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A Time Traveling Voyager Or Just Another Broken Car On Under The Hood

A Time Traveling Voyager Or Just Another Broken Car On Under The Hood

Under The Hood show Mar 01, 2026 47 min
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About this episode

The show dives into automotive troubleshooting and vehicle quirks, starting with a detailed discussion about a persistent camshaft position sensor code on a 2014 Dodge Caravan, exploring causes like wiring issues, metal contamination, and engine wear. Hosts share insights on repair costs versus replacement engines and shop preferences. They also discuss unique vehicles spotted, including a rare Maserati TC and a Ford F100. Later, they address a caller's question about Chevy truck transmissions and engine choices, emphasizing the benefits of newer models and fuel stabilizer use. The episode blends technical advice with automotive anecdotes and practical maintenance tips.

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Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Car

Pontiac Aztek

""Okay. I saw the picture. An Aztec.""

The Pontiac Aztek is a type of SUV that looks very different from most cars. Some people think it looks strange, but it is well known because of that.

Car

Ford F100

"...ought it was. And just ahead of that is a 71 Ford F100. Oh wow. Now how do you look at the picture and ..."

The Ford F-100 is an old pickup truck that many people liked because it was tough and easy to fix. The 1971 version is popular with people who like old trucks and want to bring them back to life.

Car

Chrysler LeBaron

"...Vintag on it from Maserati. Okay. And it's like a LeBaron GTS convertible. Okay. But it's, but they made i..."

The Chrysler LeBaron is an older car that came in different styles, including one you can drive with the top down. People liked it because it looked nice and felt a bit fancy.

Part

removable hard top

"It's got a three liter V6 Chrysler engine. It's got a removable hard top with port windows, kind of like a Thunderbird."

A removable hard top is a solid roof you can take off your car so you can drive with the roof open or closed. It keeps the car warmer and safer than a soft roof.

Car

Ford Thunderbird

"...ovable hard top with port windows, kind of like a Thunderbird. Okay. And a rich Crandian leather of pillowed v..."

The Ford Thunderbird is a fancy old car that looks really cool and had special parts you could take off, like the roof. People remember it because it was both nice to look at and fun to drive.

Car

Dodge Caravan

"My 2014 Dodge Caravan, I have a trouble called T-Zero 394,"

The Dodge Caravan is a type of family van that many people use to carry kids and stuff. The 2014 version is just one year of this van model.

Term

intermittent sensor code

"Amshaft position sensor intermittent bank two. I replaced the sensor, cleared the code. I can drive it for a couple of days and then the code comes back. I clear the code and then after a little while the code comes back."

Sometimes the car's warning light comes on and off because the sensor is not working right all the time.

Term

camshaft position sensor

"Amshaft position sensor intermittent bank two. I replaced the sensor, cleared the code. I can drive it for a couple of days and then the code comes back. You did react when he said it. I've seen this one before and what it comes down to on these is either in no particular order a failed cam sensor."

The camshaft position sensor helps the car know when to fire the engine parts so it runs smoothly.

Concept

rodent damage to wiring

"A rodent of some kind has been chewing on the wire. Corrosion where the connector plugs into the sensor or metal contamination in the oil from failing lifters and rocker arms,"

Sometimes mice or rats can bite the car's wires and cause problems with how the car works.

Part

timing chain

"Loose timing chain or computer software update or computer itself failed."

The timing chain is like a metal belt inside the engine that helps the engine parts move together so the car runs smoothly.

Part

valve covers

"by pulling the valve covers off, check all those rockers, look at the cams for wear,"

Valve covers are parts on top of the engine that keep the moving parts inside safe and clean.

Part

rockers

"by pulling the valve covers off, check all those rockers, look at the cams for wear,"

Rockers are small parts inside the engine that help open and close the valves so the engine can breathe.

Part

cams and lifters

""...you're going to put cams and lifters or rockers and everything in there. And that's not uncommon...""

Cams and lifters help open and close the engine's valves so the engine can work properly. They move parts inside the engine to let air and fuel in and exhaust out.

Term

used engine

""You know, a used engine, used engines are not what you think. It depends on where you're at. Lately, the price of mechanical work, I believe, has been over inflated.","

A used engine is an engine that someone else used before you. It can be cheaper than a new engine but might have some wear or problems.

Term

fuel stabilizer

"And what I always do for my gas can is empty. I put the fuel stabilizer in it and then go fill up my gas can. So any gas in my gas cans, any gas in my equipment always has stabilizer in it."

Fuel stabilizer is a liquid you add to gas to keep it fresh when you don't use it for a long time. This helps your lawn mower or other machines start easily later.

Term

superchargers

"And people want them for the aftermarket because they're putting superchargers on them because they're a solid cast iron block."

A supercharger is a part that helps an engine make more power by pushing extra air into it.

Term

electronically shifted transmission

"but it's the electronically shifted transmission in our delivery trucks in Azuzu MPRs. And they work fine."

This type of transmission changes gears using electronic signals, which helps the truck drive smoother and can make shifting easier.

Part

thermostat

"well, you can't take the thermostat out and you have that external cooler because then the radiator will never warm up the fluid and it'll take so long to warm up the fluid. Think about this, until your thermostat opens on your engine, that radiator never warms up. And if you're driving in a day that's 10 degrees out anyways, it may never open up."

A thermostat is like a temperature switch in your car's engine that helps it warm up faster and keeps it from getting too hot. It blocks or lets coolant flow to keep the engine at the right temperature.

Term

open loop

"And so you're driving with that open loop anyway. There's no difference."

Open loop means the car's computer is running the engine based on fixed settings instead of checking how the engine is actually doing. This usually happens when the engine is warming up.

Concept

transmission rebuilders

"Okay. We have two transmission rebuilders we use that we bought purchase from that we're"

Transmission rebuilders are experts who fix the part of your car that helps it change gears, making sure it works well again.

Part

bypass valve

"national distributors form. And those transmissions always come with a bypass valve for the transmission."

A bypass valve is a part inside the transmission that helps control how the fluid moves, keeping the transmission working well and not too hot.

Company

Berkeley Classics

"Berkeley Classics ensures a wide range of vehicles from sports cars and rare exotic cars to antique vehicles including cars, trucks, tractors, military vehicles and antique motorcycles. Over 50,000 of them a year. Visit BerkeleyClassics.com today and get a free quote and find out firsthand what they can save you and how well they can cover your valuable investment."

Berkeley Classics is a company that helps people insure their special old or rare cars so they are protected.

Concept

classic car insurance

"Berkeley Classics ensures a wide range of vehicles from sports cars and rare exotic cars to antique vehicles including cars, trucks, tractors, military vehicles and antique motorcycles. Over 50,000 of them a year. Visit BerkeleyClassics.com today and get a free quote and find out firsthand what they can save you and how well they can cover your valuable investment."

Classic car insurance helps protect old or special cars that are worth a lot. It makes sure you get a fair amount if something happens to your car.

Company

car-part.com

"If you need parts whether it be for a brand new car or going back about 20 years it doesn't matter check out car-part.com. It's fast and it's easy. Over 200 million parts strong all across North America. Over 4,000 recyclers to choose from giving you the largest selection available."

Car-part.com is a website where you can find used car parts from many places, making it easier to fix your car without paying too much.

Company

Road Ready Wheels

"We want to tell you about our partner at Road Ready Wheels. Road Ready Wheels has the very best aftermarket OEM replica wheels available with a direct fit of the factory center caps and TPMS sensors so you don't need special caps and sensors. Simply transfer yours over when you replace the wheel. With near perfect ratings on Google, Amazon and eBay consumers like you are extremely satisfied when it comes to road"

Road Ready Wheels sells replacement wheels that look and fit just like the original ones on your car. You can use your existing center caps and tire pressure sensors, so it's easy to swap wheels without extra parts.

Term

incline

"my Honda when I park my driveways on a slight incline and when I put it in reverse I get a clunk like a jump like the car literally jumps."

An incline is just a hill or slope. When you park your car on a hill, it can sometimes make noises or act differently because of the angle.

Term

clunk

"my Honda when I park my driveways on a slight incline and when I put it in reverse I get a clunk like a jump like the car literally jumps."

A clunk is a loud noise you hear from your car, like something hitting or dropping inside. It usually means something might be loose or broken and should be checked out.

Term

reverse gear

"when I put it in reverse I get a clunk like a jump like the car literally jumps. If I go down let it go down a hill by itself then it's level. I don't get that clunk."

Reverse gear is the setting in your car that makes it go backward. Sometimes when you use it on a hill, your car might make noises because of how the parts work together.

Car

Honda Odyssey

"...ry. What kind of Honda you got Frank? 2004 Honda Odyssey. I got to straighten something out here because I..."

The Honda Odyssey is a big family car that can carry lots of people and stuff comfortably. The 2004 version is known to last a long time but might need some repairs after many years.

Term

parking brake

"you should use the parking brake before you put it in park pull up to your spot hit the brake stop turn on the parking brake and then turn then put it in park"

The parking brake is like a special brake you use to keep your car from moving when you park it. You turn it on so the car stays still, even on hills.

Car

Toyota Prius

"...every time and I know now what people like in the Prius never had an issue never thought it was a big de..."

The Toyota Prius is a car that uses both gas and electricity to save fuel and help the environment. Many people like it because it doesn’t break down often and helps you spend less money on gas.

Term

positive crank case vent system

""well hopefully it's because the positive crank case vent system the pcv system that's integrated into the valve cover is uh is gummed up and it's pulling that oil right into your intake and burning it versus problems with the piston rings and pushing it by them""

The PCV system helps keep your car's engine clean by recycling gases inside the engine. If it gets blocked, it can cause your car to burn oil and have problems.

Term

piston rings

""and burning it versus problems with the piston rings and pushing it by them you know and burning it but if you if you caught it how many miles are on this equinox you said 104""

Piston rings are like tight seals around parts inside the engine. If they wear out, oil can leak where it shouldn't and cause problems like burning oil.

Car

Chevrolet Equinox

""you know and burning it but if you if you caught it how many miles are on this equinox you said 104 yeah how long has it been how long has it been burning the oil""

The Chevrolet Equinox is a small SUV that many people use for daily driving. It has a four-cylinder engine that can sometimes burn oil if there are problems.

Term

PCV

"...with the LS series engines where they would burn a lot of oil and it was a pcv related issue which turned out to be a valve cover you just replace the valve cover on the driver's side and boom your oil burn is done..."

The PCV system helps your engine get rid of harmful gases and keeps it running smoothly. If it breaks, your car might burn oil and not work right.

Part

catalytic converter

"eventually he'll damage his catalytic converter running that much oil through it it's it's getting warm and it burns it out of there"

The catalytic converter is a part in your car that cleans the exhaust gases so they are less harmful to the air we breathe.

Car

Chrysler Voyager

"...owdy what can we do for you i got a 25 christner voyager and the clock in here advances six hours every ni..."

The Chrysler Voyager is a family van similar to other Chrysler vans. Sometimes, small problems happen like the clock moving the wrong way, which can be a little frustrating but not serious.

Car

Chrysler Pacifica

"...n the town and country and then they went to the pacifica the pacifica has all but vanished from the planet..."

The Chrysler Pacifica is a family van that came after an older model called the Town & Country. It has newer features but isn’t seen as much anymore, so it might be harder to find.

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