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You Might Be Able To Fix Your Car Without A Trip To The Mechanic

You Might Be Able To Fix Your Car Without A Trip To The Mechanic

Under The Hood show Apr 15, 2026 48 min
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About this episode

Russ Evans and Chris Carter field a wide range of DIY-friendly questions: diesel fuel additives, topping off oil after an oil cooler install, and a recurring Acura MDX oil pressure light likely caused by a failing oil pressure sending unit connector. Calls also cover diagnosing a Ford Fusion tire-pressure recalibration issue, whether 2018 Fusion shocks/struts are due, reviving two vehicles that sat for 10 years, and a deep dive into a 4L60 transmission that lost third/fourth. The show also tackles throttle-body surging on a Jeep Wrangler, a brake pedal that won’t build on a classic disc conversion, and dual-tank fuel pump grounding.

Cars: Honda Civic
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Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Brand

Hunter Douglas

"That's where Hunter Douglas comes in. Hunter Douglas shades are designed to do more than cover windows. They shape the light itself."

Hunter Douglas makes window shades. The point here is that their shades are made to fit and are installed professionally, so they can control light and privacy better than generic options.

Term

car insurance

"Like Berkeley won classics, your key to collect your car insurance. And road ready wheels, replica OEM wheels"

Car insurance is what helps pay for repairs or losses if something bad happens to your car or if you cause damage to someone else. Different plans cover different types of problems, so it’s worth checking what yours includes.

Concept

replica OEM wheels

"And road ready wheels, replica OEM wheels add huge savings. Use the offer code hoodie for even more."

“Replica OEM wheels” are aftermarket wheels made to look like the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) wheels that came on the car. They’re often marketed as a more affordable way to get the same style, but fitment and quality can vary by brand.

Term

EDT, Everyday Diesel Treat

"[182.3s] What brand of additive does Russ recommend [185.1s] for diesel 6.7 engines in the fuel, fuel additive? [189.5s] Hot shot secret, EDT, Everyday Diesel Treat. [193.2s] That's what I would put in there to run it"

EDT is the name of a specific diesel fuel additive product. It’s meant to be used in diesel fuel, not gasoline.

Company

Hot Shot Secret

"[182.3s] What brand of additive does Russ recommend [185.1s] for diesel 6.7 engines in the fuel, fuel additive? [189.5s] Hot shot secret, EDT, Everyday Diesel Treat. [193.2s] That's what I would put in there to run it"

Hot Shot Secret is a brand that makes additives you pour into your fuel. The host is saying it’s a good option for diesel engines.

Part

oil cooler

"[201.4s] I called in about putting an oil cooler [203.0s] in my 2018 Crosstrek. [206.2s] I got the answer I was looking for, [207.6s] but I have another question."

An oil cooler helps keep your engine oil from getting too hot. When you add one, you usually need to add extra oil because the cooler holds some of the oil too.

Company

Mishimoto

"So I don't know, Mishimoto is the one he was talking about and I've got those coolers too. They might add a little bit of capacity."

Mishimoto makes aftermarket cooling parts for cars. Here, they’re mentioned because their oil cooler can change how much oil your engine needs.

Term

wiggle the wire around

"I mean, you could wiggle the wire around a little bit [332.6s] when it's warm, maybe it'll start acting up. [336.9s] That'd be a great tell of what's going on."

Wiggling the wire or connector while the issue is happening is a common diagnostic technique for intermittent sensor/wiring faults. If the warning light changes when the harness is moved (especially when warm), it strongly suggests a connection or wire problem.

Term

oil level sender

"They do have an oil level sender, [410.7s] which looks like a little flag floating"

An oil level sender measures the engine’s oil level (how much oil is in the pan) rather than oil pressure. Because oil level and oil pressure are different, the dashboard warnings can point to different problems depending on which sensor is failing.

Concept

softer ride, more bouncy ride

"Usually when shocks fail, struts fail, [548.8s] it's a softer ride, more bouncy ride, not a jarring ride. "

If the ride gets softer and bouncier, it can mean the suspension dampers aren’t working well anymore. The car doesn’t settle down after bumps as quickly.

Term

seal

"So they suggested maybe it's a seal or something. Can I do anything about that?"

A seal is a part that helps keep oil from leaking out. If a seal is worn or damaged, oil can seep out and you may need to replace that seal.

Company

CRC

"I would use a fuel system cleaner in the tank of both of those vehicles, like CRC guaranteed to pass the G2P."

CRC is a company that makes car maintenance chemicals. Here they’re suggesting a CRC fuel cleaner to help break up buildup in the fuel system.

Term

varnish

"because it's sat, and the varnish has already begun to accumulate in there. And that'll help you out a lot."

Varnish is gunk that forms when old gas ages and breaks down. It can stick to parts of the fuel system and make the engine run poorly.

Term

weather cracking

"[1018.0s] The tires actually look really good. [1019.7s] There's no weather cracking at all. [1021.9s] Then you might be a little better off the frame."

Weather cracking means the tire rubber is starting to dry out and split. If you see cracks, the tire may not grip as well and could be less safe.

Concept

frequent oil changes

"then the biggest thing you can do is frequent oil changes. Three months, three thousand miles, good quality oil, run it."

Changing your oil regularly keeps the engine lubricated and helps prevent buildup. It’s one of the simplest ways to protect the engine over time.

Term

sludge

"There's just sludge, you know, just a little bit of clutch material in the bottom of the pan. There's no shards in it."

Sludge is gunk inside the transmission made from old fluid and tiny wear particles. It can make the transmission work less smoothly because the fluid can’t flow and lubricate properly.

Term

transmission

"It sounds like the transmission may just be out. It probably, you probably blew that fuse because it probably did have a shorted solenoid on the first transmission, but it also had a slippage where it's bad."

Your transmission is the part that helps the engine send power to the wheels. If it’s failing, the car may shift poorly, slip, or not engage gears correctly.

Term

codes

"So we start by checking to make sure we have no codes in there. And then we make sure that those solenoids are actually applying when the, when the scanner tells them to apply either the A or B solenoid."

Codes are error messages stored in your car’s computer. A scanner can read them to help pinpoint what system is failing.

Concept

sponsored jobs

"Seriously, sponsored jobs posted directly on Indeed are 95% more likely to report a higher than non-sponsored jobs... this is a job for indeed sponsored jobs."

A sponsored job is a job posting you pay to boost so more people see it. The goal is to get more applicants faster.

Company

Indeed

"Seriously, sponsored jobs posted directly on Indeed are 95% more likely to report a higher than non-sponsored jobs... When you need the right person to cut through the chaos, this is a job for indeed sponsored jobs."

Indeed is a website where companies post job openings. This ad is saying that paying for a “sponsored” listing helps it get seen more.

Company

car-part.com

"Check out car-part.com... Over 200 million parts strong all across North America... Over 4,000 recyclers to choose from."

car-part.com is a website for finding used car parts. It helps you locate parts from salvage yards/recyclers.

Concept

recycled (used) parts

"Whichever you choose, buying recycled is good for the environment and good for your wallet."

Recycled parts are used parts taken from cars that are being dismantled. They’re usually cheaper than new parts and can be more eco-friendly.

Company

Road Ready Wheels

"Many of those from Road Ready Wheels are about half of that, saving you some serious cash. Use your factory TPMS sensors and caps too. Go to roadreadywheels.com to find out more."

This is a wheel company that sells aftermarket wheels. The point here is that their wheels cost less than buying new wheels from a dealership.

Concept

TPMS sensors and caps

"Many of those from Road Ready Wheels are about half of that, saving you some serious cash. Use your factory TPMS sensors and caps too. Go to roadreadywheels.com to find out more."

TPMS sensors are the little parts that tell your car how much air is in each tire. When you change wheels, you may be able to reuse your existing sensors so you don’t have to buy new ones.

Concept

agreed value

"Berkeley One Classics ensured me with an agreed value policy. That means if you suffer a loss, there's no haggle over the value of your vehicle."

Agreed value means you and the insurer pick a value for the car ahead of time. If the car is totaled, you’re paid based on that agreed number.

Company

BerkeleyClassics.com

"Just visit them on the web at BerkeleyClassics.com and use their online quote tool or give them a call 1-800-603-3330. That's 1-800-603-3330."

This is the website for the insurance company mentioned in the segment. It’s where you can request a quote online or contact them by phone.

Concept

remote diagnosis by phone

"So I do all my diagging through the phone and listening and talking with him and helping him. And I do it with my father and everybody else."

Instead of going straight to a shop, the speaker talks to the owner by phone to figure out what the car is doing and what might be wrong. It can help you decide what to check or whether a repair is urgent.

Car

Honda Civic 2022

"I have a Honda Civic 2022 and I got a note on it the other day on the screen that said, tire pressures low, check pressures, calibrate sensor through auto settings. And first of all, I thought, uh, it's a lot of things on the dashboard."

This is a Honda Civic from 2022. Your car has a system that monitors tire pressure and warns you if the tires aren’t at the right levels. Sometimes it also needs a quick “reset” after you adjust pressures.

Part

throttle body

"So I guess my question is what's causing that throttle body to do that? It's like somebody's sitting in it, tapping the accelerator with their foot."

The throttle body is like an air gate for your engine. If it’s moving or changing when it shouldn’t, the engine can feel like it’s revving or surging by itself. The car’s computer watches it and tells it what to do.

Part

master cylinder

"So when they did the conversion, did it come with the master cylinder? Yeah, it was all, yeah. Well, the master cylinder come with the front disc brakes and then this conversion kit added on to the back."

The master cylinder is the part that your brake pedal pushes to pressurize brake fluid. If it doesn’t match the type of brakes you installed, you can end up with a weak or “no pedal” feeling.

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