Transmission problem
1980 Chevy Camaro V8 Two Wheel Drive Automatic 186000 miles
Hello
I have a 1980 Camaro Z28 with the TH350 Automatic. I can't seem to get my pan to stop leaking. It didn't start leaking until I put a shift kit in and reinstalled the pan with a new gasket.
I even purchased a new pan (figuring the old one was warped around the bolt holes) and the leak is worse now!
Is there a specific bolt tightening sequence (like with head bolts) that will make the gasket seal correctly?
Also, is there a type of gasket that prevents leaks?
I've been trying to find this in.....
Tires and Wheels problem
2002 Oldsmobile Bravada V8 Four Wheel Drive Automatic 140000 miles
Two mechanics have told me that my axle and differential on the right front side are both broke and need to be replaced. As you know this is quite expensive.
One mechanic told me that he can pull the axle out and I can drive as normal, however, I will not have four wheel drive anymore. Other than that everything will be fine and there will be no problems. I am looking for confirmation of this.
Please advise.
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Change an Air Filter Video Changing an air, oil, fuel or air
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How to Use an Engine Scanner Video The engine code scanner has made
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replace the shorted sensor or failed parts then clear the codes out of the
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How to
Replace Front Brake Pads and Rotors Video All vehicles wear out
brake pads and rotors, learn the proper way to service your brakes by reading
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How to Replace a Serpentine Belt Video All vehicles wear
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in a few minutes with simple tools in most cases. Always wear protective
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Taking Your Car in for Repair?
Before taking your car in for repairs check our website for questions pertaining
to your car repair, and gain as much
free additional information as possible. The more information you can acquire the
more intelligent you can be when car repairs are needed. The repair shop should
inspect your car and estimate repairs before beginning the work. The shop must provide
a written or verbal estimate and the final bill cannot be more than 10% higher than
the original estimate. Always ask to see the damaged or worn parts at the time the
work order is placed. Have the repair shop give you the damaged/worn-out parts in
the box the new replacement parts came in to ensure quality. Always insist on factory
OE parts (amazingly there are many car part manufacturers that produce sub-standard
replacement parts) original manufacturer parts offer better usability and durability.
If you are un-sure of the reason the part must but replaced ask the technician to
show you the specific damage and why the part has failed. Also, ask how long the
repair shop will warranty the repair and if the warranty covers labor on the part
if it fails prematurely. It never hurts to get a second opinion, once you have received
the first estimate try checking around at a few shops and the dealer to make an
informed choice.
Information Every Car Driver Should Know
Getting the most from your gas?
- It is no secret gas prices are up and putting a big pinch on our pocket books.
Car maintenance
and driving habits significantly affect fuel economy. Here are a few tips
to help you get the most for your buck. First, check the air pressure in your
car's tires. Most vehicle tire pressure recommendations are located on a sticker
in the driver's door jam or on the side wall of the tire. While tire and car
manufacturers recommend a prescribed tire pressure, it has been shown that slightly
more tire pressure is optimal for achieving higher fuel economy by reducing rolling
resistance. Some hybrid cars are manufactured with tires that can hold up
to 55 P.S.I. as compared with the usual 32 P.S.I. For safety and better gas mileage
always keep your tires properly inflated. Next, analyze your driving habits. Do
you take off quickly from a stop? Try easing into the throttle and allow the vehicle
to accelerate slowly. Observe the traffic and signals in front of you. If
a stop is imminent release the gas pedal and allow the car to coast the remainder
of the distance before using the
brakes.
Proper maintenance of your car's engine is essential for optimum performance. If
your
engine is misfiring it will decrease mileage. If the
engine oil
and filter changes have been neglected it will cause additional friction inside
the engine and
hinder the performance and gas mileage. Finally, remove all un-necessary objects
from the car, added weight can decease mileage also inspect your engine service
records and perform a tune up or oil change as recommended. Following these gas
saving tips can increase your mileage and save you money.
Flat tire on freeway - A
flat tire on the
freeway or any other busy highway can be very dangerous. There are mainly two kinds
of flat tires, either the tire is very low on air or the tire is already flat and
beginning to fall apart. In the first condition (tire very low on air) you have
a chance to get off the freeway to a safe place where you can change the tire or
wait for service. In the second case (flat and falling apart) it is best not to
worry about saving the tire, your main objective is to get to the freeway off-ramp
or to a safe place where you can change the tire or wait for service. The car will
have more rolling resistance but it will continue moving on the flat tire, proceed
very slowly and use caution. When pulling off the road to a safe place make sure
your car is as far off the road and away from traffic as possible. Most of the time
when a tire is run very low on air the inner layers of the tire will breakdown and
render the tire useless anyway. If there isn't an off-ramp nearby or a safe place
to stop, pull the car to the side of the road as far away from traffic as possible,
when you can safely exit the car, walk as far away from traffic as possible to a
more protected area. Don't get hung up on the idea that you need to save the tire.
Far too many times people try to save a sixty five dollar tire and end up getting
seriously injured or worse in the process.
Don't be fooled by the "low ball bid"
- Some repair shops and dealers practice the low ball bid method of business to
get you in the door this is how it works. Let's say you call in for a
radiator replacement
and you get a low bid, it sounds good but what is really happening on the other
end of the phone is the service writer is planning on hitting you with job add-on's.
EXAMPLE: The phone is ringing... Mrs. Johnson... I have bad news,
your cooling system
needs to be flushed, the thermostat is shot and your water pump is leaking... I'm
sorry your car is already in pieces so I can't put it back together... The conversion
goes on to include more problems not relevant to the issue you wanted fixed and
you know the rest. You can see the cheapest estimate is not always the best way
to go. To safeguard yourself get several estimates for the same repair, if one is
much lower there might be something wrong. Most garages know what it takes to stay
in business and stay competitive. For the most part you are safer taking it to the
middle to upper end repair shop.
At the Shop (Ken's Corner)
- One of my customers called me today asking me if I could help him. It seems he
was having a problem with his 2001 Toyota Avalon (V6 engine), the car had 76,000
miles. In the morning he would try to start the car, it would crank over and
start but then just die, this happened three more times before he got it running
again and now the
check engine
light was on. His office was right next door to a repair shop so he took it
in for a diagnosis; they told him it needed an idle air control motor and an air
mixture sensor to the tune of $1,200.00 dollars. He brought the car to me the next
morning. I checked it out and recommended a simple solution. Some manufacturers
use a magnetic field style idle air control motor that is very susceptible to carbon
build up. I removed the idle air control unit, cleaned it, reassembled it and cleared
the trouble codes from the PCM. This fixed the problem for the cost of a can of
carburetor cleaner. The customer has never been happier with a car repair. With
the right information you too can avoid costly auto repairs. All it takes is knowing
the right information. "Knowledge is power".
Change Your Oil! - I had
a new customer come in with a 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier with 82,000 miles on it. She
had never changed the engine oil and filter, but always checked the oil level and
added oil when needed. The engine now has a bad camshaft, cylinder head and two
failed cam followers. The engine oil broke down and failed to lubricate the bearing
surfaces on the valve train components. This repair is going to cost close to $1450.00
for a new cylinder head, camshaft, gaskets, cam followers and labor. That's a lot
of oil changes! Just like my Dad (Bob) always says: "Change your oil and filter,
its cheap insurance".
Rebuilt or Refurbished?
- What is the difference? A rebuilt: replacement part,
engine,
transmission
or differential
means the unit has been disassembled and the "wear" items have been replaced such
as bearings, brushes or guides etc. A rebuilt part will sometimes have individually
painted parts. A refurbished unit is basically cleaned, painted and then resold.
Obviously you are better off with the rebuilt unit than refurbished, some repair
facilities will try to pass the refurbished unit off as a rebuilt unit so be sure
you are getting what you ask for. If you are unsure of the integrity of the repair
shop ask to see the part or unit before it is installed. Most dealerships and high
end repair shops will only install new parts. New parts are optimum for best performance
and longevity, rebuilt is the next best thing. You should only agree to a refurbished
replacement part as a last resort.
Popular Car Resource Articles
Taking
Your Car in For Repairs - This page was created from common car questions asked
by woman's magazine "AllYou" a Times magazine publication.
Safety
Check - Before you take off on that road trip there are some basic checks and
information you should know
Avoiding
Repair Scams - Getting your car repaired can be very expensive. Unscrupulous
auto mechanics can take you for a ride. Learn what questions to ask when getting
your car repaired plus get tips on the warning signs you should look out for. All
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How to Jump
Start Your Car - The starter is designed to operate on a high amperage 12 volt
system, when a starter is subjected to low voltage or amperage (flow) it will cause
the starter to not operate. To jump start your car make sure you have a good quality
jumper cable set. Inexpensive cables do not work as well because a higher
gauge wire (smaller diameter) is used in the construction restricting the current
flow from battery to battery.
Having Problems with Your New Car - A new car can be great, but sometimes a
new car can have problems. The dealership may not be as helpful as they should be
once you drive the car off the lot. If you have problems with a dealer that you
can't resolve you do have some recourse. Contact the manufacturer of the vehicle.
All major manufacturers have a customer help line that will put you in contact with
a company representative. Most dealerships are independently owned and operated
and sometimes they aren't always responsive. Your involvement with a manufacturer's
representative will help you get the leverage you need to resolve the problem promptly.
Hybrid Car
Information - Hybrid cars and trucks have been becoming more popular as petroleum
based fuels have become more expensive to obtain as the world supply diminishes.
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