Car Guys/Girls

[-dlc-]

Obviously, I'm not looking for solutions to my problems or guaranteed expertise here, just suggestions.

 

I lost my trusted mechanic of many many years awhile ago due to retirement/the shop folding. It's been trial and error since then and, truth be told, as a female, it's easy for prices to get jacked up and stuff to be done that maybe isn't needed. 

 

Google is helpful mind you. Not as a final word or given but just to "gather" information as a general idea/guideline.

 

So the mechanic I currently have is a trusted source. The son of a neighbour I've lived next to for years. He started off as a mechanic at Petro Can years ago but has opened his own shop.

 

I know he wouldn't rip me off and he's really good about my cash payments..."give them to my Mom/Dad when you see them". The relationship is based on trust. He lends me a/his car and is very accomodating.

 

With that, recently my vehicle had starting issues. Sometimes took a couple of times to get it going. Was also "bogging down" and I explained that to my mechanic, but am not sure he really understood (English is his second language). I'm pretty good with noticing slight differences in driving/my vehicle.

 

This guy's younger and often refers to my vehicle as being "so old" and me needing a new car. Yes, please deliver one to my address thank you. Right now, I'm out of work and can't afford one so this is what I have to work with.

 

My vehicle is old but has been driven "lightly" and has about 200,000 kms on it so I think it's got a bit of life left in it. I keep it maintained with regular oil changes, tune ups, etc.

When my mechanic gave me a list of "what it could be's" he confirmed at one point "it's the starter". I told him I'd only put about 50,000 miles on my starter (which I'd replaced)...was he sure? Yep.

 

So that was about a month ago and now...the car's acting up again. Sputtering, coughing, completely bogging down now and the check engine light is flashing.

Again, he gave me the "maybe's" of what it could be. Ignition coil(s) and it needs a tune up (I told him it needed one when I took it in for the starter motor replacement).

 

When I googled ignition coil failure/symptoms, it said starting issues could be part of that. My mechanic says no, that the starting issues were unrelated.

I don't want to have to keep putting out money for "possible" fixes. I am going to follow up with a different shop (that's been referred to me) after this "bout" but what are your thoughts? Experiences? Knowledge on starters and ignition coils.

This could be a place to share info....not to give solid advice that's acted on as a disclaimer would be part of it. But general discussion of good service stations, pricing, etc. Maybe recommendations of some trusted sources? As much as I like, trust this guy, I also want good, competent service and not to become a money pit as we trouble shoot possibilities. Sold a Volvo when that started happening.

[Gurn]

Has this 'coughing/sputtering' issue lasted for more than one tank of gas?-- Sometimes a bad gas fill up can cause those issues.

Do you only do city driving? If so you might be able to relieve the problem by going for a 'burn' on the highway. try to keep the revs up, even if you need a lower gear to do so.-- Don't go crazy, just a nice 4,000 rpm run-can 'burn out' carbon build up.-this can make a surprising difference.

Did the school you were working for have an automotive class?- they might be able to help out a former workmate.

Depending on the age of the car- that 'check engine light' can be more than just 'check it'-in that a sensor can be plugged into the car that will say just what is going on.  There are many 'aftermarket' sensors available- but make sure that it is applicable to your vehicle.

 

Free to check:

Are the battery posts visible- if so are they clean, and firmly connected to the cables?

One of those cables will go to a 'ground'(Bolted to the side of the engine  or engine bay)- and needs to be firmly in place.

The other will go to a coil, then distributer, and these, now smaller wires also need to be firmly in place.

Can you get to the air filter, to check how dirty it is?- If it is dingy, air can't make it properly through, so can starve the engine.

Can you remove the sparkplugs? If so, check to see what colour the residue is on the 'inside the engine' end. Oily? Dark Brown, Light brown, or grey.?

Online resources can help with what those different colours may mean.-can also indicate how much life is left in the plaus.

Before putting the plugs back in,  take a bit of medium grade sandpaper, and gently clean the residue off. This includes the underside of the curved tip.

You may wish to consider just changing the plugs your self,  depending on what the colour diagnosis says.

Don't push or pull the tip out of position, as this will mess up the spark plug 'gap' which needs to be a certain distance apart to work properly. 

---------------------------------------------

Best of luck to you Deb.

 

 

[The Arrogant Worms]

5 hours ago, -dlc- said:

Obviously, I'm not looking for solutions to my problems or guaranteed expertise here, just suggestions.

 

I lost my trusted mechanic of many many years awhile ago due to retirement/the shop folding. It's been trial and error since then and, truth be told, as a female, it's easy for prices to get jacked up and stuff to be done that maybe isn't needed. 

 

Google is helpful mind you. Not as a final word or given but just to "gather" information as a general idea/guideline.

 

So the mechanic I currently have is a trusted source. The son of a neighbour I've lived next to for years. He started off as a mechanic at Petro Can years ago but has opened his own shop.

 

I know he wouldn't rip me off and he's really good about my cash payments..."give them to my Mom/Dad when you see them". The relationship is based on trust. He lends me a/his car and is very accomodating.

 

With that, recently my vehicle had starting issues. Sometimes took a couple of times to get it going. Was also "bogging down" and I explained that to my mechanic, but am not sure he really understood (English is his second language). I'm pretty good with noticing slight differences in driving/my vehicle.

 

This guy's younger and often refers to my vehicle as being "so old" and me needing a new car. Yes, please deliver one to my address thank you. Right now, I'm out of work and can't afford one so this is what I have to work with.

 

My vehicle is old but has been driven "lightly" and has about 200,000 kms on it so I think it's got a bit of life left in it. I keep it maintained with regular oil changes, tune ups, etc.

When my mechanic gave me a list of "what it could be's" he confirmed at one point "it's the starter". I told him I'd only put about 50,000 miles on my starter (which I'd replaced)...was he sure? Yep.

 

So that was about a month ago and now...the car's acting up again. Sputtering, coughing, completely bogging down now and the check engine light is flashing.

Again, he gave me the "maybe's" of what it could be. Ignition coil(s) and it needs a tune up (I told him it needed one when I took it in for the starter motor replacement).

 

When I googled ignition coil failure/symptoms, it said starting issues could be part of that. My mechanic says no, that the starting issues were unrelated.

I don't want to have to keep putting out money for "possible" fixes. I am going to follow up with a different shop (that's been referred to me) after this "bout" but what are your thoughts? Experiences? Knowledge on starters and ignition coils.

This could be a place to share info....not to give solid advice that's acted on as a disclaimer would be part of it. But general discussion of good service stations, pricing, etc. Maybe recommendations of some trusted sources? As much as I like, trust this guy, I also want good, competent service and not to become a money pit as we trouble shoot possibilities. Sold a Volvo when that started happening.

I wished you lived closer to me on the Island.  There are 3 shops that are great and will try to save you money.  The advantage of a small comunity....word gets around if you are truthful and doing a proper job.

 

Like Gurn said ask old workmates,,,,,friends.....even asking on Reddit or a community Facebook page could help.

 

 

[-dlc-]

22 hours ago, Gurn said:

Has this 'coughing/sputtering' issue lasted for more than one tank of gas?-- Sometimes a bad gas fill up can cause those issues.

Do you only do city driving? If so you might be able to relieve the problem by going for a 'burn' on the highway. try to keep the revs up, even if you need a lower gear to do so.-- Don't go crazy, just a nice 4,000 rpm run-can 'burn out' carbon build up.-this can make a surprising difference.

Did the school you were working for have an automotive class?- they might be able to help out a former workmate.

Depending on the age of the car- that 'check engine light' can be more than just 'check it'-in that a sensor can be plugged into the car that will say just what is going on.  There are many 'aftermarket' sensors available- but make sure that it is applicable to your vehicle.

 

Free to check:

Are the battery posts visible- if so are they clean, and firmly connected to the cables?

One of those cables will go to a 'ground'(Bolted to the side of the engine  or engine bay)- and needs to be firmly in place.

The other will go to a coil, then distributer, and these, now smaller wires also need to be firmly in place.

Can you get to the air filter, to check how dirty it is?- If it is dingy, air can't make it properly through, so can starve the engine.

Can you remove the sparkplugs? If so, check to see what colour the residue is on the 'inside the engine' end. Oily? Dark Brown, Light brown, or grey.?

Online resources can help with what those different colours may mean.-can also indicate how much life is left in the plaus.

Before putting the plugs back in,  take a bit of medium grade sandpaper, and gently clean the residue off. This includes the underside of the curved tip.

You may wish to consider just changing the plugs your self,  depending on what the colour diagnosis says.

Don't push or pull the tip out of position, as this will mess up the spark plug 'gap' which needs to be a certain distance apart to work properly. 

---------------------------------------------

Best of luck to you Deb.

 

 

These are all great suggestions (most of which have been presented to me and I've tried them). I immediately defaulted (with my limited knowledge) to: bad gas (I avoid some stations now), filters. I had checked the battery posts - fine/good to go.

 

FTR, the check engine light is always on (they can't determine why) but it was flashing on and off.

 

So my mechanic is going to: replace 3 ignition coils (OEM), ignition wire, all new spark plugs. I hope that's it for awhile. Hopefully his troubleshooting ends here and I have a reliable vehicle for a little while yet. 

 

I really appreciate this info, thank you!!