"Dr. Gizmo"
By Phil Arendt
Diesel
Engine Sends Smoke Signals
Question
My
2006 Volkswagen Jetta turbo-diesel with 189,000 miles is in great condition but
there is an issue that needs repair.
When accelerating from a stop the engine bogs and a cloud of black smoke
shoots from the exhaust. Once the
turbo-charger kicks in the engine runs great.
I
have not gone to a shop yet. What would
cause this problem? J.N., email
Answer
As
efficient as diesel engines can be your diesel needs help. A cloud of black smoke is a sign of excessive
unburnt fuel.
This
condition might be caused by faulty fuel injectors, a fault in the exhaust gas
recirculation system, a faulty mass air flow sensor, carbon build-up in the
intake manifold, issues in the turbo-charger system and perhaps contaminated
fuel plus more.
Once
a technician performs tests including a test drive and careful monitoring of
data he or she should be able to determine the exact cause and a lasting cure.
Keyless
Entry System Needs Attention Of Experienced Technician
Question
The
keyless entry in my 2005 Land Rover LR3 does not work. I have two remotes. Both remotes were tested at an auto supply
store. Both are working fine. Also, when I use the switch on the dash the
doors lock and unlock. Is this something
only a dealer can fix? S.J., email
Answer
This
can be repaired by an independent shop if they have a technician with Land
Rover diagnostic and repair experience along with proper test equipment. In your area you might have a shop that
specializes in Land Rovers. Search the
internet. If no independent shop has the
tools and expertise, it’s time to make an appointment at a Land Rover
dealership.
Multiple Starter Motor Failure Raises
Concern
Question
In
the last year the starter in my 2003 Ford Explorer was replaced three
times. It has a 4.0 6-cylinder engine. Right now it will not start. When I turn the key I hear the familiar
click, click of a bad starter. It sounds
the same each time it fails.
I’m
having it towed to the shop that has been replacing the starters. Each time they have replaced it they say
nothing in the engine causes the starter to go bad. They have been installing remanufactured
starters so I have not had to pay for any of them except the original. The last time they replaced it they suggested
that I have them install a factory original starter but I declined because I
would have to pay for it. This time I
might agree with their recommendation.
I
have owned the vehicle since it was new.
It has 81,000 miles. I follow the
factory maintenance schedule. The truck
is in good condition. Is there anything
in the engine that might cause the starter to go bad? T.J., email
Answer
Generally,
repeat failures are caused by broken teeth or cracks on the flywheel. A starter gear engages this part to spin the
engine. I hope your shop has done a
thorough inspection of it.
Also
sometimes failing parts in the transmission or engine might cause an excessive
load on a starter. Your shop might
consider checking for issues such as a failing hydraulic pump in the
transmission or failing bearings in the engine but with a year of trouble it’s
doubtful either unit has a fault that is causing starter motor failures. By now Issues such as these would have
manifested into complete failures of the engine or transmission.
More
than likely, the trouble is caused by an issue such as a faulty connection, a
heavily corroded negative or positive battery cable, flywheel issues or the
starters are not up to the task. Consider the installation of an original
equipment starter after a technician considers these possible causes.
Reader
Observation
Question
Thanks
to Dr. Gizmo and my local newspaper I enjoy the weekly auto troubleshooting
articles. I have noticed a common thread
in the help requests. Nearly all the
vehicles in question have high mileage and have been a pleasure for the owners.
Nearly all owners seem to avoid service
at their brand's car dealer, mentioning "local repair shops",
whatever that is. I have nothing against
unaffiliated repair businesses but for a tough, tricky car failure it would be
logical that the brand dealer service people would have the best parts, tools
and training. I also believe that part
of the strategy with long warranties on newer model cars is a big incentive for
having service at the brand dealer. What
are your thoughts? J.D., email
Answer
You
are correct. Dr. Gizmo rarely receives a
complaint about a motorist’s vehicle choice.
He does receive a majority of mail regarding car problems in older
vehicles. Most requests are from readers
who visit independent repair shops and avoid going to dealerships for repairs
and preventive maintenance. A majority
of them feel price at a dealership is their concern. Many state inconvenience, too.
In
almost every instance readers love their vehicles and take great care of
them. They keep them for a long
time. When something breaks they often
ask for a second opinion or they are at their wits end with a condition their
shop can’t repair. In such a scenario
many independent shops have suggested a dealership is the next step to a
successful repair. Often an independent
shop will take an afflicted vehicle to a dealership for their customer.
You
rarely read about low mileage vehicles in this column due to the factory
warranty period. New car owners take
their vehicle to a dealership for warranty repairs. With bumper to bumper warranties of 36,000
miles or more and a 100,000 mile warranty on the engine and transmission it
would make sense to take a vehicle to a dealership. Also, many new vehicles come with preventive
maintenance packages with a new car purchase.
Diesel
Truck Fails To Start
Question
My
2004 Ford Excursion with a 6.0-liter diesel engine won’t start. When I turn the key on all the lights on the
dash light up normally. I wait for the
glow plugs to heat up and then I turn the key to start. When I do the engine cranks but it does not
run. I have cranked so much the
batteries needed charging but charging did not get the engine running.
The
truck is in great condition. I love my
diesel. I do a lot of the maintenance on
it. It has 141,000 miles and has been
well maintained. What would cause this
problem? R.M., email
Answer
I’m
sorry to hear of your plight. This might
be due to a blocked fuel filter. Perhaps
a fuel pump has failed. Maybe a fuel
injector control module has failed.
Perhaps the anti-theft system is preventing starts. Maybe the glow plugs are not heating up.
I
understand that you enjoy doing preventive maintenance tasks but at this
juncture the job of repairing this condition might be something beyond your
expertise. It’s time to send your truck
on an excursion to your favorite repair shop.
Misfire
Continues Despite Installation Of New Parts
Question
My
2003 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 has 183,000 miles and a 6.0-liter V8 engine. I’ve owned it since it was new. I change the oil and filter every 2,500 miles
and have kept up with other maintenance according to the factory schedule. It has never let me down.
When
the engine is idling, I feel a slight misfire.
I replaced the spark plugs, ignition wires and fuel filter. A friend who knows a lot more about engines than
me said that sometimes a bad crankshaft sensor causes the trouble so I replaced
it. This work has not cured the
problem.
I
went to an auto parts store for testing.
The employee found a misfire code in cylinders 5 and 6. I replaced the spark plugs again in those
cylinders but the problem continues. Can
you help? M.J., email
Answer
The
symptoms indicate an issue that might be the result of a leak at the intake
plenum. The two afflicted cylinders are
connected through the plenum. There
might be a leaky seal or gasket. It’s
also possible a vacuum port is connected at that point on the plenum and a
vacuum hose is cracked.
Since
the engine has pushed the truck many miles it’s possible there is excessive
wear of the valves at those cylinders. It’s also possible the camshaft is
excessively worn.
Check
for leaks at the plenum and vacuum hoses.
Do a compression test on all the cylinders. What needs repair depends on your
findings. Good luck with this project.
Thank
you for all the great questions. Dr.
Gizmo can’t wait to answer more.
Phil Arendt is a columnist,
consultant and A.S.E.-Certified Master Technician. Readers may send questions to Dr. Gizmo at
P.O. Box 548, Cary, IL. 60013 or e-mail address drgizmo@hotmail.com. 11/02/2015 ® DR. GIZMO © 1989 - Present
