Q & A #11 With The Auto Specialist

Q & A #11 With The Auto Specialist

Over the past several weeks, I have received a number of intriguing questions about malfunctioning car parts and related problems. These questions are a constant reminder that the parts and systems under the hood of your vehicle are fallible. Even as automakers build cars, trucks, and SUVs with more durability and higher-quality parts, they can fail, leaving you stranded by the side of the road.

Today, we’re going to help a reader figure out why his PT Cruiser’s serpentine belt keeps slipping off. I’ll also address a problem with a gentleman’s carburetor in his Chevy Silverado.

Question: A few years back, I bought a used 2002 PT Cruiser. There’s about 127,000 miles on it. It was in great running condition when I bought it and everything was fine up until the middle of last year. I started hearing a shrieking noise from the serpentine belt. A few weeks later, it slipped right off. I took it to my mechanic and he put a new belt on. It was fine for a few weeks, then I started hearing that same shrieking sound. Sure enough, it slipped off again.

So, I went back to the shop and my repair guy put another belt. Believe it or not, it slipped off yet again. I’ve been with my mechanic for years. He does good work, but we can’t figure out what’s happening. Any ideas?

Answer: I’m actually familiar with this problem, though it has been a long time since anyone has written to me about it. It sounds like the issue is with your PT Cruiser’s engine mounts. If my guess is right, they’re broken which in turn, caused the tensioner to break. Because the tensioner maintains tension on the serpentine belt, once it goes, so does the belt. I’m surprised your mechanic missed that.

Question: I have a 1988 Chevy Silverado. It has a rebuilt engine with just over 80,000 miles on it. The problem is that the engine keeps stalling when I’m accelerating. Sometimes, it just dies. I took it to a local repair garage and the guy there told me that my carburetor is bad. He said a replacement will cost about $450. I don’t have $450. What are my options?

Answer: First, if your mechanic is saying a carburetor will cost $450, it’s probably a new unit. The good news is that a rebuilt carburetor will cost much less. The bad news is that it will still likely cost a couple of hundred dollars, including labor (unless you can install it yourself).

I have a long list of great questions that readers have sent in regarding their vehicles. In the next segment of The Auto Specialist, we’ll take a look at a head gasket problem that one reader is experiencing. We’ll also help a man remove the spark plugs from his car. This happens more often than you might think. So, adding it to our growing compendium of automotive knowledge is a good idea. Until next time, drive safely.