Edmunds Answers questions

have 63 223 f100 both timing marks face each other but put balancer on does not line up with mark on cover help

gwanthony — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 01:31:14 GMT

both timing marks on gears face each other put cover on then balancer mark on balancer does not line up with cover does that mater want to make sure this is right so i can start this truck please help thanks

63 223 f100

gwanthony — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 16:16:23 GMT

have a 223 f100 both timing gears face each other but piston is not up top also when put timing cover on 0 mark on balancerdoes not line up with mark on cover how do i make sure timing is right do i only care bout marks on gears or what please help

Oil Leak Question - GM Engine

fourmoremarine — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 21:50:54 GMT

the leak is only dark black and its dripping about the middle of the back of the engine towards drivers side fender wondering if it could be a o ring that someone told me gm uses in a hole where the distributor used to go or if its the intake gasket
thanks for you responce

Too fast idle on cold start?

jmaier — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 12:28:05 GMT

When I first start in the morning and the engine is cold it revs up to 2700rpm..Much too fast on a cold dry engine,dealer says thats normal.. Can this be lowered ?

How many of you are using synthetic oil in your cars? If so, what brand?

bassmax — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 11:28:03 GMT

How many of you are using synthetic oil in your car? If so, what brand?

Can you tell me what are some of the symtoms of permanent engine damage when there has been too much oil added?

kinzel — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 13:50:54 GMT

to much oil was added by a company and i need to know some of the symtoms of permanent engine damage to the engine and outcome of such

Bad oil change? Hitting rev limit early.

poysn1 — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 19:22:56 GMT

would the wrong oil filter cause my car to hit rev limit early?

When you change your oil, can you mix regular 5w-30 oil and synthetic 5w-30 oil without harming your engine?

yeagerb — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 20:55:27 GMT

have left overs of both types of oil and would like to use up

What is meant by pumpout system with the oil and filter?

haasfour — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 17:48:07 GMT

pumpout oil system?

Who sells toilet-paper oil filters these days?

jack137 — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 16:19:02 GMT

Why aren't toilet paper oil filters available for all cars? I had one on my 1970 Renault 16 (from JC Whitney) and not only increased gas mileage by 10% but also ELIMINATED all engine wear.

Swepco 502 AND 303?

inshan — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 16:55:31 GMT

Hi everyone,
I read wonderful things about this product on the manufacture web site so I would like to know if anyone here ever used this product and what's there honest opinion?
Thx.

If your mechanic forgets to replace oil in a vehicle after a oil change and blows the engine up, are you at fault ?

thumbsdown — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 20:42:25 GMT

If I bring my vehicle in for a oil change and your mechinic forgets to put oil back in my vehicle and blows up my engine are you responsible to repair it?

Engine oil and overfilling.

fie — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:37:20 GMT

Was just wondering. I was told it will not harm an engine to overfill the dipstick. I know this is false. but I can't tell others to shut up.

If there is a yellowish oily build up under the engine oil cap, is that something to worry about?

spookaluke — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 15:45:48 GMT

The car dealer guy said that is normal condensation that builds up in the cap! Is that a load of crap or is it like he said normal? Thx

Why does my car idle at close to 2000 rpm for several minutes before finally settling at 700 rpm?

blackadder5639 — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 01:34:11 GMT

I've read from more than one online article that modern cars do not need to be idled for a while before driving. But several of my friends believe in the doctrine.....one guy said his mechanic advised him to. I'm wondering if this behaviour shouwn by my car when I first start it is proof that perhaps I should idle the car to "heat" the engine first?

I've also heard that revving the engine (say, to higher than 3000 rpm) in cold weather isn't good and shortens the engine life. Is this true?

When my engine is warm and at idle my oil light will flash on and off until I increase the RPMs.

jayinjax — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 12:32:05 GMT

when the engine warms up and I am at idle, in gear, the oil light flashes. if it isnt flashing, all i have to do is move the steering wheel a bit and it will then come on. I guess when I move the steering wheel it is putting a load on the engine, lowering the RPMs and lowering the oil pressure. I am running mobil 1 0W 40. should I be using a 20W 50??

Why is my car having engine power problems?

aliceforquer — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 12:56:07 GMT

Istarted having problemswith my car a week ago when I put some cheep gas in my car. I don't have any problems shifting the clutch but it doesn't want to change gears and the engine reves up. When I go up hill it has a very dificult time clibimg. What could be the peoblem?

What are the differences in a blown head gasket and a cracked head?

bjs32 — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 11:06:49 GMT

I have water in my oil but don't know if I just have a blown head gasket or if it is worse...cracked head. Help would be appreciated!

My car is sputtering and has steam coming from exhaust.

mirage1878 — Sat, 10 May 2008 12:02:14 GMT

before it started the radiator busted and i changed it and got about a 100 miles on it then it started sputtering and steam from exhaust

My Driver Info Center is saying reduced engine power and I want to know what is causing the problem

chucky36 — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 12:41:28 GMT

When i put car in gear it cuts off

I'm buying 2nd hand '96. How can I keep it running well in spite of its age?

rlccphil — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 09:44:17 GMT

The car has been re-conditioned. New timing belt, spark plugs, etc. Should I change the shocks?

why is my 98 Grand prix GTP running rough at idle and 4000 rpm

littled75 — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 16:17:22 GMT

at idle the car sounds like it has a hard time runnin, sounds alot like a carburated vehicle. when it is stopped in drive it bounces foward a little. when it revs up it does the same thing at 4000 rpm and it wont go passed 4100. the supercharger made a couple of high pitched whistling noises when i was riding around and sped the car up. i recently replaced the coupler in the supercharger and a vacuum line.

'88 Trooper stalls while driving. Replaced fuel pump & filter. Still stalls.

wlmehciz — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 03:56:32 GMT

While driving the "check engine " light comes on. When I push in the clutch coasting to a stop all of the warning lights come on. Engine starts again after 2 mins, 5 mins, 30 mins, 2 hours. Runs for 2 to 13 miles and stalls again. Fuel pump and filter have been replaced with no better drivability.

kia sephia acceleration problem ??

zeitawi — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 12:43:32 GMT

thank you aznraptor,iwill try your suggested and send to you back

"gets hot" means the temp. gauge. the engine will still start up but will run rough .

stumped7 — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 08:46:12 GMT

if you are on the road and you can floor it for a little bit it will come out of it. when it does you will feel it . it's like it gets an extra boost of fuel and then it runs like nothing ever happend.

How do I change starter on a 1994 buick skylark?

visionary7 — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 16:29:55 GMT

I don't know how to change the starter on a 1994 buick skylark?

my 97 5.7l tahoe has a cooant leak at the rear of the motor, I think its the intake manifold. is there anything sp

rwaltman — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 17:26:24 GMT

is there anything special I should know or do when I try and fix this thing?

engine stalls after car is run for awhile, stalls when put in gear,runs real rough .comes out of it after awhile

stumped7 — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 19:02:00 GMT

Hi, my 1991 cosica starts and runs great but after awhile the temp gauge will go high and it will start running real rough. if you can floor it for a little bit it will come out of it, if you have to stop it will stall. the engine will start back up but will run rough,if you put it in gear it will stall.after it sits for about 15 min. you can get it in gear and go but it is still rough 'till you floor it,then it seems to get a burst of fuel and goes like nothing ever happened . Thanks for any help you can give.

how do i take the engine fan off to replace the crankshaft pulley on a 2004 exlporer 4.0L

chadkathie — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 22:49:08 GMT

my crankshaft pulley came apart and i need to know how to take the engine fan off so i can replace the pulley on a 2004 Ford Explorer 4.0L

Considering '99 Forester 218,000 freeway miles new timing belt How many miles are forester engines good for?Kaye

kgates — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 12:11:59 GMT

One owner well maintained

I Have A 2000 Cadillac Escalade 133K Miles My Engine Will Stall While Driving Down The Road.It Restarts Right Away

nicecars1 — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 13:46:18 GMT

When I Drive Down The Road, My Engine Stalls / Dies
Once In Awhile. The Car Will Restart Just Fine.
Any Ideas?

I need to remove the starter from a '72 400cid. The exhaust manifold gets in the way. How can I get it out?

72charger — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 14:41:37 GMT

The exhaust manifold gets in the way of removing the starter. I have disengaged the manifold from the block, but it still will not give me enough wiggle room to get the starter out. Do I have to totally remove the manifold from the exhaust pipe? It is 4 pipes into 1 pipe.

I have 2000 Ford Windstar LX Will not start and has Flashing (Thief) on dash

darnell1 — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 15:45:55 GMT

Will not start when I turn the Key to ON position instead of starting I get a message in the Dash that reads (THIEF) flashing very rapidly and fast. Van will not start.

I am looking at purchasing a 97 wrangler 4 cyl,stick, has 178000 miles, what is the avg. life expectancy?

amylyn663 — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 16:14:43 GMT

This wrangler appears to be in great condition other than the mileage at 178000. I would like it to last a little while. How sturdy are these engines can I expect to get at least another 25000 out of it? Before needing a new engine?

swapping an enginge out of a pontiac car with the engine out of a plymouth van, need to know complications

pat_jenks — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 16:20:58 GMT

I have a 1996 pontiac 4.6l engine and would like to know the fesibility of putting an engine out of a 1993 grand caravan in the pontiac. I know the pontiac engine is a 4 cylinder, and the caravan is a six cylinder.

check engine is on left and right bank is lean what is this how do i fix it

vern3 — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 00:26:49 GMT

i went for an inspection and the machine said left and right bank is lean it will not pass. what is this problem and how can it be fixed thank you

my 96 f150 wont idle...it fires and runs when given gas but dies when you let off the gas any ideas?

lostsoul6447 — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 21:41:24 GMT

my '96 f150 starts and runs when you give it gas but dies when you let off...it wont idle on its own

My 95 Suburban 5.7L misses @ idle. Any ideas/advice?

mckenzkj — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 21:31:14 GMT

My 95 5.7L misses in gear at idle (Auto trans). Off idle is fine no problems. I checked the resistance of the IAC and it is within the tolerences specified in my repair manual. Jumpered the ADL connection and flashed for codes. No codes other than the code 12 handshake. Two weeks prior to this problem starting I had to remove the intake manifold to remove a very corroded and busted heater hose connection at the rear of the manifold. At that time I also replaced, plugs,wires,cap and rotor. Engine ran fine until the idle miss appeared. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

i have a 1990 chevy lumina 3.1 that keeps stalling after i drive for awhile i replaced the o2 sensor/spark plugs

fjasonhall — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 21:40:07 GMT

i have replaced the o2 sensor and spark plugs. computer reads clean. it will stall then after sitting a few minutes restart and drive for awhile before stalling again. This is my only means of transportation, thanks for any help-

2003 VW Passat 6cyl automatic having cold weather (20 or below) start problem. Has new battery. Any suggestions?

dostrow — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 11:20:25 GMT

2003 VW Passat 6cyl. automatic having cold weather (20 or below) start problem. Has a new battery. No other symptoms. Have had alternator and battery/starter connections checked. Any ideas?

I have 01 Windstar which the manifold is out and ford has it on national backorder until 7/08. No used parts. Help

wickster72 — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 11:05:58 GMT

I was told that all windstars have this problem around 70,000 miles. Mine is at 67,000. Ford said that the part is on national backorder until 7/08. I can't go without a vehicle for that long. I contacted ford and they said that they can't help me. What can I do? Ford agreed that majority of the Windstars have this problem, so using a used part from another Windstar might not help. What can I do? I can't trade it in because I wound get any trade-in value and I can't go without a vehicle until 7/08. They said I could do a temp fix with silicone, but I run the risk of engine damage if the silicone comes loose. I know at our local warehouse there is an order list of 500 manifolds before me so I know I am not alone. What can we do legally? Thank you Tracy Wickman

Subaru, Timing Belt

tapj — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 20:44:02 GMT

Just to say thanks. I tink I'm all set for now, Thanks Tapj

Where is the crankshaft position sensor?

scottpark — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 17:06:25 GMT

i was told by a dealer that most likely cause is worn cam. have you herd of this problem and do you think that would cause sudden,engine stop?are you aware of any other common issues with the 4.1 in that yr?

I have a GM 3.8 liter engine and I cannot get the harmonic balancer bolt out. Any suggestions or tricks? thanx

shaggy2010 — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 18:39:23 GMT

I have made tools to hold the harmonic balancer but it bent them when i tried to get the bolt out. I tried to use impact wrenches, and none of those could get it loose either. I also tried to put a breaker bar on it and turned the motor over to try and get it loose. PLEASE help me i don't know what else to do. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Should spark plugs be removed before performing valve gasket change?

mpcklb — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 19:09:06 GMT

in need of changing valve gasket but want to make sure what procedures to take first

Why do manufacturers have cold start high idle rpm set above 1800rpm at temps below freezing?

clintj — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 21:09:58 GMT

when ambient air temp is below freezing and eng is first started engine revs to 1800-2500rpm-depending on temp-and then slowly drops to a more reasonable rpm as engine warms, eg. @ -22C eng revs to 2500rpm and stays there for 30-60 secs before dropping to 1800 or lower.

I have an 2000 454? engine with "High Performance" stamped on the pushrod guides, bar code is 10FCZ T906300455. What do I have?

captbilld — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 21:54:13 GMT

I bought an engine from an engine broker who deals in cores and auto parts. Engine should be about a 2000 454. "High Performance" is stamped on the pushrod guides. A bar code on engine is 10FCZ T906300455. Can you tell me what I have?

Is there a non-Rover engine/gearbox that fits the 400 series with minimum alterations?

zatnic62 — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 08:14:37 GMT

looking to swap out original engine for a more powerful one if its possible without having to totally reconstruct the engine bay.model is a Rover 400 hatchback(5 door) 1998 MkII 1.4L

When I turn the key on my car the starter kicks in and then disengages and whines like an electric motor

jon_g98034 — Tue, 13 May 2008 21:41:54 GMT

when i turn the key on my car the starter kicks in and then disengages and whines like an electric motor

V8 302 on intial start up for break in...one side of headers turned bright red. What should I look for?

laurau — Sat, 31 May 2008 23:28:53 GMT

I put a V8 302 in an 84 Mustang and this is the initial start up/break in.