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Author
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Topic: Winter Heads Up
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Bare Knuckle Mick
Punk Posts: 701
Registered: Apr 2002
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posted 10-08-2002 02:28 AM
   
Just thought i would remind all of ya to check your engine coolant before it gets too cold outside. We have had a ton of people come into work with coolant that looks like Coca Cola. Bad coolant means no heat and can cause your engine block to crack.
Also a good idea to check you transmission fluid. It should be a pink or bright red color. If it is dark or smells burnt you should change it soon. It would suck to be broken down in damn cold weather because something simple was overlooked.IP: Logged |
Ollie Stench
Admin Posts: 2386
Registered: Jan 2002
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posted 10-08-2002 04:14 AM
My car (97 Chevy Cavaliere) say to only use Dexron, the pink stuff. That shit's like $30 a gallon. What happens if I use the ordinary green stuff in my radiator?IP: Logged |
Bare Knuckle Mick
Punk Posts: 701
Registered: Apr 2002
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posted 10-08-2002 09:14 AM
Ollie DO NOT buy that shit. Dexron or Dexcool is what GM thought to be the latest and greatest for cooling systems. They later found out that it clumps together and creates clogs and weird inpurieties within your cooling system. Which blocks your heater core and starts blocking the radiator and engine block. You should use the green stuff and you will need to do a coolant flush on your car, which I will help you with if need be. Doesn't take very long and can save you a lot of trouble and hassle in the future thanks to GM's great invention. Chrysler and Toyota use something similar products but theirs doens't have the same problems for some reason. A coolant flush is reccomended anyways just to be on the safe side with any car every couple of years. E mail me if you would like some help.IP: Logged |
Billy V. Gan
Punk Posts: 765
Registered: Jul 2001
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posted 10-08-2002 09:20 AM
My van's radiater stays full but the overflow tank always stays empty. Do those things crack or something? If you fill it, it will drip onto the garage floor until just the radiator is full.IP: Logged |
Bare Knuckle Mick
Punk Posts: 701
Registered: Apr 2002
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posted 10-08-2002 09:25 AM
Yeah they are generally made of cheap plastic just like washer fluid resevoirs. If you don't want to replace it just make sure that the radiator is always full. You can also take it off and see if you can find the crack or hole and see if you can repair it. And if you do repair it make sure it is something that won't deterriorate and contaminate the coolant.IP: Logged |
Billy V. Gan
Punk Posts: 765
Registered: Jul 2001
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posted 10-08-2002 09:27 AM
But as long as the radiator stays full cold the overflow doesn't matter right?IP: Logged |
naked maygun
Punk Posts: 440
Registered: Aug 2002
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posted 10-08-2002 10:52 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Bare Knuckle Mick:
Dexron or Dexcool is what GM thought to be the latest and greatest for cooling systems. They later found out that it clumps together and creates clogs and weird inpurieties within your cooling system. Which blocks your heater core and starts blocking the radiator and engine block. You should use the green stuff and you will need to do a coolant flush on your car, which I will help you with if need be. Doesn't take very long and can save you a lot of trouble and hassle in the future thanks to GM's great invention. Chrysler and Toyota use something similar products but theirs doens't have the same problems for some reason. A coolant flush is reccomended anyways just to be on the safe side with any car every couple of years. E mail me if you would like some help.
this is the coolant, right? i think my car uses that stuff as well-it's orange-ish. i have a saturn, and i just refilled the coolant on it a month or so ago. my car has been making weird noises in drive when i'm stopped, but it goes away when i accellerate (especially since it's gotten colder the past few days). i am a moron when it comes to cars, but is this possibly connected? should i have someone take a look at it?
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Bare Knuckle Mick
Punk Posts: 701
Registered: Apr 2002
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posted 10-08-2002 11:25 AM
Billy,
Yeah as long as you are not overheating it should be alright. It is just a failsafe in case you start steaming over and lose coolant. As far as the Saturn using it, they are part of GM so it could very well be the same stuff. Check what the resevoir cap says. I thought it was only pink but it could be orange also I will check at work today. As far as the weird noises I would have to have a better description to help you out. I still don't see why nuclear green wasn't a good color and they had to change it.IP: Logged |
Kubler
Punk Posts: 700
Registered: Jan 2002
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posted 10-08-2002 11:41 AM
here's a car question:i have a 69 dodge. i live in brooklyn, so i drive it rarely. i've noticed (heard and smelled) an exhaust leak. i drove out to jfk to pick up a friend and the fumes were so bad, my eyes were burning (a bit sleepy, too). i'm assuming it's at the front, near the manifold, becasue if it we're near the rear of the car the fumes wouldn't be such an issue. can i bitch rig this or should i take it in and have them replace the pipe. it's dual exhaust and i'm afraid it may be spendy for how much i use the car. but the thing is in good shape, so idon't wanna fuck around either. ??? IP: Logged |
Kubler
Punk Posts: 700
Registered: Jan 2002
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posted 10-08-2002 11:43 AM
also, am i right in thinking it's losing a lot of accelleration and effecting the gas mileage?IP: Logged |
Bare Knuckle Mick
Punk Posts: 701
Registered: Apr 2002
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posted 10-08-2002 02:01 PM
Welcome to the wonderful world of dual exhaust. My truck had the same problems. The reoccuring problem with mine is where the manifold meets up with the exhaust. Both sides of the pipe at the point are flanged and you need to get an exhaust donut to put in there. You loosen the exhaust bolts and slide the donut in, then tighten them down and the flanges go over the tapered edges of the donut and voila, sealed. The other main problem is loose manifold or gaskets.CHeck to see if it is just loose by tightening the bolts and see if it seals. Otherwise you can get inexpensive gaskets that will work for a while or pay the price and get nice ones. To install simply unbolt the manifold, pull back (make sure engine has not been run in quite a while)on manifold and put new gasket in. Make sure all residue and pieces of the old gasket are gone by scraping the area first. You may also use some gasket seal on this part.
The easiest way to tell where the leak is coming from is run the engine and simply run your hand along the exhaust about 1-2 inches away, enough to not burn yourself. First check by the block then move down the pipe, repeat on other side. You should be able to feel the leak, it will feel like little puffs of air on your hand.
The donuts cost about about $2 and the gaskets can run from about $15 on up. I went to expensive route and got the rubber/metal gaskets for my valve covers on my 350 and I couldn't be happier. No leaks and they are reusable. But they are about 4 times the price of normal gaskets. Hope this helps.IP: Logged |
Finn McCool
Punk Posts: 500
Registered: Jul 2002
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posted 10-08-2002 02:11 PM
Where might a lazy-ass Saturn owner go for a cheap, er low-priced coolant flush?IP: Logged |
molly coddle
Punk Posts: 2546
Registered: May 2001
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posted 10-08-2002 02:58 PM
cool thread.IP: Logged |
Paul
Punk Posts: 487
Registered: Sep 2001
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posted 10-08-2002 06:45 PM
Kubler - you may want to check the fuel line from the gas tank to the engine. If it has rusted through, you'll get a strong gas/exhaust smell in the cabin of your car. If this is the case and the rust-through is isolated, you may be able to splice the fuel line with a new section. Otherwise, that could get expensive.IP: Logged |
Bare Knuckle Mick
Punk Posts: 701
Registered: Apr 2002
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posted 10-09-2002 12:42 AM
Finn you can do it yourself or I can help ya out too. Long as you don't live way the fuck away like Canada or some shit. And Molly was that a bad pun or sincerity?IP: Logged |
owen
Punk Posts: 1499
Registered: Mar 2000
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posted 10-09-2002 10:09 AM
Where in Brooklyn are you living? quote:
Originally posted by Kubler:
also, am i right in thinking it's losing a lot of accelleration and effecting the gas mileage?
IP: Logged |
DipshitLucy
Punk Posts: 1519
Registered: Oct 2000
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posted 10-09-2002 11:21 AM
I think Molly meant it is a cool thread. I think so too! But you know, you are setting yourself up to be the TCP mechanic..... Sit back and watch the dumb questions roll in!  IP: Logged |
blkboots
Punk Posts: 164
Registered: Jul 2001
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posted 10-09-2002 11:29 AM
Just remember to check the coolent level in the radiator when the car is cool. If the car is hot the coolent is under pressure and can flash boil and spray boiling coolent all over your face. (This is probably printed on the radiator cap)IP: Logged |
naked maygun
Punk Posts: 440
Registered: Aug 2002
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posted 10-09-2002 12:17 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Bare Knuckle Mick:
Finn you can do it yourself or I can help ya out too. Long as you don't live way the fuck away like Canada or some shit. And Molly was that a bad pun or sincerity?
let me know as well. you could help two saturn owners at once. I'd actually really like to learn how to do that myself. oh, and cool thread IP: Logged |
Kubler
Punk Posts: 700
Registered: Jan 2002
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posted 10-09-2002 12:56 PM
quote:
Originally posted by owen:
Where in Brooklyn are you living?
mick - this is what i think it is as well. i've had this problem with my old ford van and an old chevy. seems pretty common with older autos. paul - that scares me. there's this photo studio called fast ashley's in brooklyn that i work at a bit. the owner is a vintqage/muscle car guy and has seen my car. i will probably have him peek at it and see what he thinks. you go to someone you don't know out here and pretty soon they've replaced everything and you're still stuck with the dillema you started with. owen - i'm in what most consider east williamsburg. third stop on the L. super close to bedford but far enough to still be cheap and i don't have to walk into a deli blaring some trance garbage. why? are you thinking of stealing my car? IP: Logged |
The Ambassador
Punk Posts: 333
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 10-09-2002 01:45 PM
Wow, this is a cool, informative thread. Thanks for being so helpful Mick. You have knowledge about something that completely baffles me. I don't even know where to start, but I've been trying a little bit lately.So, I've got a question to throw into the mix if you don't mind. Where do I get used spare parts for a 93 Mazda Protege? I'm looking at fixing up a couple of things before winter, but don't really want to pay full price or go to a dealer, since they're just minor things that I think I could actually handle. I'm looking for a splash guard replacement (the thing that goes under the car to keep water from splashing up into the engine compartment) and a replacement hubcap. I live near the uptown area and don't really want to go digging through a junkyard and removing things from cars myself, because that would just be comical. Is there a good place to go where they would have the used parts available and I could just go and buy them and then put them on myself? Is that unrealistic? Thanks! IP: Logged |
Kubler
Punk Posts: 700
Registered: Jan 2002
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posted 10-09-2002 02:19 PM
ambASSador - this is such a project for dave g. he'll have a list of places. and THAT will be comical as well...IP: Logged |
molly coddle
Punk Posts: 2546
Registered: May 2001
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posted 10-09-2002 02:51 PM
sincerity.IP: Logged |
Susan The Bear
Punk Posts: 324
Registered: Jul 2002
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posted 10-09-2002 05:07 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Bare Knuckle Mick:
Ollie DO NOT buy that shit. Dexron or Dexcool is what GM thought to be the latest and greatest for cooling systems.
Yikes. Well, i have a Saturn and was always told to use only the Dexcool stuff. (which really cheap if you go to a Checkers Auto store) Where do you work Mick? i wanna bring my car to a place where i won't get screwed too bad. IP: Logged |
Susan The Bear
Punk Posts: 324
Registered: Jul 2002
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posted 10-09-2002 05:15 PM
quote:
Sit back and watch the dumb questions roll in! [/B]
My engine fell out...but it's a Saturn
can't i just snap it back in place like LegoŽ?
IP: Logged |
owen
Punk Posts: 1499
Registered: Mar 2000
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posted 10-09-2002 09:17 PM
I have an `84 Delta 88. I was thinking of driving into your car. My old band used to practice out there. Lovely. quote:
Originally posted by Kubler:
mick - this is what i think it is as well. i've had this problem with my old ford van and an old chevy. seems pretty common with older autos.paul - that scares me. there's this photo studio called fast ashley's in brooklyn that i work at a bit. the owner is a vintqage/muscle car guy and has seen my car. i will probably have him peek at it and see what he thinks. you go to someone you don't know out here and pretty soon they've replaced everything and you're still stuck with the dillema you started with. owen - i'm in what most consider east williamsburg. third stop on the L. super close to bedford but far enough to still be cheap and i don't have to walk into a deli blaring some trance garbage. why? are you thinking of stealing my car?
[This message has been edited by owen (edited 10-09-2002).] IP: Logged |
Evil Angel
Punk Posts: 1662
Registered: Jul 2002
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posted 10-09-2002 09:33 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Susan The Bear:
My engine fell out...but it's a Saturn
can't i just snap it back in place like LegoŽ?
Ha, ha, that's so funny and so true! I own one and it's a 98 and no payment. I'll enjoy my no payment on it til I can't stand it. It should be called Lego cars!
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Bare Knuckle Mick
Punk Posts: 701
Registered: Apr 2002
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posted 10-10-2002 01:02 AM
Shit I forgot where to start now...Dipshitlucy- I think I would enjoy being the TCPUNK mechanic. You guys get to rack my brain and make me search for all possible answers. Also every car I work on and problem I solve I gain more experience and learn how to do things more efficiently. Wahoo! And as far as dumb questions, on a car I seriously don't think there are any because the simplest thing can cause the whole damn thing not to work (damn cumputers)so bring on the questions. Blkboots- Good point that I forgot to address. If you must open the radiator when hot use a rag to put over the cap then remove. It will save you a lot of pain and fluid burning off your car and making it smell. Naked Maygun- as long as you have a garden hose I can show you an easy way to do it. Doesn't take very long and is somthing that you might want to do every year before the deep freeze hits us. Ambassador- Let me know the parts you need and I can pick them up for you seeing how I live by 3 boneyards and a couple places that sell use and repaired parts (which I will be visiting tomorrow). A few are Highway 101 Salvage, Viking auto, Crosstown Auto, Metro Auto, and a few more. I can also get a huge discount through my job and other means at auto parts stores. Molly- thanks much, the pun would have been good as well Susan-They tell you to use dexcool because it ws supposed to be a revolutionary new discovery that lasted 150,000 miles. Now we get cars at work that have 9,000 miles on them that the coolant is clumping and going bad. Flush it out and go good ol green. The reason it is so cheap at some places is because the have realized it sucks and they are trying to get rid of their stock and thats it. GM is rumored to be using the rest of what they have left then going back to green. I work at the Citgo service station off of 35w and Burnsville parkway. If you take 35w south from the cities and exit on Burnsville Parkway. Head east and after you cross over 35 Citgo is on your right. Ask for Travis right away and I will try to hook you up big time. And if I can do the work at home I will tell you so you won't have to pay labor. I can also do some work after hours.We also have these things called VIP cards, save you cash and hassle and I can get them for a discount too sometimes. And the Lego comment had be laughing my ass off, thanks. Wow that took a while. Anyone that needs help right away e mail me and I will give you my cell number. Hope this helps some.
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Finn McCool
Punk Posts: 500
Registered: Jul 2002
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posted 10-10-2002 01:26 AM
Whole lotta Saturns represented here.IP: Logged |
PoppaLarge
Punk Posts: 930
Registered: Dec 2000
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posted 10-10-2002 02:19 AM
OK, first of all, BKM, you are so fucking bad ass it makes me want to be internet-friends.Second, try this one on for size--I was frightened and my other car-inclined folks just shudddered and laughed. Rolling into NYC on my way home from some travelling down south a couple weeks ago in my 1983 Dodge Ram Wagon Prospector (fuck a tradesman). After a horrible drive, I realize that I desperately need gas. So I grab the last plaza in New Jersey, but of course, New Jersey being New Jersey, you have to wait in line for 40 minutes on a saturday night because they don't do Self-Serve. So as I'm waiting, gas on E, sitting in line, suddenly this happens: The gas gauge goes up, the oil gauge goes down, the exhaust (I need a valve job anyway) gets significantly uglier. Once I filled up and got through the city, everything was a-ok and I destroyed the entirety of Connecticut and Rhode Island getting back to Beantown. Wha-fuck? IP: Logged |
Ollie Stench
Admin Posts: 2386
Registered: Jan 2002
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posted 10-10-2002 02:45 AM
OK, the MOST IMPORTANT question we all have to ask:BareKnuckleMick.. what do you drink? Services should not be rendered free and need to be compensated somehow. IP: Logged |
Bare Knuckle Mick
Punk Posts: 701
Registered: Apr 2002
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posted 10-10-2002 07:59 AM
Poppa, I will have a response to this question in a few hours.
Ollie, services are generally rendered free unless said person wishes to pay. I tell people if they want to give me something that's fine, but if they can't afford it I sure as fuck don't want it. I know how bad it sucks to be broke and have your means of transportation gone. So I would rather help people out and make things as inexpensive as possible. All this helps me and gives me much more knowledge and problem solving skills. And when I get into the field more I can go, "yeah I saw this on Ollie's car." And because of you I can diagnose and fix it quicker.
As far as booze, Guinness Extra Stout, Harp, Murphy's, Wexford, Bass, or most of all Jameson. But there is little random shit that interests me so possible trades are welcome. IP: Logged |
The Ambassador
Punk Posts: 333
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 10-10-2002 11:31 AM
Thanks for the info Mick! I'll send you an e-mail now. Your offerings here are amazingly generous and deserve to be rewarded handsomely. For the record, I think food and records also make good thank you gifts as well. Surely you like to eat and/or listen to that crazy punk music, right? Better get a wish list together.IP: Logged |
Bare Knuckle Mick
Punk Posts: 701
Registered: Apr 2002
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posted 10-10-2002 01:03 PM
Books, music, small weapons, Irish items, pint glasses, movies, there are a lot of little random things that I dig. Maybe one day I will find just one big hobby instead of a million little ones. Nah...IP: Logged |
HooliganKat
Punk Posts: 1156
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 10-10-2002 05:36 PM
BKM is one of my personal heros! He's been super cool about comin' out to fix my automobile! I will have ice cold Guiness waiting for you in my fridge! Hey I have a question too, I need to just get through the winter on with my car, but it needs tires and I don't want to spend a ton of money on brand new tires, any good suggestions on where to go?
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badgas
Punk Posts: 652
Registered: Apr 2000
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posted 10-10-2002 07:11 PM
Hey...that was going to be MY question! I need new tires and wanted to go somewhere other than a VW dealership. So again, two birds with one stone, BKM.IP: Logged |
Finn McCool
Punk Posts: 500
Registered: Jul 2002
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posted 10-10-2002 09:59 PM
quote:
Originally posted by HooliganKat:
ice cold Guiness
That's... not right.
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PoppaLarge
Punk Posts: 930
Registered: Dec 2000
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posted 10-11-2002 12:26 AM
Damn, I pull out the stumper and the Mick don't cough up??? Just 'cause I'm closer to the mother country than you (about 1/2 a block, frankly), don't mean you got to disrespect me and the Ram.IP: Logged |
Bare Knuckle Mick
Punk Posts: 701
Registered: Apr 2002
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posted 10-11-2002 12:39 AM
Poppa sorry about the delay. The thing with those is the fuel pump and oil are often tied together. Mny fuel pumps are cooled by the gas flowing through them. If the gas is very low, ths will cause the pump to heat up. Thus creating innacurate reading and "spikes and valleys" on gauages. Finn- Should be spelled Guinness. And for the folks that need tires. I am actuallly going to take the used ones from work right now. Tell me the sizes you need and I will see if I can hook you up. IP: Logged |
trailerdiva
Punk Posts: 576
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 10-11-2002 09:10 AM
You are so cool, BKM, I wish I owned a car.IP: Logged |
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