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Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - January 17, 2026 - Hour 2 - All Calls, Busy Hour Revisited

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - January 17, 2026 - Hour 2 - All Calls, Busy Hour Revisited

Ron Ananian The Car Doctor Jan 17, 2026 35 min
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About this episode

Ron Ananian tackles a variety of automotive issues in this lively hour, featuring calls from listeners seeking advice on their vehicles. From a 1998 F-150 with cooling problems to a 1994 Lexus LS 400 struggling with brake bleeding, Ron provides insightful troubleshooting tips and emphasizes the importance of thorough diagnostics. He also discusses the challenges of modifying a 2001 Ford Mustang's transmission and addresses a water leak issue in a 2010 Volvo XC60. The episode is packed with practical advice and relatable stories for car enthusiasts.

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Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Car

Porsche Cayman

"...I read about this guy who bought a 2020 Porsche Cayman that was well loved. I mean, there are plenty of Caymans in great condition..."

The Porsche Cayman is a sports car that has its engine in the middle, which helps it handle better on the road. The 2020 version is known for being fast and fun to drive.

Car

Ford F150

"...let's go to Mark in Virginia, 98 F-150. And some cooling system and heating problems."

The Ford F-150 is a large truck that many people use for work or personal tasks. It's known for being strong and able to carry heavy loads.

Term

V8 engine

"What engine is it, Mark? It's a small V8 for, is it 4-6? Yeah, the 4-6, okay."

A V8 engine has eight cylinders that help it produce a lot of power. It's often used in trucks and sports cars because it can make the vehicle go faster and handle heavy loads.

Term

four-wheel drive

"Yeah, 4-6 automatic, four-wheel drive. You know, and I had a little problem..."

Four-wheel drive means that power goes to all four wheels of the vehicle, helping it to grip the road better. This is useful for driving on rough terrain or in bad weather.

Part

radiator

"They got that radiator, but then they got the tank off to the side. So let me ask, you really don't have a cap on a radiator."

The radiator is a part of the car that helps keep the engine cool. It uses a liquid called coolant to absorb heat and then releases it to prevent the engine from getting too hot.

Term

CO2 test

"I understand he checked, he, you know, he did a CO2 test looking for combustion or compression issues."

A CO2 test checks if there are any leaks in the engine that could let gases escape into the coolant. If there are, it might mean there's a problem with the engine.

Car

Honda Stream

"you're going to get really, a really healthy stream of water. Right."

The Honda Stream is a family-friendly car that has a lot of space for people and their stuff. It's designed to be practical and is known for being dependable and not using too much gas.

Term

thermostat

"...just like the thermostat, you know, that's been replaced twice. It just dropped right back down."

The thermostat helps keep the engine at the right temperature by letting coolant flow when it gets too hot. If it doesn't work properly, the engine can overheat or run too cold.

Term

impeller

"...is it like a, a, a bad impeller?"

An impeller is a part that helps move coolant around in the engine. If it’s not working well, it can cause cooling problems, leading to overheating.

Part

water pump

"...It's thermostat engine, radiator, water pump. There's generally, so then I start to look..."

The water pump helps move coolant around the engine and radiator to keep everything cool. It's important for preventing the engine from overheating.

Part

performance brakes

"he rebuilds the whole thing with all these parts he found on eBay. Performance brakes, suspension, body panels, the works, guaranteed to fit."

Performance brakes are special brakes that help a car stop faster and work better, especially when driving fast or on a race track. They are better than regular brakes for high-performance cars.

Part

suspension

"he rebuilds the whole thing with all these parts he found on eBay. Performance brakes, suspension, body panels, the works, guaranteed to fit."

The suspension is the part of a car that helps it ride smoothly over bumps and keeps the tires on the ground. Upgrading it can make a car handle better and feel more comfortable.

Car

Lexus LS 400

"...he bought a 1994 Lexus LS 400. Nice car. Yeah, and it's a beast, no doubt."

The Lexus LS 400 is a fancy car that was made in 1994. It's known for being very comfortable and lasting a long time without problems.

Term

vacuum leak

"...thought it had a couple, it had a vacuum leak, whatever it didn't, we changed the fuel filter..."

A vacuum leak happens when air gets into the engine where it shouldn't, which can cause the engine to run poorly or not start at all.

Part

fuel filter

"...we changed the fuel filter and the thing ran like it was brand new..."

The fuel filter cleans the fuel before it goes into the engine, helping it run smoothly. If it's dirty, the engine might not get enough fuel.

Term

bleed the brakes

"so I said, okay, well we gotta bleed the brakes. Well, the first time we bleed the brakes, I said, where's the fluid going?"

Bleeding the brakes means getting rid of air trapped in the brake lines. This is important because air can make your brakes less effective.

Part

dual piston caliper

"Come to find out, there was a pinhole in one of the pistons on the driver's side front, because it's a dual piston caliper."

A dual piston caliper is a part of the brake system that helps squeeze the brake pads against the brake disc. It has two pistons instead of one, which helps the car stop more effectively.

Term

brake bleeding

"...Then we went to bleed the brakes again, and we never got a hard, a firm pedal."

Brake bleeding is when you get rid of air in the brake lines so the brakes work better. If there's air, the brakes might feel soft or not work well.

Term

gravity bleed

"...have you tried the gravity bleed? We tried the gravity bleed, and we never got the proper flow."

Gravity bleeding is a way to get air out of the brake lines by letting brake fluid drip out on its own. It's used when the brakes aren't working well after trying other methods.

Term

ABS

"...the latest thought process that somebody mentioned to me was bleed the ABS. Now, as you know, this is an ODB-1, so I can't force the ABS to do anything..."

ABS is a system in cars that helps prevent the wheels from stopping completely when you brake hard. This helps you keep control of the car and steer while braking.

Term

ODB-1

"...this is an ODB-1, so I can't force the ABS to do anything it doesn't wanna do..."

ODB-1 is an early version of a system that helps cars check their own performance and find problems. It's not as advanced as newer systems, which can do more diagnostics.

Term

traction control

"Okay, this car have traction control, do you know, Joel? Yes, sir, it does."

Traction control helps your car maintain grip on the road, especially when it's wet or slippery. It stops the wheels from spinning too fast when you accelerate.

Part

master cylinder

"that I also did is I changed out the master cylinder and I did bleed it on the batch"

The master cylinder is part of the brake system that helps make your car stop when you press the brake pedal. It pushes brake fluid to the brakes themselves.

Part

calipers

"Have you bled from the master down to the calipers? With the master, with the new master in the car?"

Calipers are parts of the brake system that squeeze the brake pads against the wheels to help stop the car. They are essential for effective braking.

Term

VIN

"Send me the Vin of the vehicle, the 17 digit Vin. Yes, sir. I'm going to plug it into all data..."

A VIN is like a car's fingerprint. It's a special number that helps identify your car and gives details about it, like what brand it is and when it was made.

Car

Ford Mustang

"I've got a 2001 Ford Mustang. It's black. It's a V6. It's got a, it's all black. I bought a brand new in six years ago."

The 2001 Ford Mustang is a popular sports car known for its stylish design and powerful engines. It's part of a long line of Mustangs that have been loved by car enthusiasts.

Part

Borg Warner T5 transmission

"What they want to do is they want, it has a Borg Warner T5 transmission in it, which I had since it was new."

The Borg Warner T5 transmission is a type of manual gearbox that allows drivers to change gears manually. It's known for being reliable and is often found in sports cars.

Term

automatic transmission

"they want to put a rebuilt Ford transmission in it, the shop down in Las Vegas, and it's going to be an automatic."

An automatic transmission is a system in cars that changes gears by itself, so the driver doesn't have to do it manually. It makes driving easier, especially in traffic.

Term

PCM

"that transmission would have had that transmission tied into the engine controller, there would have been some sort of automatic transmission controls via the PCM..."

The PCM is like the car's brain that controls how the engine and transmission work together. It helps the car run smoothly and efficiently.

Term

gear ratio

"...my questions, and then what would the gear ratio have been in the rear end for an automatic version of that Mustang versus what's in there for the manual trans,..."

Gear ratio is how we measure how fast the engine turns compared to how fast the wheels turn. A higher gear ratio means faster acceleration but lower top speed, while a lower gear ratio is the opposite.

Term

donor car

"...if he's got a donor car, if he's got an 01B6 version of this vehicle where he's getting a wiring harness, body computers, and he's just going to transfer everything over. Yeah, absolutely. That'll work."

A donor car is a car that gives parts to another car. It's often used when someone is fixing or upgrading a vehicle by using pieces from a different one.

Term

wiring harness

"...where he's getting a wiring harness, body computers, and he's just going to transfer everything over. Yeah, absolutely. That'll work."

A wiring harness is a bundle of wires that connects different parts of a car to help them communicate and work together. It's like the car's nervous system.

Term

KBB.com

"...you could go to KBB.com, which is Kelly Blue Book, KBB.com, and just get a ballpark. But anytime-"

KBB.com is a website where you can find out how much a car is worth. It helps people know if they are paying a fair price when buying or selling a car.

Car

Volvo XC60

"...ne. Go ahead. Thanks. My mother has a 2010 Volvo XC60 and what's happening is after a huge rainstorm, ..."

The Volvo XC60 is a stylish and safe SUV that is great for families. It has lots of room for passengers and cargo, and it's known for keeping people safe in case of accidents.

6 cars featured

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