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If you want advice about how to fix your car, remember that you are the eyes and ears of your helpers. So, you need to be a good witness.
Here are some do’s and don’ts
Do record the make, model, transmission type, mileage and engine size of your vehicle, and any pertinent history of repairs.
Do provide as many details as you can about the problem.
Don’t ask, “does anybody know how to fix Fords?” don’t ask, “how do you fix brakes?” Vague questions like that are a red flag that the person has no clue about auto repair, so don’t be surprised if you get simple answers back. If you show some evidence of your skill set, then those offering advice can better adjust the explanation to your knowledge level. And, there is less risk of walking somebody down a repair pathway that puts them in danger of causing more problems.
Don’t just say “ my car won’t start”. You need to be a better observer. Here’s an example.
I have a 2001 manual transmission 2.3L Ford Ranger with 180,000 miles that won’t start today. It’s never had any serious repair and it’s had no major maintenance before. Last night while I was driving the engine suddenly quit, so I pushed in the clutch and it coasted to a stop on the road, a block from my house. Dash lights and headlights stayed on until I turned the key off. That night I couldn’t restart it, so I walked home. This morning I stepped into the truck and I turned the key to on. Just after I turn the key to on, I hear the fuel pump motor come on for a couple of seconds. The lights on the dash come on, the headlights work normally. The fuel gauge reads 3/4 full. When I turn the key to start I hear the starter motor engage, and I hear and feel the crankshaft spin. I can see the serpentine belt moving when I try to start the vehicle. But it spins the motor at a faster than normal speed, with an unusually smooth whirring sound and no evidence of ignition.
The above history, presented in the kind of smooth and logical way that a mechanic would normally approach the problem, rings familiar bells and makes it much easier for others to help.
Unless you’re sure, don’t start the description with your diagnosis. For example, don’t start with the question “ how do I replace a thermostat” Rather, give the problem, the evidence, and only then discuss why you think you need a new thermostat. You might find that the white smoke out your exhaust that you didn’t mention is also related to the overheating radiator.
Do provide as many clues as you can. for example if the problem only happens in damp or cold weather, mention it.
Do consider making a video of the problem. Posting video on Youtube is free, easy, and fun. A short video of your problem can make a huge difference as to how much you’ll get out of your effort. And you’ll likely meet a lot of interesting friends along the way.
NOTE. PLEASE DO NOT ASK REPAIR QUESTIONS IN THIS THREAD, SINCE NONE OF THE VETERANS FOLLOW THIS THREAD DAILY. TO GET PERSONAL HELP WITH A REPAIR, CLICK THE ABOVE LINK TITLED “SERVICE AND REPAIR QUESTIONS ANSWERED HERE”. THEN CLICK “+NEW TOPIC” TO START A NEW THREAD.
[Edit suggested by Beefy]
Finally, one more thing. Remember to keep your thread active, right to the point that the problem is solved and answered. Everybody who helps out on this forum wants to see how things ended up. If you ask a question on this forum, you owe those who try to help the courtesy of telling them what the solution was, even if you eventually had it fixed by a pro.Good Luck!
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That is a great description of a problem. What would be an answer to that problem ? Possible timing belt/chain slip or snap ?
Yes, I made the example something that those with experience would instantly recognize, like a timing belt failure. But the most important message is to impress on the witness how important it is to carefully describe the whole problem. Many threads on this forum lack detail in the original post, and the most important diagnostic observations are only brought up in later discussion. To include all detail in the first posting saves everybody a lot of energy, and it helps to avoid the pitfall of bad advice founded on inadequate communication.
Eric, I’m hoping you can put this one back as a sticky thread, to offer guidance for those looking for advice here. I think it made a difference to the quality of some questions.
I have a 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT. 3.8 Liter Engine, Automatic Transmission.recent work completed was flush cooling system and replace all hoses and belts and thermostat. This morning on way home from church, vehicle had run approx. six min, check engine light came on. Ck and found code P0441 Stored. Evaporative Emission Contol System Purge System incorrect purge flow. Any info on this system would be appreciated.
I have a 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT. 3.8 Liter Engine, Automatic Transmission.recent work completed was flush cooling system and replace all hoses and belts and thermostat. This morning on way home from church, vehicle had run approx. six min, check engine light came on. Ck and found code P0441 Stored. Evaporative Emission Contol System Purge System incorrect purge flow. Any info on this system would be appreciated.
We’ve had a problem with people posting questions at the end of this thread, where the questions will get little if any attention. Please read the bold line at the bottom of the initial posting, which shows you how to post a new thread. Your question is a good one, worthy of attention from the experienced people who help with this forum. I was hoping that the bold added line would prevent these questions from being posted here, but, evidently not.
We’ve had a problem with people posting questions at the end of this thread, where the questions will get little if any attention. Please read the bold line at the bottom of the initial posting, which shows you how to post a new thread. Your question is a good one, worthy of attention from the experienced people who help with this forum. I was hoping that the bold added line would prevent these questions from being posted here, but, evidently not.
I would like to add that asking a question here to get your ride going again is great, but… If you have an 2001 widget with some odd issue, there are likely at least 3 major forums that are dedicated to that 2001 widget, so not asking there as well, or at least utilizing their search feature to see if you can find more information is just shooting yourself in the foot. Multiple times. Often times those forums will have other valuable information on their main pages, such as TSBs and such.
Ask/search here(and for god’s sake come back to tell us the resolution), but if you were be diagnosed with a problem, and have access to have multiple doctors at your fingertips 24/7, with no additional charge but a bit more of your time, would you not want to take advantage of that?
I would like to add that asking a question here to get your ride going again is great, but… If you have an 2001 widget with some odd issue, there are likely at least 3 major forums that are dedicated to that 2001 widget, so not asking there as well, or at least utilizing their search feature to see if you can find more information is just shooting yourself in the foot. Multiple times. Often times those forums will have other valuable information on their main pages, such as TSBs and such.
Ask/search here(and for god’s sake come back to tell us the resolution), but if you were be diagnosed with a problem, and have access to have multiple doctors at your fingertips 24/7, with no additional charge but a bit more of your time, would you not want to take advantage of that?
You make some very good points, worth emphasizing. Whenever looking for answers on the internet, remember to read widely, and never completely rely on one source. You don’t necessarily know where internet advice comes from, and even the most distinguished experts can be flat wrong. Or, they may hold opinions that are contrary to mainstream consensus. Sources that allow discussion and have good traffic often have useful details and balance coming from the audience.
You make some very good points, worth emphasizing. Whenever looking for answers on the internet, remember to read widely, and never completely rely on one source. You don’t necessarily know where internet advice comes from, and even the most distinguished experts can be flat wrong. Or, they may hold opinions that are contrary to mainstream consensus. Sources that allow discussion and have good traffic often have useful details and balance coming from the audience.
I’d like to ad that if you are experiencing a strange sound, taking a video can be alot more helpful than describing it. I know you mentioned it in the OP but I wanted to emphasize it for sounds. “My car makes a grinding sound when I go X speed” doesn’t always cut it, actually hearing it can help alot.
I’d like to ad that if you are experiencing a strange sound, taking a video can be alot more helpful than describing it. I know you mentioned it in the OP but I wanted to emphasize it for sounds. “My car makes a grinding sound when I go X speed” doesn’t always cut it, actually hearing it can help alot.
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