Q: What is the difference between a rebuilt and a remanufactured starter?

A: These two terms are sometimes used interchangeably. However, some technicians look at it is this way. A rebuilt starter is one that is removed from your vehicle, it is taken to an auto-electric shop (or an in-house technician), then the technician takes it apart and puts in new parts that are needed. A remanufactured starter is one that has been remanufactured in a factory. Remanufactured starters are available at parts stores. When you buy one, you will need to turn in your old starter. If you don't, the parts store will charge you a core charge. These cores are sent back to the manufacturer to get new parts put into them. Both methods can be high quality. Like with anything, it really depends on who is doing the work.

Q: My rearview mirror fell off. What's the best way to put it back on?

A: You can purchase a rearview mirror adhesive kit from parts stores, online, or at discount centers. Be sure to follow the directions on the product to insure maximum adhesion.

Q: My car has over 100,000 miles on it when it stopped running. I suspected the timing belt. So I pulled the timing belt cover off but the belt was not broken. However, when I turned over the engine the belt did not move. What could be the problem?

A: The timing belt generally loses it rubber teeth, becoming stripped out. That is why it still appeared intact, but it is worn out. You will need to reset the timing marks and replace with a new timing belt. If you have an interference engine, the valves could also be bent. After you install the new timing belt do a compression test.

Q: When I was replacing my water pump one of the bolts broke off. What should I do?

A: Breaking off a bolt is frustrating. First thing to do is to spray it with a high quality penetrating oil and wait for 30 minutes or so. If part of the bolt is still protruding out, try to grab it with a set of locking pliers and work it back and forth. If the bolt is broke flush with the block, you will need to use a tool called a screw or bolt extractor to remove it. This usually involves drilling in the center of the bolt and using the screw extractor to remove the remaining material. Follow the instructions that come with the tool. You may need to use a tap to clean the threads or to make new ones if the screw extractor method fails.

Q: I gave my truck an ignition tune up but the truck still pops through the intake manifold while accelerating. What could be the problem?

A: Sounds like you may have a fuel pressure problem. If you have not changed the fuel filter try that first. Test the fuel pump for proper fuel delivery and pressure. Your electric fuel pump in the tank may be getting weak.

Q: How often should the entire engine be flushed?

A: If the engine has been properly maintained (oil changed every 3,000 miles/3 months or as recommended by the manufacturer) then an engine flush should not be necessary. Take off the oil filler cap and see if sludge is built up in the underside of the cap. If there is a build up of sludge in the engine, then you may want to flush it. Some service centers have special machines, or if you do decide to flush it yourself there are products you can purchase at your local parts store. One company that has a wide variety of engine products is Justice Brothers (www.justicebrothers.com).

Q: When I accelerate from a stop I hear a loud clunking noise coming from the engine compartment. What might be the problem?

A: You may have a worn or broken engine mount. To check the motor mounts, pop open the hood and start the engine. Have a friend apply the parking brake and put his/her foot on the brake pedal. Your helper should keep one foot on the brake, put the transmission in drive, and then apply some pressure to the accelerator. Inspect engine movement from the side of the car. Never stand in front of the car. The engine will rock some, but should not move excessively.

Q: My mechanic installed a new fan belt on my vehicle approx 6 weeks ago. When I first picked up the vehicle the belt was squealing so he lubricated the belt which corrected the problem until a week ago. The belt squeals for a short period of time when I first start the vehicle. I took the car back to the mechanic again today and he said that the belt is installed correctly and just lubricated the belt again. Is it common for a new fan belt to do this?

A: A squealing belt is a slipping belt. When the belt slips it gets glazed. The pulleys may need to be cleaned, a new belt tensioner installed, the alignment of pulleys checked, and now possibly another new belt.

Q: I usually have my car worked on at a local shop. The technician wears an ASE Certification patch. Does that mean he is certified in multiple areas?

A: Many technicians specialize in certain areas. For example, a technician may be certified in brakes but not in air conditioning. Some technicians hold multiple certifications and bear a patch title Master Auto Technician. Ask the service writer if the technician is certified in the area that you are having work completed. Quality service centers will display the credentials of the technicians in the customer waiting area of the facility.

Q: How do I know when my air filter should be replaced?

A: It is best to replace your air filter every 12,000 to 15,000 miles or as recommended in your owners manual. Air filter life is dependent on the air quality where you drive. If you frequently drive in a dusty area or on gravel roads you may need to replace it more often. To inspect the air filter remove it from its housing and hold it up to a bright light. Light should be clearly visible through the filter material. Replacing a dirty air filter is an easy way to improve fuel mileage.

Q: I want to change the serpentine belt on my engine, but am a little wary that I will not remember how to route the new belt. Where can I find a belt routing diagram for my engine?

A: Commonly a belt routing diagram sticker is on the underside of the hood or in the engine compartment. If there is no diagram, make a sketch of the belt and pulleys before removing the belt. This will help you re-route the new belt correctly.

Q: What is a cabin air filter and how often should I change it?

A: A cabin air filter is used to clean the air coming into the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system (HVAC). This filter does similar things as high efficiency filters in homes with forced air furnaces. It cleans the air in the HVAC system by removing pollen, dust, bacteria, and other contaminants. This cleaning increases the passenger's cabin air quality. Without a filter or running the system with a dirty filter can cause the air quality inside the passenger cabin to be much worse than the outside air. The cabin air filter should be changed every 12,000 to 18,000 miles, depending on the air quality and road conditions where the vehicle is driven. It is commonly located near the glove box or under the hood in the outside air intake for the HVAC system.

Q: I am planning on moving my truck from the warm climate of Texas into the cold northern Canadian climate. What precautions should I take to ensure this transition goes smoothly?

A: First things first, have a load test done on the battery. A load test can simulate various starting conditions. Automotive batteries generally last 5-6 years. Then test the antifreeze. If the antifreeze hasn't been flushed within the last two years, have the system flushed and refilled. I generally recommend 50% antifreeze to 50% water mixture to achieve freeze protection down to –34 degrees F. However, since the truck is going to be in northern Canada, I would refill the coolant with 60% antifreeze and 40% water. This will give you a freeze point of around –62 degrees F. If the climate is even more frigid than that, you can run a maximum of 70% antifreeze and 30% water to achieve freeze protection down to –84 degrees F. Install an engine block heater. Use one that goes right into an engine block freeze plug. Since antifreeze will be lost when doing this, do this during the same time as the flush and refill. A block heater is a must in cold climates. Finally, get an oil change and general tune-up (spark plugs, filters, etc.). In cold climates, use lightweight motor oil with 0W-20, 0W-30, 5W-20, or 5W-30 viscosity ratings. Refer to your owner’s manual for recommendations.

Q: I changed a worn serpentine belt yesterday and today after only driving for 40 miles the new one is severely worn. What would cause this?

A: You may have installed it incorrectly. Look to make sure the belt ribs are in all of the pulley grooves. Check each component (i.e., power steering pump, water pump, crankshaft pulley, AC, etc.). A common mistake is to get the belt off a groove. If you know you installed it correctly then check the pulley alignment and belt tensioner. The sides of the belt can wear quickly if the pulleys are not aligned or if the belt tensioner is severely worn. You will need to find the source of the problem and replace the belt again.

Q: What should I inspect on my car before going on a summer trip?

A: First things first, check the motor oil and change if necessary. Be sure to use the correct oil viscosity as recommended by the manufacturer. Then check all the other fluid levels including the transmission, power steering, brake, coolant, and windshield washer. Inspect the radiator hoses for leaks, cracks, or bulges. Replace if necessary. Also inspect the belt. Most vehicles today have one serpentine belt that turns the air conditioning compressor, alternator, power steering pump, and water pump. Look for cracks or frays in the belt and replace if necessary. Finally check the tires for wear and inflate to the recommended pressure.

Q: What should I have checked on my car before winter hits?

A: To keep your car running smoothly, have the oil changed and other routine maintenance completed as scheduled. Check all the fluid levels. Most importantly make sure the antifreeze is tested. You want to make sure your car’s antifreeze is protected to about –34 degrees Fahrenheit. A load test on the battery is also beneficial to see if it will make it through the winter. If the battery is over 5 years old, you may need a new one. Check the tread depth on the tires. You want to make sure you have plenty of tread (more than 5/32nds of an inch), especially if you travel in snow regions. Inspect the car’s wiper blades for torn or dried out rubber. Prepare a winter survival kit and place it in the trunk.

Q: What additional things should a service center check when performing an oil change?

A: Most high quality service centers in addition to changing the oil and filter will perform a preventative maintenance and safety check. These procedures include checking and topping off all the fluid levels; inspecting the belts, hoses, tires, wipers, and air filter; adjusting tire pressure if necessary; checking all lights; inspecting the C-V boots (when applicable); and, lubricating the chassis (when applicable).

Q: I changed the oil on my car and the “change oil” light still stays on. How do I reset this light?

A: New cars are commonly equipped with service indicator lights to remind auto owners when to perform some basic maintenance procedures such as oil changes. Each manufacturer has its own method of resetting the light. Look in your owner’s manual or complete an Internet search of the vehicle’s make and model and include the phrase “resetting service indicator light.”

Q: Which parts of a car are affected when a serpentine belt breaks? Does a broken serpentine belt have any effect on a car's braking system?

A: On most vehicles the serpentine belt runs the power steering pump, water pump, air conditioning compressor, and alternator. If the belt breaks, all of these components will not function. Power brakes commonly get their power from vacuum pressure from the engine or hydraulic pressure from the power steering pump. Brakes that get pressure from the power steering pump are called hydroboost brakes. Since hydroboost brakes run off the power steering pump, you will lose the power assist to the braking and steering system if the belt breaks. To minimize the chances of belt breakage, change the serpentine belt every 50,000 miles or as recommended by the manufacturer.

Q: How do I stop my serpentine fan belt from squealing? It has gotten worse with colder weather. It will squeal going down the road with no extra load on engine.

A: A belt that is squeaking is caused by belt slippage. When a belt slips, the belt becomes glazed. I recommend changing the belt and possibly the belt tensioner. It is possible that the belt tensioner's spring is weak. Belt manufacturers commonly recommend changing serpentine belts every 4 years or 50,000 miles.

Q: What precautions should be taken when a car is being stored for a long period of time (e.g., several years)?

A: Change the engine oil. Dirty oil has moisture and contaminants that can increase rust in the engine. Fill up the gas tank to minimize condensation, reducing the likelihood of rust forming in the fuel system. Then add a fuel stabilizer to the fuel tank. One product that seems to work well is Sta-bil®. Run the engine to get the stabilizer throughout the fuel system. Test the coolant and make sure that it is clean. A 50% water/50% antifreeze mixture is usually required. In addition to protecting the engine block from freezing, antifreeze has anti-corrosion properties. Top off the brake fluid (and clutch fluid if applicable). Brake fluid absorbs water. Keeping the brake master cylinder full will reduce moisture absorption. Finally, you may want to perform the task of fogging the engine. This will coat internal parts with a thin film of oil to reduce corrosion.

Q: What is a technical service bulletin and where can I access it?

A: A technical service bulletin is a written advisory statement by a vehicle manufacturer to assist dealerships in diagnosing reoccurring problems. Technical service bulletins, also called TSBs, are separate from safety or emissions recall notices. Technical service bulletins can address anything from suspension vibrations to engine misfires. To access TSBs and safety recalls you can visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website, www.nhtsa.dot.gov, and search the "Office of Defects Investigation" division.

Q: Does a timing belt have to be changed as part of routine maintenance?

A: Depending on the engine type, the timing belt should be changed every 60,000 to 90,000 miles. On some engines (called interference engines), if the timing belt breaks severe internal engine damage can result. Always check your owner’s manual for routine maintenance schedules that are specific to your vehicle.

Q: What are the basics to troubleshooting gasoline engine problems?

A: At the basic level, gasoline engines need the following to run: air, fuel, spark, and compression. Now each of these need correct quantities and have to happen at the right time. For example, too much fuel and the engine "floods" out, fouling spark plugs. To little fuel (running lean), the engine will not run or will lack power. The air-fuel ratio is critical. Even when it comes to the spark, it has to be at the correct time. When troubleshooting a car, don't forget about the basics. Troubleshooting either confirms that the system is working properly or that the system is in question. Either way, troubleshooting will bring you closer to a solution. Performing routine maintenance as suggested by the manufacturer in the owner's manual is the best way to prevent future problems.

Q: It is advisable to add engine antifreeze to a car’s windshield washer water supply tank to keep it from freezing in very cold weather?

A: Do not add engine antifreeze to the windshield washer supply tank. Engine antifreeze will harm your car's finish and will not work well in cleaning the windshield. Use a product that is specifically designed as a washer fluid and protects against freezing. Buy an all season washer fluid that protects down to -25 degrees F.