A lighthearted episode featuring the Tapper brothers discussing various car-related dilemmas and humorous anecdotes. The show includes a call from a listener with a persistent VW Golf starting issue, leading to insights about fuel pumps and potential fuel system problems. Another caller seeks advice on an aging Toyota Corolla that struggles to start, prompting a discussion about carburetors and maintenance. The brothers also share amusing stories about their own experiences and expectations in life, all while engaging with their audience in a fun, conversational manner.
Katie is a hiker and camper but she called the least ‘outdoorsy’ guys possible to find out if it’s safe to pour her old camp stove fuel into her car’s gas tank. Click and Clack the Wilderness Brothers ‘break camp’(and a few other things) on this episode of the Best of Car Talk.
"I've got an 86 VW golf that I've had for about five years. It's only got 32,000 miles on it."
The Volkswagen Golf is a small car that many people like because it's easy to drive and has a lot of room inside. The 1986 version is one of the earlier models and is known for its unique shape.
The Volkswagen Golf is a compact car that has been popular for its practicality and performance since its introduction in the 1970s. The 1986 model is part of the second generation, known for its boxy design and efficient use of space.
"...after I'd headed for two years, it started to not start in the morning. And then I had a mechanic look at it and he put a new fuel pump."
The fuel pump is a part of the car that helps move gasoline from the tank to the engine. If it doesn't work, the car might not start or could have problems running.
A fuel pump is a critical component in a vehicle's fuel system, responsible for delivering fuel from the tank to the engine. If the fuel pump fails, the engine may not start or run properly.
"There's no VW dealer in Buford and I've now put in four of these things and the mechanics been very nice."
Volkswagen is a car company from Germany that makes many popular cars. They are known for models like the Beetle and the Golf.
Volkswagen, commonly known as VW, is a German automotive manufacturer known for producing a wide range of vehicles, including the iconic Beetle and the Golf.
"Is he replacing them with original equipment pumps, Bosch pumps?"
Bosch pumps are fuel pumps made by a well-known company. They help deliver fuel to the engine so the car can run properly.
Bosch pumps refer to fuel pumps manufactured by Bosch, a leading supplier of automotive components. These pumps are known for their reliability and performance in delivering fuel to the engine.
"...the more likely one, is that you have a severe case of fuel system, crudification, crudification, crudification..."
Crudification is when dirt, rust, and other junk build up in the fuel system, which can block parts and cause problems for the engine.
Fuel system crudification refers to the buildup of rust and other contaminants in the fuel system, which can clog components like the fuel pump and filters. This can lead to performance issues and engine damage if not addressed.
"...his message comes from Carvana. The Carvana Value Tracker shows you your car's worth. Check it anytime, tra..."
The Chevrolet Tracker is a small SUV that is great for people who need a car that can fit a few passengers and some luggage. It's known for being easy to drive and having a lot of useful features, making it a good option for everyday use. Many people like it because it combines comfort with a reasonable price.
The Chevrolet Tracker is a compact SUV that has gained popularity for its practicality and versatility. It offers a comfortable ride, ample cargo space, and modern technology features, making it a suitable choice for urban drivers and small families. Its significance lies in its balance of affordability and functionality in the competitive SUV market.
"I have this 1989 Toyota Corolla, and this is my very first car that I bought brand new."
The Toyota Corolla is a small car that many people buy because it's dependable and gets good gas mileage. The 1989 version is one of the older models that many drivers still appreciate.
The Toyota Corolla is a compact car that has been one of the best-selling vehicles worldwide. The 1989 model is part of the sixth generation of Corollas, known for its reliability and fuel efficiency.
"They did the valve cover gasket. They said it was leaking, and they replaced it."
The valve cover gasket helps keep oil in the engine. If it gets old or damaged, oil can leak out, which is not good for the engine.
The valve cover gasket is a seal that sits between the valve cover and the engine block, preventing oil leaks. If it fails, it can lead to oil leaking onto the engine, which can cause various issues.
"And then they said, suspect the valve seals are getting hard and leaking."
Valve seals help keep oil from getting into the engine's combustion area. If they wear out, you might see smoke from the exhaust or use more oil.
Valve seals are components that prevent oil from leaking into the combustion chamber. If they become hard or damaged, they can lead to oil consumption and smoke from the exhaust.
The carburetor helps mix air and fuel so the engine can run. It's more common in older cars, as newer ones usually use fuel injection instead.
A carburetor is a device that mixes air and fuel for internal combustion engines. It was commonly used in older vehicles before fuel injection became the standard.
Spark plugs are small parts in an engine that create a spark to help start the engine. They are important for making sure the engine runs smoothly.
Spark plugs are components in an engine that ignite the air-fuel mixture, enabling the engine to run. They are crucial for engine performance and efficiency.
"...and on some Turcells. And on Ford cars of like 1985, Ford used, I think, an 84 or 85 for a year."
The Toyota Tercel is a small, affordable car that was made by Toyota. It was popular because it was easy on gas and not too expensive to buy.
The Toyota Tercel is a compact car that was produced by Toyota from 1978 to 1999. It was known for its affordability and fuel efficiency, making it a popular choice among budget-conscious consumers.
"...and on some Turcells. And on Ford cars of like 1985, Ford used, I think, an 84 or 85 for a year. Before they decided that there was a stupid idea..."
Ford is a well-known car company from the United States. They make many types of vehicles, including trucks and cars, and are famous for their popular models.
Ford is an American multinational automaker known for producing a wide range of vehicles, including cars, trucks, and SUVs. Founded by Henry Ford in 1903, the company is famous for its innovations in assembly line manufacturing and has produced iconic models like the Ford Mustang and Ford F-150.
"Now what a vacuum leak is is it's a leak which allows air to get into the engine when it shouldn't be getting into that spot."
A vacuum leak is when extra air gets into the engine where it shouldn't, which can cause the engine to run poorly or not at all.
A vacuum leak occurs when air enters the engine's combustion chamber from an unintended source, disrupting the air-fuel mixture and affecting engine performance.
"specifically into the combustion chamber. All the air that enters an engine should come either through the carburetor if the car has one or through the throttle body."
The combustion chamber is the part of the engine where fuel and air come together and burn to create energy to make the car move.
The combustion chamber is the area within an engine where fuel and air mix and ignite to produce power.
"or through the throttle body. And any air that comes into any other source is called a vacuum leak."
The throttle body is a part of the engine that helps control how much air goes into it, which is important for making the engine work properly.
The throttle body is a component of an engine that controls the amount of air entering the engine, playing a crucial role in the air-fuel mixture for combustion.
"And you put your finger on a hose that's broken or a pipe that's gotten disconnected."
A hose is a tube that carries air or fluids in the engine. If it breaks, it can cause problems like leaks or the engine not working properly.
Hoses in an engine are flexible tubes that carry fluids or air to various components. A broken hose can lead to issues like vacuum leaks or coolant loss.
"Or we use a little wand that shoots propane. And you go around with this thing attached away."
Propane is a gas that can be used to find leaks in an engine. If you spray it near a leak, the engine will react, helping you find the problem.
Propane is often used in automotive diagnostics to detect vacuum leaks. When sprayed near a suspected leak, the engine's RPM will change if the propane is drawn in, indicating a leak.
"He's pulling off the spark plug wires. And he's putting the back on,"
Spark plug wires help send electricity from the engine's ignition system to the spark plugs, which are important for starting the engine and keeping it running smoothly.
Spark plug wires are electrical cables that connect the ignition system to the spark plugs in an engine. They carry the electrical current needed to ignite the air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber.
"...this gas, this fuel, which is not gasoline really? It's, it's camp stove fuel."
Camp stove fuel is a fuel used for cooking while camping. It's not the same as gasoline and shouldn't be used in cars because it's designed for stoves, not engines.
Camp stove fuel is a type of fuel used in portable stoves for camping. It's typically a highly refined fuel that burns cleanly and efficiently, but it's not suitable for use in regular vehicles.
"...There's a diesel. There's 89 octane. There's camp stove fuel."
Diesel fuel is a special kind of fuel used in certain cars and trucks. It's different from regular gasoline and is usually more efficient, meaning it can go further on less fuel.
Diesel fuel is a type of fuel derived from crude oil, used primarily in diesel engines. It has a higher energy density than gasoline and is known for better fuel efficiency in certain applications.
Octane rating tells you how well a fuel can handle pressure before it explodes in the engine. Higher numbers mean it's better for powerful cars that need more performance.
Octane rating measures a fuel's ability to resist knocking during combustion. Higher octane fuels can withstand greater compression before igniting, making them suitable for high-performance engines.
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Hello and welcome to CarTalk from National Public Radio. With us, click and collect the tap of brothers. And we're broadcasting this week from the career development center here at CarTalk Plaza. Now, we always figured that someday in PR is going to wise up and throw us off the air. I mean, it's got to happen, right? I mean, they were in Washington, so I take them out of the 30 years, but eventually they'll catch on to us and tell us to get lost. And when that happens, I guess it happens. I mean, we're not worried really about ourselves.
We're old guys. We can always go back to the garage or our jobs at the 7-11. You haven't given up your job. Oh, I still keep a hand in, so to speak, in the register. They caught me twice. That's something that closed the drawer. But we have been concerned about Duggy because... What is he going to do? What is Duggy going to do? I mean, if he lost his job with us, he'd be a bum. We would hire him. But there comes across the wire.
As luck would have. It's a little article that gives us hope. A glimmer. A glimmer of hope for Berman.
Monroe, Michigan. Mike Pixley can work up a sweat just by sitting down on the job. You might say he's the lazy boy of the lazy boy chair company.
A senior studying aeronautical engineering at the University of Michigan, Pixley is paid $6 an hour to test a variety of lazy boy chairs.
Some buck more an hour than Berman's making. In other words, he comes to work, sits down, leans back, and then relaxes forward all day.
Really? That's what he does. His quote, I think a lot of people think this is a lot easier than it actually is.
Sure we do. We do. Yes, Mike, we do. Finding the right slacker for the job wasn't easy.
He said the test lab supervisor, Judy, say, whose ideal hire weighs 180 to 200 pounds and stands at least six feet tall.
I want someone who's self-motivated who won't get bored and sets his own personal goals. No, he's out. Self-motivated? No.
Six feet tall. Two hundred and two hundred and I have to park out. He can park out. Yeah, he's been doing that.
Oh, well, okay, forget it. Sounds like yeah, we made a mistake. Alright, so he's still an employer.
But we'll keep looking if anyone has any ideas about how Dougie could become employable. He can't change. I mean, he is what he is.
So we're just looking for the right job. We're not trying to change him into something. He isn't.
And what he is is unemployed. But if you think there's hope for Dougie, if you have a position for him, preferably horizontal.
The number is 1-888 mattress tester. 1-888 car talk that's 888-227-8255 futons. I can see it now. Futons is good. Hello, you're on car talk.
This is Christo Jackson and Buford. This is Tom and Ray. Yeah, yeah. Christo. Yes, sir. In Buford. What? South Carolina.
Oh, South Carolina. Christo. So what's going on? I've got an 86 VW golf that I've had for about five years.
It's only got 32,000 miles on it. And after I'd headed for two years, it started to not start in the morning.
And then I had a mechanic look at it and he put a new fuel pump. Right. And he kept on putting in fuel pumps.
And each time he put one in, it would work well for about four or five months. And then it would start to not stop.
And it would commence to not start. And what I would have to do is to get underneath the car with a hammer, hit the fuel pump, which as you probably know is right next to the gas tank.
Yeah. Two or three times run back, jump in the driver's seat and crank it and it would start right up. That's great.
But what happens now is that that doesn't work. What I have to do is I have to get somebody else to sit in the driver's seat.
Oh, so while you're cranking. Well, he's cranking. You're hitting. Oh, see, you get it wrong. You should be cranking.
No, no, it's his car. No stranger was going to lie on his back to do this.
At quarter of seven in the morning, when I leave for work, if the car doesn't start and I have to inflict myself on some poor passerby, I can't ask him to get onto the car.
I have him crank it while I hit the fuel pump and it works perfectly. But this is not the way I want to run my life. And it's enough to make the good human man angry.
Well, you've come to expect too much, crystal.
Which is true of all of us. I mean, we complain about everything. If the TV. I noticed the other. We have cable TV in the time where I live.
And it has this wonderful feature. You turn on the TV and you press the information button. And at the bottom of the screen, you get a little typing typed up thing that sells you.
What's on? If it's a movie, it tells you who's in it. It tells you it starts at seven and it ends at nine.
It goes by so quickly that you can't really. So you have to press the info by four or five times, right?
In any event, it seems as though whoever produces these little subtitles and information dialogue doesn't want to work on the weekends.
So that starting Friday, it doesn't work anymore. I'm sitting there on my sofa with this little device in my hand.
And I'm pressing little buttons and I'm changing stations and I'm changing volume and I'm doing all kinds of stuff.
And I'm bent out of shape because one of the little features that they offered me doesn't work.
Whereas I used to get only one station and I had to get up from the seat and go over and turn a dial to get it.
Now I've got all this wonderful luxury and I don't appreciate it because I have come to expect it and more.
And you the same way. I mean, so what? You get underneath. What if it was a horse?
So what you're saying is that unrealistic expectations are premeditated resentments.
You got it, man. Are you a psycho? What do I do? How do you fix it?
There's no VW dealer in Buford and I've now put in four of these things and the mechanics been very nice.
Is he replacing them with original equipment pumps, Bosch pumps?
He's replacing it with things that are certified as being approved by VW.
Okay, well, I don't mean the connections match up.
Well, it comes to mind that he's putting in inferior pumps.
There are many companies that make a fuel pump for this car, which isn't up to snuff.
And it may take exactly that amount of time, whatever it is, a hundred days or whatever, the thing to begin to fail.
The other possibility, the more likely one, is that you have a severe case of fuel system,
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