Q & A #57 With The Auto Specialist
Q & A #57 With The Auto Specialist
Welcome back to the Auto Specialist. The most recent chapter in the Toyota recall mess has ended on a positive note for the automaker. Confronted by a tidal wave of criticism for their accelerator issues, Toyota extended some of the most aggressive buyer incentives in the industry.
The numbers are in for March 2010 and it looks as if the incentives worked. There was an enormous sales surge in new vehicles, helping Toyota finish second for the month behind General Motors. Not bad for an automaker many thought would implode under the pressure. I expect Toyota to reclaim their position at the top of the industry within a few years.
In today’s installment, we’re going to help a reader named Terry figure out why his Grand AM’s engine keeps missing. We’ll also help David with his Escape’s cranking issue, and answer Lynn’s question about blue exhaust smoke. There’s a lot on the agenda, so let’s jump in.
Question: I’m driving a 2001 Pontiac Grand AM with nearly 130,000 miles. The engine keeps missing in the top gears whenever I put it under load (for example, climbing up a hill). I’ve already replaced the filters, distributor cap, and spark plugs, but nothing seems to fix the problem. I’m getting a little frustrated. Any ideas what might be causing the miss?
Answer: Thanks for your question, Terry. Given that you’re still experiencing a miss after replacing those parts, I’m willing to bet you have a compression leak in one of the cylinders. I would run a leak down test to measure any loss in pressure. If you find a high rate of loss, the problem is likely due to a blown head gasket or bad valves.
Question: I have a 2003 Ford Escape. There’s about 93,000 miles on the odometer. For the past year, I’ve been dealing with a cranking problem that has gotten consistently worse. When I turn the key, the engine won’t turn over. But it happens sporadically – maybe only once every ten or twelve starts. I can sometimes get it to crank if I try it over and over, but it seems like luck more than anything. I’m not sure what to do other than take my car to a repair shop. Have you ever dealt with this type of problem before?
Answer: Thanks for sending in your question, David. I’ve seen plenty of cranking issues in my time and they happen for a lot of different reasons. This is one of those automotive problems that is very difficult to diagnose without having my hands on your car.
That said, I have a few suggestions for you. Clean the terminals and cables connecting your battery. Then, load test it. If it’s putting out a sufficient charge, check the starter for proper voltage. Once you’re sure those parts are working fine, test the ignition switch and starter solenoid. The problem likely involves one of those components. If you still have trouble finding the culprit, you’ll need to have a mechanic take a closer look.
Question: I own a 1997 Honda Accord with 164,000 miles on it. My car has been blowing blue smoke out of the exhaust. Frankly, it’s a little embarrassing. I’ve never seen blue smoke before. What does it mean? Should I be concerned about my engine?
Answer: Thanks for writing in, Lynn. The smoke you’re seeing is caused by burning oil. And yes, it’s a problem with your engine. There are several issues that might be causing it, including bad valve stems and failing piston rings. The bad news is that you may need to have your engine replaced or remanufactured. With 164,000 miles on it, you probably suspected this was a possibility.
That’s it for this installment of the Auto Specialist. I’d like to thank Terry, David, and Lynn for sending in their questions and letting us help diagnose their automotive problems. Next time, we’ll have a new batch of car-related questions to address. Until then, drive safely.
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Tags: Car Q and A, Car Questions
