Q & A #55 With The Auto Specialist
Q & A #55 With The Auto Specialist
Welcome back to the Auto Specialist. If you’re a new reader to this ongoing column, I’d like to encourage you to spend some time going through our archives. Over the last several months, I’ve been responding to readers’ questions regarding the car problems they’ve experienced. We’ve managed to amass an impressive compendium of automotive knowledge.
In today’s segment, we’re going to address questions from three readers. Shannon has a question regarding some maintenance work her dealership is recommending. George has a problem with his Dodge Intrepid stalling. Josh is having trouble starting his Infiniti QX4. There’s a lot to cover today, so let’s jump in.
Question: I drive a 2000 Honda CR-V with 131,000 miles. For the most part, everything is fine with my car. I haven’t had any major problems and I’ve been happy with it since I bought it. My question is about my Honda dealership. Lately, each time I take my car in for a oil change or tire rotation, the guy at the shop recommends a laundry list of maintenance items. It’s always a transmission fluid change, brake job, spark plugs, or something similar.
Whenever I check my owner’s manual, it seems like I have plenty of time to do that stuff. But the guy at the shop makes it seem urgent. Can you tell me whether I should just go with my dealership’s recommendations?
Answer: Thanks for writing in, Shannon. Here’s something a lot of people don’t realize about dealership service bays: the guy that fills the order usually makes a commission for the tickets he writes. In other words, he’s probably recommending transmission fluid changes, brake jobs, and other items because he makes money doing so. My suggestion is to follow your owner’s manual. Unless you’re experiencing problems with your car, use the mileage intervals in your manual as your guide.
Question: I own a 1999 Dodge Intrepid with nearly 150,000 miles on it. I realize it’s getting old and the engine may be on its last legs. Even so, I’m having a problem and wanted to get your advice. I can usually crank the engine and get the car running without any issues. However, within twenty minutes, it dies. When I try to start it again immediately afterward, there’s no response. If I wait a few hours, I can usually start it again, but it dies after about twenty minutes.
I’ve been holding off taking my car to the repair garage because I’m afraid they’ll tell me I need a new engine. Any suggestions?
Answer: Thanks for your question, George. It’s difficult to know what’s happening for certain since I’m not there to check out the fault codes and examine the engine and ignition system. That said, your description makes me think the problem is with the fuel pump. It sounds like it may be delivering insufficient pressure. If your engine is getting enough fuel, the other possibility is a lack of spark (it doesn’t sound like you’re dealing with a compression leak).
First, check the fuel pump. If there’s sufficient pressure going through the lines, check the coil and distributor for a spark. Hope that helps.
Question: I have a 2002 Infiniti QX4 with 87,000 miles. I’m having problems getting it started. When I turn the key, the engine cranks over, but it doesn’t start. My car is not that old, so I can’t figure out why I’m having this problem. I haven’t taken it into a mechanic yet because I just moved into the area. I was hoping you could tell me what’s wrong before I take it in. Can you give me any hints?
Answer: Thanks for sending in your question, Josh. I’m surprised your Infiniti is having this problem. They’re good vehicles. There are a lot of things that could potentially cause the issue you’re experiencing. Here’s what I’d suggest…
Either purchase a scanner that can pull OBD-II trouble codes or have a mechanic pull them for you. I have a hunch the issue is due to a malfunctioning sensor or failing fuel pump. But that’s more intuition than anything since I’m unable to pull the codes myself. Sorry I can’t be of more help, but that’s definitely where I would recommend starting.
That’s it for this installment of the Auto Specialist. I’d like to thank Shannon, George, and Josh again for taking the time to write in with their car problems. We’ll have a new batch of automotive issues to diagnose in the next segment. Until then, drive safely.
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Tags: Car Q & A, Car Q and A, Car Questions
