Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - February 28, 2026 - Hour 1
About this episode
Ron Ananian dives into the challenges of modern vehicle repairs, focusing on warranty disputes like a Ford Escape coolant loss case where insurers demand costly engine teardown without clear evidence. He highlights the scarcity of engine machine shops and the high costs of engine replacements today. Ron also discusses a troubling report about New York City gas stations selling lower octane fuel than advertised, impacting engine performance. Listener stories emphasize the rising cost of vehicles and their questionable longevity. Upcoming, Ron previews a conversation with Ken Miller about the high expense and diminished value of modern cars.
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Ford Escape
"Last week, we had a call from a gentleman with a Ford Escape, and I wanted to address this last week, but we ran out of time."
The Ford Escape is a small SUV made by Ford. It's good for families and people who want a car that's easy to drive but has more space than a regular car.
The Ford Escape is a compact crossover SUV produced by Ford. It is known for its versatility, available in various powertrains including hybrid versions, and is a popular choice in the compact SUV segment.
warranty
"He was talking about there was a warranty at the dealer, but the insurance company, the warranty company wanted them to tear the engine down to prove that there was a coolant loss..."
A warranty is like a promise from the car company that if something breaks on your car within a certain time, they'll fix it for free.
A warranty is a guarantee provided by a manufacturer or dealer that promises to repair or replace certain parts of a vehicle if they fail within a specified period. It protects buyers from unexpected repair costs for covered issues.
coolant loss
"...the warranty company wanted them to tear the engine down to prove that there was a coolant loss, but yet it wasn't losing anything externally."
Coolant is the liquid that keeps your car's engine from getting too hot. If some of it leaks out, the engine can get damaged, so it's important to find out if coolant is leaking.
Coolant loss refers to the reduction of the liquid that circulates through a vehicle's engine to keep it from overheating. Detecting coolant loss is important because it can cause engine damage if not addressed.
porosity
"...porosity sounds nutty to me. It sounds like a reason to deny. And I agree with you, Brian. I think it is a reason to deny. I think they're looking for an excuse not to have to warranty that engine. I agree with you. He says, if there isn't an external leak, you should go stand on his head outside the insurance company and request a new engine. Did I say that? Probably. You know, plug read and borescope may help him if one of the cylinders has a shiny, steam-cleaned piston tearing down an engine, let alone finding porosity these days is likely beyond the dealer."
Porosity means there are tiny holes in the metal parts of an engine that can cause problems like leaks. This can make the engine lose coolant and not work properly.
Porosity refers to tiny holes or voids in metal castings, such as engine blocks, which can cause leaks or structural weaknesses. In engines, porosity in the block can lead to coolant leaks and engine damage.
pressure test
"good luck finding someone to pressure test the block and heads, even in areas where shops exist, pressure testing to find porosity isn't available in a lot of shops."
Pressure testing means putting pressure inside engine parts to see if there are any holes or leaks that shouldn't be there.
Pressure testing is a diagnostic process used to check for leaks or porosity in engine blocks or cylinder heads by applying pressurized fluid or air to detect any imperfections.
valve job
"let's just pull the heads and do a quote unquote valve job. Those days are long gone. The, the intricacy and the tenacity and the, the degree of difficulty to take apart our modern day engine"
A valve job means fixing parts inside the engine that open and close to let air and fuel in and out, helping the engine run smoothly.
A valve job involves servicing or repairing the valves in an engine cylinder head to restore proper sealing and performance, often requiring removal of the cylinder head.
engine replacement
"And in a lot of cases, you're just better off put an engine in the vehicle and then it's an evaluation on you as the customer. Do you want to buy a new car? Do you want to buy a new engine?"
Sometimes a car's engine gets too old or broken to fix easily, so people put in a new engine instead. This means taking out the old engine and putting in a new one, but it can cost a lot of money.
Engine replacement refers to the process of removing a vehicle's existing engine and installing a new or rebuilt one. This is often considered when an engine is severely damaged or worn out, but it can be costly depending on the vehicle and engine type.
Ford F-250
"pickup truck engines. I've seen F 250 fords go out the door for nine grand or better. And it just becomes a very expensive proposition."
The Ford F-250 is a big truck that people use to carry heavy stuff or tow trailers. It's built to be very strong and last a long time.
The Ford F-250 is a heavy-duty pickup truck known for its strong towing and hauling capabilities. It is part of Ford's Super Duty lineup and often used for work and commercial purposes.
octane
""...mostly for selling fuel with lower than advertised octane. Wow. What a nightmare this can cost, right? You know, a vehicle requires an octane, which is a better, a better form of fuel.""
Octane is a number that tells you how good the gas is for your car's engine. Some cars need special gas with a higher octane number so the engine runs smoothly without knocking.
Octane rating measures a fuel's ability to resist knocking or pinging during combustion, caused by the air/fuel mixture detonating prematurely in the engine. Higher octane fuels are required for high-performance or turbocharged engines to operate efficiently and avoid damage.
premium fuel
"It's a, it's a, it's a premium fuel. It has additives in it. Um, I know I'm, I know my buddy Roger over there at Sitco is going to tell me, guess is guess, which I get it."
Premium fuel is special gas that helps some car engines run better and not make knocking noises. It usually has extra stuff added to keep the engine clean and working well.
Premium fuel is gasoline with a higher octane rating than regular fuel, designed to prevent engine knocking in high-performance engines. It often contains additives to improve combustion and engine cleanliness.
GMC Acadia
"Yep. way better than a brand new Acadia that couldn't make it to 110,000. And most of the..."
The GMC Acadia is a medium-sized SUV that can fit a family and has lots of features. Some older ones had problems with the engine or shifting gears, so it’s good to check before buying.
The GMC Acadia is a midsize SUV designed for family use, offering three rows of seating and modern technology. Some earlier models had issues with reliability, particularly with the transmission and engine performance.
diminished value
"We talk about the price of automobiles. What happens when they get hurt in an accident? We talk about diminished value and how expensive vehicles have become"
Diminished value means your car is worth less money after it has been in a crash, even if it looks fixed. This can affect how much you can sell it for or get from insurance.
Diminished value refers to the loss in a vehicle's market value after it has been damaged in an accident and repaired, even if the repairs are done perfectly. This concept is important in insurance claims and vehicle resale.
fake oil filters
"he wrote a letter to Wix in the fall last year about a potential fake oil filters. He didn't get a response. He's written to some of the other's first brand's groups, which I believe is going to affect the quality of filters and many things because they're gone now. And he talks about the problems that he had in dealing with fakes and phonies."
Fake oil filters are bad copies of real filters that don't clean the engine oil properly, which can hurt your car's engine.
Fake oil filters are counterfeit or substandard replacements that can compromise engine protection by allowing contaminants to circulate, potentially causing engine damage.
counterfeit parts
"...there is a lot of and are a lot of problems with counterfeit parts in what appear to be correct manufacturers parts and boxes. So Bob makes the point that it's a concern..."
Counterfeit parts are fake car parts that look real but aren't made properly. Using them can make your car unsafe or cause problems.
Counterfeit parts are fake automotive components that are made to look like genuine manufacturer parts but often lack quality and safety standards. They can cause reliability and safety issues when used in vehicles.
Buick Century
"Yeah, I got, um, I actually got a fleet of Buick Centuries. I'm a rural mail carrier."
The Buick Century is a type of car made by Buick. It’s known for being comfortable and reliable, often used as a family or work car.
The Buick Century is a mid-size car produced by Buick, a division of General Motors. It was popular in various forms from the 1930s through the early 2000s, known for its comfortable ride and reliability.
fleet
"Yeah, I got, um, I actually got a fleet of Buick Centuries. I'm a rural mail carrier."
A fleet means a bunch of cars or trucks that a company or person uses for work, like delivery or mail.
A fleet refers to a group of vehicles owned or leased by an organization for business use, such as delivery or service vehicles.
check engine light
"Well, the reason I'm asking about check engine, because if they have any, if they have any map sensor or mass airflow sensor fault or an intake air temp sensor fault, any of those will affect transmission operation because that affects the learned value and the programming in the software inside the vehicle. So an actual, what I'm saying is an actual check engine light condition, a check engine light fault can cause the transmission to shift improperly..."
The check engine light is a warning light on your car's dashboard that tells you something might be wrong with the engine or emissions system and needs to be checked.
The check engine light is a dashboard indicator that alerts the driver to a problem detected by the vehicle's onboard diagnostics system, often related to engine or emissions issues.
mass airflow sensor
"because if they have any, if they have any map sensor or mass airflow sensor fault or an intake air temp sensor fault, any of those will affect transmission operation because that affects the learned value and the programming in the software inside the vehicle."
The mass airflow sensor tells the car how much air is coming into the engine so it can add the right amount of fuel.
The mass airflow sensor measures the amount of air entering the engine to help the engine control unit regulate fuel injection for optimal combustion.
intake air temperature sensor
"because if they have any, if they have any map sensor or mass airflow sensor fault or an intake air temp sensor fault, any of those will affect transmission operation because that affects the learned value and the programming in the software inside the vehicle."
The intake air temperature sensor checks how warm or cold the air going into the engine is, so the car can work better.
The intake air temperature sensor measures the temperature of the air entering the engine, which helps the engine control unit adjust fuel delivery and ignition timing.
map sensor
"because if they have any, if they have any map sensor or mass airflow sensor fault or an intake air temp sensor fault, any of those will affect transmission operation because that affects the learned value and the programming in the software inside the vehicle."
The MAP sensor is a part that measures how much air pressure is inside the engine so the car knows how much fuel to use.
The manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor measures the pressure inside the intake manifold to help the engine control unit calculate air density and adjust fuel delivery accordingly.
transmission
"any of those will affect transmission operation because that affects the learned value and the programming in the software inside the vehicle. So an actual, what I'm saying is an actual check engine light condition, a check engine light fault can cause the transmission to shift improperly, causing it to wear out prematurely based on how the vehicle is trying to compensate for and, and, and continue operation and be efficient and stay in emissions compliance. So in, in a sense, continued operation with a check engine light on over time could damage the transmission."
The transmission is the part of the car that changes gears to help the car go faster or slower.
The transmission is the vehicle component that manages power delivery from the engine to the wheels by shifting gears to optimize performance and efficiency.
dealership
"Buick, Chevrolet, Pontiac, dealership,"
A dealership is a place where you can buy cars and get them fixed or serviced.
A dealership is a business authorized to sell and service vehicles from one or more manufacturers, acting as the middleman between car makers and customers.
Computer Command Control
"81 was the first year for CCC, Computer Command Control."
Computer Command Control is a system that uses a computer to help control how the engine runs, making the car more efficient and cleaner.
Computer Command Control (CCC) was an early engine management system introduced in 1981 that used computers to control fuel injection and ignition timing for better efficiency and emissions control.
Chevrolet Chevelle
"So you're there in 70. You saw the big block Chevelles and the Buick GSs."
The Chevrolet Chevelle is an old, fast car that people loved in the 1970s. It had a strong engine and looked really cool, so many car fans still like it today.
The Chevrolet Chevelle is a classic American muscle car from the late 1960s and early 1970s, famous for its powerful big block V8 engines. It’s highly regarded among muscle car enthusiasts for its performance and iconic styling.
Ford Mustang
"But if you listen and read Motor Trend in 1970 Mustang,"
The 1970 Ford Mustang is a famous American car that was built to be fast and look cool. Many people like it because it has a strong engine and a sporty style.
The 1970 Ford Mustang is a classic American muscle car known for its powerful V8 engines and iconic design. It was part of the first generation of Mustangs and is highly regarded among collectors and enthusiasts.
Buick Skylark
"... muscle fan and my goal is to have another Buick Skylark in my garage and fix it up the way it's going to ..."
The Buick Skylark is an old car that many people liked because it was nice to drive and looked good. Some car fans like to fix them up and keep them because they’re special.
The Buick Skylark is a classic American car that was produced in various forms from the 1950s through the 1990s, often appreciated for its blend of style and comfort. Muscle car fans sometimes seek out Skylarks to restore due to their historical significance and unique design.
Chrysler 300
"... Massachusetts from Florida. And in the Chrysler 300? No, no, that's at home."
The Chrysler 300 is a big, fancy car that’s nice to ride in and looks sharp. People choose it when they want something comfortable and stylish.
The Chrysler 300 is a full-size luxury sedan known for its bold styling and comfortable ride. It has a history dating back to the 1950s and remains popular for combining performance with upscale features.
Dodge Ram
"No, no, that's at home. I'm in the Dodge Ram and I picked up a tilt trailer on the way home a..."
The Dodge Ram is a big truck that can pull heavy things like trailers. People like it because it’s tough and good for work or carrying big stuff.
The Dodge Ram is a full-size pickup truck known for its strong towing capabilities and rugged design. It's often used for hauling trailers and heavy loads, making it popular among truck enthusiasts and professionals alike.
Chevrolet Express
"...was a D100 also, wasn't it? Yeah, the little red express. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah."
The Chevrolet Express is a big van that can carry lots of people or stuff. It’s strong and used a lot by businesses or groups needing space.
The Chevrolet Express is a full-size van commonly used for cargo transport or passenger shuttling. It’s valued for its spacious interior and durability, often serving commercial and fleet purposes.
Dodge Road Runner
"... how the last six months of production of the 69 Road Runner, I think it was, they put out an option where yo..."
The Dodge Road Runner is an old fast car that was cheaper than other muscle cars but still very powerful. Some of the last ones made have special features that collectors like.
The Dodge Road Runner is a classic muscle car produced in the late 1960s and early 1970s, known for its affordability and powerful engines. Its late production models sometimes included unique options that make them collectible today.
Ohm's Law
"Because I thought about it, how am I going to prove this? I used Ohm's Law. I took out my Ohm's Law calculator, plugged in voltage,"
Ohm's Law is a simple rule that helps you understand how electricity flows in a circuit. It tells you how voltage, current, and resistance work together, which is useful for fixing electrical problems.
Ohm's Law is a fundamental principle in electronics that relates voltage, current, and resistance in an electrical circuit. It is used to calculate one of these values if the other two are known, helping diagnose electrical issues.
oil change
"And why do I have to change it based on time? Because oil, you know, it will have condensation issues. Short trip driving, three to five miles a day, that vehicle's never going to warm up and it becomes a problem. And you want to stay on top of the oil changes. And oil is still the cheapest thing you can put in it."
An oil change means taking out the old oil from your car's engine and putting in new oil. This helps keep the engine running smoothly and stops it from getting damaged.
An oil change is the process of draining old engine oil from a vehicle and replacing it with fresh oil to ensure proper lubrication and prevent engine wear. Regular oil changes help maintain engine health and performance.
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