The "Ask a Mechanic" Thread

[Elessar78]

how much do you think it costs for someone to replace a side fender and to paint the front of the car? I am thinking to fix my 02 corolla because it looks awful and i want to keep it forever.  i gave that car back to my dad but he doesn't drive it as much as i would.  I love my first baby and i want it to look nice and not all crusty!

You could find a high school VoTech program, the one in my town takes on projects like that and you just pay for the materials. They actually do a great job from what I heard because the instructors don't let projects go back out that aren't "retail" quality. But the timeframe is up to them. 

[twa]

how much do you think it costs for someone to replace a side fender and to paint the front of the car? I am thinking to fix my 02 corolla because it looks awful and i want to keep it forever.  i gave that car back to my dad but he doesn't drive it as much as i would.  I love my first baby and i want it to look nice and not all crusty!

 

varies greatly but 7-800 if ya are talking the hood fenders and bumper, putting a fender on those is easy.

[Kosher Ham]

Yeah, I would guess around 7-8 also.

 

How much are you willing to invest in it is the real question ?

 

Most likely more than the car is worth ?

[skinfan2k]

Yeah, I would guess around 7-8 also.

 

How much are you willing to invest in it is the real question ?

 

Most likely more than the car is worth ?

 

the car isn't even worth $2K but it has only 121K miles on it and runs like a champ.  It's a beater for sure and i usually use it for long drives and when i need to drive it into bmore or dc. 

[Elessar78]

Small car victory for me this morning! My wife smashed our passenger side mirror last week. Found the part on Amazon and cleared my morning to do the swap and it ended up taking me less than half an hour. I started it and I was done before my done was making breakfast. Usually any car thing takes me at least two hours. 

[Elessar78]

Any tips for taking care of high mileage vehicles to keep them running a long time?

 

I have an Odyssey van with 134k. 

 

Oil changes: should I shorten up the intervals? It has a oil life sensor, should I continue to trust it? Or change it at 3K and/or a certain percentage?

[dfitzo53]

Any tips for taking care of high mileage vehicles to keep them running a long time?

 

I have an Odyssey van with 134k. 

 

Oil changes: should I shorten up the intervals? It has a oil life sensor, should I continue to trust it? Or change it at 3K and/or a certain percentage?

Good question, I've been wondering about that too.  I have a RAV4 with 140K and an Odyssey with 60K that we're hoping to keep for a long time.

[Springfield]

That's a tough one guys.

I'd probably keep with the monitor as long as all seemed well. Definitely check the oil more frequently though. Other parts of the car will start to fail long before the engine does for the most part.

It never hurts to over maintain though (except the pocket book).

[zoony]

Hope you did the timing belt service on that odyssey at 100k!!

Also honda actually tells customers to never change plugs unless one starts malfunctioning. IMO this is foolish change them at 100k

[dfitzo53]

That's a tough one guys.

I'd probably keep with the monitor as long as all seemed well. Definitely check the oil more frequently though. Other parts of the car will start to fail long before the engine does for the most part.

It never hurts to over maintain though (except the pocket book).

Oh, related note.

 

The rearview mirror on the 140K mile RAV4 keeps falling off.

 

It fell off once, I reglued it, it fell off in a day.  I tried to do my damnedest to get everything clean and keep everything clean through the whole process, I reglued it again following all the kit directions, and it stayed on for two days or so.  I finally took it to a place and they did it for me, and it stayed on for about 5 months.  It fell off again last week.

 

What can I do to (hopefully) get it on there permanently, or at least not have to have it redone 2-3 times a year?

[Springfield]

The mirror in the car? Has to be medical room clean, both the windshield and the metal button.

[HOF44]

Hope you did the timing belt service on that odyssey at 100k!!

Also honda actually tells customers to never change plugs unless one starts malfunctioning. IMO this is foolish change them at 100k

Have a 2010 Honda Pilot.  Just had the timing belt and spark plugs changed. Mine is recommended at 105K for both timing belt and spark plugs. 

[twa]

Oh, related note.

 

The rearview mirror on the 140K mile RAV4 keeps falling off.

 

It fell off once, I reglued it, it fell off in a day.  I tried to do my damnedest to get everything clean and keep everything clean through the whole process, I reglued it again following all the kit directions, and it stayed on for two days or so.  I finally took it to a place and they did it for me, and it stayed on for about 5 months.  It fell off again last week.

 

What can I do to (hopefully) get it on there permanently, or at least not have to have it redone 2-3 times a year?

 

are you removing and gluing just the tab?

aside from cleaning with denatured alcohol and allowing it to dry w/o the mirror for 24 hrs ,ya are left with using different brands of adhesives.

 

lightly abrading the surface is also a option , naturally taking care not to stray much on the windshield

[dfitzo53]

OK, I didn't let it dry for 24 hours before.  Seems pretty excessive considering how quickly alcohol evaporates, but I'll try anything at this point.

 

And yeah, just gluing the tab, then the mirror hangs on it of course.

[zoony]

Have a 2010 Honda Pilot. Just had the timing belt and spark plugs changed. Mine is recommended at 105K for both timing belt and spark plugs.

Did the dealer tell you that or was it aftermarket repair shop?

I called two dealers they both told me honda recommends not to change plugs. I called aftermarket honda mechanic and he told me that was absurd and to do it at 105k. I took it to him

Thought about doing it myself but after watching youtube vids on changing those plugs I thought my entire Saturday and knuckles were worth $150

I remember changing plugs in my Mazda before I went to work. 7 or 8 minutes and a crappy socket set I borrowed from my neighbor. Those days aren't coming back

[twa]

OK, I didn't let it dry for 24 hours before.  Seems pretty excessive considering how quickly alcohol evaporates, but I'll try anything at this point.

 

And yeah, just gluing the tab, then the mirror hangs on it of course.

 

let the tab dry on the w/s 24 hrs, not the alcohol

[HOF44]

Did the dealer tell you that or was it aftermarket repair shop?

 

The dealer told me and it's also in the owners manual. 

[dfitzo53]

let the tab dry on the w/s 24 hrs, not the alcohol

OK, I'll do that.

[Elessar78]

the spark plugs in my Odyssey, hoo wee, that takes me back a few weeks ago. I think posted about it here.

 

Anyway, the van was sounding awful like wouldn't get into gear. I was scared that it was the transmission. Cruised into a gas station, with both kids in the back obviously, and sat there. 

 

Towed it to a garage, not dealer, and they said it was just the spark plugs. Boy was I ever relieved. The "not shifting" just turned out to be misfiring pistons. 

[Springfield]

Don't wait until your spark plugs fail to change them. EVERY manufacturer has a specified spark plug replacement interval.

[s0crates]

There's a plastic connector that connects from the base of my headlamp bulbs to the power source wire. I called advanced and autozone and they said I have to call the dealer for this.

BTW, how the heck do work inside modern cars? There is no room in there to get any leverage or light.

how much do you think it costs for someone to replace a side fender and to paint the front of the car? I am thinking to fix my 02 corolla because it looks awful and i want to keep it forever. i gave that car back to my dad but he doesn't drive it as much as i would. I love my first baby and i want it to look nice and not all crusty!

Salvage yards are good for stuff like this (fender, random plastic piece).

I had my Integra painted about 8 years ago at Maaco. I got the cheapest option, it was like 300 bucks IIRC, but it looked good, and the paint has held up well, even with 5 years in the Phoenix sun.

Speaking of my Integra, I'm looking to sell it. It's a '95 w/ 180k miles, new tires, new distributer, runs good (just drove it 2300 miles, no problems). It has no stereo or speakers, and slightly bent rotors on the drivers side (because it was stolen and stripped last year). Also the ABS computer is on the fritz, goes on and off. Any idea what I should ask for it? I'm thinking like $2k maybe, but I would probably take $1.5k.

It pains me to get rid of it honestly. It has sentimental value: It's been reliable (I've put 100k miles on it with only basic maintenance), it's made several cross country trips, and it's lasted longer and been more faithful than my last three GFs. But the insurance is too high for a car I barely drive now, $70 a month for liability (red sports car, stupid insurance companies think that matters, despite no accidents or violations in over a decade, the ****ers, my comprehensive coverage on my new Civic costs about the same).

IDK, I have half a mind to keep the thing for five years so I can stick antique tags on it, but I'd be interested in a ballpark figure on what the thing is worth.

Edited June 6, 2015 by s0crates

[.Guy.]

How do you remove sentimentality?

 

I used to just fix stuff myself so I'd offset labor and just buy a part. 

 

My dad bought a Mercedes-Benz ML320 when it first came out back in '98. It was in Jurassic Park: The Lost World, and it left me with so much love for the W163. 

 

It's almost 17 years old now and still running fine. Everything works except the gas gauge. Its become a 3rd vehicle nowadays and mostly used for towing (5,000lb no prob) so its nice to have. Cheap to insure as well. 

 

Last few years the cooling has been problematic. First wouldn't blow cool, recharged the system (15 years at the time so makes sense). A year later, at stop AC stops blowing cool and engine spikes... turns out to be bad aux fans. Not a big deal, fixed myself and everything is good. 

 

Last week the AC gets stuck on heat mode.... no matter what, blows hot. Turns out the air blend motor was bad. I was able to manually move the blend door myself but the AC isn't blowing cold anymore. Just outside air temp, but at least not hot air. 

 

Taking it in next week to let the specialist diagnose it. Got a coupon to charge the whole system for $130 and I think thats fair but now I'm really thinking anything beyond a few hundred might not be worth it and seriously considering just donating the ML.

 

But I love it so much. It tows like a beast (esp for a V6) and its been with us for so long I don't wanna part with it. I even have a utility trailer and no other vehicle to tow it with. 

 

I know what you're thinking, "old Mercedes especially one made in Alabama, of course its gonna cost silly money to maintain", but since it sold so well, the forums literally have a fix for everything. Its just the AC system that's beyond my skill. 

 

What should I do?

[Major Harris]

QUESTION:

I have a 2007 Subaru Forrester XT Sport.

Not that there's anything wrong with that

[skinsmarydu]

That's a tough one guys.

I'd probably keep with the monitor as long as all seemed well. Definitely check the oil more frequently though. Other parts of the car will start to fail long before the engine does for the most part.

It never hurts to over maintain though (except the pocket book).

This is fantastic advice, y'all. I check my oil, coolant, & clean both windshields with every fill-up...there's a full service station where I know everyone & I can just roll in & get tire pressure checked/fixed for free (I give whoever $5 anyway, LOL) and my '99 MC Z-34 just went over 118K. Recent radiator flush, new motor mounts...he should run for another 118K.

[Malapropismic Depository]

Big shout of thanks to TWA for recommending this product, "Mar-Hyde One Step Rust Converter", by 3M.

Had a rust hole that was 7 inches wide, continually eating away at my bumper.

First sprayed the Mar-Hyde on, to neutralize the rust and stop the spread.

Then I could go ahead and safely add a few layers of reinforced body "patchwork" and filler to cover the hole.

These are the before and after pictures. I must emphasize that I am a complete novice and amateur at bodywork.

So the goal was not to make it look professional or super pretty. But mainly just had these goals in mind 1) Stop the rust from spreading and eating up the remainder of my bumper 2) Not have a gaping hole in my bumper.