So, the whole point of this is to provide a forum for giving car advice. I'm not sure how that's going to work, but for now it's fun to rant and rave a bit about cars.
Today I gave some advice about a 1994 Honda Civic. T's friend was going to call Car Talk, and my she told her that I'd do a better job. Thanks for the vote of confidence, T! Anyway, Laurie is having a problem where her car just dies while driving. If she holds the key in place, the car will keep running. It needs a new ignition switch, and the car parts place wanted $250 for the part! In 30 seconds, I found her a new keyswitch for $80 on eBay. Hopefully she can find some shady mechanic to put it in for $100 or so.
By the way, I love eBay. Some knucklehead has bid up a Mercury Marauder brochure I have on there to $12. Pure profit, baby...I got it for free at the auto show a few years back. Its amazing what people will buy.
I'm in desparate need of a truck today...I have to pick up a free stove, oven, and dishwasher in Ann Arbor. I can't justify buying a truck, but it would be nice to have something with cargo abilities. I'm thinking a Mazda3 hatchback might be the perfect car for me, but they are impossible to find used for a good deal. A new car payment goes against my "less is more" philosophy when it comes to stuff.
In Detroit economic news, Ford laid off almost every contract engineer yesterday. A friend of mine was walked out after working there for 8 years. He has to figure out how to feed his wife and kids now. Scary. When I got into this business 6 years ago, I never would have thought it could come to this. Next week, a big round of layoffs is supposed to happen. More people I know will lose their jobs.
Message to all: please buy American cars so the metro Detroit area doesn't turn into a gigantic Flint.
posted by carlos @ 2:29 PM
5 comments
5 Comments:
We'll but "American" cars when ya'll decide to make one we like. So there's the Focus, and then...
Italians do it with style!
BTW: Can an improperly set timing chain cause blue smoke out the exhaust? What if my camshaft is a bit worn?
but --> buy
Actually, I think your Subaru might have been made in Indiana. So there.
Everyone should buy a Ford Fusion (oops, that's made in Mexico).
Anyway, an improperly set timing chain will cause the car to idle and run poorly. It could cause a piston to contact a valve. And, if the valve sequencing is off, I suppose unburned fuel could cause blue smoke out of the tail pipe. There should be timing marks on the camshaft and crankshaft. Your book will tell you how they are supposed to line up. I assume we're talking about the datSun?
I'm hoping the blue smoke is linked to the timing chain, and not linked with me improperly replacing the piston rings and head gasket.
Yes, the Datsun is the concern. **Now with a new clutch master cylinder**
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I'm proud of my Indiana-built car! Ford, GM and Chrylser do not build compelling vehicles. Which does not explain why the Toyota Camry is so well selling...
Terry- how many miles on the Subaru?
BTW- the blue smoke is totally from the ring job. I forgot about that.
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