Virtual Mechanic

Name Andy
State & Suburb Perth WA
 Type of Vehicle Toyota
Model Crown Grande MK2
Month/Year 1982
Kms 76000
Problem Starter motor is sticking and only starts with a tap of a hammer first. Mechanic has charged $325 for overhaul ( no parts listed) is this a reasonable price?

Hi Andy,
 
Don’t get it overhauled its best to get a new starter it will come with warranty and last longer, shop around for a price
 
Darren

Name Evan
State & Suburb Adelaide South Australia
Type of Vehicle Holden
Model Commodore VY Series 2
Month/Year 2005
Kms 106,700
Problem I have taken my car in for its 105,00km logbook service, But the “Service warning” still comes up on the display when I start the car, I originally figured it would go away by itself, But as you can see I’m almost at 107,000 kms and it is still there. Did my service mechanic not do something? Any ideas or help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Hi Evan,
 
Correct me if I’m wrong but in your owners manual it will explain how to remove that warning service light.
 
Darren

Name Jock
State & Suburb Armidale NSW
Type of Vehicle Nissan 
Model X-Trail Auto 2.5 fuel Inj
Month/Year 2005
Kms 130,000
Problem chugs at idle. done resets/relearn etc. no effect
Wow Jock,
 
You really need to put more effort into your problem, are you running this at low fuel sometimes ?
 
Darren

Name Dave
State & Suburb South Australia
Type of Vehicle Jeep
Model Wrangler
Month/Year 2001
Kms 65000
Problem lately, when driving, occasionally, on depressing the clutch a very loud screaming type noise occurs. Any thoughts?

Hi Dave,
 
It sounds like the trust race, its wearing into the pressure plate diaphragm spring, the bad news is you may be looking at a new clutch replacement.
Try not to hold in the clutch at lights, this way you will or hopefully prolong the life of the clutch.
This was my fathers lesson to me
 
 
Darren

Ruby
State & Suburb Omak, WA

Type of Vehicle Mitsubishi
Model Mirage
Month/Year 1989
Kms 121,300
Problem When starting my car a belt is squealing and then it will quit. When I accelerate after stopping or slowing down it squeals again. Please give me an idea what belt would be making this noise. I know there are 3 belts in this car.
Second e-mail
When starting the car or accelerating after stopping or slowing down one of the belts is sqealing and making noise. It quits after awhile or until you have stopped and accelerated. Please advise which belt could be making this noise. Thank-You
Third E-mail
When starting the car or accelerating after slowing down or stopping one of the belts is squealing and making noise. It will quit after a few minutes after starting it or not accelerating.
Forth E-mail
One of the belts squeals when starting the car and accelerating after slowing down or stopping. Please advise which belt it could be.

Answer
Ruby,

It sounds like the alternator belt if you press on the belt (WITH THE ENGINE AND IGNITION OFF) you may feel a loose belt but check to see if its cracked inside.
If so replace the belt.

You sent 4 e-mails I got the point on your first e-mail

Gary
State & Suburb QLD Nanango

Type of Vehicle ford 
Model Telstar tx5 ghia 2.5lt v6
Month/Year 7/1996
Kms 240,000
Problem When I start car in the morning it seems it is not running on all cylinders but if you put your foot on the accelorator and rev to 1200rpms it starts to run normal if you leave your foot their for about 4min it then comes good I have changed plugs,leads,airfilter and 6mounths ago fuel filter also a year ago I had a new dissy and a new fuel pressure regulator installed can you help me as Im and old age pensioner and it starting to get very costly at the mechinics they all say diffrent things to me. 

Hi there,
 
The thing that comes to mind is the injectors, or the cold start injectors if applicable, have you ever had the injectors serviced this means taken out and ultasonic cleaned and tested, now before you do this ring Ford and ask them if there is a quick test on the analyser to check if the cold start injectors are holding residual pressure over night and the TPS is not too dirty to effect the air flow sensor.
 
I’m sorry as this next step may prove to be expensive or try to find an EFI specialist that can tell you the answer before spending your money
 
All the best
 
Darren

Darren Thankyou for replying so quick I was wondering if I got a rail flush would that help I had one 6 months ago then the leads packed in around months ago and I had to drive 270km to get home would that have clogged the injectors as it started to miss every now and again until now where it does it every morning the rail flush is $100 as I live in the bush.
thankyou again Gary

Gary
From my experience its the injector that needs to be cleaned now many years ago Toyota had the best additive on the market but I’m not sure about now but my point is give your car a nice glass of wine (Fuel injection additive) if you go to toyota it must be Toyota injection additive not an after market additive that they are selling on the side.
Now Gary if you come accross a good EFI specialist up there in the nice worm Queenland please let my readers know.
 
In conclusion if you try an additive it might help but if you get the injectors cleaned and tested this should show you evidence of a leaking injector
 
Darren

Rose
Message Hi
I would like to know if you have the information on how to reset the radio security code after putting in a new battery. The radio is a Fujitsu Ten
If you can help it would be greatly appreciated.

The car is a 1992 Toyota Camry it has a Fujitsu Ten radio in it.
Thank you
Rose 

Hi Rose
 
Try 1234 or ring Toyota and they hopefully might tell you the code if you can prove ownership
 
 
Regards
 
 
Darren

Amy
Message Hey,
I have a Daewoo Nubira 1998 Sedan.
Recently I just blew something to do with the timing belt.
I was just wondering,
Howwould you know if I have bent the pistens??
Is there anywhere to look to see if I have?
Because I dont want to spend money replacing the timing belt then realising the whole engine is damaged.
Please help !!
Amy,
 
Not looking good without vital information i.e. Type and size of engine, from the research it is pointing towards an expensive repair
 
Darren

Contact Me

Name stuart

Type of Vehicle Holden
Month/Year 2003
Model XC.Combo
Message Is it possible to get an electrical schematic diagram without paying a fortune for it??
Stuart,
 
What part are you after and have you tryed ellery books, this writer is very good
http://www.ellery.com.au/
 
Darren

muriel
 
Type of Vehicle Hyundai
Month/Year 1994
Model excel
Message How do you fix a leak around the input shaft of manual transmission,do i need to replace both shields and bell housing on a 1994 Hyundai Excel?
Muriel
 
This is a good question, because I need to establish where the oil is leaking
Are the CV boots torn if so they can be replaced.
 
If the seal is leaking where the CV Shaft fits into the transmission then replace the leaking seal
To establish where the leak is starting, you need to steam clean to see where its leaking.
 
I hope this helps