Popular questions

Even starting the engine with no oil pump or no oil pressure can damage the internal bearings, crankshaft, and camshafts. When you put it under a load like trying to get it on a trailer, you may damage the engine...

Hello, thanks for writing in about your Dodge Ram 1500. Spring removal is not needed to change tie rods. It's possible the spring is broken, or the upper spring seat/cup may have broken off the chassis due to rust or...

Hello, thank you for writing in. The components you have checked thus far have been valid steps. You want to go through system by system, and make sure the engine is getting what it needs. Start with the fuel system,...

Tire rotation is an important part of keeping your vehicle running well. Rotating the tires prolongs the lifespan of the tires, and also gives your vehicle a smoother, more consistent ride. The tires should be rotated by a professional roughly...

Your car has about a dozen modules spread around the body that control various functions. I have dealt with a similar problem in the past and eventually found a connector on one of the SAM's (signal acquisition modules) that was...

Hey there. It is possible that the master cylinder has worn out sufficiently that the brake fluid is leaking past the master cylinder piston and seals and into the power brake booster. This would cause a "no firm brake pedal"...

The SRS indicator is tied to your car’s air bag system and provides important information for drivers about the condition of the system. The SRS light should flash on briefly immediately after cranking the engine and then go...

Hey there. There are many things that can happen when your engine overheats. The worst of which is a blown cylinder head gasket. When this happens, the gasket between the cylinder and the engine block becomes compromised allowing engine oil...

Hi there. The noise you heard could have been fuel left in the cylinder when the engine was hot and igniting the fuel as an explosion. That is why you saw smoke coming out of the pipe on the engine....

Without being able to hear the noise it will be hard to make an accurate assessment, but worn or damaged strut mounts can be extremely noisy while driving over bumps and exhibit a noise similar to what you describe. However,...

Hello. If your fuel gauge is behaving erratically, it may be possible that your vehicle's fuel sending unit is faulty. The fuel sending unit is the component in the fuel tank that the fuel pump is mounted to. It uses...

Hey there. Odds are that the water pump is leaking. I would have a technician pressure test the cooling system. It will push the coolant out from wherever it is leaking to help find the issue. Rule of thumb, if...

Hi there. There are two good VW dealerships in the Baltimore area I'm familiar with - (Heritage VW) one in Catonsville and one in Parkville that I'd recommend. I would first contact their service department to ensure they can provide...

Hello. If the knocking only occurs when the vehicle is moving then you either have an engine mount issue or a suspension problem. A knocking is usually the result of bad starts, a loose ball joint, or a bad bushing....

Hi there: It looks like you've inspected all the normal suspects of a high engine idle situation. One issue that pops up occasionally; especially on early 2000 period cars, trucks and SUV's is due to a faulty radiator coolant temperature...

Hi there. Unfortunately, this is a service that our mobile mechanics are not able to perform. Engine replacement has become a growing industry in many large cities, with more specialty shops that offer this service specifically. It's difficult to give...

Hey there. You've covered the basics it seems. This problem may be more than just replacing a part. A technician with access to the wiring diagram for the circuit will be able to check for power and ground along certain...

Hi there, A P0440 code is stored for an emission related fault; evaporative emission control malfunction. The evaporative emission system is responsible for preventing the release of fuel vapor into the atmosphere. When there is a fault in the...

The engine temperature of your truck is important to keep an eye on. It is critical to safe vehicle operation and it is important to take the correct steps if overheating occurs. When the engine temperature gets too hot. ...

The jerking reaction when putting the vehicle into drive suggests that your transmission may be low on fluid. Automatic transmissions use pressurized hydraulic fluid to change gears. Every time a gear change is required, the car's computer activates a transmission...

Hey there. Considering all the parts that have been replaced, I think you may have an issue with the fuel reaching your engine. This can be caused by low fuel pressure. Low fuel pressure can be caused by a clogged...

If the fuel injectors have never been serviced, that would be a good start on a car of this age. To do it right the injectors have to be removed from the fuel rail and sent out for cleaning to...

This is most likely a cabin filter that needs to be changed. Your car is equipped with an air filtration system that works similarly to your engine's air filter in that it filters the outside air as it flows into...

Valve cover gaskets are a common source of oil leaks. However since your engine has oil all over the block, it 's best to clean the engine of all the built up oil so the source of the leak can...

Thanks for writing in about your Ford Taurus. You need to have the cooling system pressure tested to see where it is leaking. From what you've described the water pump may be leaking. The heater core is a suspect as...