So Many Car Noises and So Many Repairs
About this episode
Listeners are treated to a lively discussion about various car noises, repairs, and modifications. The hosts tackle listener questions, including concerns about a Tesla's self-drive update and a 2023 Mustang's cold air intake. They also delve into a 2009 Sonata's tire wear issues and the importance of proper alignment. The episode features insights on how to handle common automotive problems, emphasizing the significance of maintenance and the potential pitfalls of DIY repairs. With humor and expertise, the hosts provide valuable advice for car enthusiasts and everyday drivers alike.
2012 Mustang cold air intake 22 Escape noise in reverse 93 F250 broken thermostat housing 19 Ram tick tock and clack noise
Tesla
"We talked about the new was the fourth update for the Tesla self-drive mode with the Mad Max mode in it."
Tesla makes electric cars that can drive themselves and get software updates over the air.
Tesla is an American electric vehicle manufacturer known for its high-performance cars and advanced software features.
cold air intake
"In your case, if you have a totally stock vehicle that's working, running fine and you have a desire to put a cold air intake on it, that modification alone does not require any special programming or anything like that."
A cold air intake is a part you can add to your car that lets it breathe in cooler air from outside, which can make the engine feel a bit faster and sometimes give a little extra power.
A cold air intake is a modification that replaces the factory air filter and ducting with a larger, often more efficient system to draw cooler, denser air into the engine. This can improve throttle response and provide a small power increase.
brake pads
"And I said, well, okay, that makes sense. But I took it to another place and had it checked out and they said that the first dealership that put new brake pads on it."
Brake pads are the parts that help your car stop. They get worn out and need to be changed.
Brake pads are the friction material that presses against the rotor to slow or stop a vehicle. They wear down over time and need replacement.
front brake bias
"Because the front brake bias is when you step on your brakes, you're going to get more braking pressure on your front wheels."
When you press the brake pedal, the car’s brakes try to stop it. Front brake bias means that most of that stopping power is sent to the front wheels, which helps keep the car stable and stops it faster.
Front brake bias refers to the distribution of braking force between a vehicle’s front and rear wheels. Most cars are designed so that a larger portion of the braking effort is applied to the front wheels because they handle more weight during deceleration.
1993 Ford F-250
"But I got a 93 F-250-773-IDI. And over here in the great state of South Dakota is freezing."
A Ford F‑250 from 1993 is a big truck that people used for hauling and everyday driving. It’s still common on roads today.
The 1993 Ford F-250 is a full‑size pickup truck known for its durability and heavy‑duty capability. It was popular in the 1990s for both work and family use.
thermostat
"And the thermostat got stuck. We're changing it out."
The thermostat is a small part that helps keep the engine from getting too hot or too cold. If it gets stuck, the engine can overheat.
The thermostat is a valve that regulates engine coolant flow to maintain optimal operating temperature. A stuck thermostat can cause overheating or poor fuel economy.
gasket
"And we're putting in the... A new thermostat and a new gasket in last night."
A gasket is a thin seal that keeps the engine from leaking fluid. If it’s bad, coolant can escape and cause problems.
A gasket is a seal that prevents leaks between two surfaces, such as the thermostat housing and engine block. A bad gasket can cause coolant loss.
O-ring
"so that there's an O-ring around the thermostat"
An O-ring is a round rubber piece that sits in a groove to stop liquid from leaking out. It’s like a tiny seal around the thermostat.
An O-ring is a circular rubber seal used to prevent leaks between two surfaces. In the context of a thermostat, it helps keep coolant from leaking around the valve.
Acadia
"Like Acadia, anything with a housing that somebody could possibly break."
The Acadia is a big SUV made by Ford. It’s good for families and has lots of room inside.
The Ford Acadia is a midsize crossover SUV that has been produced since 2006. It’s known for its spacious interior and family-friendly features.
diesel truck
"At first, I thought he was talking about the diesel truck"
A diesel truck is a big vehicle that runs on diesel fuel, which gives it strong pulling power and saves gas.
A diesel truck is a heavy‑duty vehicle powered by a diesel engine, known for its torque and fuel efficiency compared to gasoline engines.
hydraulic lifter
"It's almost like a hydraulic lifter's leading off pressure."
Think of it as a tiny oil‑powered cushion that keeps the engine’s valves moving smoothly. If it starts to slip, you’ll hear a clacking sound.
A hydraulic lifter is a valve-gear component that uses engine oil pressure to keep the valve stem and camshaft lobe in contact, eliminating clearance "tick" when the engine is cold. When oil pressure drops or the lifter wears, it can "lead off" and produce a clacking noise.
manifold leaks
"It does have the manifold leaks, but this will click exactly four times every time it started cold."
If the part that directs air or exhaust gases in your car has a hole, it can let gas escape. This makes the engine run poorly and can lower power.
A manifold leak occurs when the intake or exhaust manifold, which channels air or exhaust gases into the engine, develops a hole or crack allowing fluid to escape. This can cause loss of compression, rough idling, and reduced performance.
exhaust leak
"That's not an exhaust leak. Different than the manifold leaks."
When the part that carries exhaust gases out of the engine has a hole, gas can escape. This makes your car louder and less efficient.
An exhaust leak is a hole or crack in the exhaust system that allows gases to escape before reaching the muffler. This can lead to increased noise, reduced fuel efficiency, and potential safety hazards.
Hot Shot Secret
"from our partner over at Hot Shot Secret."
Hot Shot Secret is a company that makes products you can add to your car’s engine oil or fuel to help fix certain noises or problems.
Hot Shot Secret is a brand that produces additives and treatments for internal combustion engines, often marketed to address ticking noises or improve performance.
lifter additive
"It's a lifter additive, a lifter fix for the tick."
A lifter additive is a special liquid you mix with your engine oil to help clean the parts that lift the valves, which can stop a ticking noise.
A lifter additive is a chemical added to engine oil that cleans and lubricates the valve train’s hydraulic lifters, often used to reduce ticking sounds caused by buildup.
lifter fix
"It's a lifter additive, a lifter fix for the tick."
A lifter fix is a product you add to your engine oil that helps stop the ticking noise from the parts that lift the valves.
A lifter fix refers to a treatment or additive designed specifically to address issues with hydraulic lifters, such as ticking noises caused by wear or contamination.
wheels
"Maybe your wheels leak air or maybe you want to upgrade from an old rusty steel wheel."
Wheels are the round parts that hold your tires and let your car roll. They can be made of steel, aluminum, or other materials.
Wheels are the circular components that rotate on a vehicle’s axles, supporting the tires and allowing the car to move. They come in various materials and sizes depending on the vehicle’s design and performance needs.
car-part.com
"[1436.0s] check out car-part.com. [1438.0s] It's fast and it's easy. [1440.0s] Over 200 million parts strong all across North America."
car-part.com is a website where you can buy car parts, like engines or wheels, from many different sellers all over North America.
car-part.com is an online marketplace that aggregates automotive parts from thousands of suppliers across North America, allowing consumers to search for and purchase components for a wide range of vehicles.
design limit
"[1741.0s] They have a design limit. [1743.0s] And whatever that may be,"
Design limit means the point where a car part, like an engine, is built to last. It’s the maximum it can handle before it might break or need repair.
A design limit refers to the maximum performance, durability, or stress that a vehicle component—such as an engine—is engineered to withstand before failure.
wiper motor
"[1819.0s] Shannon had all these wiper motors. [1821.0s] Well, we've got a wiper motor."
The wiper motor is the small part that makes your car’s windshield wipers move. It turns electric power into the up‑and‑down motion you see when it rains.
A wiper motor is an electric component that drives the windshield wipers, converting electrical energy into mechanical motion to clear rain or debris from a vehicle’s windshield.
software recall
"until they can get it in and have a software recall done"
Sometimes cars have software glitches that can cause problems. A software recall means the manufacturer will update the car’s computer programs to fix those glitches, usually for free.
A software recall is a manufacturer‑issued update that fixes bugs or safety issues in the vehicle’s electronic control systems. It involves downloading new code to the car’s computers to correct problems that could affect performance or safety.
battery separator
"and the separator in the battery. They call it something that they can sense by doing the electronic reading of the vehicle."
Inside a car battery, there's a tiny sheet that keeps the two sides from touching. If that sheet gets damaged, it can let electricity flow where it shouldn't and might cause a fire.
The separator is a thin, porous material inside a rechargeable battery that keeps the positive and negative electrodes apart while allowing ions to flow. A damaged separator can cause a short circuit, leading to overheating or fire.
liftgate module
"that have had problems with a liftgate module that shorts out and can start a fire."
The liftgate module is the tiny computer that tells your car’s rear door to open or close. If it malfunctions, it can spark and might start a fire.
The liftgate module is an electronic control unit that manages the opening and closing of a vehicle’s rear door (liftgate). A fault can cause it to short out, potentially creating a fire hazard.
Tacoma truck
"[2191.0s] isn't it a coma, the Tacoma truck? [2195.0s] It was made from 1990. [2201.0s] It looks like it was made until October 2019."
The Tacoma is a popular pickup truck from Toyota that has been made for many years. It’s good for both everyday driving and off‑road adventures.
The Toyota Tacoma is a midsize pickup truck that has been produced since 1990, with various updates and redesigns over the years. It is known for its off‑road capability and durability.
2009 Sonata
"[2366.0s] I have a 2009 Sonata. [2368.0s] 260,000 miles."
The 2009 Sonata is a car made by Hyundai. It’s a family sedan that was sold in the U.S. from 2004 to 2010.
The 2009 Hyundai Sonata is a mid-size sedan known for its spacious interior and fuel-efficient engines. It was produced from 2004 to 2010, with the 2009 model featuring a 2.4L inline‑four engine and front‑wheel drive.
center tread went bald
"He says the center of the tire went bald. The center of the tire is worse, yeah."
When the middle part of a tire’s tread becomes very smooth, it means that part has worn out more than the rest. This can make the car slippery and unsafe.
Tire tread that has worn down to the point of being smooth or ‘bald’ indicates excessive wear, which reduces traction and can lead to safety issues. Center tread wear often suggests alignment or suspension problems.
alignment
"So if you let ten pounds out of the right front tire, you align the vehicle, then you air that tire up. The car's not going to be lined up... I just put new tires on and got it aligned. When did you do the alignment?"
Alignment is when a mechanic checks and adjusts the angles of your car’s wheels so they point straight. It helps tires wear evenly, makes driving smoother, and saves fuel.
Vehicle alignment refers to the adjustment of a car’s suspension so that the wheels are set at the correct angles relative to each other and the road. Proper alignment ensures even tire wear, good handling, and efficient fuel use.
Subaru
"Is this an all-wheel drive? Yeah, it's a Subaru or it's this or that."
Subaru makes cars that usually have power sent to all four wheels, which helps with traction on slippery roads.
Subaru is a Japanese automaker known for its use of boxer engines and symmetrical all-wheel drive systems.
all-wheel drive
"Is this an all-wheel drive? Yeah, it's a Subaru or it's this or that."
AWD means the car can send power to both the front and rear wheels at the same time, which helps it grip better on wet or uneven roads.
All-wheel drive (AWD) is a drivetrain configuration that sends power to all four wheels simultaneously, improving traction and handling.
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