Forum Replies Created
-
Replies
-
Ok, so update! (I promised).
I got the car back from the shop Monday. They did a diagnosis, and lo and behold it was a failed PCV hose causing a vacuum leak. I suspected it was either that or a fuel problem, but they smoke tested it and found the leak. They recommended replacing the hose and the valve. I had pleaded and prayed it would be something simple and it was! The parts will cost about $6. I am also going to replace the fuel filter, air filter, and run some fuel system cleaner through it.
I had a question about that too…
Hopefully that will help the DTC so I can pass emissions!
Thanks!
FYI, it passed emissions just fine! Runs a lot better! We did the brakes and a left outer tie rod. The auto parts store (Costless) charged $10 for the replacement, and it had a zerk fitting so it’s serviceable! The original wasn’t. The PCV hose was a bear to fix, had to use off-shelf elbows (both were broken and disintegrating) and modify one of the broken original elbows with a knife and some electrical tape. Otherwise we’d have to order one from Ford (the whole hose assembly) for something like $70. The fuel filter was the original and very dirty. So a happy ending! Thanks for all the help and insights! You guys rock.
Thanks Eric! I have seen those videos before, and they are excellent and are simple to understand. You’re also a great orator and on-camera personality. You should have your own TV show.
It’s going to the shop on the 24th for diagnostic. I’m not replacing any parts until I get definite answers. They have the correct diagnostic tools for it so there’s no guessing it.
Thanks Eric! I have seen those videos before, and they are excellent and are simple to understand. You’re also a great orator and on-camera personality. You should have your own TV show.
It’s going to the shop on the 24th for diagnostic. I’m not replacing any parts until I get definite answers. They have the correct diagnostic tools for it so there’s no guessing it.
DFRanger and Wysetech, I only go to busy stations, and the stations that are busiest around here are….drumroll….Arco stations banana: Yes, they are well-maintained. I catch the fuel delivery guy (it’s BP, by the way) filling up the tanks as customers are filling theirs during the day. Very busy, I have to wait in line sometimes. For the record, their 89 octane is as cheap as Shell and Chevron’s regular, and their 92 is as cheap as the latter’s mid grade. That said, it’s a matter of preference. Some like chocolate covered strawberries, some like chocolate covered bananas, and some are happy with them plain. I see no reason to run anything other than 87 in your car unless it’s turbocharged or supercharged, or high compression and prone to detonation/knocking. You wouldn’t run 87 in a Nissan GTR, Blown 69 Chevelle, or Ferrari 458.
DFRanger and Wysetech, I only go to busy stations, and the stations that are busiest around here are….drumroll….Arco stations banana: Yes, they are well-maintained. I catch the fuel delivery guy (it’s BP, by the way) filling up the tanks as customers are filling theirs during the day. Very busy, I have to wait in line sometimes. For the record, their 89 octane is as cheap as Shell and Chevron’s regular, and their 92 is as cheap as the latter’s mid grade. That said, it’s a matter of preference. Some like chocolate covered strawberries, some like chocolate covered bananas, and some are happy with them plain. I see no reason to run anything other than 87 in your car unless it’s turbocharged or supercharged, or high compression and prone to detonation/knocking. You wouldn’t run 87 in a Nissan GTR, Blown 69 Chevelle, or Ferrari 458.
Thanks guys.
Yah, ethanol isn’t good. It destroys older car’s fuel systems, any car from 1901 up to 1980 when CAFE said there has to be less smog. All ethanol does is add oxygen to the fuel to help it burn cleaner (alcohol burns very clean).That’s it.
As far as gas/grade/octane, yes, run what the manufacturer recommends. Most all modern cars can run on 87 and be fine due to the knock sensor, but some, especially turbo/super charged and high performance engines, need premium 92 octane to prevent detonation.
So, i’ll keep running Arco. Summer’s around the corner and they start tweaking the fuel formulas to reduce smog here, which makes it like salad oil.
Thanks again.
Thanks guys.
Yah, ethanol isn’t good. It destroys older car’s fuel systems, any car from 1901 up to 1980 when CAFE said there has to be less smog. All ethanol does is add oxygen to the fuel to help it burn cleaner (alcohol burns very clean).That’s it.
As far as gas/grade/octane, yes, run what the manufacturer recommends. Most all modern cars can run on 87 and be fine due to the knock sensor, but some, especially turbo/super charged and high performance engines, need premium 92 octane to prevent detonation.
So, i’ll keep running Arco. Summer’s around the corner and they start tweaking the fuel formulas to reduce smog here, which makes it like salad oil.
Thanks again.
Thanks Eric. I love your videos. Very informative. My dad’s a retired mechanic of 21+ years and helps me out with questions, but I am always looking for second opinions.
I took the car to O-Reillie’s (not sure of spelling) and they scanned it and found no code, but after a week the light came on. Go figure. It’s due for tags and an emission test.
As far as the sensor, it will probably get replaced anyway as it’s old and only a $50 part. When he looked at the car, he said he couldn’t hear any vacuum leak, but we suspect that it’s a fuel problem. He said the diagnosis is to hook a fuel pressure gauge to the fuel rail while the car is running and watch the pressure as it chugs and stalls out. I don’t have one of those so that’s why it’s going to the shop. I am hoping it’s the filter and not the fuel pump, as the filter hasn’t been changed in who knows how long, and could be clogged. It’s a cheap part too, under $20 I think.
I also have a question about running “cheap: gas. Everyone says it will ruin your car, but I’ve been running it in my Subaru and no problems, and I can’t tell a difference between Chevron and Shell and the Arco. I will post a separate thread.
Thanks again!
Thanks Eric. I love your videos. Very informative. My dad’s a retired mechanic of 21+ years and helps me out with questions, but I am always looking for second opinions.
I took the car to O-Reillie’s (not sure of spelling) and they scanned it and found no code, but after a week the light came on. Go figure. It’s due for tags and an emission test.
As far as the sensor, it will probably get replaced anyway as it’s old and only a $50 part. When he looked at the car, he said he couldn’t hear any vacuum leak, but we suspect that it’s a fuel problem. He said the diagnosis is to hook a fuel pressure gauge to the fuel rail while the car is running and watch the pressure as it chugs and stalls out. I don’t have one of those so that’s why it’s going to the shop. I am hoping it’s the filter and not the fuel pump, as the filter hasn’t been changed in who knows how long, and could be clogged. It’s a cheap part too, under $20 I think.
I also have a question about running “cheap: gas. Everyone says it will ruin your car, but I’ve been running it in my Subaru and no problems, and I can’t tell a difference between Chevron and Shell and the Arco. I will post a separate thread.
Thanks again!
Thanks for the reply! Presumably they put in the OEM recommended fluid 3 years ago. If that’s the issue, I will change it when I get some $$$ for it (little broke right now).
Thanks for the reply! Presumably they put in the OEM recommended fluid 3 years ago. If that’s the issue, I will change it when I get some $$$ for it (little broke right now).
Thanks for the info! Any idea where the drains drain from? I heard they might exit behind the rear wheel wells.
Another thing for you all…my front sunroof doesn’t rise up anymore. It doesn’t open completely, just tilts up a little bit. I can push on it from beneath and it will open, and it closes when it’s supposed to, but it won’t open on its own.
Anyone else had that problem with the dual-sunroof Subarus?
Thanks!
Thanks for the info! Any idea where the drains drain from? I heard they might exit behind the rear wheel wells.
Another thing for you all…my front sunroof doesn’t rise up anymore. It doesn’t open completely, just tilts up a little bit. I can push on it from beneath and it will open, and it closes when it’s supposed to, but it won’t open on its own.
Anyone else had that problem with the dual-sunroof Subarus?
Thanks!