Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - January 10, 2026 - Hour 1 - The Best Repair Is Not To Make One
Ron Ananian The Car Doctor
Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - January 10, 2026 - Hour 1 - The Best Repair Is Not To Make One
Annotations will appear as you listen
0:00
34:27
Car
Mercury Milan Mercury
The Mercury Milan is a car made by the Mercury brand, which was part of Ford. It’s a sedan that was sold from 2006 to 2011 and is similar to the Ford Fusion.
Term
obsolete parts
Obsolete parts are car parts that you can't find anymore because they are no longer made. This can make fixing older cars really hard.
Part
rear wheel bearing
A rear wheel bearing is a part that helps the wheels turn smoothly. If it's damaged, it can cause noise and make it hard to drive safely.
Term
diagnosis
Diagnosis is when a mechanic checks a car to find out what's wrong with it. They use special tools to help them understand the problem.
Term
OBD2 port
The OBD2 port is a plug-in point in your car where mechanics can connect tools to check for problems. It helps them understand what's wrong with the vehicle.
Term
fault codes
Fault codes are special codes that tell mechanics what problems the car's computer has found. They help figure out what's wrong with the car.
Term
CAN bus network
A CAN bus network is like a shared communication line in a car that lets different parts talk to each other. This helps the car's systems work together more efficiently.
Part
GEM module
The GEM module is a part of the car that helps control things like lights and power. It makes sure everything works together properly in the car's electrical system.
Part
SJB (Smart Junction Box)
The Smart Junction Box is a part of the car that helps manage how power is distributed to different electrical parts. It makes sure everything gets the right amount of power to work properly.
Term
body module
A body module is a part of the car that controls things related to the car's body, like lights and door locks. It helps make sure these features work correctly.
Term
directionals
Directionals are the blinking lights on a car that show when the driver is turning or changing lanes. They help other drivers know what to expect.
Term
light bulb
A light bulb in a car is what makes the lights shine, like the headlights or turn signals. They help you see and let others know what you're doing on the road.
Car
Chrysler Pacifica
The Chrysler Pacifica is a family minivan that has lots of room for passengers and their things. It has special seats that can fold down into the floor to create more space when you need it. People talk about it because it's a great option for families who need a reliable and comfortable vehicle.
Term
start button
A start button lets you start the car by pressing a button instead of using a key. It's a common feature in newer cars that makes starting the engine easier.
Term
battery
The battery is what powers your car when you turn the key. If it's not working, your car won't start or may have electrical problems.
Term
start-stop technology
Start-stop technology helps save gas by turning off the engine when you're stopped, like at a red light. It turns the engine back on when you need to go again.
Car
Ford F150
The Ford F-150 is a popular truck that many people use for work and everyday driving. The 2011 version is part of a long line of F-Series trucks that are known for being tough and reliable.
Part
head gasket
The head gasket is a part of the engine that keeps oil and coolant from leaking into each other. If it breaks, it can cause serious problems for the engine.
Company
K-Seal
K-Seal is a product that helps fix leaks in your car's cooling system. It can be added to the coolant to help stop leaks without needing a big repair.
Term
coolant
Coolant is a liquid that helps keep your car's engine from getting too hot. It moves through the engine and radiator to cool things down.
Part
O-ring connections
O-ring connections are rubber rings that help keep fluids, like coolant, from leaking out of pipes and hoses in a vehicle. They fit into grooves and create a seal to stop leaks.
Term
frame rail
The frame rail is a strong part of a car's structure that helps hold everything together. If there's a leak, it can sometimes collect fluids like coolant without you noticing right away.
Part
catalytic converter
A catalytic converter is a part of the car that helps clean up the exhaust gases so that they are less harmful to the environment. It changes bad gases into cleaner ones before they leave the car.
Car
Hyundai Elantra
The Hyundai Elantra is a small car that is easy to drive and good on gas. The 2023 version has new tech and safety features that make it a smart choice for many drivers.
Term
0W-20 synthetic oil
0W-20 synthetic oil is a special kind of oil used in car engines. It helps the engine run smoothly and saves fuel, especially in cold weather.
Car
Ford Edge
The Ford Edge is a type of SUV that is larger than a car but smaller than a full-size SUV. It has a lot of space for passengers and cargo, making it great for families.
LIVE
This is an iHeart podcast.
Guaranteed Human
Save on appliances at the Home Depot with up to $1,000 off plus up to an extra $500 off
select appliances like Whirlpool that can keep up with your busy routine. The Home Depot has
Whirlpool Laundry Appliances with Fan Fresh. This feature fans and tumbles your laundry after
it's done to help keep your clothes fresh until you're ready to grab them. Shop now and get up
to $1,000 off plus free delivery on select appliances at the Home Depot. How doers get
more done? Free delivery on appliance purchases of $999 or more. Offer valid January 8th through
the 28th U.S. only Seastore Online for details. Support for the show comes from Public, the
investing platform for those who take it seriously. On Public you can build a multi-asset portfolio
of stocks, bonds, options, crypto, and now generated assets which allow you to turn any idea into an
investable index with AI. It all starts with your prompt from renewable energy companies with high
free cash flow to semiconductor suppliers growing revenue over 20% year over year. You can literally
type any prompt and put the AI to work. It screens thousands of stocks, builds a one-of-a-kind index,
and lets you back test it against the S&P 500. Then you can invest in a few clicks.
Generated assets are like EFTs with infinite possibilities. Completely customizable and
based on your thesis, not someone else's. Go to public.com slash podcast and earn an uncapped
1% bonus when you transfer your portfolio. That's public.com slash podcast. Paid for by public
investing, brokerage services by Open to the Public Investing Inc., member FINRA SIPC, advisory
services by Public Advisors LLC, SEC registered advisor. Generated assets is an interactive
analysis tool. Output is for informational purposes only and is not investment recommendation or
advice. Complete disclosures available at public.com slash disclosures. The NFL playoffs are here
and Wildcard weekend powered by Verizon is in full swing. Man, it all comes down to this.
The stakes are high. Hopes are higher and everything is on the line. My goodness. It's
win or go home and every moment counts on the road to Super Bowl 60. It's a touchdown! Wildcard
weekend powered by Verizon through Monday. Visit watch.nfl.com for the full schedule.
A new year doesn't ask us to become someone new. It invites us back home to ourselves.
I'm Mike Della Rocha host of Sacred Lessons, a space for men to pause, reflect and heal.
This year we're talking honestly about mental health, relationships and the patterns we're
ready to release. If you're looking for clarity, connection and healthier ways to show up in your
life, Sacred Lessons is here for you. Listen to Sacred Lessons with Mike Della Rocha on the
I Heart Radio app, Apple podcast or wherever you get your podcasts.
Apple podcast or wherever you get your podcasts.
Sometimes the best repair is the one you don't make.
It just is and it happens every once in a while in a repair shop. It happened to me this week and
you know you're not there just to make a living but you're there to guide people and that's really
what it's about. You're supposed to take care of your flock and every once in a while a new flock
member comes in and you've kind of got to kind of guide them accordingly. Amy came in with her
stepson's 2007 Mercury Milan. Mercury Milan's are an interesting breed for lack of a better way to
say it. That was that generation when Ford was and I forget what the Ford equivalent was but it was
when Ford was bringing in and trying to create European models under Ford cloaking and they were
good cars. They didn't make a lot of them but I happen to know for a fact that a lot of the parts
are just gone like so many cars today. They're parts are just obsolete so I'm always cautious
anytime any one of them comes in and I don't think the average consumer realizes it because to them
it's it's a Mercury it's a Ford it's you know there's just a gazillion of them but there isn't.
What kind of got my eye and made me hold back was the left front directional bulb was on that was the
complaint and they had tried bulbs and the local firestone had tried a couple of things and they
admitted they said hey we don't have anybody that qualified to work on electrical but we'd like to
do your rear wheel bearing so which yeah that's a whole other part of this story about you know
what's the best repair and what's the best action to take and Amy asked around and she ended up on
my doorstep and I was glad to have her so you know where I start I always start with a diagnosis
right and a diagnosis begins in my shop it begins we pull codes so understand and think about what
I'm telling you I'm pulling codes meaning I'm plugging a diagnostic tool into the OBD2 port
the diagnostic port under the dashboard and I'm retrieving fault codes I just want to see what's
there and I still maintain that this is the right way in the only place in the best place to start
any any repair diagnosis really of anything today because look look at what I'm diagnosing I'm
diagnosing a light bulb basically the vehicle had a B as in Baker 1799 front directional
circuit open fault hmm look at that now you know to lay the groundwork for this conversation I have
to tell you I'm aware of what these cars are this is European networking this is what it was
this was this was real high tech stuff in 2007 and this was one of Ford's early attempts at
creating a CAN bus network and they used a it's referred to as the gem module generic
electronic module it's also called so it's called a gem module an SJB a smart junction box
or sometimes referred to as a body module as a matter of fact in the paperwork
that I gave Amy at the end the diagnostic printouts because I always give you paperwork I'm one of
those shops that I think if you're paying me for a diagnosis you're going to get paperwork
which I still think is the way to go you know in the in the diagnostic printouts some spots
called it an SJB some spots called it a gem module some spots called it a and you get it right it's
still the same thing though so I I ran through testing I ran through the diagnostics they want
you to do a reset of the SJB or the gem module or the body module whatever you want to call it
and it cleared the fault code and the directional would work for a momentary
moment and the light would be out and as soon as you engage the directionals
the directionals blinked once correctly and then all of a sudden they blinked fast stopped
blinking but the light stayed out and the light was still out when the car left and I think that's
something that at some point it's going to see enough occurrences of that
and it's going to turn that light bulb back on but here's the kick and why didn't we fix it
because the best repair sometimes is the one you don't make because this 2007 this almost 20 year
old vehicle needed a part that's obsolete and I don't mean just obsolete I mean like it doesn't
exist it's it's gone into the vapor trail of parts there's one dealer in middle of Kansas
somewhere that shows it on national inventory we didn't call to find out it was a $500 part
five years ago and Ford was still selling them but even if they had it it would have to be shipped
it was probably a as received no guarantee on condition condition and then it had to be programmed
the gem module often requires programming to identify it to the vehicle
and as I said to Amy so you know if we get this $500 obsolete part and we managed to program it
with newer equipment because a lot of times programming equipment is not retroactive where
it works with older stuff it's like as I always tell you guys it's like it's like go find me a
Windows 98 program and install it on a computer today it's how difficult is that as we evolve
forward and the technology moves forward a lot of the computer software just updates whatever it is
you're working on I said what's next and she looked at me and she said gee I never thought of it like
that and that's a lot of that's a lot of what this is about right it's it's what's next what are we
what are we going to do next you know what happens and I and I know this for a fact what
happens when the transmission in that mercury Milan goes bad and what does that cost and I can
tell you from experience that's obsolete too don't ask me how I know you don't want to hear the story
but the customer that purchased one about two years ago maybe two and a half now fortunately
and this is really interesting fortunately purchased a warranty from the dealership when
they bought it and when the transmission went south on that mercury Milan it they took it back
to the dealer under warranty and they were told yeah that transmission is obsolete but they said
but you sold us a service contract and they ran it up through the power of Ford Motor Company and
Ford said okay we've got seven left and they were able to get one of those seven and it's just I
found that interesting that you know our car companies ever really out of a part or just get
to a point where it doesn't pay to really distribute them which is a a different conversation
I think it's the obligation of a repair shop to you know set the stage preface preface the repair
is this car worth fixing is this car really worth repairing because what's next what's going to
happen after you fix this what's the practicality of it this car needed a left rear wheel bearing
this car needed this body module repair all right whatever associated programming that
went along with it and it's 19 years old and we're going to put it in the hands of a freshman
college student trying to make his way through college on a 30-minute commute each way back
and forth for the next four years and all that has to come into consideration I think it's the
obligation I don't think people are just a number I think you know each one has an individual story
because when you look at why and how people drive and operate vehicles there's a reason behind most
of it all right some are some are just a number some want to be just somebody standing at the
deli counter it's now serving number 14 and away we go I'll take a half a pound of turkey
but some people want to know how good is the turkey and what's the best cut of turkey and will
that turkey give me satisfaction and that's a lot of what you're doing at the repair shop level
or you should be doing you know you're making sure that they're happy with the slice you're
they're happy with the sandwich you're managing expectations and a lot of times you're going
to find out that it makes a very handy customer to hand them back a king and go your vehicle
can't be repaired shouldn't be repaired and here's why it's just how you build the case
because a lot of times the best repair to make is none get paid for your time get paid for the
consultation but guide them in the best direction and in this case no parts no repair just can't
be done not within reason 8555609900 I'm running any in the car doctor I'll be back right after this
don't go away support for the show comes from public the investing platform for those who take
it seriously on public you can build a multi-asset portfolio of stocks bonds options crypto and now
generated assets which allow you to turn any idea into an investable index with AI it all starts
with your prompt from renewable energy companies with high free cash flow to semiconductor suppliers
growing revenue over 20 percent year over year you can literally type any prompt and put the AI to
work it screens thousands of stocks builds a one-of-a-kind index and lets you back test it against
the S&P 500 then you can invest in a few clicks generated assets are like EFTs with infinite
possibilities completely customizable and based on your thesis not someone else's go to public.com
slash podcast and earn an uncapped one percent bonus when you transfer your portfolio that's
public.com slash podcast paid for by public investing brokerage services by open to the
public investing Inc. member Fianna Ray SIPC advisory services by public advisors LLC SEC
registered advisor generated assets is an interactive analysis tool output is for
informational purposes only and is not investment recommendation or advice complete disclosures
available at public.com slash disclosures the NFL playoffs are here and wildcard weekend powered
by Verizon is in full swing man it all comes down to this the stakes are high hopes are higher
and everything is on the line my goodness it's win or go home and every moment counts on the road
to Super Bowl 60 wildcard weekend powered by Verizon through Monday visit watch.nfl.com for the full schedule
save on appliances at the Home Depot with up to $1,000 off plus up to an extra $500 off select
appliances like Whirlpool that can keep up with your busy routine the Home Depot has Whirlpool
laundry appliances with fan fresh this feature fans and tumbles your laundry after it's done to
help keep your clothes fresh until you're ready to grab them shop now and get up to $1,000 off plus
free delivery on select appliances at the Home Depot how doers get more done free delivery on
appliance purchases of $999 or more offer valid January 8th through the 28th US only C store online
for details for period protection you can put on and forget about nothing beats Knicks leak proof
underwear North America's number one leak proof underwear brand let's face it life can be unpredictable
but your leak proof underwear shouldn't be that's why millions of people choose Knicks for periods
for light leaks for everyday freshness Knicks undies are super comfy super absorbent and made
to handle whatever your day throws at you day two of your period covered your daily run no problem
that big sneeze you know the one yep we've got you and with styles like bikinis boy shorts
thongs and high-rise plus sizes from extra small to 4xl Knicks makes it easy to find your perfect
fit say goodbye to stress and leaks and say hello to undies that work just as hard as you do no matter
the leak find the style and level of protection you want at knicks.com and use code flow 15 for
15% off that's knix.com code flow 15 for 15% off Knicks for your leaks for your life a new year
doesn't mean erasing who you were it means honoring what you've survived and choosing how you want to
grow it means giving ourselves permission to feel what we've been holding and knowing that it's
okay to ask for help I'm Mike Dullarocha host of sacred lessons this podcast is a space for men to
talk openly about mental health grief relationships and the patterns we inherit but don't have to
repeat here we slow down we listen we learn how vulnerability becomes strength and how healing
happens in community not in isolation if you're ready to let go of what no longer serves you
and step into the year with clarity compassion and purpose sacred lessons is your companion on your
healing journey listen to sacred lessons with Mike Dullarocha on america's number one podcast
network iHeart follow sacred lessons with Mike Dullarocha and start listening on the free iHeart
radio app today
hey let's get over to chris in wisconsin and see what's going on here chris how can i help you
in your 23 christ or pacifica hi ron thanks for taking my call you're welcome of yourself thank you
we bought this vehicle used from dealer in wisconsin on december 2nd
i drove it home which was a tour drive got a home parking in the driveway we had a cold spell
during that time the very next night and this is the first time that we were starting it because
the dealer had brought it already started for us to s drive and when i pushed the start button
the car made this electrical popping noise and i tried it like 10 times it wouldn't start and it
would go pop pop and it's kind of the same noise that you get when the battery is hooked up wrong
you're trying to jump start with a car and finally on about the 11th try it started
i drove it 30 miles it ran beautifully i was in a meeting for an hour it started right up
when i went to go home subsequently for the next two weeks sometimes it would start on the first
try and then sometimes i'd experience that popping issue and every time that you'd get
pop it wouldn't start the other thing that was happening was the indicator light on the shifter
knob it's got a turn knob to shift right sometimes it would go out completely so the only way you
could tell when you started it that you could tell you were in drive is you had to count the number
of clicks as you turned that little knob so now you now you know why somebody traded it in right
yeah yep so and and the dealer it they traded it in for a key a kind of a key a dealer and
the dealer put a battery in 71 miles before we bought it so um we've tried different things
for like two weeks and we never could get the hood up when i took it to my brother who worked
on cars right he couldn't the hood to release either that you felt like you were going to break
the lever so then i called the dealer and they let me take the vehicle to one of their affiliates
in the nearby town they had it for six days they had to take a wedge into the hood to pop the hood
and they had to cut the cable the cable was wrapped around something and replace the cable
so that you could get the hood so let me ask you this chris you think you think the car was in an
accident um i i did a car fax on it and it said no okay i just i just think um well keep it keep
it keep in mind though kiddo you know it can be in an accident and get repaired by a local
body shop and if it's not reported through insurance car fax car fax i'll never see it
so well the reason the reason but the reason i'm asking that question is
you know was it in an accident what altered or could something have altered the way battery
cables and connections are made on this vehicle that led us to this problem where the hood doesn't
open and the no start condition because it's only three years old how many miles are on this car
45 cells right and it with a one owner car right so there's something's something's a skew here
right in the sense that in the sense that something wasn't assembled right after a crash
or or you know it's just coincidence that the hood cable wasn't routed correctly
and fell out of its holder or fell out of position and it wouldn't get the hood to open
so yeah i i think your brother who works on cars i think he's got to take some time and look at this
you know just to understand it just was this car in an accident and you know a mechanical
look at something he'll you know the trained i'll see it the bolts won't line up they'll be overspray
somewhere the fender won't match something's going to be cockeyed with this car right but but onto your
question all right let's let's let's assume let's assume it's not an accident vehicle
which is a dangerous word right and i i don't think it was because the dealer would have had to have
the hood open 71 miles before i bought it well maybe the dealer didn't maybe the dealer doesn't
know it's an accident vehicle and maybe the dealer just found a way to get the hood open
maybe they just they replaced the battery okay sure but but but regardless you think the
dealer's going to tell you hey we've got a problem opening the hood they want to sell the car
yeah well that's what happened right you know this problem and the hood are not opening right
we're both there what we bought the car we didn't know it right anyway anyway first thing i want to
do is when i you know where does this pop pop sound come from is it under the dash or out under the
hood it's out under the hood okay like the battery and the dealer let us take it to their service
center nearby and they replace the battery a second time after they fix the hood issue right and then
we drove it for a week or i had my husband started every day he had it at our cottage
and there were no issues and on january third i was at our cottage and i got in the vehicle
that afternoon to take it home and pop pop wouldn't i so so here let me let me do this in the time i
have left i think there's a connection issue on under the hood somewhere i think somebody's got a
trace coming off positive and negative battery are the cables correctly routed grounded connected
i would be i would be going over the tip them or the power control module under the hood also
does this vehicle have start stop technology but what does that mean when you pull up to
a traffic light or a stop sign does the vehicle shut off that has not happened but it has this
annoying automatic brake when you it'll it'll put on the parking brake right but does it
have start stop well don't don't don't judge it by that it hasn't worked because if the and here's
why if the auxiliary battery is dead and you don't know that it's there because it's hidden
in a in a recess right ah it can cause other starting issues so one of the things i want to
do i want you to do two things one does this vehicle have start stop doesn't have an auxiliary
battery okay identify that because you know when a chrysler has a problem with a battery
we always change both and there's a very good reason why you do that because one affects the other
all right if you if you want to read more about the auxiliary batteries go out to auto batteries
dot com they'll explain it very well that's number one number two do a code scan i know this isn't
check engine light related stuff but i'm curious is there a b is in baker 215 b ignition run start
control fault in this vehicle and that would tell us something also about loss of power so two
things to do a couple of things to look at you call me back next week i'm ronnie in the car doctor
we'll return right after this support for the show comes from public the investing platform for
those who take it seriously on public you can build a multi-asset portfolio of stocks bonds
options crypto and now generated assets which allow you to turn any idea into an investable
index with ai it all starts with your prompt from renewable energy companies with high free cash
flow to semiconductor suppliers growing revenue over 20 percent year over year you can literally
type any prompt and put the ai to work it screens thousands of stocks builds a one of a kind index
and lets you back test it against the s and p 500 then you can invest in a few clicks
generated assets are like efts with infinite possibilities completely customizable and based
on your thesis not someone else's go to public dot com slash podcast and earn an uncapped one
percent bonus when you transfer your portfolio that's public dot com slash podcast paid for
by public investing brokerage services by open to the public investing ink member f in r a s i p c
advisory services by public advisors llc sec registered advisor generated assets is an interactive
analysis tool output is for informational purposes only and is not investment recommendation or
advice complete disclosures available at public dot com slash disclosures the nfl playoffs are here
and wildcard weekend powered by verizon is in full swing man it all comes down to this the stakes
are high hopes are higher and everything is on the line my goodness it's win or go home and every
moment counts on the road to super bowl 60 wildcard weekend powered by verizon through monday
visit watch dot nfl dot com for the full schedule appliance savings are happening now at the home
depot with up to a thousand dollars off plus up to an extra five hundred dollars off select appliances
looking to upgrade your fridge check out lg's newest models serving up ice and all kinds of styles
cubed crushed craft ice and now new mini craft ice straight from the dispenser shop savings and get
up to a thousand dollars off plus free delivery on select appliances like lg at the home depot
how doers get more done free delivery on appliance purchases of 999 or more offer valid january 8
through the 28th us only c store online for details for period protection you can put on and forget
about nothing beats nix leakproof underwear north america's number one leakproof underwear brand
let's face it life can be unpredictable but your leakproof underwear shouldn't be that's why
millions of people choose nix for periods for light leaks for everyday freshness nix undies are
super comfy super absorbent and made to handle whatever your day throws at you day two of your
period covered your daily run no problem that big sneeze you know the one yep we've got you
and with styles like bikinis boy shorts thongs and high-rise plus sizes from extra small to
4xl nix makes it easy to find your perfect fit say goodbye to stress and leaks and say hello to
undies that work just as hard as you do no matter the leak find the style and level of protection
you want at nix.com and use code flow 15 for 15 percent off that's knix.com code flow 15 for
15 percent off nix for your leaks for your life every january we're encouraged to start over
but what if this year is about slowing down and learning how to understand ourselves more deeply
what if this year is about giving ourselves permission to feel what we've been holding
and knowing that it's okay to ask for help i'm mike delarocha host of sacred lessons this is a
podcast for men navigating stress emotional health fatherhood identity and the unspoken pressures
we're taught to carry alone we talk honestly about mental health about healing generational
wounds and about learning how to show up with more presence and care if you want a healthier
relationship with yourself and the people you love then sacred lessons is the podcast for you
listen to sacred lessons with mike delarocha on america's number one podcast network
iHeart follow sacred lessons with mike delarocha and start listening on the free iHeart radio app
today
Car advice done right.
Maybe that's the next T-shirt.
Ronananian, and on the back, the car doctor.
Car advice done right.
Hmm, I'll have to think about that.
In the meantime, let's go to Annette on the West Coast.
Annette, welcome to the car doctor.
How can I help?
Hi, I've got a 2011 F-150,
and I'm losing about a gallon of Vanny Freeze
every 300 miles.
Which engine?
There's no 5.0 liter.
So it's the V8.
Okay, and there's no leaks that you see anywhere.
You don't see puddles, et cetera.
Correct.
Has anybody pressure tested this?
My mechanic has a couple.
It's been going on for about five years now.
I don't drive it a lot, but he can't find the leak either.
And if it's truly, so let's back up.
Let's say he's pressure tested it.
You know, he's applied pressure
and he's added a dye to the system,
which would be a normal course of a diagnosis
and he sees no leaks anywhere, all right?
Then I'm gonna tell you that if you're not seeing
an external leak and you've been through it
and proven that, and I'm saying it like that
because I'm trying to make a point
that that has to be the first step.
Just because we don't see it doesn't mean we shouldn't do it.
But once we've established that there are no external leaks,
it's internal through the engine.
And the fact that you won't see it
is because the engine's burning it little by little.
Is it a CP head gasket?
Is it a CP coolant internal passage
that's leaking into combustion somewhere causing the issue?
How many miles around this truck?
185,000.
Okay.
So, you know, if we're not seeing an external leak
and let's say we proved it to be a head gasket, all right?
It's probably not something at almost 200,000 miles.
I'm gonna say, yeah, let's put head gaskets on it.
I'm probably, and we're just gonna spitball this,
you and I, right?
I'm not trying to sell you out either way.
But if we were standing at the counter,
the conversation would be instead of doing
an internal engine repair, head gasket,
engine overhaul, whatever, on a, let's say a 2011.
So it's what, 13 years old?
No, it's 15 years old, right?
15 years old, 200,000 miles.
Why aren't we doing something like a K-seal coolant seal
additive to see if that stops it?
Simple and easy, right?
Now, K-seal, if you go to kseal.com,
not to make this salesy, but it's the truth.
We use K-seal in the shop all the time, right?
K-seal does have better ability to stop a coolant issue
than any other sealer I've ever found on the market.
And they also make something called K-seal Ultimate,
which is for head gasket issues.
It's about 33%.
I think the spec is 33% more sealing power,
but just know that it's got a little over 30% more sealer
in it, and if there's an internal head gasket issue,
if K-seal doesn't do it, there's a bigger problem here.
But I would suspect that it will,
because it's been going on for how long?
Five years, right?
So I think there's a real tiny leak here,
but if you're legitimately losing coolant
and there's no external leak,
the only other place it can be going
is internal through the engine, right?
I mean, that's it.
You can kind of smell the evaporation,
you know what I mean?
You can smell it.
It smells sweet.
Yeah, you can smell it, but I can't see it.
He can't see it.
Right, where does it smell sweet?
Up front or in the back by the tailpipes?
Up front.
Okay.
And there might be a leak there
that he just hasn't discovered.
I would be curious if he did a dye test.
And the reason I like to do a dye check
is because it just gives me proof positive.
Tell me what's good, I'll tell you what's bad.
You know, I could come back to you and say,
hey, you know what, Annette?
I added dye to the cooling system.
I looked at it with a black light.
There is no external dye anywhere
because there's an awful lot of white pipes
and hoses and fittings up front on that truck.
And I've seen that.
There's a lot of O-ring connections that seep coolant
and you just won't see it.
You know, it'll either clearly hit the ground, you know,
or it's gonna leak at the oddest time.
But the fact that this is going on five years
also is a distraction.
Could it be a head gasket?
You would think by now it would have failed, right?
How far has that vehicle gone in five years?
5,000 miles, 10,000 miles, 30,000 miles?
Maybe 10,000 miles, yeah.
I drive it to the coast a couple times a year
and then I drive it in the wintertime
when the roads get bad, so yeah.
So it's not seeing a lot of super heavy duty use.
I bet if you drove that vehicle 20,000 miles a year,
like what's normal mileage?
I don't know, 15,000, 20,000 miles a year?
I bet you by now whatever the horse is
would have reared its ugly head
and we'd have more of a definitive answer.
But I think we've got to kind of nurse this along.
It's either an external dye and black light test
or some cooling system sealer internally
and see if it slows it down.
But don't get confused by the fact that you don't see it.
If it's burning it, you'll never see it.
But the smell, an engine burning coolant
shouldn't produce a sweet smell up front.
There's a loss there.
It's there somewhere you're just not seeing it.
Is it dripping into it?
The worst coolant leak I ever had a diagnose
was the one that was dripping into the frame rail
and the frame rail captured the small amount of coolant
over time until you drove it down the road
and then it would splash out, you'd never see it.
It would never drip all the vehicle was parked.
You know, it kind of drove me insane.
It was a dodge in that case,
not that dodges dripping into frames and fords can't.
It depends on where the leak is,
but treat all diagnosis as a diagnosis.
And that's why I say a dye check and a pressure test
along the way will tell us a whole lot more.
All right, kiddo, but kseal.com might have some answers
for you.
You go there.
I appreciate that, thank you.
You're very welcome in that, you be well.
And I think that's, no, go ahead in that, you're good.
I think that's how you have to look at it, right?
It's how long has it been going on?
Why don't I see it?
Well, you won't see it.
You won't see an internal engine leak
because it'll go through the exhaust,
it'll hit the cat, the cattle,
and not to mention what we're doing
to the catalytic converters if it is internal
because catalytic converters and antifreeze
don't like each other a whole lot, right?
So it's important to diagnose it
and it's process of elimination.
Stop looking for what's bad.
Tell me what's good.
If I don't have an external leak,
well, logic would dictate that the only place it can be then
is an internal engine loss.
And then we've got to decide how are we gonna solve it?
80,000 mile vehicle, we're taking something apart.
200,000 mile vehicle, you know,
we're gonna throw some caseal at it
and let that do the work that it's supposed to do
and it will and, you know,
get another couple of five years out of that truck
before we have to make another decision.
So because there's a vehicle, just a real quick note,
I bet you have the parts for that truck are obsolete too,
just like the Mercury and Milan in the open up today.
So obsolescence comes into play.
The best repair move you can make is none.
8555609900, the car doctor's cruising back right after this.
with high free cash flow to semiconductor suppliers
growing revenue over 20% year over year,
you can literally type any prompt and put the AI to work.
It screens thousands of stocks, builds a one of a kind index
and lets you back test it against the S&P 500.
Then you can invest in a few clicks.
Generated assets are like EFTs with infinite possibilities,
completely customizable and based on your thesis,
not someone else's.
Go to public.com slash podcast
and earn an uncapped 1% bonus
when you transfer your portfolio.
That's public.com slash podcast
paid for by public investing, brokerage services
by open to the public investing Inc.
Member FANRA SIPC, advisory services
by public advisors LLC, SEC registered advisor.
Generated assets is an interactive analysis tool.
Output is for informational purposes only
and is not investment recommendation or advice.
Complete disclosures available at public.com slash disclosures.
The NFL playoffs are here
and wildcard weekend powered by Verizon is in full swing.
Man, it all comes down to this.
The stakes are high, hopes are higher
and everything is on the line.
My goodness!
It's win or go home
and every moment counts on the road to Super Bowl 60.
It's a touchdown!
Wildcard weekend powered by Verizon through Monday.
Visit watch.nfl.com for the full schedule.
Save on appliances at the Home Depot with up to $1,000 off
plus up to an extra $500 off select appliances
like Whirlpool that can keep up with your busy routine.
The Home Depot has Whirlpool laundry appliances
with fan fresh.
This feature fans and tumbles your laundry after it's done
to help keep your clothes fresh
until you're ready to grab them.
Shop now and get up to $1,000 off
plus free delivery on select appliances at the Home Depot.
How doers get more done?
Free delivery on appliance purchases of $999 or more
offer valid January 8th through the 28th
US only C-store online for details.
For period protection you can put on and forget about
nothing beats Nick's leak proof underwear.
North America's number one leak proof underwear brand.
Let's face it, life can be unpredictable
but your leak proof underwear shouldn't be.
That's why millions of people choose Nick's
for periods, for light leaks, for everyday freshness.
Nick's undies are super comfy, super absorbent
and made to handle whatever your day throws at you.
Day two of your period, covered.
Your daily run, no problem.
That big sneeze, you know the one.
Yep, we've got you.
And with styles like bikinis, boy shorts,
thongs and high-rise plus sizes from extra small to 4XL
Nick's makes it easy to find your perfect fit.
Say goodbye to stress and leaks and say hello to undies
that work just as hard as you do.
No matter the leak, find the style and level
of protection you want at nix.com
and use code flow15 for 15% off.
That's K-N-I-X.com code flow15 for 15% off.
Nick's, for your leaks, for your life.
Every January, we're encouraged to start over.
But what if this year is about slowing down
and learning how to understand ourselves more deeply?
What if this year is about giving ourselves permission
to feel what we've been holding
and knowing that it's okay to ask for help?
I'm Mike Delarocha, host of Sacred Lessons.
This is a podcast for men navigating stress,
emotional health, fatherhood, identity
and the unspoken pressures we're taught to carry alone.
We talk honestly about mental health,
about healing generational wounds
and about learning how to show up
with more presence and care.
If you want a healthier relationship with yourself
and the people you love,
then Sacred Lessons is the podcast for you.
Listen to Sacred Lessons with Mike Delarocha
on America's number one podcast network, iHeart.
Follow Sacred Lessons with Mike Delarocha
and start listening on the free iHeart radio app today.
Let's go take a ride down the New Jersey Turnpike
and go to Philadelphia to talk to Brian.
Hey, Brian, welcome to the car doctor, sir.
What's going on today?
Hey, how are you, sir?
All right, sir.
Go, it's cooking.
Ah, interesting question for you.
My father, he hasn't been driving that much lately.
He has a 2023 Hyundai Elantra.
Actually, first is the summer of 2022,
so it's actually a year older than that.
This car, the oil, it requires a 020 synthetic.
He changes his oil at regular intervals.
He does, usually, he was doing at least
1,000 miles a month.
Now, I'm using his and mine.
I'm not getting a lot of miles on it,
but I don't want to not change the oil
for an extended period of time.
So if I'm not doing that many miles,
how long, how many months do you think I should
wait till I change the oil?
Because I'm not getting a lot of miles on it.
You're gonna get me in trouble with the internet trolls.
You know that, don't you?
Because you know the answer to this question
is not gonna make them happy.
Well, actually, it'll give them a reason to beat me up.
I'm still gonna stand by my original conviction,
five and five, five months, 5,000 miles.
And I'll defend it here, right?
It's odd you pick a 23 Hyundai, we had a 23 Hyundai.
It's one of the stories I may talk about this week.
This particular car had a leaky O-ring
and the dealer didn't do a proper oil change
and didn't check a few things.
And it's a whole other story,
but the issue was changing the oil on this 23 Hyundai.
You know, it had about just shy of 1,800 miles on it.
And this was an older person.
They don't go a lot of miles.
They've been living with this oil leak, et cetera.
And the oil was by color, it looked atrocious.
And first time customer to us
and after more inquiries,
he's not doing a lot of driving.
I mean, it's almost like I talked to your father.
And I know it wasn't right, you know, same scenario.
You know, an oil change is more than just an oil change.
It's more than just draining oil and putting a filter on,
right?
It's tire pressure, it's a physical look.
It's verifying what sort of condition
is that piece of machinery in.
If we're gonna try and get 10 years out of a vehicle,
I don't think it's unreasonable to maintain it consistently.
And I'm not scolding you, Brian.
I know you see it this way too.
But the issue comes back to the things you will see
along the way on those regular oil changes
will help get that vehicle to the 150,000 mile mark,
the 200,000 mile mark.
Because it also gives the mechanic a pause and a moment.
And I know you have a great relationship
with a regular guy that, hey, you know,
the car's got 60,000 miles on it.
Let's talk about driveline fluids.
Let's talk about cooling system service.
Let's talk about a fuel system cleaning.
So oil changes aren't done just for the sake
of changing oil in a filter,
but it's also done with the idea
of regular scheduled maintenance, right?
It's kind of like going to the dentist.
You go to the dentist, I go to the dentist twice a year,
you know, get a cleaning, get a look over, you know,
sometimes I have a cavity, sometimes I needed this,
sometimes I needed that.
But I had no problems,
but it was just normal wear and tear maintenance.
And the fact that I'm a little older now
than when I first started,
I've been going to the dentist twice a year forever.
And look where I got, right?
So I think regular attendance by a qualified professional,
I have to preempt that because there's a lot of idiots
out in the world that are working in repair shops.
And I don't say that lightly, I say that sadly.
It's just, you know, a different perspective.
So I like five months, 5,000 miles.
I don't care how many miles the vehicle has on it.
You know, time and time again.
We had a, what was she driving?
A 2018 Ford Edge.
Cindy's driving a 2018 Ford Edge.
The car was due for an oil change in October.
And she was just 500 miles shy of the mileage this week.
But it was, well, I didn't have the money
and Christmas came and Thanksgiving came.
And you know, there was always that,
here's why I can't do it reason.
Now the oil that came out of this car was pitch black,
pitch black, 42,000 mile edge, right?
It was just, and you could feel it.
There's a, there's a lubricity to oil.
If you rub good oil between your thumb and forefinger
and then beat up oil between your thumb and forefinger,
you'll feel it.
I don't need to spend $25 and send it out to the lab
to have them do an oil analysis,
which frankly, unless I'm looking for a problem,
I don't understand why we do that anyway.
I think the money we spend on oil analysis
can be put towards oil changes
and we'll get further out of the car.
You know, it's, and those are the trolls I refer to.
I think there's a time and a place to do oil analysis,
but I think it's overdone.
I think we go into analysis paralysis.
And you know, I always think about,
I have these two customers, father and son,
they both drive an 09 F-150.
And they did the oil change analysis early on
when they bought these vehicles.
They thought they were, you know,
they were concerned about, you know,
what's breaking down, what's good, what's bad,
da, da, da, da, da, da.
But they still came in low mileage,
still came in on regular monthly basis.
They never saw anything out of the oil analysis.
Now these trucks, well, they're 09s, they're 15 years old.
They've got 150, 160,000 miles on them
and they're still going strong.
So what was the point in doing all the oil analysis?
I mean, other than, hey, it's neat,
we can tell you what's in your oil.
Oil.
So I appreciate the call, Brian.
Five and fives are my call.
And if anybody else wants to comment,
send me an email ron at cardoctorshow.com.
I'll be back right after this, don't go away.
Over 20% year over year,
you can literally type any prompt and put the AI to work.
It screens thousands of stocks,
builds a one of a kind index
and lets you back test it against the S&P 500.
Then you can invest in a few clicks.
Generated assets are like EFTs with infinite possibilities.
Completely customizable and based on your thesis,
not someone else's.
Go to public.com slash podcast
and earn an uncapped 1% bonus
when you transfer your portfolio.
That's public.com slash podcast.
Paid for by public investing,
brokerage services by open to the public investing Inc.,
member FINRA SIPC, advisory services by public advisors LLC,
SEC registered advisor.
Generated assets is an interactive analysis tool.
Output is for informational purposes only
and is not investment recommendation or advice.
Complete disclosures available at public.com slash disclosures.
The NFL playoffs are here
and wildcard weekend powered by Verizon is in full swing.
Man, it all comes down to this.
The stakes are high, hopes are higher
and everything is on the line.
My goodness!
It's win or go home
and every moment counts on the road to Super Bowl 60.
It's a touchdown!
Wildcard weekend powered by Verizon.
Through Monday, visit watch.nfl.com for the full schedule.
Check out LG's newest models serving up ice
and all kinds of styles, cubed, crushed, craft ice,
and now new mini craft ice straight from the dispenser.
Shop savings and get up to $1,000 off
plus free delivery on select appliances like LG at the Home Depot.
How doers get more done?
Free delivery on appliance purchases of $999 or more.
Offer valid January 8th through the 28th.
U.S. only C Store online for details.
For period protection, you can put on and forget about
nothing beats Nick's leakproof underwear.
North America's number one leakproof underwear brand.
Let's face it, life can be unpredictable,
but your leakproof underwear shouldn't be.
That's why millions of people choose Nick's.
For periods, for light leaks, for everyday freshness.
Nick's undies are super comfy, super absorbent,
and made to handle whatever your day throws at you.
Day two of your period, covered.
Your daily run, no problem.
That big sneeze, you know the one.
Yep, we've got you.
And with styles like bikinis, boy shorts,
thongs, and high-rise, plus sizes from extra small to 4XL,
Nick's makes it easy to find your perfect fit.
Say goodbye to stress and leaks,
and say hello to undies that work just as hard as you do.
No matter the leak, find the style and level of protection
you want at Nick's.com and use code FLOW15 for 15% off.
That's K-N-I-X.com code FLOW15 for 15% off.
Nick's, for your leaks, for your life.
I'm encouraged to start over,
but what if this year is about slowing down
and learning how to understand ourselves more deeply?
What if this year is about giving ourselves permission
to feel what we've been holding
and knowing that it's okay to ask for help?
I'm Mike Delarocha, host of Sacred Lessons.
This is a podcast for men navigating stress,
emotional health, fatherhood, identity,
and the unspoken pressures we're taught to carry alone.
We talk honestly about mental health,
about healing generational wounds,
and about learning how to show up with more presence and care.
If you want a healthier relationship with yourself
and the people you love,
then Sacred Lessons is the podcast for you.
Listen to Sacred Lessons with Mike Delarocha
on America's number one podcast network, iHeart.
Follow Sacred Lessons with Mike Delarocha
and start listening on the free iHeart radio app today.
Hey, let's do a piece of email.
Ray from West Texas writes in,
hey Cardoc girl, I was just listening to your show
as I do every weekend,
and I want to talk about the person
that called in from the West Coast.
I'm in West Texas, not the West Coast, Ray writes.
I've got an 09 F-150 with 290,000 miles on it.
I've got a coolant loss also.
I don't find it, and after listening to you
after it's been going on for two years, he writes,
he said, I understand what to do for the coolant leak
or the coolant loss,
but what can I do to help the catalytic converter?
Is there anything out there?
Because I don't want to have to repair
either on this older truck with high mileage.
You know, Ray, that's a great question,
and that's some place we hadn't gone this hour,
but we'll take you there right now.
Go out to CRCindustries.com.
Get out to CRCindustries.com.
Take a look at Guaranteed to Pass,
their emission system cleaner.
It's a real great fuel system cleaner,
but what it does is it will help restore a,
you know, maybe restores not the word,
but it'll help clean up a beat-up catalytic converter.
We've had great success with it.
It'll clear check engine light faults,
and as the label says, guaranteed to pass.
It's a very, caustic is probably a strong word,
but it's a very high quality,
high detergent fuel system cleaner
that will also clean up catalytic converters
and help bring them back to life.
So it's just been known to work.
We've used it quite often.
You can use it a couple of times a year
as regular maintenance on an older vehicle.
It's got a coolant loss or a fluid issue,
an oil burner, something like that.
And I think you'll see longer life out of the cats,
and you won't have to replace or repair them.
And, you know, just good normal part of maintenance.
We kind of use it different
than what we might normally do with it,
but guaranteed to pass CRCindustries.com
is where you want to be, Ray.
And keep listening.
I appreciate hearing from you out there
in West Texas.
I'm Ron Anani and the car doctor.
Another hour just kind of took off
and went off by itself till the next time.
Good mechanics aren't expensive.
They're priceless.
See ya.
Here's the car doctor.
Car advice done right.
At CVS, it matters that we're not just in your community,
but that we're part of it.
It matters that we're here for you
when you need us, day or night.
And we want everyone to feel welcomed and rewarded.
It matters that CVS is here to fill your prescriptions
and here to fill your craving for a tasty
and healthy snack.
At CVS, we're proud to serve your community
because we believe where you get your medicine matters.
So visit us at CVS.com or just come by our store.
We can't wait to meet you.
Store hours vary by location.
Powered by Verizon is in full swing.
Man, it all comes down to this.
The stakes are high.
Hopes are higher.
And everything is on the line.
My goodness!
It's win or go home.
And every moment counts on the road to Super Bowl 60.
It's a touchdown!
Wild card weekend powered by Verizon.
Through Monday, visit watch.nfl.com for the full schedule.
If you're the purchasing manager at a manufacturing plant,
you know having a trusted partner makes all the difference.
That's why hands down you count on Granger for auto-reordering.
With on-time restocks,
your team will have the cut resistant gloves they need
at the start of their shift.
And you can end your day knowing they've got safety well in hand.
Call 1-800-GRANGER, click Granger.com or just stop by.
Granger for the ones who get it done.
You know, Donald, I just want to scream out into this canyon
and tell the whole world, T-Mobile's got home internet.
Do it, Zach.
T-Mobile's got home internet.
Let me try.
T-Mobile's got home internet.
How much is it?
What?
Just 35 bucks a month.
And it's guaranteed for five years.
I'm switching.
Me too.
T-Mobile's got home internet.
Just 35 bucks a month with auto-pay and any voiceline.
And it's guaranteed for five years.
Passes of these supplies.
See T-Mobile.com slash ISP for details and exclusions.
Running my small business was like playing basketball five on one
and I was the one.
Now QuickBooks gives me access to a team of AI agents
and trusted experts for the assists I need.
Nothing but net.
Outdo it.
Live into it, QuickBooks.
Feature availability varies by product.
This is an iHeart podcast.
Guaranteed human.
About this episode
Ron Ananian discusses the importance of knowing when not to make a repair, illustrated through a case involving a 2007 Mercury Milan with an electrical issue. He emphasizes the significance of proper diagnosis and the challenges of sourcing obsolete parts. The episode also features a call from a listener with a 2023 Hyundai Elantra, prompting a conversation about oil change intervals and maintenance practices. Ananian advocates for regular check-ups and the use of diagnostic tools to ensure vehicle longevity, while addressing common repair dilemmas.
Original notes
Sometimes the best repair is the one you don’t make—and Ron explains why with a 2007 Mercury Milan that came in for a simple turn-signal problem. What looked like an easy bulb swap turns into a lesson in modern diagnostics, networked body modules (GEM/SJB), and the harsh reality of obsolete parts and programming limitations.
Then Ron takes a call on a 2023 Chrysler Pacifica with an intermittent no-start and a “pop-pop” sound near the battery—plus a hood that wouldn’t even open—raising questions about cable routing, connections, possible prior damage, and whether the van has start/stop with an auxiliary battery.
Plus: an F-150 slowly losing coolant with no visible leaks—Ron walks through pressure testing, dye testing, internal vs external loss, and when a sealant strategy may make sense on high-mileage trucks. And for low-mileage drivers wondering when to change oil, Ron stands by his rule: five months or five thousand miles—because an oil change is also a maintenance checkpoint, not just fresh oil.
- Grab your Car Doctor gear – T-shirts & more at CarDoctorShow.com
-
Follow the wrench – Instagram @ronananian for shop life & behind-the-scenes
-
Watch & learn – Auto repair tips & videos on our YouTube Channel
-
Got a car question? Call the Car Doctor Hotline 24/7 – (855) 560-9900
-
Join the conversation LIVE – Saturdays 2–4 PM Eastern
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ron Ananian The Car Doctor
iHeartPodcasts and Ron Ananian The Car Doctor
0:00
34:27