http://cartalk.com/content/columns/ The twice-weekly nationally-syndicated automotive Q&A column from America's funniest car mechanics, Tom and Ray Magliozzi. 2008, Dewey, Cheetham and Howe 2008, Dewey, Cheetham and Howe http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/2008/July/02.html Dear Tom and Ray: My crazy son is 20 years old. He has been a mechanic since the day he was born. I am afraid his most recent project will be the death of him, and I am desperately seeking your opinion/advice. He has taken a 1989 VW Golf and moved the motor from its proper location under the hood to the back seat. Yes, you read that right. He has installed the motor in the passenger compartment, so the vehicle is now a rear-engine (or mid-engine, he says) car. It is monstrously loud and monstrously fume-y. In a concession to his mother, he wears earplugs while driving it, but when he enters the room after driving the car, he trails a cloud of exhaust fumes. I have begged him to at least install a fire shield around the engine, but my pleas are falling on deaf ears (literally, soon, I'm afraid). Now you know why I think he is crazy. Please give me some advice or ammunition that I can use to beat some sense into him. I am very much afraid of the health hazards that he has created for himself. What do you say? -- Ann Thu, 03 Jul 2008 04:00:00 GMT http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/2008/July/02.html 2008-07-03T04:00:00Z http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/2008/July/01.html Dear Tom and Ray: Please help me. I had my oil changed recently and now have been told by my mechanic that the oil-change place stripped the oil plug and I need a new oil pan. I have a Lexus RX 300. The oil-change people think they have adequately fixed it by putting a larger plug in, but the Lexus dealer tells me that is not adequate and I need a new oil pan because it is a vital part of the car and may leak again, especially with subsequent oil changes. I don't know what to do. Help! -- Candace Tue, 01 Jul 2008 04:00:00 GMT http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/2008/July/01.html 2008-07-01T04:00:00Z http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/2008/June/08.html Dear Tom and Ray: I just purchased a car with ESC, and have read how it is a feature that should be standard on all vehicles -- it could reduce the number of accidents and save more than 10,000 lives a year. If this is so good, why does the car manufacturer provide a switch to turn it off? Under what conditions would I not want to have ESC? Thank you. -- Dennis Fri, 27 Jun 2008 04:00:00 GMT http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/2008/June/08.html 2008-06-27T04:00:00Z http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/1990/May/14.html Wed, 25 Jun 2008 04:00:00 GMT http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/1990/May/14.html 2008-06-25T04:00:00Z http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/1990/May/13.html Dear Tom and Ray: Since I'm so close to losing my mind over this, I really hope you can help me fix my beloved truck! I have a 1987 Nissan 4 X 4 six-cylinder truck that has not given me an ounce of trouble in all of its 72,000 miles. My problem is that soon after it was rear ended at approximately 30,000 miles, it started slipping out of third gear and into neutral when my foot is off the accelerator. It seems to be happening more and more often. What can I do? Help! Sierra Wed, 25 Jun 2008 04:00:00 GMT http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/1990/May/13.html 2008-06-25T04:00:00Z http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/1990/May/12.html Dear Tom and Ray: I have a Mercedes 240 Diesel with over 100,000 miles on it. It's a great car, and I'd like to keep it. The only problem is it doesn't have air bags. I am completely convinced that air bags increase safety. Mercedes tells me that there is no possibility of a retrofit. Do you know of any way I could put air bags into my Mercedes? Norman Wed, 25 Jun 2008 04:00:00 GMT http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/1990/May/12.html 2008-06-25T04:00:00Z http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/1990/May/11.html Dear Tom and Ray: My 1986 Cadillac has 25,000 miles, and my warranty just expired last month. I have a brochure from a life insurance company that will give me full repair coverage for two years at a cost of 750 dollars. I have neither the intention nor the means to purchase a new car. I've been treated very well by my dealership, and I've never had any major problems with the car, but I'm worried about the future. Do you think this policy will be a good investment? Vernon Wed, 25 Jun 2008 04:00:00 GMT http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/1990/May/11.html 2008-06-25T04:00:00Z http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/1990/May/10.html Wed, 25 Jun 2008 04:00:00 GMT http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/1990/May/10.html 2008-06-25T04:00:00Z http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/1990/May/09.html Dear Tom and Ray: A few years ago we purchased a Dodge Colt Vista. We like the three rows of seats, the four doors, the hatch, and the great gas mileage. We'd like to get another car just like this one, EXCEPT we'd like to upgrade the quality of the interior (lots of things have fallen off), get less rattling, but most importantly, we want better safety features. I've heard about about anti-lock brakes and different grades of steel. We want the best of both. Any recommendations? Melissa Wed, 25 Jun 2008 04:00:00 GMT http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/1990/May/09.html 2008-06-25T04:00:00Z http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/1990/May/08.html Dear Tom and Ray: Each time I get my oil changed, the mechanic suggests I change the transmission fluid too. He says it should be done every 15,000 miles at a cost of 39 dollars. Do you agree with his advice and is the price reasonable? Fred Wed, 25 Jun 2008 04:00:00 GMT http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/1990/May/08.html 2008-06-25T04:00:00Z http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/1990/May/07.html Dear Tom and Ray: I have a 1987 Oldsmobile. When I back out of my garage, I have to turn right and then left to avoid hitting the house. Since Christmas, these turns have been hard to do. Also, when I leave the car parked for any length of time during the day, the wheel is also hard to turn for the first few minutes. It seems to get better in warmer weather. I am a widow of 72, and I don't have a lot of money to spend on this car. What do you think? Dorothy Wed, 25 Jun 2008 04:00:00 GMT http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/1990/May/07.html 2008-06-25T04:00:00Z http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/1990/May/06.html Dear Tom and Ray: I've noticed the new ads for certain American cars are using words like "longer than last year," "heavier," "rear-wheel drive," and horror of horrors, "powerful V-8 engine." I thought the Japanese had taught us a lesson in the Seventies that we could NEVER forget. Does this mean the last two decades of responsible progress are going down the drain? Good Grief! Are we returning to the behemoth, gas guzzling, death traps of yesteryear? August Wed, 25 Jun 2008 04:00:00 GMT http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/1990/May/06.html 2008-06-25T04:00:00Z http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/1990/May/05.html Dear Tom and Ray: I own a 1979 Ford 150 Pick up. I have an intermittent problem that has mystified several good mechanics. Sometimes after starting my truck, driving three miles to town, and turning it off, it refuses to re-start. It sounds as though the battery is dead. Sometimes it starts after waiting a few minutes. I have replaced the starter and the battery. Any other ideas? Lewis Wed, 25 Jun 2008 04:00:00 GMT http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/1990/May/05.html 2008-06-25T04:00:00Z http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/1990/May/04.html Dear Tom and Ray: My husband and I have a 1980 Audi 4000 which we like very much. Last year, my husband replaced a set of front wheel brake pads. Now, when you brake the car, you hear a "clunk" from the region of the front end where my husband did the work. Also, you can hear something rattling up there when driving on rough surfaces. You can stop the rattle by applying the brakes lightly. I'm worried that my husband made a mistake that may affect the car's braking ability, even though he pooh-poohs that notion. He's looked over the brakes and can't find anything he did wrong. What do you think? Karen Wed, 25 Jun 2008 04:00:00 GMT http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/1990/May/04.html 2008-06-25T04:00:00Z http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/1990/May/03.html Dear Tom and Ray: We have a 1987 Mercury Grand Marquis. The engine seems to accelerate all by itself at slow speeds. I have to be very careful parking the car, or I will run into something. I've heard about unintended acceleration. Is that my problem? Debbie Wed, 25 Jun 2008 04:00:00 GMT http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/1990/May/03.html 2008-06-25T04:00:00Z http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/1990/May/02.html Dear Tom and Ray: I purchased a 1989 full size Chevrolet Blazer 4 X 4 with heavy duty suspension and quad front shocks. The problem is that the vehicle bounces all over the road, and if you don't hold the wheel firmly, who knows what might happen! What can I do to solve this poor handling problem? Would stiffer shocks correct it? Donald Wed, 25 Jun 2008 04:00:00 GMT http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/1990/May/02.html 2008-06-25T04:00:00Z http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/1990/May/01.html Wed, 25 Jun 2008 04:00:00 GMT http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/1990/May/01.html 2008-06-25T04:00:00Z http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/1990/April/17.html Dear Tom and Ray: A couple of days ago while walking to my Camry, I noticed that the tail pipe was closed. Upon inspection, I found that it was full of dirt for some six inches. I don't know how long it had been plugged up, but I think it was at least a week. I would appreciate knowing what effects this can have on a car. Would it affect starting? Am I living on borrowed time because of carbon monoxide poisoning? Bruce Wed, 25 Jun 2008 04:00:00 GMT http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/1990/April/17.html 2008-06-25T04:00:00Z http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/1990/April/16.html Dear Tom and Ray: My daughter owns a 1977 VW bug that she parks on the street. When it rains hard, the car won't start. To get it started she has to take off the distributor cap and dry it with a hair dryer. Is there anything we can try or do? Ozzie Wed, 25 Jun 2008 04:00:00 GMT http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/1990/April/16.html 2008-06-25T04:00:00Z http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/2006/December/15.html Dear Tom and Ray: My daughter owns a 1977 VW bug that she parks on the street. When it rains hard, the car won't start. To get it started she has to take off the distributor cap and dry it with a hair dryer. Is there anything we can try or do? Ozzie Wed, 25 Jun 2008 04:00:00 GMT http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/2006/December/15.html 2008-06-25T04:00:00Z