuel injectors on your car." A lot of times, they get carbon...

This sounds like the heater core may be leaking. Typical symptoms of a leaking heater core: smoke/steam through the vents, sweet smell, fogging of windows. The heater core is typically located behind the dash. It is part of the heating/cooling...

The details you provided about your Impala suggest there may be a problem with your car’s charging system. What is likely happening is that your alternator is failing intermittently after it starts. This means that the alternator is sometimes charging...

Mechanics usually check tires with a tread depth gauge that measures in 1/32 of an inch. Depending on the tire it can be manufactured anywhere between 8/32 to 13/32 of an inch of tread. Tires become unsafe and illegal, depending...

Hi there - unfortunately, YourMechanic does not offer either of these services at this time. Thanks for thinking of us though!

Hi there, thanks for writing in about your 2003 Hyundai Elantra. It sounds like the starter pinion or flywheel gear that it engages have worn out causing the metal grating noise you mention. If you want to have this checked,...

The internal transmission shifting mechanism of the valve body to the forward clutches is not working, or the forward sprag clutches are broken. Only a transmission pressure test would be able confirm if the problem is in the valve body...

Check the fuse for the heater/AC blower motor. If the fuse is good, then either the blower motor resistor or the blower motor itself is suspect. The blower motor resistor provides for multiple speeds for the blower motor. A professional...

Hi there. Typically when you get this code it is due to a failing converter. You car has two of them, one for each side of the engine, and when they go bad anf no longer function right them this...

This task is best handled by a collision repair estimator at a reputable paint and body shop. S/he is trained to evaluate visible and not-so-visible damage, and the costs to repair. Contact a reputable paint and body shop in your...

You may have to just measure the distance from one spark plug hole to the next and find the lost hole. There are all about 3 inches away from each other and accesed from the top of the engine. ...

Hello - unfortunately no. Modern electronic-key security systems differ from one manufacturer to the next, and each has specialized equipment for programming and setting options on remotes and electronic keys. This equipment is also not usually available to non-dealer service...

It's impossible to say what your engine noise is without hearing it. It could be any number of components each makes it's own trademark sound. But since you say it only makes a sound in gear, I'm going to make...

Hello. This is likely a loose terminal or corroded battery connection. Make sure the cables and terminals are clean. Also check the ground in the engine compartment. It sounds simple, but something like this can easily cut all power to...

Have you had your alternator checked? Make sure the charging system is working correctly. Does the vehicle work after you jump start it? If the charging system checks out, the next thing is to check for a parasitic draw. This...

Hello, This suggests you may have a leak resulting from a failing gasket somewhere in your engine or a leak that has developed as a result of too much oil pressure in a specific location in the motor. As you...

Hello and thank you for contacting YourMechanic. This sounds like the turbo shift broke and the turbo quit working. To test the turbo, put the vehicle in an open area and set the parking brake. Step on the service brake...

This is possibly a sign of an intake air leak creating a lean fuel condition. When this happens, this causes an imbalance in the air/fuel mixture inside the cylinder causing the misfire, which can also cause the engine idle to...

If there is a click when you try starting it then you need to see where the click is coming from. I typically start by checking to see if the clicking is coming from the starter. If the starter is...