About this episode
Click and Clack kick off with odd neuroscience tidbits—frontotemporal dementia cases where patients develop sudden obsessions with pop music—and tie it to familiar Car Talk-style humor and phone-in advice. The bulk of the show is two classic problem-solving calls: a 1968 Rambler American that smokes black soot because it’s driven only tiny distances, keeping the carburetor/choke too rich, and a 1993 Mazda B2200 pickup that repeatedly blows spark plugs out of the engine, traced to plugs not being tightened properly. Light banter includes car-buying daydreams and a leopard-print seat-cover quest.
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1968 Rambler American
"Okay, guys, I have a 1968 Rambler American. Mm-hmm."
This is a 1968 Rambler American, an older American car from the late 1960s. People who like classic cars often find it interesting because it’s a specific model year and it represents that era’s compact, affordable American-car vibe.
The 1968 Rambler American is a late-1960s compact car from AMC (American Motors Corporation). It’s notable to enthusiasts because the Rambler American line is a classic example of American “economy” muscle-era styling and packaging, and the 1968 model year is a specific, recognizable variant.
carbon
"Yeah, and you do have an engine that's full of carbon. Every time you drive, think about it, when the engine is cold,"
They’re talking about soot-like buildup inside the engine. That buildup can make the engine run worse, especially when it’s cold.
“Carbon” here likely refers to carbon buildup inside the engine, such as deposits on intake valves, combustion chambers, or spark plugs. Those deposits can change how the engine burns fuel and air, which can worsen cold-start behavior and idle quality.
rich mixture
"what happens is the car runs on a very rich mixture, otherwise it will stall. Do you have a hand choke in this or is it an automatic choke?"
A “rich mixture” means the engine is getting extra fuel compared to air. When the engine is cold, that extra fuel helps it start and keep running instead of stalling.
A “rich mixture” means the engine is getting more fuel than air. On a cold engine, a richer mixture helps the fuel vaporize and ignite reliably, preventing stalling until the engine warms up.
automatic choke
"Do you have a hand choke in this or is it an automatic choke? It's an automatic. Automatic?"
An automatic choke helps a cold engine start by adjusting the mixture automatically. As the engine warms, it relaxes that extra-fuel setting.
An “automatic choke” is a device that adjusts the fuel/air setup during cold starts without the driver manually operating it. It enriches the mixture when the engine is cold and then gradually opens as the engine warms up.
lean out the choke
"You have to ask them to lean out the choke. Okay, lean out the choke. Yeah, the choke is adjustable on this car, and they have to lean it out and make it so that"
To “lean out the choke” means to reduce the extra-fuel setting it provides when the engine is cold. That can help the engine run better instead of being overly rich.
“Lean out the choke” means reducing how much the choke enriches the mixture during cold starts. The goal is to prevent the engine from staying too rich for too long, which can cause rough running or stalling.
carburetor
"Okay, because they've worked on the carburetor a lot, because it was stalling a lot today. See, it was stalling a lot, and they probably closed the choke."
A carburetor is a device that mixes fuel with air before it goes into the engine. It helps the engine run smoothly, especially when starting or idling.
A carburetor is the fuel-mixing device used on many older engines. It meters fuel into the air stream so the engine gets the right air-fuel mixture for starting, idling, and driving.
choke too rich
"Right, my guess is, as Tommy's guess is, they adjusted the choke too rich, and that's why you have the black thing."
“Too rich” means there’s too much fuel compared to air. If the choke is set that way, the engine can run rough and leave extra soot in the exhaust.
“Too rich” means the air-fuel mixture has more fuel than ideal. If the choke is adjusted too rich, the engine can run poorly (including rough running or excessive exhaust soot) and may create other drivability issues.
idle
"And they up the idle. They up the idle, and they're trying to convince you not to be concerned about it, because they know if they put everything backwards supposed to be, it's going to stall on you."
Idle is the engine speed when you’re stopped. If it’s set too low, the engine can stall, so mechanics sometimes raise it to keep it running.
Idle speed is how fast the engine turns while the car is stopped and not pressing the accelerator. Raising the idle can prevent stalling, especially if the carburetor or choke settings are causing the engine to run lean or unstable at low speed.
bench seat covers
"[443.1s] bench seat covers? [444.6s] I got a couple of them. [445.7s] What size do you want? [446.6s] As you say, let me see if we have those in stock."
Bench seat covers are upholstery covers designed for a wide, single seat that spans across the cabin (instead of separate seats). This matters because the same car may use different seat layouts—so covers for a bench seat won’t fit bucket seats.
bucket seats
"[450.5s] Really? [451.6s] I cannot find them anywhere. [453.2s] I can only find them in bucket seats. [454.7s] And I've contacted ramblers only, and they don't have any."
Bucket seats are the individual seats with a shaped, supportive “bucket” around you. The speaker is saying they can only find the covers for those seats, not for a wide bench seat.
Bucket seats are individual, contoured seats designed to hold you in place, usually with a more upright posture and higher side bolsters than a bench seat. In this segment, the caller can only find the upholstery they want in bucket-seat form, not as bench-seat covers.
convertible
"[488.0s] It's convertible. [489.4s] Has a roof, windows, heater."
A convertible is a car where the roof can be opened up. That usually means it’s better for open-air driving, but it can be less protective in cold or bad weather.
A convertible is a car with a roof that can be lowered or removed, typically to let in open-air driving. Because the roof is movable, convertibles often have different heating, sealing, and weather protection characteristics than fixed-roof cars.
93 Mazda B2200 pickup
"So what can we do for you? [523.6s] I have the perfect truck, 93 Mazda B2200 pickup."
This is a Mazda pickup truck. “B2200” is the model name, and “93” means it’s a 1993 version. The caller is saying it’s the right kind of truck for them.
The Mazda B2200 pickup is a compact pickup truck from Mazda’s B-series line. The “B2200” refers to a specific model/engine variant, and “93” indicates the 1993 model year. In this segment, it’s mentioned as the caller’s “perfect truck,” contrasting with the earlier MG discussion.
B-Series B2200
"...we do for you? I have the perfect truck, 93 Mazda B2200 pickup. Really, huh?"
muffler
"for the fact that Midas could sell you a muffler for 15 bucks. You should hear the noise, and that's only out of one of those holes."
A muffler is the part of the exhaust system that makes the car quieter. If it’s damaged or has a hole, the exhaust can get much louder.
A muffler is the exhaust component that reduces engine noise by using internal chambers and baffles to slow and quiet the exhaust gases. If a muffler or an exhaust section is missing, damaged, or has a hole, the car can sound dramatically louder.
Midas
"for the fact that Midas could sell you a muffler for 15 bucks."
Midas is a car service company that’s especially known for exhaust repairs. Here, they’re mentioned as the kind of place that could sell a muffler cheaply.
Midas is an automotive service brand known for exhaust and brake work, including mufflers and related components. In this segment, it’s used as an example of a shop selling an inexpensive muffler replacement.
Ford
"He says you drive a Ford. And I said, no. But Mazda has Ford make some other parts of the engine"
Ford is a car brand. The mechanic thought the engine parts were Ford parts, but the speaker says it’s actually Mazda using some Ford-made components.
Ford is a major automaker whose engines and parts are sometimes shared across brands through supplier relationships or joint engineering. The host is describing a mechanic assuming the car is a Ford based on engine-part similarities.
number three hole
"and he said, was it the number three hole? And I said, no, it was the number four."
Engines are laid out in a numbered order. When someone says “number three” or “number four,” they mean a specific cylinder/spot in the engine so the mechanic knows where to look.
“Number three hole” refers to a specific cylinder/port location in an engine layout, where cylinders (and related components like spark plugs or exhaust ports) are numbered for diagnosis and repair. Saying “three” vs “four” helps the mechanic pinpoint exactly where the problem is.
helicoil
"Get a get a helicoil, we'll place it no big deal. So he replaces it, right?"
A helicoil is a metal insert that fixes stripped or damaged threads. It gives the screw/bolt new threads to bite into so the part can be tightened properly again.
A helicoil is a brand-name style of threaded insert used to repair damaged internal threads in metal. Mechanics install it by drilling/tapping the hole, then winding in the insert so the fastener can thread correctly again.
spark plug
"and I blew out a different spark plug. Let me guess, number three? No, number two."
A spark plug is the part that makes the “spark” that starts combustion in a gas engine. If it’s not working right, the engine can misfire and you may end up replacing plugs more often than expected.
A spark plug is the small ignition component that creates the spark to ignite the air-fuel mixture inside a gasoline engine. If a spark plug fails or is misfiring, the engine can run poorly and may trigger repeat plug failures.
tuneups
"Do you do your own tuneups? I replaced the plugs myself. 6000 miles ago."
A tune-up is routine maintenance to help your engine run the way it’s supposed to. It can include things like checking or replacing spark plugs and other ignition-related parts.
A tune-up is a scheduled maintenance service aimed at restoring an engine to proper operating condition. It often includes checking ignition components like spark plugs and replacing worn parts so the engine runs smoothly and efficiently.
torque
"He should have at the very least put the wrench on 32 and one to make sure that they were all tight enough."
Torque is the tightening “spec” for a bolt or spark plug—basically how hard it should be tightened. Tightening to the right torque helps it stay sealed and not loosen over time.
Torque is the specified tightening force used on threaded fasteners like spark plugs. Using the correct torque helps ensure the plug seals properly and stays secure under heat and vibration.
automotive puzzler
"Anyway, we'll have a new puzzler coming up in the third half of today's show. [1266.4s] So be sure to stay tuned for that. [1267.7s] And it's going to be, I think, an automotive puzzler."
On this show, an “automotive puzzler” is a game-style car question. Someone gives clues about a problem, and the hosts try to figure out what’s wrong.
An “automotive puzzler” is a recurring show segment where a caller describes a car problem or clue, and the hosts try to diagnose what’s going on. It’s usually more about reasoning through symptoms than giving a quick, definitive answer.
93 Subaru Legacy wagon
"Well, we've got a 93 Subaru Legacy wagon, which up until recently, we'd been quite fond of. [1293.4s] Most people who have them are very fond of their Legacy wagon."
This is a Subaru Legacy wagon from 1993. A wagon is basically a car with a longer cargo area behind the seats, so it’s more practical for hauling stuff.
The Subaru Legacy is a mid-size car line from Subaru, and the “wagon” version is the station-wagon body style. In the early 1990s, the Legacy wagon was popular with drivers who wanted practical space and (often) Subaru’s all-wheel-drive capability.
wheel balance
"I thought, well, it must be some wheel balance thing, no big deal. I slowed down, and it didn't go away. In fact, it got much worse."
Wheel balance is making sure your tires and wheels are weighted evenly. If they’re not, the car can shake or vibrate while you’re driving, and it may get worse the longer you’re on the road.
Wheel balance is the process of matching the tire and wheel’s weight distribution so the car doesn’t shake at speed. If a wheel is out of balance, you can feel vibration that often gets worse as you drive faster, especially on longer trips.
CV joints
"But he did say that he heard a sound from the right inner axle area, and that both boots over the CV joints were ripped. The right front?"
CV joints are parts in the front drivetrain that help the wheels turn while power is still delivered to them. If the rubber boots around them rip, the joint can wear out faster and start causing noises or shaking.
CV joints (constant-velocity joints) are the drivetrain joints that let the front wheels turn while still transferring power smoothly. When their rubber boots tear, dirt and moisture can get in, which can lead to joint wear and vibration or clicking sounds.
CV joint boots
"But he did say that he heard a sound from the right inner axle area, and that both boots over the CV joints were ripped. The right front?"
CV joint boots are the rubber covers that keep grease inside the CV joint and keep dirt out. If they tear, the grease can leak and the joint can start wearing out, leading to vibration or worse problems.
CV joint boots are the rubber covers that protect the CV joint’s grease from dirt and water. When the boots rip, the grease can leak out and the joint can run dry, which often causes vibration and can eventually lead to failure if not repaired.
inner axle area
"But he did say that he heard a sound from the right inner axle area, and that both boots over the CV joints were ripped. The right front?"
The inner axle area is the part of the front drivetrain closer to the engine/transmission. If you hear a sound there, it can be a sign the inner CV joint or its protective boot is damaged.
The inner axle area is where the axle connects to the transmission/differential side and where the inner CV joint typically sits on many front-wheel-drive cars. Sounds from this location often point to a failing inner CV joint or related boot/grease issue.
vibration
"as the thing goes down the road. But I would think you would notice some change in the amplitude of the vibration ... and also the frequency."
“Vibration” is the shaking you feel in the car. Mechanics look at how strong it is and how often it happens to figure out what part is causing it.
“Vibration” here refers to a repeatable shaking pattern the car produces, which can be analyzed by how its amplitude (how strong it is) and frequency (how often it repeats) change with speed. That’s a common diagnostic approach for driveline and wheel-related issues.
frequency
"as you slow down and also the frequency. In other words, if the vibration were being caused by the axle's inability to flex"
Frequency means how often the shaking cycles. If the shaking lines up with wheel rotation, it helps narrow down which rotating part is likely at fault.
Frequency is how often the vibration repeats per unit time, often tied to rotational speed. If the vibration frequency tracks wheel/axle rotation, it points toward a driveline or axle-related cause rather than something random.
brake line
"There is the possibility that he's got a collapsed brake line. [1491.0s] Boy, that's awfully bossy."
Your brakes use fluid pressure. A brake line is the tube that carries that fluid to the wheels. If it’s damaged or collapses, the brakes may not work as well or could feel like they’re getting worse.
A brake line is the metal or rubber tube that carries hydraulic brake fluid from the master cylinder to the brake calipers or wheel cylinders. If a brake line collapses or leaks, the brakes can feel worse or fail because pressure can’t build properly.
hung-up brake
"There is a possibility that you do have a hung-up brake, but... [1504.9s] I don't like it."
A hung-up brake means the brake doesn’t fully let go after you slow down. So it can keep rubbing a little, which makes the car feel off and can overheat the brakes.
A hung-up brake is when a brake caliper or brake mechanism doesn’t fully release after you stop, so the brake keeps dragging. That can cause overheating, worse fuel economy, and a noticeable change in how the car behaves after driving.
right front axle
"And you know at the very least you have to replace the right front axle because both [1512.8s] boots are torn, so I would go ahead and do that."
The right front axle is the part that connects the front wheels to the drivetrain so power can reach the wheels. If it’s worn or damaged, the car can feel rough and you may need to replace it.
The right front axle is the drive shaft that transfers power from the transmission to the front wheels. If it’s damaged or its protective components fail, you can get vibration, noise, or loss of proper drivetrain function.
viscous coupling
"When I said viscous coupling. Yeah, but you failed to elaborate. You were supposed to jump in and say, The viscosity changes with the temperature that seizes up."
A viscous coupling is a device that uses a special thick fluid to connect two parts of a drivetrain. When the fluid gets hotter, it changes how “thick” it behaves, which changes how strongly the parts are connected. That’s why temperature can make it act like it’s stuck or slow to respond.
A viscous coupling is a mechanical device that transfers torque between two rotating parts using a thick fluid. When the fluid heats up, its viscosity changes, which can increase or decrease how strongly the coupling resists relative motion—often used to help manage traction or drivetrain behavior. In this segment, they’re linking the “seizing up” problem to temperature-driven viscosity changes.
94-850 Volvo
"Well, I have a 94-850 Volvo, and I have a golf ball stuck in the frame of the car, I guess. It just kind of rolls around when I drive."
A Volvo 850 is a Volvo from the 1990s. The caller says a golf ball is stuck somewhere in the car’s body/frame, so it rolls around and makes a loud noise while they drive.
The Volvo 850 is a mid-size sedan/wagon from Volvo’s 1990s lineup, known for its solid, practical chassis and transverse front-engine layout. In this call, the host is dealing with a foreign object (a golf ball) stuck in the car’s body/frame area that makes noise and moves while driving.
golf ball stuck in the frame
"Well, I have a 94-850 Volvo, and I have a golf ball stuck in the frame of the car, I guess. It just kind of rolls around when I drive."
They think a golf ball is trapped in the car’s body/underbody area. When the car moves, the ball shifts and makes noise, which can be hard for a mechanic to locate.
“Frame” here likely refers to the car’s body structure or underbody cavities where debris can get trapped. A loose object inside the structure can rattle, roll, and change position with bumps and steering, creating intermittent loud noises.
1995 Ford Contour
"Well, we have a 1995 Ford Contour. It's a manual transmission."
This is a 1995 Ford Contour (a regular Ford sedan from the mid-90s). The important part here is that it sometimes makes a weird noise and stalls when you’re slowing down to a stop, especially with the manual transmission.
The 1995 Ford Contour is a mid-1990s Ford sedan that came with front-wheel-drive and, in some trims, a manual gearbox. In this segment, it’s notable because the host describes a stalling and odd noise behavior specifically when slowing to a stop.
manual transmission
"It's a manual transmission. And when you come up to a stop sign or a stop light or a parking place or something"
A manual transmission means you choose the gears yourself using a clutch pedal. The host is saying the problem shows up around stops even when the car isn’t in gear, which can help figure out what’s causing it.
A manual transmission is a gearbox that the driver controls with a clutch pedal and gear lever, rather than an automatic system. In this case, the host points out the stalling/odd sound happens even with the clutch out or out of gear, which helps narrow down whether it’s tied to engine load or drivetrain engagement.
stall
"and have at the car idling, it will occasionally make a funny sound and stall. This is with the clutch out or with it out of gear."
To stall means the engine shuts off by itself. In this story, it happens when the car is idling near a stop, which often points to something affecting how the engine runs at idle.
A stall is when the engine stops running unexpectedly, usually because it can’t maintain idle speed or fuel/air delivery under the current conditions. Here, the Contour stalls occasionally when idling while approaching a stop, which suggests an idle-control or fuel/air issue rather than a problem that only happens while driving.
clutch out
"This is with the clutch out or with it out of gear. And it never does it when it's just sitting there idling"
“Clutch out” means the clutch pedal is up, so the engine is connected to the transmission. The host is using this detail to figure out whether the problem is tied to the drivetrain or just how the engine idles.
“Clutch out” means the clutch pedal is released and the clutch is engaged, allowing the engine’s torque to connect to the transmission. Mentioning that the issue occurs with the clutch out (or out of gear) helps separate drivetrain-related causes from engine idle behavior.
mass sensor
"another mechanic suggested that the throttle body might be dirty or the mass sensor. And I checked that out and I found a sign on the throttle body which said, do not clean this throttle body."
This sensor measures how much air is getting into the engine. The car uses that information to decide how much fuel to add so the engine runs smoothly.
In this context, the mass sensor likely refers to the mass airflow sensor (MAF), which measures how much air is entering the engine. The engine control unit uses that reading to calculate fuel delivery and optimize combustion.
throttle body
"another mechanic suggested that the throttle body might be dirty or the mass sensor. And I checked that out and I found a sign on the throttle body which said, do not clean this throttle body."
The throttle body is a part that controls how much air your engine can breathe. If it gets dirty or misbehaves, the car can idle rough or feel off when you press the gas.
The throttle body is the air-control valve on many gasoline engines. It regulates how much air enters the engine, and it’s often paired with sensors that help the engine control idle and throttle response.
airflow sensor
"So what happens is the engine uses the air to combust the fuel, but that air has to pass through the airflow sensor first and then it travels through this tube..."
This sensor tells the engine how much air is coming in. The computer then uses that info to decide how much fuel to add so the engine runs smoothly.
An airflow sensor measures how much air the engine is pulling in. The engine uses that reading to calculate how much fuel to inject so the air-fuel mixture burns correctly.
lean mixture
"You've got a huge amount of air and not enough gas called a lean mixture. It would stall out just like any vacuum leak would cause stalling..."
A lean mixture means the engine has more air than fuel. If there isn’t enough fuel, the engine can run poorly and may even stall.
A lean mixture means there’s too much air compared with fuel. That can cause poor combustion and drivability problems like rough running or stalling because the engine isn’t getting enough fuel to match the measured airflow.
vacuum leak
"It would stall out just like any vacuum leak would cause stalling, and then it could start right back up again..."
A vacuum leak is when air gets sucked in somewhere it shouldn’t. That throws off the engine’s fuel/air balance and can make it stall or idle badly.
A vacuum leak is an unintended air leak into the intake system that bypasses the normal airflow measurement. Because the engine gets extra air it didn’t account for, the air-fuel mixture can go lean, leading to stalling or unstable idle.
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