Popular questions

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sluggish not much power
A clogged catalytic converter can increase exhaust system pressure robbing the engine of power. Along with this overheating, excessive fuel consumption can also occur. The exhaust system pressure should be checked and compared to specification to ensure the catalytic converter...
Question
Why my ford ranger 2.2 xlt auto powertrain alarm appear during cold engine running?
The powertrain light is on for the transmission may be low on oil or there is an issue with the oil that is in the transmission. Check the transmission oil level and see if its full. See what color the...
Question
Grinding noise while turning left and right
Hello, thank you for writing in. Grinding noises like this can be incredibly hard to diagnose. The power steering pump may be to blame. Even if it is not hard to steer, it can make similar noises. Keep that in...
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Does this transmission have a transmission filter that can or needs to be change at certain miles?
Most vehicles have an internal transmission filter that can be changed by removing the transmission pan. Some diesel trucks will have an external filter that can be changed just like an oil filter. The transmission filter is usually recommended to...
Question
If the security system is disabled on a 98 Riveria will the car no longer work?
Hi Tristana. Thanks for contacting us tonight. In most cases, if the security system has been disabled manually (meaning that someone has disconnected wires or attempted to bypass it somehow), it will create a fault code in the ECU which...
Question
Metallic grinding sound of the tires after driving 50 km on a 2011 Mazda 3
Noises can really be annoying but if you heard a metallic grinding noise, then generally, that's metal on metal and you are going to see shiny things where it is rubbing. So look for shiny things near the area where...
Question
the car idles rough and dies often at red lights,stop signs, and backing up.
Hello. If these issues started at the same time then it sounds like there is an electrical issue. It may be a bad connection or a failing alternator. I usually start by load testing the battery and checking the battery...
Question
Air conditioner causing car to overheat
We need to determine if your vehicle is actually overheating, or if the gage is just reading incorrectly. If your vehicle is overheating; you will no doubt have boil over from the radiator or reservoir. The fact that your gage...
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Tire pressure light came on while driving to the airport.
Your tire pressure system uses sensors in each tire to signal the pressure in the tire. The sensors are known to go bad and will cause the system to see it as a pressure loss. This does not mean you...
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Car has sat for 5 years and will not start.
Hello. When a vehicle sits for this long there can be a number of issues keeping it from starting and running right. You do need to replace the battery,and you should replace all of the fluids before starting it and...
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Car makes a loud grinding noise when I try to start it, would this be the starter or timing chain?
You should try and turn the engine manually on front of crankshaft pulley to see if engine is seized. If engine turns over by hand then problem will most likely be the starter. If you cannot turn motor then it...
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My dealer told me that I should replace the oil pump along with the timing belt
Hi There, There are a number of differences between the oil pump and the water pump, however the main difference is that the water pump pumps the coolant through the motor and is driven by the timing belt and the...
Question
Service Engine Light is on
This indicator is part of the onboard diagnostics (OBD-II) system, and in all cases, it indicates a problem with your emissions system. Basically, it is an emissions monitoring system. A Check Engine indictor will stay solid or blink. If the...
Question
Brakes caliper will not grab rotor
Hello and thank you for contacting YourMechanic. Check the caliper for the piston sticking. Remove the pins (bolts that make the caliper a sliding caliper) and put some anti-seize on them and reinstall them. Recheck the brakes to see if...
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If I use the radiator flush cleaner,,will that unclog the radiator
Hello, flushing the coolant system involve removing the thermostat of the engine to do a complete job. The contaminants in the system can block the thermostat’s passage way. When you have this type of break down with coolant it...
Question
my 2001 ford windstar is making a knocking sound when i start it
A loud sound like that you are describing would suggest an internal mechanical failure. You might check engine oil pressure which will give you some clues. If a part cause is low oil pressure, due to excessive clearances (which in...
Question
Recommendation of Subaru Forester
Hello. There is a big concern with the air bags on this car. If the car is, or even "was", equipped with a Takata airbag, I wouldn't consider purchasing it due to the Subaru Recall. Even if the airbag was...
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Steering wheel locked while going around curve
I would suspect that the steering is electronic and something was not making contact when you were going over the bumps and caused the steering to lock. It could also be a programming issue or a steering sensor issue. Have...
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Had battery cables and ends replaced. They said alternator and battery was good, but sometimes it will not start and needs to be jumped
Hi. There is something still draining the battery. There could be an interior light staying on and you don't realize it. Car chargers can also drain the battery when the car is off. There is also the possibility that the...
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Code P0158 after sensor swap
Hi, thanks for writing in. I suspect your "upstream" sensor is the primary problem, and should be replaced. The downstream sensor you did replace is really measuring whether the catalytic converter (the main cat, not the pre-cat) did the job...
Question
Coolant leak from behind the intake manifold. 2000 Saturn SL
Hello - yes, this is one of the heater hoses, and a leak at that hose connection is the most likely source. I would recommend a heater hose replacement (for both heater and radiator hoses if they haven't been changed)...