Car Information:
Ford F-250
Year: 2004
Engine Size: 6.0 Diesel
Trans: Automatic

Issue/Question: The engine seems to run fine until I drive at slow speeds, feathering the throttle while in traffic. The idle increases, and the engine surges sometimes up to 1500 rpm. Then it falters and runs really rough. Then sometimes it will just quit altogether. The problem sets no codes in OBD and I’ve been running the scanner during the episodes with no code either. I’ve had this to Ford 3 times and they have replaced thousands of dollars in parts but cannot solve the problem. The engine is now out of warranty. I have gone through 55 pages of info on Edmunds.com and find many similar symptoms but no one has offered a solution yet. I’m now afraid to go out on the road towing my RV trailer with this thing. I can see why they call this a “Power Stroke Diesel” because that’s what it gives the owner. Can you help me? By the way I really enjoy your show.

Answer:
Their’s a oil supply line that feeds the injector system inside the motor, if the line leaks off pressure it will stall the motor like you describe. We will need to take an oil pressure test at the injector oil supply to verify if that is your issue.

Car Information:
Ford Explorer
Year: 1988
Engine Size: 4.0L V6
Trans: Automatic

Issue/Question: 107k miles Engine Light on. Codes P0171 and P0174. I have read several things about this code. O2 sensors, intake manifold gasket leaking, mass air flow mechanism. I know that the only way to find the leak for sure is to run a vaccuum diagnostic check. My questions are as follows: What is the charge for the vaccuum diagnostic check and if the intake manifold gasket was faulty shouldn’t I see coolant drops on the garage floor? I do not see any.

Answer:
No it can leak vacuum and never leak any coolant, it depends on where the leak is. If we don’t do the repair after diagnostics we charge $84.50 for our time.

Car Information:
Nissan Sentra
Year: 1993
Engine Size: 1.6
Trans: Automatic

Issue/Question:
120k miles, sat for 1 year, I started driving again with no problems for 2 months of driving. Now has 1 cylinder miss. Replaced cap rotor wires, plugs but still had miss. I found the dead cylinder and while engine was running I unplugged and plugged the wire plug to that fuel injector, did not make a difference so I  replaced the fuel injector. Ran great for 2 days now the same cylinder has a miss again. . All 4 cylinders have great compression. Fuel pump? Fuel regulator? Please help.

Answer:
Its not a fuel delivery problem! I would check my valve clearance while the engine is missing, could be getting carbon trapped between a valve. Also make sure the injector terminal on #1 injector is clean and not green and cruddy, intermittent contact because of corrosion on this vintage Nissan is common.

Car Information:
Ford F-150 2WD
Year: 2007
Engine Size: 5.4
Transmission: Automatic

Issue/Problem:
I’m driving @ 55mph and slow to @ 20mph when I accelerate the transmission chatters/shutters twice then is fine. This happens only periodically, maybe once evey one or two hunderd miles or so. What is the likely cause and solution?

Answer:
Glazed clutch’s, Ford recommended Amsoil ATF and an additive called Smart Lube it helped de glaze the clutch’s.

Car Information:
Dodge Dakota
Year: 1999
Engine Size: -
Trans: Automatic

Issue / Question:
When I try to start my 1999 Dodge Dakota, the ignition seems to turn but the engine doesn’t fully start. Sometimes I’ll wait a few hours, try to start it again, and it works. There is sufficient gas in the tank and the battery is fine. Do you have any suggestions?

Answer:
Its going to need to have a fuel pressure test to start with, If fuel pressure is correct you will then need to check for spark at the spark plugs. If you have both elements then it will need to be scanned to see it theirs a problem with a primary ignition or sensor input.

For professional auto repair and auto services in Orlando you can call our shop today at 407-629-2661.

Car Information:
Dodge Ram Van 1500
Year: 2001
Engine Size: 3.9L
Trans: Automatic

Issue / Question:
The engine cuts off on my way to work. It would not start. I turn the key on and the gauges do not move but the engine cranks yet it will not start? Do I need a new battery?

Answer:
Need to start with a fuel pressure test.

For professional auto repair and auto services in Orlando you can call our shop today at 407-629-2661.

Car Information:
Cadillac Deville
Year: 1985
Engine Size: 401 Liter
Trans: Automatic

Issue / Question:
I was looking up some info for my vehicle and recalled the service engine light that comes on. I need to know what these code #’s mean:
E52
F12
F40
I do not know exactly what they mean and if you could give me some knowledge on these codes, then maybe I can fix my problem with the vehicle.

Answer:
We would start with checking for a major vacuum leak!

For professional auto repair and auto services in Orlando you can call our shop today at 407-629-2661.

Car Information:
Toyota 4Runner
Year: 1997
Engine Size: V6
Trans: Automatic

Issue / Question:
My engine light came on and I had it looked at by a mechanic. He said it was something with the Idle Air Control. It idles really high and really low and fluctuates in-between. They told me I needed to have the computer in the truck replaced. I just wanted a second opinion. I will bring it in if that is what needs to happen.

Answer:
We need to look at it sometimes the base idle setting gets disturbed for some reason and it cant find its happy place (TPS) setting. I doubt its your computer!

For professional auto repair and auto services in Orlando you can call our shop today at 407-629-2661.

Car Information:
Hyundai/Santa Fe
Year: 2004
Engine Size: 6 cycle
Trans: Automatic

Issue / Question:
The car has 57000 miles on it. When the a/c is on it seems as if the engine or something is working extra hard. Can this be remedied?

Answer:
It may be the compressor is going bad and requiring too much effort from the engine to turn it. Their could also be an engine performance issue where the motor isn’t making enough power and the A/C compressor is really putting a sever strain on the motor. So we would need to check both. Checking these items isn’t a big deal if you would like to swing by and let us take if for a drive we will let you know what we see and what should be done to remedy the problem. This won’t take long and we won’t charge you for the advice.

For professional auto repair and auto services in Orlando you can call our shop today at 407-629-2661.

Car Information:
Pontiac Grand Prix
Year: 2004
Engine Size: Supercharge V8
Trans: Automatic

Issue / Question:
In April 2010, my car began to overheat. I went to Tire Plus Total Care to diagnose the problem. They informed me the issue was that I needed to replace my thermostat which I did with them. I began to experience the same issue so I brought it to them again so on August 3rd. They informed me that to have my car checked for a pressure test cooling system on August 3rd. I was told that my diagnostic was to remove and replace my Tensioner- Serpentine Belt Kit. They informed me that the kit included a coolant elbow that I needed to replace. Well yesterday, when I went to Pontiac for a second opinion. I was told my car has been leaking because I have to replace my Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor, Lower Intake Manifold, and coolant elbow. The total cost estimated was $1200. Since I do not have a warranty, I went to a local mechanic. While we looked for the leak, at it along with me, we realized that there was a sparkplug in the radiator return hose. What do you suggest I should do? Because my car is no longer overheating and no further issues has been discovered by the local mechanic.

Answer:
You went to a tire store for a overheating problem and got a spark plug installed into a return hose! I’m sorry I don’t mean to make light of your situation but this is hilarious! Its like going to a bone doctor for a tooth ache and leaving with a cast on your head! Since you made my morning feel free to swing by the shop we will take a quick look at it and see if anything further should be done to the cooling system!

For professional Orlando Auto Repair you can call our shop today at 407-629-2661.