A few months ago, my car's check engine light came on. They fixed it, it came back on again, they fixed it again, and now it's back on. I'm looking for possible explanations so I'm more prepared when I take it back yet again.
[more inside]
posted by misskaz
on Mar 29, 2013 -
33 answers
My car is doing something kind of alarming, intermittently. I'd love to get some guesses as to whether I need to see a transmission specialist or not before I take it somewhere.
[more inside]
posted by restless_nomad
on Jul 24, 2012 -
12 answers
Our car – a 2003 Honda Civic DX stick-shift – has started to make a rattling/ticking/whirring noise when it accelerates. Can we still safely drive it?
[more inside]
posted by scruss
on Jun 19, 2012 -
13 answers
Catastrophefilter. Auto shop just called, say Subaru has seized engine. Baffling, because no warning signs. ~$5,000 for new one. Options?
[more inside]
posted by Alaska Jack
on Nov 28, 2011 -
27 answers
Considering buying an old pickup truck (Hilux), and teaching myself how to maintain/repair it. Where to begin?
[more inside]
posted by MetaMonkey
on Sep 3, 2011 -
9 answers
Car geeks: I'm having trouble identifying
this knock [.MOV on Dropbox] in the engine of my 1991 Dodge Spirit. It sounds a bit like a clicking sound, except it turns out to be a wheeze when it gets worse. I've just replaced one of the valve rocker arms because it turned out to be broken. I also Do you know what might be causing this?
[more inside]
posted by koeselitz
on Jun 5, 2011 -
18 answers
Are there resources on the internet where I can find information about what's under the hood of my car? I just feel that being a man and all I should have a good idea of what I'm looking at when I pop the hood of my car. I just want to learn the basics and maybe get a better idea of how stuff works under there. I have a Honda and a Toyota, and I know things are built differently under there, but if there's anything specific to those two then that would be preferable.
posted by fiestapais
on Apr 21, 2011 -
14 answers
Are you an automotive engineer? Do you design engine control module firmware? Do you know or love someone who does? How is that firmware actually written?
[more inside]
posted by TheNewWazoo
on Apr 9, 2011 -
17 answers
My daughter's car ruptured a radiator hose. I replaced it, and now it's not running properly. Help!
[more inside]
posted by doh ray mii
on May 13, 2010 -
19 answers
So first of all, I'm not exactly sure what's wrong with my car, but whatever it is is definitely not good. I was driving the other day when the engine started making this very loud clanking/grinding noise. Apparently I hadn't checked my oil level and it was basically gone. After filling it up with Oil, the noise is still there, but much quieter. So I'm thinking I might need a whole new engine. The thing is, I found a nearly identical car on Craigslist for $1750, which would probably be just a few hundred more then a new engine, and I could just drive the thing until I get around to repairing my old one. On the other hand, I don't really want to spend that much in a panic. The car is a 1997 Toyota Tercel.
[more inside]
posted by delmoi
on Aug 21, 2009 -
41 answers
What are the pros and cons of trying to switch heating systems from a traditional furnace to a waste oil heater that burns used gasoline engine oil, particularly for an automobile repair garage?
[more inside]
posted by franklen
on Feb 27, 2009 -
10 answers
Why does my uncle's 1998 V6 Toyota 4-Runner misfire at highway speeds? Last month we drove from Los Angeles to Tucson and back, and at what seemed to be random points while we were driving the engine would buck repeatedly. Once it started, it would continue at all speeds, with the engine running particularly rough at low/idle RPM. We took it in to 3 different Toyota dealerships along the way, and to it's home dealership once we got back. They were all happy to service the vehicle, but none were able to fix it and two insisted they couldn't find any problems with the vehicle.
[more inside]
posted by carsonb
on Jan 12, 2009 -
10 answers
What would you charge to diagnose a check engine light and replace the thermostat in a 2003 Toyota Highlander?
[more inside]
posted by fogster
on Dec 30, 2008 -
13 answers
I now have a car with a seized engine. If I can get the engine unseized, what are the potential consequences of not rebuilding it?
[more inside]
posted by rossmik
on Nov 10, 2008 -
12 answers
What do I do with our broken car? (Long explanation)
We have a 2001 S40 Turbo. Despite following the standard maintenance schedule and ensuring oil/water, etc is always good, it's been a pain in then neck since we bought it in 2003. I think I've put more into it for repairs than I paid for it. The last 18 months it's had a problem with the temp gauge spiking and then dropping down to normal. We've had it in a half a dozen times and each time the mechanics replace the themostat and the heat sensor. That fixes it for a while and then 3 months later, boom ... it happens again. No one has ever found the problem, until now.
[more inside]
posted by damiano99
on Jul 30, 2008 -
13 answers
Is there a precursor to
Moore's Law for internal combustion engines?
If so, can you provide details, please?
posted by Exchequer
on Apr 24, 2008 -
7 answers
I'm looking for a reasonably neutral comparison of various brands of spark plug wires (ignition wires). Specifically, I want to know if there are strong advantages over name brands vs Autozone's house brand (Duralast).
[more inside]
posted by zippy
on Mar 4, 2008 -
8 answers
CarFilter: identify this
part from my car (highlighted in red) -- It started smoking on the way home, and I'm wondering how scared my wallet is feeling.
[more inside]
posted by Static Vagabond
on Feb 27, 2008 -
15 answers
I am in need of a replacement engine for my 1995 Mazda MX5 (Mata). I have found one online, but I'm possibly being overly cautious....
[more inside]
posted by lemonfridge
on Dec 24, 2007 -
7 answers
After having the A/C compressor replaced in our VW Golf, the engine idle speed drops way down to near-stalling whenever the clutch is released while driving. It pops right back up, but it's a bit unnerving.
[more inside]
posted by odinsdream
on Sep 8, 2007 -
9 answers
For about a week, I've noticed a "hot" smell coming from my engine. I don't know how to describe it except that it smells like an iron that has been left on. What is it?
[more inside]
posted by kidsleepy
on Aug 21, 2007 -
13 answers
BuickFilter: I have an '86 Buick Century 4-cylinder (it's the "Iron Duke" motor). Yes, I know, hot. I think I need a new starter. What do you think?
[more inside]
posted by Mister_A
on Apr 2, 2007 -
8 answers
Twice in 2 months rats have chewed the transmission cable in my girlfriend's car, how do we get them to stop!
[more inside]
posted by zaphod
on Mar 5, 2007 -
14 answers
Short story: I got a tune up including an oil change. That night, the car died, and now they say the engine needs to be replaced?
[more inside]
posted by Squid Voltaire
on Sep 21, 2006 -
18 answers
Runaway cars: After reading
this recent story about a BMW that got stuck in gear with the accelerator jammed down, I don't understand why he didn't just turn the ignition off. Is it true that he'd have been left unable to steer?
[more inside]
posted by chrismear
on Mar 13, 2006 -
46 answers
What are the advantages (if any) of letting your car engine run idle to warm up before driving?
[more inside]
posted by xoe26
on Jan 11, 2006 -
18 answers
I have a 1991 Honda Civic DX hatchback with ~125k miles on it. It runs like a champ, except when it doesn't start....
[more inside]
posted by nitsuj
on Sep 28, 2005 -
16 answers
MotorFilter: My wife's car's starter is haunted! Twice now, when turning the key to start the car, the engine starts but the starter
keeps going, as if I just held the key in the start position. [MI]
[more inside]
posted by pzarquon
on Jan 20, 2005 -
6 answers
