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Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor -March 28, 2026 - Hour 2 - Why Simple Car Repairs Don’t Feel Simple Anymore

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor -March 28, 2026 - Hour 2 - Why Simple Car Repairs Don’t Feel Simple Anymore

Ron Ananian The Car Doctor Mar 28, 2026 34 min
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About this episode

Ron Ananian tackles “simple” car problems getting complicated—starting with a 2018 Chevy Spark radio that turns to static after a car wash. He walks through likely causes (antenna connections, possible water intrusion, amplifier issues) and argues for smart diagnostics, including a quick radio swap test. The show also covers oil catch cans (when they make sense vs when they’re just show), stop-start systems and their wear costs, and classic-car stories from callers—especially old VW Beetle memories and a long-lived 38 Chevy. Listener Q&A wraps with tips and next-week t-shirt giveaways.

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Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Brand

eBay

"But on eBay, behind every car and part is a story waiting to be shared. I read about this guy who bought a 2020 Porsche Cayman that was well-loved."

eBay is a website where people sell cars and car parts. It can be great for finding used parts, but you should make sure the part fits your car and isn’t damaged.

Term

car wash

"I went through the car wash. And after I went through the car wash, I turned on the radio and there was nothing but static."

The car wash seems to be what caused the problem. When something starts happening right after washing, it can mean water is getting into the car.

Term

antenna

"He said there's no damage to the antenna. And he also said if you have any trouble bring it back."

The antenna helps the radio pick up stations. If water gets into the antenna area or its wiring, the radio can start cutting out or sounding like static.

Term

signs of water on the floor of the vehicle

"do you see any signs of water on the floor of the vehicle after the car wash?"

They’re asking whether the floor gets wet after the car wash. If it does, that suggests water is entering the cabin somewhere.

Term

fender

"This is the antenna that sits on the fender. Is this driver's side or passenger's side?"

The fender is the outer metal panel above the wheel. It’s part of the car’s body where some accessories—like antenna mounts—can be located.

Term

roof of the car

"The antenna is right in the middle, up on top in the back part of the roof of the car. Got it."

Some antennas are placed on the roof because it helps the radio receive signals better. But the roof area can also get hit by car wash equipment.

Concept

sticker shock

"Listen, there's sticker shock in everything we do today, Sandy. ... there's just sticker shock in everything."

“Sticker shock” refers to the feeling that prices are unexpectedly high—especially when customers see the cost of parts, labor, or shop supplies. In the context of car repair, it often comes from rising costs across the supply chain and increased overhead.

Company

Permatex

"We use a product called Permatex High-Tax Spray. It's a red gasket sealant type of spray."

Permatex is a company that makes car repair chemicals like sealants. They sell products that help stop leaks where parts meet, like around gaskets.

Term

gasket sealant

"It's a red gasket sealant type of spray. It comes in, I think it's an eight ounce can or a six ounce can."

A gasket sealant is a sticky chemical that helps close tiny gaps between two parts. It’s used to prevent leaks where a gasket goes.

Concept

dealership vs independent garage

"Listen, are these, is this Chevy dealer or is this garage you're going to?... I can take it there for anything I need to have done that I would take to the dealership which is out of town."

They’re comparing getting work done at a dealership versus a local shop. Dealerships can be more specialized, while other garages might be more flexible or less expensive—so it’s about who you trust to diagnose the problem.

Term

hairline crack

"that plastic cover has a small hairline crack in it from age. It's an 18, right?"

A hairline crack is a tiny break you might not notice right away. But it can still let water get inside and cause problems later.

Concept

buy a new car

"Just buy a new car already. Come on."

Instead of fixing an older car, someone suggests just getting a brand-new one. People say this when repairs start feeling like a hassle or cost too much.

Concept

car stock

"Well, as long as my car stock, when I bought it in 1962, I've had it since then. I left it stock and I drove it to California."

“Stock” means the car is basically how it came from the factory, not modified. That can make maintenance simpler because parts and specs are straightforward.

Concept

left it stock

"I left it stock and I drove it to California. I had it in Biloxi, Mississippi."

He’s saying he didn’t change the car—he kept it factory-original. That usually means fewer custom parts and a more “period correct” car.

Term

dip stick the oil

"You know, we did it all manual. We wash the windows. We dip stick the oil. You follow me?"

He means checking the engine oil level with the dipstick. If the oil is too low, the engine can wear out faster or even get damaged.

Term

hub cap

"And I left them black walls because I got the new dome or hub cap, the teardrop hub cap. And we put the chrome inside the rim..."

A hub cap (wheel cover) is a trim piece that snaps or mounts over the wheel’s center area. Changing hub caps can significantly alter a classic car’s look, and it often pairs with other wheel/tire styling changes.

Concept

tire refresh improving ride

"And we put the chrome inside the rim and it drives better today than it has ever driven in all them years. This is the first time I put radio tires on that old car. And it's amazing."

They’re saying the car feels better after new tires. Old tires can get stiff or worn out, so fresh tires often make the ride smoother and the steering feel more confident.

Concept

salvage yard

"And back in the 60s when I was going to college, I went to a salvage yard in Nebraska City. And the guy said, go buy pick up, Chevrolet pick up eight six bolt rims that are 15 inch"

A salvage yard is like a place that sells used car parts from wrecked cars. It can be cheaper, but you should check the parts are in good shape.

Term

master cylinder in each wheel kit

"It's stock, man. I mean, it's stock. It's got the little master cylinder in each wheel kit. Oh, my gosh."

On drum brakes, there’s a small cylinder at each wheel that squeezes the brake shoes. That’s what helps turn brake fluid pressure into actual stopping power.

Term

oil catch cans

"Hey Ron, lots of pros and cons on oil catch cans. ... oil catch cans are a device that you would attach to your vehicle to the PCV system that keeps oil mist from coating the intake valves, the throttle body, the intake manifold."

An oil catch can is a small container you add to help stop oily vapor from getting sucked into the engine’s intake. Less oil vapor means fewer sticky deposits building up over time.

Term

carburetors

"And I'm not impressed by how many carburetors you have. A, if they're not tuned properly. B, if they do nothing for the car."

Carburetors are fuel-metering devices that mix air and fuel before it enters the engine. Their performance depends heavily on correct tuning (air-fuel ratio, idle, and throttle response), and multiple carburetors don’t guarantee better results if they’re not set up properly.

Term

modify brackets, hoses

"Are we going to have to modify brackets, hoses? How much are we going to have to modify?"

Installing an oil catch can often requires routing lines and securing the unit with brackets, plus connecting it into the engine’s ventilation plumbing. The speaker is highlighting that fitment may require fabrication or rerouting hoses, which can add cost and complexity.

Term

Willy bars

"Paired up with bus trends. And then I had Jerry rigged up a pair of a Willy bars on the back of it with a shopping cart."

This sounds like “wheelie bars,” which are like training wheels for a car. They help prevent the car from lifting the front end when you accelerate hard.

Term

shopping cart wheels

"...Jerry rigged up a pair of a Willy bars on the back of it with a shopping cart. Shopping cart wheels."

They’re describing an improvised setup using wheels from a shopping cart. It’s not a real automotive upgrade—more like a DIY workaround to move or support something.

Term

eight inch front windshield

"It had, it had like a, it had an eight inch front windshield, a 10 inch back window. [1792.3s] It eventually the car went on to be in the New York auto show at the Coliseum in the city."

They’re describing a custom windshield that’s much shorter than normal. Changing windshield size can make the car look cool, but it can also affect how well you can see and how the car seals against the elements.

Term

throttle cable

"Like in and out for four bolts, the throttle cable, slide everything forward, take the 10 off. [1823.8s] You're done."

A throttle cable is the physical cable that tells the engine how much power you want when you press the gas pedal. If the engine is coming out, the cable has to be disconnected or moved out of the way.

Concept

gas mileage

"They got great gas mileage. I was pumping gas in 1972."

Gas mileage is how far a car can go on one gallon of gas. Higher gas mileage means you spend less money filling up.

Car

Volkswagen Beetle

"And you could, you could fill up a Volkswagen Beetle. If it came wheezing in with its tongue hanging out on E, you could fill it up."

The Volkswagen Beetle is a classic little car that became really popular for being efficient and easy to live with. People often remember it from the 1960s and 1970s because it was everywhere.

Term

E

"If it came wheezing in with its tongue hanging out on E, you could fill it up."

On a gas gauge, “E” means the tank is basically empty. If the needle is near E, you should plan to get gas right away.

Term

AGM battery

"So in the effort to avoid stop-start, I'm going to break my $300 AGM battery [2333.1s] and possibly affect electrical operation of the vehicle."

AGM stands for Absorbent Glass Mat, a battery type that’s commonly used in vehicles with stop-start because it handles frequent cycling better than many conventional lead-acid batteries. It’s also typically more expensive, which is why the speaker calls out the $300 cost.

Term

OBD2 port

"that plug into the OBD2 port under the dash while I accept that. And I have a rule that I don't plug much into my OBD2 port while I'm driving"

OBD2 is the car’s built-in way of reporting problems. The OBD2 port is the plug under the dashboard where a scanner can connect to read what the car is doing.

Term

start-stop

"But in the interest of start-stop, yeah, I might try it for a while and see what issues. Because stop-start to me is very cost prohibitive in the long run."

Start-stop turns the engine off when you’re stopped and turns it back on when you’re ready to go. It’s meant to save fuel, but it makes the car restart more often.

Brand

Dodge

"So from our buddy in Delaware Dodge. Dodge in Delaware? Delaware Dodge? Delaware Dodge. From Delaware Dodge. Ron, the lady that drives the spark,"

Dodge is a car brand. The host is talking about a Dodge car and suggesting a quick way to test its electronics.

Company

iHeart

"Again, if you're looking for the Frank Slope interview, you'll find it out at iHeart and all the usual podcast platforms."

iHeart refers to iHeartMedia’s podcast and radio ecosystem, where many shows are distributed and promoted. Mentioning iHeart indicates the episode is available through major podcast platforms and media channels.

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