Author Topic: Any Car Mechanics Here? (Read 748 times)

beet1e · « **Reply #15 on:** March 22, 2005, 03:15:47 AM »

capt. apathy · « **Reply #16 on:** March 22, 2005, 03:45:43 AM »

http://www.automotiveforums.com/

heres a pretty good sight. they cover most cars. you may not get the amount of interest that one that specializes in your car would have but I've had good luck there.

it's really helpful when everyone reading the forum owners the same car. odds are a few people have dealt with the problem before. it has saved me a lot of cash in the last 6 years or so. on one or more occasions they steered me toward an obscure problem that is specific to the car I was working on.

mora · « **Reply #17 on:** March 22, 2005, 04:16:59 AM »

I just called a friend of mine who's a Chrysler mech. He said he has never seen an old Neon doing 98k without having a head gasket replaced. Most Neons of that age had their head gaskets replaced in less than 10k. The problem was in the assembly and/or the original head gaskets.

Scrap · « **Reply #18 on:** March 22, 2005, 06:46:48 AM »

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Originally posted by Creamo
A 96 Neon DOHC. Just bought it for little or nothing because the kid didn’t think it could pass smog. I see his point. It runs ruff, but not so much I’d think the engine is shot at 98K. It puts out white stinky smoke, and a lot. I did do the engine codes, got a MAP sensor low voltage, and a #4 injector low voltage.

I Ohmed out the injectors, all at 12, so maybe they are good, although that doesn’t say they are all working. I went to pull the MAP sensor, and it was missing a bolt. When I pulled the MAP sensor, I saw my reflection in the intake manifold. Scary enough as that was, I composed myself and wondered why oil was there. I think the valve cover is leaking, but enough to transfer that much oil in the Map sensor hole where the bolt was missing? Dunno.

What would put oil in the intake manifold?

Hmmm white smoke, reflection in intake... sounds like a head gasket is blown. White smoke points to water getting in the cylanders/crank case area. Have you done an oil change yet to see if antifreese/water is in the oil?

culero · « **Reply #19 on:** March 22, 2005, 07:04:34 AM »

Creamo, since nobody currently employed spoke up yet, as you requested, let me offer this:

I'm retired from this field, now working the last coupla-three years doing unrelated stuff. However, at the time I decided to close for business the general repair shop that provided my living for 19+ years (after having for the 8 prior years worked for OEM dealers as a service manager and some time before that as a technician) I held an ASE Master Auto Technician's certification, which is still actually current through 2007 (I'd just done my periodic re-certifcation when I shut down). Those are my quals, perhaps that'll do for you.

Its impossible for me to offer a certain diagnosis without an inspection. There's simply too many things that need to be looked at by an experienced eye. That said, IMO the advice you're receiving thus far is solid, the probability of a head gasket failure is substantial.

I'd recommend that you pay a certified technician to perform a diagnosis and make you a quote for the repair. You shouldn't have to pay for more than an hour or so of flat rate to get that, and then you'll be able to make an informed decision as to how to proceed.

One thing mentioned here (all you need is a torque wrench etc to DIY) is bad advice. Modern engines are more tricky to repair in terms of degree of precision of effort involved than used to be the case even 10 years ago, especially 20+ years ago. There's many many things I can think of that an amateur might not be equipped to do, or might not be skilled enough to do.

That said, I'll be glad to offer specifc advice in detail if you insist on delving into it yourself.

I'd recommend allowing a competent professional to perform major internal engine repair procedures if you can afford it. You're more likely to experience greater integrity of repair and be more cost effective in the long run that way. A smart DIY guy will stick to routine stuff he's equipped and competent to do. Your question tends to indicate you ain't a qualified current engine repair guy

culero (even if you've done it on a Chevy V8 before)

mora · « **Reply #20 on:** March 22, 2005, 07:14:39 AM »

Well I'm actually currently employed and educated in this field.

I agree with your assesment. There's no way of telling what the problem is for certain, but it does point towards the head gasket. Given Neons history of head gasket problems I think it's very likely.

Quote

One thing mentioned here (all you need is a torque wrench etc to DIY) is bad advice. Modern engines are more tricky to repair in terms of degree of precision of effort involved than used to be the case even 10 years ago, especially 20+ years ago. There's many many things I can think of that an amateur might not be equipped to do, or might not be skilled enough to do.

IMO as an aircraft mechanic Creamo should have no problems changing the head gasket. I can ask if there is anything special to it, if you decide to DIY. There might be some special tools needed, for example to secure the camshafts.

culero · « **Reply #21 on:** March 22, 2005, 07:28:55 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by mora
Well I'm actually currently employed and educated in this field.

I agree with your assesment. There's no way of telling what the problem is for certain, but it does point towards the head gasket. Given Neons history of head gasket problems I think it's very likely.

IMO as an aircraft mechanic Creamo should have no problems changing the head gasket. I can ask if there is anything special to it, if you decide to DIY. There might be some special tools needed, for example to secure the camshafts.

DOH! I had no idea Creamo's an AC tech. My bad, apologies.

And, as always, a tip of the hat to a fellow "wrench"

culero

mora · « **Reply #22 on:** March 22, 2005, 08:06:00 AM »

I haven't actually wrenched for 4 years, but those were really good times.

I'm currently a part time service advisor and also doing my BS
c thesis in automotive and transport. I should get my papers in a month or so, but I have no idea what to do next. The good automotive jobs are so scarce here...

culero · « **Reply #23 on:** March 22, 2005, 08:18:17 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by mora
I haven't actually wrenched for 4 years, but those were really good times. I'm currently a part time service advisor and also doing my BS
c thesis. I should get my papers in a month or so, but I have no idea what to do next. The good automotive jobs are so scarce here...

Yeah, the reason I got out is that I decided the state of the industry dictated the only way for a guy like you or I to be sure of a good career was to invest a lot of $$ and open a high-traffic-area shop of the type many chains and franchises have. I almost did that, circumstances prevented me from closing at the last minute and I turned to another heading.

Good luck. If you're interested, let's exchange e-mails/phone numbers and I'll outline a great business plan that SBA and my personal banker liked well enough to offer to finance (Tune N Lube with general repair bays).

culero

mora · « **Reply #24 on:** March 22, 2005, 08:33:40 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by culero
Good luck. If you're interested, let's exchange e-mails/phone numbers and I'll outline a great business plan that SBA and my personal banker liked well enough to offer to finance (Tune N Lube with general repair bays).

Thanks for the offer but in here we have no such things as Tune N Lube so it might be a little difficult.

Then again that kind of business might bloom in the future as the new EU regulations allows cars to be serviced in indepedent shops without loosing their warranties. The biggest problem for a Tune N lube would be the great cost of the make specific testers and tools.

OneWordAnswer · « **Reply #25 on:** March 22, 2005, 08:38:49 AM »

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Originally posted by beet1e
American cars are crap.

Korean.