About this episode
A listener t-shirt contest kicks things off, with hosts joking about the prize and directing people to vote for the least offensive design. The show then pivots into car trouble: a 1992 Volvo 240 that stalls during brake-required automatic shifting, plus a deep dive into idle air control and cold-start fueling. Later, brake/steering noise gets tested with a brake-touch diagnostic, and the hosts diagnose a Honda “boing” as a likely broken coil spring. The segment closes with long-term storage advice for a 1986 Honda CR-X.
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Volvo 240
"She's wanted a Volvo, an old one, for a long time. So we bought a 92-240. And often when you start it, just for a little bit after you start it, it acts like it's starved for gas."
A Volvo 240 is an older Volvo model that’s famous for being tough and straightforward. Here, they’re talking about a 1992 one that has a weird problem when starting and shifting—like it doesn’t want to run smoothly right away.
The Volvo 240 is a classic Swedish, rear-wheel-drive sedan/coupe known for simple, durable engineering and a huge enthusiast parts ecosystem. In this segment, the hosts discuss a 1992 Volvo 240 that shows odd starting/shift behavior, which is the kind of real-world drivability issue owners run into with older cars.
starved for gas
"And often when you start it, just for a little bit after you start it, it acts like it's starved for gas. You know, you've got to put your foot on the brake in order to shift."
“Starved for gas” means the engine isn’t getting enough fuel at that moment. When that happens, the car can run rough or even stall until it’s getting the right amount of fuel.
“Starved for gas” is a drivability description meaning the engine isn’t getting enough fuel (or isn’t delivering it correctly) during a specific moment, like right after starting. That can cause hesitation, rough running, or stalling until fuel delivery stabilizes.
automatic
"It's an automatic. In order to shift, you've got to have your foot on the brake. And while you're doing that, it stalls."
An automatic transmission shifts by itself. This car also seems to require the brake pedal to be pressed before it will shift, which is why the driver’s actions affect whether it stalls.
An automatic transmission changes gears without the driver using a clutch pedal. Many automatics also use safety interlocks that require the brake to be pressed before shifting out of Park or into certain gears.
idle air control
"This car has an electronic device called the idle air control, which is in this car located under the intake manifold. And its job is, when the engine is cold, that it basically allows more air to come in and bypass the throttle..."
Idle air control is a device that helps the engine idle when it’s cold. It lets in a bit more air so the engine doesn’t stall and can warm up properly.
The idle air control is an electronic system that regulates how much air bypasses the throttle when the engine is idling, especially during cold starts. By letting in extra air (and working with fuel-injection and sensors), it helps the engine run smoothly and prevents stalling while warming up.
intake manifold
"located under the intake manifold. Yeah. And its job is, when the engine is cold, that it basically allows more air to come in..."
The intake manifold is the engine’s air distribution box. It routes air to the cylinders, and parts mounted under it can affect how the engine idles.
The intake manifold is the part of the engine that distributes incoming air to the cylinders. When the idle air control is located under the intake manifold, it can meter bypass air in a way that directly affects idle speed and cold-start fueling.
throttle
"allows more air to come in and bypass the throttle and makes the injection throw in more fuel. It makes it think that it wants more fuel because it sees more air."
The throttle controls how much air the engine gets. When it’s cold, the car can add extra air around the throttle so the engine can idle without dying.
The throttle is the valve that controls how much air can enter the engine under normal driving. During cold starts, the idle air control can bypass the throttle so the engine gets enough air to maintain idle speed without stalling.
coolant temp sensor
"And this coupled with the other sensors on the car like the coolant temp sensor actually increased the flow of fuel from the injectors..."
The coolant temp sensor tells the car how hot the engine is. When the engine is cold, the car uses that info to add fuel and manage idle so it runs smoothly.
The coolant temp sensor measures engine temperature by monitoring the engine’s coolant. The engine control unit uses that information to adjust fueling and idle behavior—like increasing fuel and airflow during cold operation.
fuel injectors
"increased the flow of fuel from the injectors, increases the pulse to the injectors, and makes the engine race."
Fuel injectors are electronically controlled valves that spray fuel into the engine in precise amounts. When sensors indicate cold conditions, the engine control unit increases injector pulse width (how long the injectors stay open) to add more fuel.
choke (equivalent)
"It's the equivalent of a choke. In the old days, you pump the gas a couple of times, you set the choke, you turn the key and the engine ran at like 2,000 RPM..."
A choke is an older cold-start trick that helps the engine run when it’s not warmed up. The idea here is that modern idle air control does a similar job electronically.
A choke is a traditional cold-start device that enriches the fuel/air mixture so the engine can start and idle without stalling. The hosts describe idle air control as the electronic equivalent—achieving a similar cold-start behavior by adding extra air and fuel based on sensor inputs.
sticky caliper
"I think you have a sticky caliper. And I think the fact that they put new pads in maybe worsened the problem."
If a brake caliper is “sticky,” it may not let go of the brake pads after you stop braking. That can make the brakes rub a little all the time, which can wear things out faster.
A “sticky caliper” means the brake caliper doesn’t release smoothly after braking. That can keep the brake pads lightly clamped to the rotor, causing heat, faster pad wear, and sometimes a dragging brake feel or noise.
pads
"And I think the fact that they put new pads in maybe worsened the problem. The more the caliper may have been marginally acceptable when they put the pads in."
Brake pads are the parts that squeeze against the brake disc to slow the car down. If the brake isn’t releasing properly, new pads can still end up rubbing.
Brake pads are the friction material clamped by the caliper to slow the car. If the caliper is sticking, installing new pads can temporarily make the issue feel worse because the pads are now contacting the rotor more aggressively.
disc rotors
"If it turns out the caliper's not stuck, have them rough up the pads and the disc rotors. Maybe they didn't get a good cut on the discs."
The disc rotors are the metal discs the brake pads press against. If the pads have been rubbing or wearing unevenly, the disc surface may need attention so the brakes work smoothly again.
Disc rotors (the brake discs) are the metal surfaces the pads clamp onto to create friction. If pads have been dragging or not bedding correctly, the rotor can develop uneven wear or glazing, so “roughing up” may be suggested to restore a better contact surface.
good cut on the discs
"Maybe they didn't get a good cut on the discs. Okay. And you're getting a sound from that."
A “good cut” means the brake disc surface was cleaned up properly. If it wasn’t done right, the brake pads may not seat well, which can cause noise or uneven braking.
A “good cut” on the discs implies the rotor surface was machined or resurfaced properly to create the right smoothness and fresh friction material. If the cut is insufficient, the pads may not bed in correctly, leading to noise or uneven braking.
Buick Regal
"All right. I have a 91 Buick Regal. Yeah."
The Buick Regal is a mid-size car made by Buick. The 1991 model is an older car from the early 1990s, typically used for regular driving. It’s being mentioned because the speaker has that specific year and model.
A 1991 Buick Regal is a mid-size sedan/coupe from the early 1990s, built for comfortable everyday driving with a more traditional American feel. It’s a common “classic owner” type of car to discuss because it represents a specific model year and can be either a straightforward daily driver or a project depending on condition. In the podcast context, it’s mentioned as the owner’s particular vehicle.
zero speed
"And when you got to zero speed, the noise went away. And when you got to some higher speed accelerating, the noise also went away..."
They’re using “zero speed” as a clue. If the noise goes away when the car is fully stopped, it usually means the problem is happening only when the wheels are turning.
“Zero speed” is used here as a diagnostic point: if the noise disappears when the car is stopped, it suggests the sound is tied to wheel/tire rotation rather than a stationary component. This helps narrow the cause to something that only happens while moving.
tread separation
"Yeah. I think you have a classic case of tread separation. Oh."
Tread separation means the rubber on the outside of the tire is starting to come loose from the rest of the tire. As the tire spins, that loose section can rub and make noise, and it can also feel like the car is jerking over certain spots.
Tread separation is when the tire’s outer tread layer starts to peel away from the tire body. It often happens because of damage, age, or internal structural failure, and it can create rubbing and vibration noises as the tire rotates.
plies
"But if you have the tread coming apart, what will happen is that the plies of the tire will rub against one another and you'll get this noise."
Plies are the internal layers inside a tire that help it stay strong and keep its shape. If the tread is separating, those layers can move and rub, which creates noise as the tire turns.
Plies are the stacked layers of reinforcing material inside a tire (typically fabric or steel belts). When tread separation occurs, those internal layers can shift and rub against each other, producing a characteristic noise.
1986 Honda CR-X
"It's a 1986 Honda CR-X. I don't have a driveway. And it has 153,000 miles on it. And I want to know what kind of questions I should be asking the storage guys so that I know that my car will work when I get back from Costa Vo in two years."
The 1986 Honda CR-X is a small Honda hatchback from the 1980s. Here it matters because the owner wants to store it for two years and make sure it still runs when they return.
The 1986 Honda CR-X is a lightweight, front-wheel-drive hatchback best known for its efficient, driver-focused design and reputation as a classic small Honda. In this segment, it’s the specific car Kirsten needs to store for two years, which makes it relevant for discussing long-term storage questions.
Honda Civic
"Hey, I have a 97 Honda Civic four-door, and I got really scared last weekend driving in the car because about every other month when I'm driving down a hill and turning to the right, I hear this very loud noise from the back, like, strong boing, and the car doesn't do anything different, but this huge noise comes out."
A Honda Civic is a common, everyday compact car. Here they’re talking about a 1997 Civic that makes a loud, intermittent noise from the back when driving downhill and turning.
The Honda Civic is a compact car line known for practical everyday driving and long-running reliability. In this segment, the host is discussing a specific 1997 Honda Civic and an intermittent loud “boing” noise from the back while turning downhill.
intermittent noise
"The origin of noises can be elusive... No, because it's so intermittent, you know, you can't predict it. Yeah, it just sneaks up on you all of a sudden... you wouldn't necessarily get it every time."
An intermittent noise is a sound that comes and goes. Since it doesn’t happen every time, it’s harder for a mechanic to figure out what part is causing it.
An intermittent noise is a symptom that happens only sometimes, often depending on conditions like speed, road load, or steering angle. Because it’s not consistent, it can be difficult to diagnose—mechanics typically need to reproduce it to pinpoint the cause.
Honda dealer
"I've taken it into the Honda dealer now twice just for this particular issue, and they say, well, sorry, ma'am, unless we can hear it ourselves, there's nothing we can do."
A Honda dealer is the official Honda service shop. They’re saying they can’t fix or diagnose the problem unless they can hear the noise themselves.
A “Honda dealer” is the brand’s authorized retail and service network. In this case, the dealer is responding to an intermittent noise complaint by saying they can’t diagnose it unless they can reproduce the sound in person.
spring noise
"Sounds like a spring noise, doesn't it? Yes, it does. You know why? Why? It's what it is."
“Spring noise” just means a sound coming from the suspension area. If a spring is damaged, it can make loud, noticeable noises when the car moves.
“Spring noise” is a common way people describe noises that come from the suspension springs or spring-related movement. A broken spring can produce distinctive sounds, especially over bumps or when the suspension loads and unloads.
coil spring
"It could easily be a broken coil spring. Broken coil spring. Yeah, and they're hard to detect."
A coil spring is the spring in the suspension that helps the car absorb bumps. If it breaks, the suspension can start making loud noises and feel wrong over the road.
A coil spring is the metal spring that supports the car’s weight and helps control how the suspension moves over bumps. When a coil spring breaks, it can create a loud “boing” or spring-like noise and reduce ride control.
suspension check
"Yeah, but they did a suspension check last week. Tell them to do it again. They didn't do it right."
A suspension check is an inspection of the suspension components (springs, shocks/struts, bushings, and related hardware) to find wear or damage that can cause noises or poor handling. It’s often done visually and by checking for play or obvious failures.
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