General internal combustion engine questions.
2
votes
2answers
511 views
Car runs uneven and jerky, but why? (Mazda 626)
I have a Mazda 626 (sedan) -97 and lately its been running uneven and jerky.
Have had in in for repairs and changed battery, oil+filter and spark plugs. Still had problems and tried to use a engine ...
1
vote
1answer
71 views
Adjusting the idle setting on a 2005 Cavalier
The air conditioning unit on my 2005 Cavalier only engages when the engine is idling above a certain level (observationally, it appears to be between 1000 and 1200 rpm).
During the summer months, ...
0
votes
1answer
614 views
Problem starting Husqvarna Kohler 20 hp Gas Powered Riding Mower.
I am pretty new at this but I'm trying to learn more about my lawn mower.
I am having problem starting the lawn mower, I've tried the following steps to diagnose the problem ... maybe I can get more ...
1
vote
2answers
477 views
What can I do to give my lawn mower more power?
I have a 21" Craftsman push lawn mower with a Briggs and Stratton 7 hp engine that is about 6 years old. I've got it cutting on the highest setting, and it still has issues cutting the grass without ...
3
votes
1answer
632 views
Car Stalls When Coming to a Stop
Make: Chevy
Model: Cavalier (4 cyl.) Automatic
Year: 1993
Miles: 230K
Normally my Cavalier drives just fine without problems. However, if I drive for 45+ minutes then it will sputter and stall out ...
2
votes
1answer
281 views
Normal spark advance for 96 LT1 engine? STFT also varies bank 1 vs bank 2. What does it mean?
I used my HP Tuners as a scan tool on my 96 LT1 in an Impala SS. The "Advance" as read by the tool sits at -12 deg at idle, then goes down to -35 deg if I rev it (no load) to about 2k RPM. I'm ...
1
vote
3answers
61 views
Should I do anything or check anything before starting my push mower after sitting all winter?
I didn't do anything to "winterize" it, but we only had a few stretches of really cold weather (less than 20F) and the majority of the winter was between 20F and 50F.
Should I do anything before ...
5
votes
1answer
145 views
Ants in my lawn mower engine
Related questions:
Are small engines on topic? (meta)
Reviving a vehicle that has been idle for a long time.
With the arrival of Spring, I went to dust off my riding lawn mower. It had been sitting ...
2
votes
1answer
857 views
Car starts really hard after I drive it a while then stop it and start it again
I have a quite old (10 yrs) car that I didn't used to often (it mostly sit in the garage). Last month I took it for a ride and the engine overheated. I took it to the service and the guys there fixed ...
4
votes
2answers
1k views
Engine Bogs down with A/C or Defroster On
This started to happen relatively recent. It's 2003 Chevy Trailblazer. What is happening when the engine is idling and I turn the A/C on or the defroster (which also uses the A/C I believe), the ...
2
votes
1answer
58 views
What are those big plates on both sides of the steam engine?
I would like to know what are those two big plates on both sides of this engine:
2
votes
1answer
76 views
Diagnostic, diy repair guides, technical manuals
So I was wondering for a list of good diy diagnostic, repair softwares (not obd).
I am aware of Autodata, Vivid and Mitchell on Demand.
What else do you know? I am also looking for a software that ...
0
votes
1answer
370 views
mitsubishi mirage check engine light
My relative has a Mirage circa 2000 with a "Service engine soon" light. He showed it to his mechanic and he said that he doesn't know what is wrong with it and that the car needs to be taken to the ...
7
votes
2answers
1k views
Is it OK to mix oil of different viscosity?
I have a Mazda RX-8 (with a Wankel rotary engine). Mazda advises North American owners to use 5W-20 oil. The engine was just replaced 200 miles ago by the dealer so it currently has 5W-20 in it.
...
2
votes
3answers
81 views
What are some typical maintenance things that every owner should do regularily?
Right now I just get a car wash every month, and my oil changed and whatever is included in that. Usually just a quick "inspection". Is there anything else I should be doing for my car?
Or also, is ...
2
votes
1answer
231 views
2002 Ford Focus CEL blinked for a minute and then turned off
I have a 2002 Ford Focus with around 100k miles on it. I just brought it back from the mechanic for a fuel pump replacement. As this question shows.
Anyway I was driving around going uphill when I ...
1
vote
1answer
270 views
Engine and gearbox replacement for 1993 Mitsubishi Triton 4x4
I'm sure it's possible technically but I would like to know what the options are for engine replacements. The 4 cyl engine in my Ute is past its life expectancy. I'm interested to know if a new modern ...
1
vote
1answer
597 views
Where to start with 'Motor for Intake Manifold Flap (V157): Open or Short to Ground'
I recently hooked my 2005 Audi A3 to VCDS after the engine management light came on and got the reading:
Motor for Intake Manifold Flap (V157): Open or Short to Ground
I have seen various images ...
1
vote
2answers
153 views
Best cars for drifting [closed]
I'm trying to find list of best cars for drifting (cheep and with left wheel), Can anyone please suggest me some cars?
2
votes
3answers
1k views
Blue-ish smoke coming out from the exhaust
I have a VW Golf mk4, 1.9 TDI from 2001 with 230.000+ km on board and for some time now I have blue smoke coming out of the exhaust.
The problem aggravates when I'm stuck in traffic or when the ...
2
votes
3answers
954 views
Squeaking Noise when Cold Start. Suspect something wrong with belts, Also engine missing when sudden acceleration desired from Total Stop
From the past few weeks whenever I crank my car there is a squeaking noise which may continue for about 30-60 sec or even longer (This is intermittent sometimes it doesn't really happen). The engine ...
1
vote
0answers
76 views
What performance and suspension options do I have on a 2007 Grand Cherokee with the 4.7L V8?
This truck — is it a "truck"? — has the 4.7L MPI V-8, is a 4×4, and is the "Limited" trim package with nearly every whiz-bang option available. I bought it because I needed a 4×4, and this turned out ...
3
votes
3answers
275 views
Looking for suggestions about what to try and fix on my tecumseh snow blower engine that stalls after you stop putting load on it
I have a troy bilt snow blower with a tecumseh engine and it starts great and runs great. Most of the time, anyway. It will scoop up snow and throw it just fine, and then for no obvious reason it ...
2
votes
3answers
233 views
Is my mechanic ripping me off?
My 2002 ford focus (built after may 23) died and the AAA and tow guy both said that it needs a new fuel pump.
Anyway I went to the mechanic and he said it'll be 350 for the pump and 200 for labor. I ...
2
votes
1answer
241 views
is there any way to adjust my idle speed - 2003 Cadillac CTS
My 2003 CTS vibrates pretty bad at idle speed (around 600 RPMs) But If I rev up to 800 or so, it's totally smooth.
The real problem is partially due to worn motor mounts, but I dont want to spend ...
1
vote
1answer
64 views
v-tech now vs then
Back around 2003-2006 I looked into V-Tech which was using a variable cam lobe with a more agressive profile that engaged when "needed". Today, we have motors with a continuously variable valve timing ...
3
votes
3answers
177 views
Dying car, at random intervals
So my 1996 Jaguar XJR is just stopping at random. It happens when the car is doing low RPM, like when I am coming/stading at a stop light.
Any ideas on where to start to troubleshoot this problem?
...
3
votes
2answers
211 views
How is the clanging sound produced in the engine?
Imagine riding your motor bike from plain ground to an uphill path, initially it climbs the road in top gear. Then gradually the bike begins to slow down and the sound from the 100cc petrol engine ...
2
votes
2answers
2k views
2006 Chevy Cobalt front end (strut mount?) noise
I have a 2006 Chevy Cobalt and since I bought the thing, the front suspension makes this horrible clunking noise every time I go over a bump. I don't know how to describe the noise other than it only ...
12
votes
8answers
6k views
Is it necessary to 'burn in' or 'break in' a new car?
I've just bough a new 2011 plate car. I've heard stories of people 'burning in' engines for the first few hundred or couple thousand miles using methods such as:
Not driving above 50 mph.
Varying ...
1
vote
1answer
98 views
How can I know what engine is compatible with a 2001 Mazda 626
I am selecting an engine to go into this vehicle and I want to know what my options are. What I know is that the engine that was a 2.5L, The transmission is standard. Wikipedia says the 2.5L engine ...
0
votes
1answer
220 views
Cold & damp starting problem with delica
the car starts 3-5sec later stutters & dies it can do this up to 5 times
i keep rev's at 2 until warm. It starts fine rest of day, Have 2 new battery's?
1
vote
1answer
549 views
Smoke on start-up: valve gasket?
I have a 1990 Honda Accord. Sometimes, when starting up after sitting for a long time, I get blue smoke from the exhaust. This only lasts for a minute or two, after that, there's no smoke whatsoever. ...
1
vote
3answers
199 views
My 2001 Mitsubishi Airtrek revs at 2250rpm for 30 seconds before slowing. Will this speed harm the engine?
My 2001 Mitsubishi Airtrek 2wd with 86000k revs at 2250rpm for 30 seconds before slowing. Will this speed harm the engine?
4
votes
2answers
341 views
Engine never warms up (actually: it cools down) at highway speeds
I have a 1997 Caravan (base model) and normally on my drive to work and my highway drives in rush-hour, the engine warms up just fine.
I took a road trip for work, about an hour and fifteen minutes ...
-1
votes
1answer
142 views
Best brand of premium gas? [closed]
I just bought a car with a turbo engine that requires 91 premium gas. Out of the major gasoline companies like Shell, Chevron, BP, etc., is there one in particular that is better than the others that ...
3
votes
2answers
6k views
Oil in coolant - how much trouble am I in?
I have oil in my coolant reservoir. Could it just be the head gasket or is it almost certainly the entire engine or might it be something else entirely?
Thanks in advance...
2
votes
2answers
99 views
Reaching top speeds to maintain engine tuned
I live in Central America. Driving is different than in 'Western' countries. Roads are often in bad shape, and it is very common to encounter people / cows / carts / painfully slow cars on the ...
2
votes
1answer
179 views
Power Inverters as Emergency Generators?
After being hit by Hurricane Irene last week, I happened to loose power for literally one week so rather than rely completely on batteries and being a nomad, I used my Cobra 400 watt power inverter ...
7
votes
2answers
630 views
Why might I experience a power falloff after starting my car with the AC On?
I have a 2000 Chrysler Neon which generally runs well.
I have noticed that if I start the vehicle, turn the AC on and reverse out of the driveway, the engine seems to struggle/sounds like it is going ...
0
votes
2answers
1k views
Engine Code p0104 - EGR issues?
One of my family members owns a Ford Econoline E150 modified with a roof extender and power wheelchair lift, however the engine is a stock V8 which runs on regular gas.
Anyway, after a fairly long ...
2
votes
1answer
86 views
How do the cycles of the engine get converted into cycles of the wheels?
Is it the transmission that converts the high rpm of the engine into the lower rpm of the wheels rotation? Let's say that an engine was running at 500 rpm (this refers to the rpm of the crankshaft, ...
3
votes
2answers
330 views
97 GMC k1500 missing badly. Ignition system problems?
I have a 97 GMC Sierra k1500 with a 305 (5.0L) engine. It seems like every year for a few years now it will suddenly start missing very badly. There will be random misfires on all cylinders almost ...
3
votes
1answer
77 views
Which engine part is this?
I own a speedboat that is powered by a 5 liter V8 Mercruiser with 200bhp.
Yesterday when trying it out for the 1st time this season, 2 things happened:
1 - the boat was always trying to turn left ...
1
vote
2answers
2k views
High-pitched squealing coming from engine
I've been told that a wet serpentine belt causes this. Is that true? If not, what else could it be? How can I fix this?
This is a 2004 Chevy Trailblazer (4.2L 6-cyl. engine). I hear the noise ...
1
vote
1answer
48 views
Strokes during compression test?
Just wondering what the general consensus out there for the amount of times the vehicle turns over during a compression test? I have heard anywhere from 5-8, and personally crank 7. What is the ...
1
vote
1answer
242 views
Crate motor for 2004 Dodge Neon
I'm looking for a good source to get a crate motor. I've tried some google searches but only found motors with high milage on them. I'm trying to decide on getting a crate or just rebuilidng existing ...
2
votes
2answers
210 views
2003 Nissan 350 Z won't accelerate
We own a Nissan 350 Z and this morning it would not start. It would turn over but it wouldn't fire. After pulsing the gas a little bit it would start but then letting off the gas would cause it to ...
1
vote
1answer
662 views
How to fix Accord 1998 EX V6 OBD-II trouble code “P0108” — MAP (Manifold Absolute Pressure) Pressure Circuit High Input?
A few days ago, my Honda Accord 1998 V6 EX's "check engine" light came on. Since then, the engine experiences instability during idle. At stop lights, I can hear the engine having trouble stay running ...
1
vote
1answer
530 views
Does a warped engine block affect compression test?
Check other questions, and did not see an answer.
Backstory: Driving around, discovered pin hole in radiator. Chose to drive home, since I was at my exit, and I lived right there. Blew head gasket.
...
