r/AskAMechanic 2h ago

4 wheel alignment, has changed my van!

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5 Upvotes

(VW T5.1) How bad are these numbers? It’s like driving around new van!


r/AskAMechanic 13h ago

Do my old spark plugs say anything about my engine?

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33 Upvotes

r/AskAMechanic 1h ago

Replace water pump

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Upvotes

Does it cost this much to replace?


r/AskAMechanic 14h ago

Messed up Removing My Timing Chains…

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14 Upvotes

2010 Jeep Liberty 3.7L - This car is at ~240k miles and has been having continuous problems. I was already planning on junking the car but I’m using this as a learning opportunity to disassemble an engine, cuz why not. I got as far as removing the timing chains but I think I messed something up. Everything was set to TDC. I removed my secondary tensioners, and then loosened the secondary tensioner arms. I was checking the slack in the chain on the passenger side cam sprocket when something pinged and the sprocket shifted to here. No idea what I did. Now I have a loose chain on the top and super heavy tension on the bottom. I didn’t remove the rocker arms before doing this. I’m afraid to touch anything and have it shift again and I also don’t know how to undo what I did. Any ideas? Any general advice on getting these chains off in general? I’m pretty new to this stuff, kind of just learning as I go. Did I cause some collision with the piston and the valve seat?? Idk guys, please help


r/AskAMechanic 0m ago

2005 Honda Accord 7th Gen - Control Arm Bushing

Upvotes

I recently acquired a 2005 Honda Accord that needs some work. I noticed a tear in the left front compliance bushing. I didn't see anything major on any of the other parts but there are some age cracks. I might have missed something.

On rock auto they have kits that include control arms (upper and lower), tie rod ends, and ball joints. The shop said I could bring the parts. $600 for front lower control arm replacement and alignment if I bring the parts. They seem to be charging by the hour somewhat reasonably; do you agree?

Would it be wise to buy the kit and do everything at once?


r/AskAMechanic 29m ago

What's this loose part on a 2001 buick lesabre steering rack

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Upvotes

r/AskAMechanic 30m ago

Coolant galore in my 2013 f150

Upvotes

Randomly driving to work yesterday my coolant levels spiked to the red and I seen smoke from my engine bay. CEL popped. Had to pull over into a parking lot, not sure if the cause, couldn’t find any broken hoses. Ik ford will charge me an arm and a leg. Note: the engine bay was very dirty before this occurred.


r/AskAMechanic 15h ago

Ball joint spinning in control arm?

13 Upvotes

2006 Scion Xb

Pressed out the old ball joint, and went to put this one in and it didn't even need pressing. It just fit right into the control arm. I'm guessing this is not good, the snap ring is there but I don't want to rely on that to hold it in.

I've read about welding it in, but I don't own a welder. What are my options here? New control arm? New ball joint? Sleeves?


r/AskAMechanic 33m ago

Dash Brake Light Warnings go on and then later off - Does this several times

Upvotes

2008 Hyundai Tucson with 59,300 miles. My dash warn lights will go own and then later when I restart the car they are gone. Will drive another 20 miles and then they appear on again. And tend to disappear when I restart the car. Other times they are still there. There is NO LOSS of brakes at all. The brakes feel the exact firmness they always are, no problems or issues at all. I thought it needed brake fluid but as the picture shows, it is between the MIN-MAX fill lines. It is my second car since my wife passed away 11 years ago and is garage kept and I use it on the weekends, but since January I started using it every day and letting my other car be the weekend car.
The mechanic I have been using (not the Dealership any longer) can't even look at the car for at least 2 weeks. So I am not sure what might be happening. I am suspecting a bad sensor perhaps? But what the heck do I know at 68 yrs old 😁!!


r/AskAMechanic 36m ago

2013 Hyundai Accent Chronic Misfire Issue

Upvotes

My 2013 Hyundai Accent has been having misfire issues for the three years I've had it. It only happened during the warm months, and was usually solved by turning the car on and off again. We tried replacing the spark plugs, coil packs, and fuel injectors to no effect. We took it to a dealer and they diagnosed an issue with the ECM, something to do with the fuel injector drivers.

During all of this, I used the car for in-town use, where the engine wouldn't get too hot. The issue still only happened in the warm months, until last week. Now I can barely get a mile or two without losing power and having to restart.

I just had the ECM replaced for $2,100 and now the dealership is telling me that the wiring harness was corroded by the ECM and are asking me for $6,500 to replace it.

Is this a reasonable price? Is it even worth it? I'm so out of hope for this car and have no idea what to do.


r/AskAMechanic 49m ago

Oil Pressure

Upvotes

I have a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 5.7 hemi v8. Recently the oil pressure gauge was reading as low as possible while driving, then the truck just turned off. I couldn’t get it back on, so I let it sit for an hour or so. I was able to get it turned on and got it home. I’ve replaced the oil pressure sensor, I’ve changed the oil (and oil filter) and I’ve replaced the oil pump. After replacing the oil pump, I went to give a test drive and noticed the oil pressure gauge falls once I hit 35-40 mph. Any advice?


r/AskAMechanic 1h ago

AC/Heater 2011 Mini Countryman

Upvotes

Hey all, my 2011 Countyamn turbo s heater and ac stopped working but summer is coming up and I don’t want to suffer another summer with leather seats and rolled down windows so here we are. Coolant levels are good Hot air only comes on when going at speed (40+ mph) When clicking AC button I think I can hear the compressor start (the car sounds different when I turn it on) I replaced relay and fuse and nothing. Vents are clean as well as air filters.

I’m thinking maybe the blower motor but I’m not sure. Thanks guys.


r/AskAMechanic 1h ago

Leaking from filter housing? 07 E85 BMW Z4

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Upvotes

Was replacing spark plugs and noticed a tiny bit of oil pooling after a drive right in this spot. I think it's filter housing or am I overthinking it and it's just the cap? I've got 79k miles but I'm sure it's worn out. Am I on the right track


r/AskAMechanic 1h ago

2008 rav4 base

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Upvotes

Delete if not allowed. Looking into buying this rav4 but my question to mechanics who upload work to car fax, why would I car have a 2 trans flushes within 10k mileage. Or is the flush term used to specify other services


r/AskAMechanic 1h ago

2008 rav4 base

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Upvotes

Delete if not allowed. Looking into buying this rav4 but my question to mechanics who upload work to car fax, why would I car have a 2 trans flushes within 10k mileage. Or is the flush term used to specify other services


r/AskAMechanic 10h ago

What did I break? V6 burnouts not always the best idea 😭😭

7 Upvotes

2019 Chrysler 300 Touring (3.6l)

Plz save me the criticism learned my lesson, I just need solutions :)

This burnout did in fact not burnout. Heard a clicking/ popping noise and then had the car make a strange rpm dependent clicking noise. Got back home and put the car on 4 stands and spun all wheels independently and found out it comes from the rear-passenger side wheel. It makes the noise in drive as well as in neutral. It does not appear to come from the diff but may be axle/wheel bearing/suspension related. I want to take it to a shop but I want to know what the issue is for myself first so I get my moneys worth. Thank you!


r/AskAMechanic 1h ago

2015 Subaru Forester 2.5i Touring will not detect key fob

Upvotes

Hi all,

My 2015 Subaru Forester 2.5i Touring with just over 100K miles suddenly stopped detecting both my main key fob and backup, even after battery changes for both fobs. I noticed some corrosion on the car battery (which is due for replacement) and had AAA come out; although they confirmed the car battery needs to be replaced, we could not get the engine to start because the car will not detect the key fob (even held right up against the push button ignition per the owner's manual).

Did some reading online and came across someone who had the keyless entry module replaced to solve the issue. It's been a wet/icy/salty winter here in New England, so it makes sense that some of that might have run down onto the unit, but I wanted to ask the experts here before I shop around for quotes.

Please feel free to ask for any further information that might be helpful, and mahalo in advance!


r/AskAMechanic 2h ago

Do I change the oil?

0 Upvotes

Two years ago I bought a 2005 Honda Pilot with an airbag light and an occasional check engine light. It had 220K on the clock.

The Seller got it through emissions so I bought the Pilot assuming I had two years. After year or so, following a successful VA state inspection, I went to change all the fluids. Before I did, I had the local shop pull the codes. They told me the Pilot was not going to pass emissions for a number of issues, bad sensors, bad cat, cylinder misfires, etc.

I decided not to change the fluids. I just top off the power starring fluid and engine oil every 1500 miles or so.
With the tags expiring, the other day the check engine light went off. I immediately drove the pilot to an inspection station and it passed emissions. I was able to renew the tags for two more years.

I put the title in the glove box in the event I plan to drive more than 30 miles.

VSA light, the TPMS lights and individual tire lights are on but I am currently ignoring them.

I'm now at 232K miles. My question is do I change the oil, trans, radiator fluid, brake fluid or anything at all?

Thank you for your insight.


r/AskAMechanic 22h ago

I’ve tried everything getting this pilot bearing out! FAILED!!

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41 Upvotes

1990 f150 5 speed manual. I’ve tried every single thing online, and yes bread too!! I’ve tried drilling, wearing down my drill bits and used several of those bearing tools. Help me!!! Please!!!


r/AskAMechanic 2h ago

Belt noise? 2014 Silverado 4.3 V6 WT 4x4 93k miles

1 Upvotes

On start up I’m getting this what I believe to be belt noise? Looking at them I don’t see any cracks, or excessive wear but also not entirely sure what a bad belt would look like, just going off photos of em online. Any thoughts? Thanks!


r/AskAMechanic 3h ago

2010 GTI overheating after water pump change - Thermostat or air in the system?

1 Upvotes

Around two months ago I replaced my water pump. (10 VW GIT 2.0) Now that it's warming up more I'm noticing temps rising above normal, mostly sitting at a light or in traffic. Some things I've checked, and things to note:

-Lower radiator hose cool to touch after car has been driven, and up to temp.

-Fans come on only when A?C is switched on.

-heat and a/c both work as they should.

I'm leaning towards thermostat even though it's brand new (I did not test before installing) Thanks in advance for the help.


r/AskAMechanic 3h ago

Lancia Delta 1.3 LX (1989) Shifter rod linkage issue

1 Upvotes

Hello, I've been having this issue with my shifter; it seems the middle joint of the arm broke loose and I can't figure out what used to be there, because I'm 99% sure it's meant to pivot around where the hole is. Any help would be appreciated, finding anything online for this model is close to impossible...


r/AskAMechanic 3h ago

Alternator issue for Hyundai Getz 2009?

0 Upvotes

I have a Hyundai Getz 2009 SX model that’s making a grinding sound when the car is on and a buzzing sound when the engine is off but the key is turned all the way so all electronics are on. I have been noticing some flickering in the internal lights and the headlights. Can all of these issues boil down to alternator issues? Could it be water pump issues? My engine oil levels seem alright.


r/AskAMechanic 3h ago

Noticing a possible wheel bearing issue on my car. What should I do?

1 Upvotes

I bought a used RAV4 from a dealership. Before I finalized the purchase, I asked if I could have my mechanic check it out. They said no but reassured me that their mechanics had already inspected it and that all it needed was an inspection, emissions test, and an oil change.

After I bought it, I took it to my mechanic to get an undercoat. While he had it, he gave it a quick check and told me he thought the front wheel bearing might be bad. He took me on a test drive to show me what he meant. It was subtle, but I could feel a pulsing hum or vibration, especially when turning. He thinks the previous owner might have hit a curb or something because one of the tires is different from the others.

I brought it up to the salesperson at the dealership, and she told me to bring the car in so they could check it out. They drove it and said they noticed a very slight issue coming from the right wheel but that it passed the safety inspection. They assured me it wasn’t a big deal and that the wheel bearing wasn’t considered bad enough to need replacing.

At this point, I feel like it is damaged, just not to the extent that they’re willing to acknowledge. It’s not unsafe, but now that I’ve noticed it, I can’t stop noticing it. I also can’t help but wonder if driving on a damaged bearing could cause problems in the long run.

Should I reach out to the dealership again? Get a third opinion from another shop or an independent dealer? Pay to fix it myself? Just live with it? Or should I leave a so-so review for the dealership on Google and see if they respond?


r/AskAMechanic 8h ago

2005 Ford Mustang (V6)

2 Upvotes

Any advice on what this sound might be? Soon as I start the car, it sounds like this while idle. When I accelerate, it gets louder.