Car diagnostics

[ManicMechanic]

Not sure if this is the correct place to start this thread, or if it has been done before. But if anyone has any car questions, or help diagnosing an unusual problem. Just ask and I will do my best to answer, or maybe someone else can as well.

 

[ddawg16]

Thanks for chiming in....

My jeep is not running right. What do you think the problem is?

 

[dankeenan]

edit x

 

[chadster1]

My truck is making a noise. What is causing it?

 

[malibu101]

There is a cap under the hood of my car that has 710 printed on it.
Does that mean my engine has 710 horsepower?

 

[chadster1]

There is a cap under the hood of my car that has 710 printed on it.
Does that mean my engine has 710 horsepower?

That is where you put the 710 series synthetic blinker fluid.

 

[weicm3]

I do have a car question to ask. Besides stuck-open thermostat, what could make the engine running lower than normal operating temperature?

 

[malibu101]

I do have a car question to ask. Besides stuck-open thermostat, what could make the engine running lower than normal operating temperature?

Driving in Alaska could cause it.
But seriously, What kind of fan does it have?
Straight engine driven?
Engine driven with a fan clutch?
Electric?

 

[JakeD]

I do have a car question to ask. Besides stuck-open thermostat, what could make the engine running lower than normal operating temperature?

Is it definitely running cold (like heater doesn't get warm) or just by the gauge? Because it could possibly be the sending unit or temp sensor.

 

[cwolfley]

chadster must be driving a ford

 

[weicm3]

Driving in Alaska could cause it.
But seriously, What kind of fan does it have?
Straight engine driven?
Engine driven with a fan clutch?
Electric?

it's engine driven with fan clutch. my guess was fan clutch is going south but not sure.

 

[monte433]

If its an 90s chevy and the intake has been off somebody forgot to put the diverter plate in the coolant passage on the left rear of the intake.

 

[Iroc-Z]

This thread is going to be bunch of fail if you ask me.

 

[ManicMechanic]

I do have a car question to ask. Besides stuck-open thermostat, what could make the engine running lower than normal operating temperature?

Usually the simplest answer is the correct one. Check to see if you are running straight water or if is a mix of 50/50. Running just water will make it run cold. Also check your fan clutch, as anyone knows the newer GMs with the electronic fan clutch is a bad design (if it is a GM). What kind of a car is it?

 

[krusty the clown]

Running just water will make it run cold.

ok i'll bite...........why is that?

 

[djd99]

Usually the simplest answer is the correct one. Check to see if you are running straight water or if is a mix of 50/50. Running just water will make it run cold. Also check your fan clutch, as anyone knows the newer GMs with the electronic fan clutch is a bad design (if it is a GM). What kind of a car is it?

Hmmm back this up with some facts, I've never heard of such a thing...I would dare you to fill your radiator with just water and run it for 30 minutes then open the cap. I'll bet you won't do it. Maybe that's not such a good idea as you'll probably get scorched from being so cool.

 

[e-tek]

Yikes, first answer and off to a bad start.....:

lol_hitti

 

[Stick]

I do have a car question to ask. Besides stuck-open thermostat, what could make the engine running lower than normal operating temperature?

In addition to the other answers already given, a bad radiator cap can cause an engine to run either hot or cold depending on how it fails.

As far as why straight water runs colder than mixed antifreeze: the antifreeze raises the boiling point of water in addition to lowering the freezing point.

 

[e-tek]

As far as why straight water runs colder than mixed antifreeze: the antifreeze raises the boiling point of water in addition to lowering the freezing point.

But that's by a matter of a only a few degrees (10-20degrees) - not enough to make it run "lower than normal".

 

[ManicMechanic]

Not saying that just water will make it cold literally, but run colder than a 50/50 mixture. Water dissipates heat faster that anti-freeze (basic car knowledge). Hence running straight water through your cooling system, your car is less likely to reach normal operating tempature

 

[Gary S]

What's wrong with my Ford. It has these strange problems.........................oh, never mind.
It's a Ford.

 

[checkthisout]

Usually the simplest answer is the correct one. Check to see if you are running straight water or if is a mix of 50/50. Running just water will make it run cold. Also check your fan clutch, as anyone knows the newer GMs with the electronic fan clutch is a bad design (if it is a GM). What kind of a car is it?

This thread is going to be bunch of fail if you ask me.

Lets take this to the next level. Will my car overheat if I run it without a thermostat?

 

[checkthisout]

Not saying that just water will make it cold literally, but run colder than a 50/50 mixture. Water dissipates heat faster that anti-freeze (basic car knowledge). Hence running straight water through your cooling system, your car is less likely to reach normal operating tempature

 

[ManicMechanic]

Besides, I'm not saying that my answer is the correct one. Just one of the many possibilities. As anyone knows, you can't diagnose a problem over a computer without even looking at the car. I just thought I would give a quick opinion. But if some people want to be sticklers about it, let me ask this; what is the year make of the car, how low is below normal, how much heat is comming out of the vents with the heat on? When you do a cold start with the A/C off and the defrost off, are the electric cooling fans running? I originally thought this was a friendly site, but maybe I was wrong

 

[Bustedwheel]

I have a quick question. I had to replace a stuck caliper on my car a week ago. I did not bleed the whole system, just the one caliper. I have a very solid pedal feel with no fade or squishyness in it at all. feels perfect. The problem now is I have a pulsing feel during braking which feels like my rotors are warped. I did change both front rotors & pads with the caliper, but I also had a shop put on new tires a few days later. I am not sure if I should attribute the warped rotors to my caliper/rotor replacement or to the shop using an impact wrench (which I know they did and they were overtightened, but I re-torqued them correctly the next day)

 

[Bustedwheel]

Now that I read it, it may not be such a "quick" question

 

[ManicMechanic]

I'm guessing that the pulsation was not there before, but uneven torquing of lugnuts can cause that to happen. Also, if you removed the rotors while repairing (assuming they are knock off rotors) check and see if and debris is between the rotor and the hub assembly

 

[djd99]

Besides, I'm not saying that my answer is the correct one. Just one of the many possibilities. As anyone knows, you can't diagnose a problem over a computer without even looking at the car. I just thought I would give a quick opinion. But if some people want to be sticklers about it, let me ask this; what is the year make of the car, how low is below normal, how much heat is comming out of the vents with the heat on? When you do a cold start with the A/C off and the defrost off, are the electric cooling fans running? I originally thought this was a friendly site, but maybe I was wrong

This is a very friendly site but you have to understand most of us are mechanics and do our own work obviously and were just having fun. If peeps do have a problem or question the great members here do chime in. Don't take these comments to heart there just having fun.

 

[djd99]

I have a quick question. I had to replace a stuck caliper on my car a week ago. I did not bleed the whole system, just the one caliper. I have a very solid pedal feel with no fade or squishyness in it at all. feels perfect. The problem now is I have a pulsing feel during braking which feels like my rotors are warped. I did change both front rotors & pads with the caliper, but I also had a shop put on new tires a few days later. I am not sure if I should attribute the warped rotors to my caliper/rotor replacement or to the shop using an impact wrench (which I know they did and they were overtightened, but I re-torqued them correctly the next day)

If you bought the china rotors over the usa ones most likely that's your problem as there quality is very poor and just don't last. Always ask your dealer if they have any usa made rotors when doing your brake work. It makes a huge difference. China rotors will pulse out of the box.

 

[checkthisout]

If you bought the china rotors over the usa ones most likely that's your problem as there quality is very poor and just don't last. Always ask your dealer if they have any usa made rotors when doing your brake work. It makes a huge difference. China rotors will pulse out of the box.

They may have been made in Brazil. If that's the case then the rotors need to go on opposite sides of the car so that they rotate the other way since they were built below the equator.

 

[ManicMechanic]

I have a quick question. I had to replace a stuck caliper on my car a week ago. I did not bleed the whole system, just the one caliper. I have a very solid pedal feel with no fade or squishyness in it at all. feels perfect. The problem now is I have a pulsing feel during braking which feels like my rotors are warped. I did change both front rotors & pads with the caliper, but I also had a shop put on new tires a few days later. I am not sure if I should attribute the warped rotors to my caliper/rotor replacement or to the shop using an impact wrench (which I know they did and they were overtightened, but I re-torqued them correctly the next day)

Whoops, didn't notice that you said that you changed rotors too. In that case, CheckThisOut (sorry, don't know your name) is most likely correct. But also make sure you have a clean mounting surface as well. always clean rust or debrise from the hub surface before installing new rotors.
Sorry guys, sometimes I do tend to take things to seriously. I don't know anyone on here, so I don't know how to take things yet

 

[Bustedwheel]

They may have been made in Brazil. If that's the case then the rotors need to go on opposite sides of the car so that they rotate the other way since they were built below the equator.

I didn't actually pay attention to where the rotors were made, but unless BMW deeply discounted them and started selling through Advanced auto parts, I would imagine they are the Chinese ones. I have used them before (at least the ones Advanced Sells) on my Saab and didn't have a problem. If the mounting surface checks out should I try and cut them (they have about 300 miles on them) or are they junk. I would imagine cutting them would make them more prone to warp.

 

[Bustedwheel]

They may have been made in Brazil. If that's the case then the rotors need to go on opposite sides of the car so that they rotate the other way since they were built below the equator.

Awesome.

 

[Vernmotor]

They may have been made in Brazil. If that's the case then the rotors need to go on opposite sides of the car so that they rotate the other way since they were built below the equator.

Now thats is funny !!!

 

[checkthisout]

Awesome.

Well, the coriolis effect can be a real ******.

 

[IH82BL8]

What's the best way to prevent tires from dry rotting or cracking on a car that's stored long term?

The car is in a garage, so exposure to ultraviolet light is minimal. I'm going to put the car on jack stands to avoid deforming the tires with a permanent contact patch. The garage is unheated, but is attached to my house so the temperature almost never goes below freezing. Is there anything that I can or should put on the sidewalls to keep them from drying out?

Thanks.

 

[6t7gto]

Coriolis effect...
Moving objects on the surface of the Earth experience a Coriolis force, and appear to veer to the right in the northern hemisphere, and to the left in the southern.

 

[DCLXVI]

What's the best way to prevent tires from dry rotting or cracking on a car that's stored long term?

The car is in a garage, so exposure to ultraviolet light is minimal. I'm going to put the car on jack stands to avoid deforming the tires with a permanent contact patch. The garage is unheated, but is attached to my house so the temperature almost never goes below freezing. Is there anything that I can or should put on the sidewalls to keep them from drying out?

Thanks.

Lifting car off ground IS the best way to save the tires. Ozone is heavy and stays near the ground. Ozone is what tends to destroy rubber.

Make sure your jackstands are placed under the suspension, leaving the suspension hanging is never a good idea.

 

[malibu101]

I've heard that running electric motors often in a space where tires is stored is not good for the tires.
Anyone else ever hear this?

 

[DCLXVI]

I've heard that running electric motors often in a space where tires is stored is not good for the tires.
Anyone else ever hear this?

Again, this is Ozone related. I would imagine that you would have to run the electric motor alot to produce serious amounts of the stuff. Ever notice that lightening smell from some electric motors?
A fan will work to move it out of the shop/ garage; Ozone is heavier than air.