Straight Talk / Q&A
Each of these appeared in Jim’s Straight Talk column in the Dayton Daily News.
(A0) Basic Skills
(A1) Engine Repair
Antifreeze
API
Broken Engine Mount
Coolant Additives
Coolant Air Bleed Valve
Coolant Change
Coolant Fluorescent Dye
Coolant Flush
Coolant Level
Coolant Pressure Test
Cooling Fan Clutch
Cooling Fans
Cooling Fans – 2
Cooling System Temperature Check
Cooling System Vacuum
Crack Detection
Cracked Head
Crankshaft Balancing
Defective Water Pump
Dex Cool
Dex Cool – 2
Dex Cool – 3
Dex Cool – 4
DOHC Timing Chain
Drive Belt Tension
Drive Belt
Engine Mount
Engine Mount – 2
Engine Mount – 3
Engine Mount Inspection
Engine Mount Vibration
Engine Overhaul
Exhaust Gas in Coolant
Fan Clutch
Gasoline Grade
Head Gasket
ILSAC
Intake Lower Plenum
Intake Manifold Gasket
Intake Manifold Gasket – 2
Intake Manifold Gasket – 3
Intake Manifold Gasket Leak
Leaking Head Gasket
Leaking Intake Gasket
Loose Radiator Cap
Muffler Drain Hole
No Vibration Damper
Oil Brand Change
Oil Change
Oil Consumption
Oil Level
Oil Level – 2
Oil Level – 3
Oil Pump
Oil Specifications
Oil Viscocity
Piston Skirt
Pulley Inspection
Radiator Cap
Radiator Cap
Rusty Coolant
Thermostat
Thermostat – 2
Thermostat – 3
Thinner Oil
Timing Belt
Timing Belt – 2
Timing Belt Replacement
Timing Belt Replacement – 2
Timing Belt Replacement – 3
Timing Belt Replacement – 4
Timing Belt Replacement – 5
Timing Chain
Timing Chain – 2
Timing Chain – 3
Turbo Diesel
Upper Engine Mount
Valve Guide Installation
Valve Guides
Valve Seals
Valve Seats
Valve Stem Seals
Valve Stem Seals – 2
Valve Stem Seals – 3
Valve Stem Seals – 4
Valve Stem Seals – 5
Water Pump
Worn Crank Bearings
Worn Head Gasket
Worn Main Bearing
Worn Water Pump
(A2) Automatic Transmissions
TCC Solenoid – 3
TCC
Torque Converter Clutch Solenoid
Torque Converter Clutch
Torque Converter
Tow Haul Mode
Transmission Fluid Change
Transmission Fluid Change – 2
Transmission Fluid Change – 3
Transmission Cooler
Transmission Cooler – 2
Transmission Cooler – 3
Transmission Fluid Change
Transmission Filter Replacement
Transmission Filters
Transmission Fluid Change
Transmission Fluid Change – 2
Transmission Fluid Change – 3
Transmission Fluid Color
Transmission Fluid Flush
Transmission Fluid Leak Detection
Transmission Leak Testing
Transmission Linkage
Transmission Mount
Transmission Pump
Transmission Range Sensor
Transmission Seals
Transmission Solenoids
Transmission Speed Sensor
Vacuum Modulator
Vacuum Modulator – 2
Vacuum Modulator – 3
Valve Body
Valve Body – 2
(A3) Manual Drive Train Axles
(A4) Steering and Suspension
Ball Joint
Ball Joint – 2
Bent Wheel
Bent Wheel – 2
Broken Stabilizer Link
Checking Tire Pressure
Checking Tread Depth
Chrome Wheels
Corroded Wheel
Defective Wheel Bearing
Digital Tire Pressure Gauge
Faulty Wheel Bearing
Flat Spot Tires
Flushing Power Steering Fluid
FWD Rear Wheel Bearing
Gross Vehicle Weight
JWL
New Tires
New Tires – 2
New Tires – 3
Nitrogen Inflation
Pitman Arm Check
Power Steering Fluid Change
Power Steering Fluid Level
Power Steering Leak
Proper Tire Inflation
Proper Tire Inflation – 2
Proper Tire Inflation – 3
Shocks
Steering Problem
Steering Rack
Steering Shaft
Strut Bearing
Sub Frame
Suspension Full Droop
Swaybar Bushings
Tire Balancing
Tire Diameter
Tire DOT Code
Tire Inflation
Tire Life
Tire Particles
Rotor Runout
Rotor Runout – 2
Rotor Thickness Variation
Rubber Brake Hose
Rusty Brake Rotors
Rusty Brake Rotors – 2
Rusty Brake Rotors – 3
RWAL
Sticking Caliper
Stuck Caliper
Stuck Caliper – 2
Vacuum Brake Bleeding
VSS
VSS – 2
Wheel Cylinders
Wheel Speed Sensor
Wheel Speed Sensor – 2
Wheel Speed Sensor – 3
Wheel Speed Sensor – 4
(A5) Brakes
ABS and Traction Control
ABS Light
ABS Light – 2
Blown ABS Fuse
Brake Bleeding
Brake Booster
Brake Booster – 2
Brake Booster – 3
Brake Drag Check
Brake Fluid
Brake Fluid 2
Brake Fluid Level
Brake Fluid Level – 2
Brake Fluid Level – 3
Brake Lubrication
Brake Master Cylinder
Brake Pad Life
Brake Pad Replacement
Brake Pad Thickness
Brake Pads
Brake Pads – 2
Caliper Inspection
Caliper Slides
Cooroded Brake Caliper
Cooroded Caliper Guides
Dirty Brake Fluid
Dirty Wheel Speed Sensor
Disc Brake Dust Shield
Disc Brake Inspection
Drum Brakes
Gravity Brake Bleeding
Leaking Wheel Cylinder
Lubricating Caliper Slides
New Brake Lining
Non Directional Finish
Opening the Bleeder Valve
Parking Brake Mechanism
Parking Brake Service
Parking Brake Stop
Retracting Caliper Piston
Rotor Runout
Rotor Runout – 2
Rotor Thickness Variation
Rubber Brake Hose
Rusty Brake Rotors
Rusty Brake Rotors – 2
Rusty Brake Rotors – 3
RWAL
Sticking Caliper
Stuck Caliper
Stuck Caliper – 2
Vacuum Brake Bleeding
VSS
VSS – 2
Wheel Cylinders
Wheel Speed Sensor
Wheel Speed Sensor – 2
Wheel Speed Sensor – 3
Wheel Speed Sensor – 4
(A6) Electrical and Electronic Systems
AC Ripple Voltage
AC Ripple Voltage – 2
Airbag Warining Light
Alternator Charging Voltage
Alternator Connector
Alternator Replacement
Amber ABS and Trac Warning Lamps
Amber Air Bag Warning Lamp
Amber Check Engine Light
Antenna Problem
Antenna Problem – 2
Antenna
Auto Up Power Windows
Battery Arcing
Battery Cables
Battery Charge
Battery Charging
Battery Drain Test Tool
Blower Motor Resistors
Blower Motor Resistors – 2
Blower Motor
Blown Fuse
Braided Ground Strap
Braided Ground Strap – 2
Charging Battery
Charging Dash Light
Charging Voltage
CHMSL
CHMSL – 2
Circuit Breaker
Clamp on Meter
Clock Spring
Clock Spring – 2
Cooling Fan
Corroded Battery Terminals
Corroded Positive Terminal
Corroded Side Terminal
Cruise Control Speeds
Cruise Control Switch
Cruise Control Unit
Cruise Control
Dimmer Switch
Dimmer Switch – 2
Display
Door Keypad
Electrical Power Management
Fog Lights
Frayed Wiring
Fuel Gauge
Fuel Gauge – 2
Fuel Gauge Accuracy
Fuel Pump Connector
Fuse Check
Fuse Check – 2
Gel Battery
Ground Connection
Ground Connection – 2
Headlight Issue
Headlight Switch
Heated Seat
HIDS
High Voltage Cutoff
Horn Operation
Hybrid Battery Pack
Hybrid Wiring
Ignition Switch
Ignition Switch – 2
Instrument Panel
Interior Lights
Jump Box
Key Fob
Key Fob – 2
Key Fob – 3
Light Bulb Selection
Loose Ground
Loose Wire
Loose Wire – 2
Maintenance Reminder Lamp
Microphone
Multi Function Switch
New Car Options
New Features
New Features – 2
New Features – 3
New Key
New Tech
Odometer
Oil Pressure Switch
Oil Pressure Warning Lamp
Parasitic Draw Test Tool
Parasitic Draw Test
Power Mirror Switch
Radio Repair Options
Rain Sense Wipers
Rear Window Defogger
Red Brake Warning Lamp
Relay Diagram
Relay
Ripple Voltage
Seized Pulley
Shorted Wire
Speedometer
Starter Wire Connections
Starter
Storage Charger
Taillight Assembly
Temperature Warning Lamp
Turn Signal Switch
Window Switch
Wiper Motor
Wiper Miltifunction Switch
Wiper Speed Control
Wiper Switch
Wiring Harness
(A7) Heating and Air Conditioning
(A8) Engine Performance
10% Ethanol – 2
91 Octane
AIR Pump
Air Cleaner Heat Tube
Air Cleaner Nest
Acohol Testing in Gasoline
Bad Coil
Bad Fuel Injector
Bad Injector
Bad Spark Plug
Broken Spark Plug
CAI
Carb Spacer
Carbon on Valve
Catalytic Converter
Catalytic Converter – 2
Central Port Injection
Central Port Spider
Charcoal Canister
Check Engine Light
Check Gas Cap
Checking for Vacuum Leaks
Checking Ignition Coils
Checking Ignition Wires
Clean Throttle Plate
Cleaning EGR Port
Clogged EGR
Clogged EGR – 2
Clogged EGR Passage
Clogged EGR Passages
Clogged EGR Passages – 2
Clogged EGR Passages – 3
Clogged EGR Port
Clogged Fuel Filter
CNG Vehicle
CNG
Coil on Plug
Coil Pack
Cold Air Intake
Cold Air Intake – 2
Cold Air Intake – 3
Comparing Scan Data
Computer Problem
Computer Programming
Computer
Contaminated Mass Airflow Sensor
Cracked Exhaust Manifold
Crankshaft Position Sensor
Crankshaft Position Sensor – 2
Decarbonization
Decarbonization – 2
Decarbonization – 3
Decarbonization – 4
Decarbonization – 5
Decarbonization – 6
Decarbonization – 7
Decarbonization – 8
Degraded Oxygen Sensor
Diesel Fuel
Dirty Fuel Filter
Dirty MAF
Dirty Mass Airflow Sensor Wire
Dirty Throttle Plate
Dirty Throttle Plate – 2
Dirty Throttle Plate – 3
Dirty Throttle Plate – 4
Dirty Throttle Plate – 5
Dirty Throttle Plate – 6
Dirty Throttle Plate – 7
Dirty Throttle Plate – 8
Dirty Throttle Plate – 9
Dirty Throttle Plate – 10
Dirty Throttle Plates
Distributor Cap
Distributor Cap – 2
Distributor Magnets
Distributor Problem
DTC Retrieval
E10 Gasoline
E85
E85 – 2
E85 – 3
E85 – 4
ECT Sensor
ECT Sensor – 2
ECT Sensor – 3
ECT vs IAT
EGR Carbon Buildup
EGR Carbon
EGR Cleaning
EGR Cleaning – 2
EGR Replacement
EGR Replacement – 2
EGR
Ethanol Gasoline
Ethanol
Exhaust Mount
Exhaust Restriction
Faulty Crankshaft Position Sensor
Faulty Distributor Cap
Faulty Distributor
Faulty Plug Wire
Faulty Plug Wire – 2
Flex Fuel Vehicles
Flex Fuel
Fuel Filter
Fuel Filter – 2
Fuel Filter – 3
Fuel Filter – 4
Fuel Filter – 5
Fuel Filter – 6
Fuel Filter – 7
Fuel Injector Resistance
Fuel Injector Resistance – 2
Fuel Injector Resistance – 3
Fuel Injectors
Fuel Inlet Location
Fuel Pressure Check
Fuel Pressure Regulator
Fuel Pressure Regulator – 2
Fuel Pressure Regulator – 3
Fuel Pressure Regulator – 4
Fuel Pressure Regulator – 5
Fuel Pressure Regulator – 6
Fuel Pressure Regulator – 7
Fuel Pressure Regulator – 8
Fuel Pressure Test
Fuel Pressure
Fuel Pump
Fuel Pump – 2
Fuel Pump – 3
Fuel Pump – 4
Fuel Pump – 5
Fuel Pump Connector
Fuel Pump Current Draw
Fuel Pump Diagnosis
Fuel Pump Harness
Fuel Pump Relay
Fuel Rail Cleaner
Fuel Stabilizer
Fuel Trim
Gas Cap
Gas Pump
Gasoline Grades
Gasoline Stabilizer
Gasoline Stabilizer – 2
GM Ignition
Hydrogen Fuel
IAC
IAC – 2
IAC Counts
Idle Air Control
Idle Air Control – 2
Idle Air Control – 3
Idle Air Control – 4
Idle Air Control – 5
Ignition Module
Ignition System Fault
Ignition System Testing
In Line Fuel Filter
Incorrect Oxygen Sensor
Intake Carbon
Jeep HO
Knock Sensor
Leaky Pressure Regulator
Loose Gas Cap
MAF
MAP Sensor Vacuum Hose
MAP Sensor
Mass Airflow Sensor
Mass Airflow Sensor – 2
Mass Airflow Sensor – 3
Misfire Data
Misfire
Muffler
Multi Electrode Spark Plug
O2 Cel
O2 Sensor Wire Problem
O2 Sensors
O2
Octane Levels
Oxygen Sensor
Oxygen Sensor – 2
Palm Scan Tool
PCV Valve
PCV Valve – 2
PCV Valve – 3
Pinched PCV Valve
Plug Gap
Plug Wire Resistance Check
Post Catalytic Oxygen Sensor
Premium Fuel Only
Premium Fuel Recommended
Premium Gasoline
PROM
Replacement Catalytic Converter
Restricted Air Cleaner
Returnless Fuel System
Saturated Carbon Canister
Scan Tool
Single Exhaust
Spark Plug Replacement
Spark Plug Wire Resistance
Spark Plug
Spark Tester
Spark Tester – 2
Spark Testing Coils
Split Vacuum Hose
Squirrel Nest
Sta Bil
Sticking Throttle Cable
Strange Check Engine Light
TBI
Tech 2 Scan Tool
Techron
Techron – 2
Techron – 3
Techron – 4
Techron – 5
Techron – 6
Techron – 7
Thread Chaser
Throttle Body Base Gasket
Throttle Body Cleaner
Throttle Body Cleaner – 2
Throttle Body Cleaner – 3
Throttle Body Injection
Throttle Body Injection – 2
Throttle Linkage
Throttle Position Sensor
Throttle Position Sensor – 2
Throttle Position Sensor – 3
Top Engine Cleaner
Tune Up
Vacuum Hose on Spark Plugs
Worn Distributor Cap
Worn Distributor Rotor
Worn Spark Plugs