General internal combustion engine questions.
6
votes
7answers
6k views
Diesel vs Petrol motorcars. Pro's and cons?
I realize this may be a silly question to those of you on here who are proper petrol-heads and this may even be a repeat question, but I could not find anything on it on here, so here goes:
What are ...
11
votes
4answers
4k views
Driving in second gear at 65+ mph
I accidentally drove my 2000 Grand Marquis on second gear on the highway. I was going 65 for like 5 minutes and tried to get it to 70mph but the car was shaking, when I realized I put it into regular ...
7
votes
3answers
2k views
Is Start & Stop technology good or bad for my car? (Alfa MiTO)
I was recently in the lucky position to obtain an (almost brand new) Alfa Romeo MiTo, Progression. Like many new cars coming out these days, it has "Start & Stop" technology that turns the engine ...
4
votes
3answers
678 views
What kind of engine oil to run a Diesel?
I got an 1987 Toyota Land Cruiser with a 2H diesel engine. I never changed oil on a diesel engine prior to this truck, so I'm a little confused.
Toyota Factory Shop Manual recommend API CC oil type, ...
5
votes
1answer
477 views
Heater smells like sulfur
I drive a 2006 Toyota Sienna. When driving with the heater on I often smell sulfur. This is more common when I am driving up a hill, but if I turn the heater off, the smell goes away. What causes this ...
4
votes
2answers
308 views
engine underpowered in idle - what can be done to improve a diesel engine power at low RPM just a bit?
There is an engine which is a bit underpowered when idling, it can not even keep the car moving on a flat road when in gear and idling at 700..800 RPM - see link.
What can be done to improve its ...
6
votes
4answers
3k views
What colour should power steering fluid be?
Recently started shopping for first car, so want to know as much as possible when going into a sale.
Car I looked at recently has a brown dirty colour in the power steering reservoir, but the stuff ...
4
votes
3answers
443 views
What happens if unsuitable oil is used in a vehicle engine?
I recently heard an urban legend-like story about a guy in a developing country who decided engine oil was too expensive and so used some vegetable oil instead. The story says the car ran for some ...
4
votes
2answers
514 views
does a car normally continue moving at a constant speed when in gear and the foot is taken off the accelerator pedal?
I remember when driving a passenger car, when I took my foot off the accelerator pedal completely, but remained in gear, the car would normally continue to move at some low speed, different for each ...
2
votes
1answer
427 views
Passat - Oil warning light on engine rev. Expensive fix?
looking to buy my first car, which is a daunting task for someone with little money and even less knowledge of motors.
Seen this one on ebay, which ticks all my boxes but is cheap because:
When ...
3
votes
1answer
128 views
What is a gasket head kit?
I am looking at buying a used car, many listed have had "gasket head kit" installed?
What is a gasket head kit?
Should i be wary about buying a car with one installed?
Will the "gasket head kit" ...
4
votes
1answer
887 views
How to clean the MAF sensor on a 1997 Nissan Altima?
I have a 1997 Nissan Altima sedan. I’ve been told the issues I’m having with my car is from the mass air flow sensor. I was wondering how to clean/repair this sensor and contact points the best? What ...
3
votes
1answer
652 views
Spark Plugs 1998 Buick Lesabre
Where are the spark plugs in a 1998 Buick Lesabre? Pictures would be helpful as I'm a novice at this type of thing. I'm assuming I need all six because I'm getting a check engine light saying number 6 ...
8
votes
4answers
765 views
2000 Jetta runs rough, shutters on cold start only on wet days.
This is an issue I've had off and on for, embarrassingly, at least a year:
On misty or wet mornings, everything starts out fine but, a few minutes into the drive (like clockwork. I even know the ...
6
votes
4answers
16k views
Cold start squeaking noise in engine
I just purchased a used 2010 Corolla 3 days ago. I've only now noticed that when I start the car, there is a squeaking sound coming from the engine. It lasts no more than a second. Sounds like it ...
3
votes
1answer
315 views
97 altima 5spd sputters, has loss of power under 3500rpm, dies when clutch is disengaged
My 97 altima has been to the same shop four times for the same problem. It will sputter and smoke( black smoke) and has large loss of power under 3500rpms and dies just about every time you depress ...
1
vote
1answer
1k views
Timing Belt Replacement Schedule on 2004 KIA
Can anyone tell me at what recommended mileage should the timing belt be replaced on a 2004 KIA 4 clylinder engine. And if you know, is this a job for a pro or can a do it yourself person do it? ...
1
vote
4answers
3k views
Uneven idle when my '93 Honda Accord's engine is cold
When I start the engine cold in my '93 Honda Accord, it will rev up to 2000rpm and slowly go down to 800 rpm as the engine warms up (normal behavior), unless I do one of the following during this ...
3
votes
2answers
1k views
2000 Nissan Maxima Service engine light
The dealer diagnosed it and says it got tripped by catalytic converter and rear oxygen sensor. The total estimate was around $2000. The blue book value on his car is around that amount. Is there a way ...
11
votes
3answers
1k views
Static vs. Effective compression: Why does higher effective compression not require higher octane gas?
Background
I've been trying to do a lot of research on boost lately because I'm planning on running a moderate turbo setup on my daily/light-duty-autox car in the future. I'm trying to get into the ...
1
vote
1answer
454 views
Coil Pack Location
Where are the coilpacks located in a 1998 Buick LeSabre? Images would be most appreciated.
Robert
2
votes
1answer
71 views
How to identify parts needed for a repair?
Here's a general question: How do you identify, in advance, what parts will be necessary for a repair (including all the various fasteners, o-rings, etc), and order them? Certainly for simple ...
5
votes
5answers
3k views
How to get a motor to Top Dead Center
I'm not sure how specific to my car this is or not, so I will include my car information just in case: It's a 1991 Honda CRX, base trim(the motor is the d15b2).
On to the question: How do I go about ...
1
vote
3answers
2k views
Best Ways to Pass Emissions?
I recently bought a 1989 Mercedes 300E that didn't run. Has a straight-six gas engine. Thanks to the miracle of Seafoam and a lot of luck, I was able to get fuel delivery happening again. I then ...
3
votes
1answer
938 views
How to attach PCV breather hose on MkIII Golf?
The old "breather hose" on my Mk3 VW Golf became cracked and fell off. I bought a replacement tube, which connects to part of the PCV apparatus on top of the engine via a hose clamp, but it is not ...
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
2answers
1k views
What could cause an engine to make a chirping sound when it's first started up?
I've owned a Diesel Peugeot 307 for a year now but during the recent winter months I have noticed a strange sound in the engine when I started it up. As sounds aren't well described with words, I have ...
