Car Maintenance

[pixletwin]

I know their are a few people on this board who love cars as much as they love collecting (or more) .

I have a question. 2 things happened in my car at the same time. 1) My car is not accelerating like it should... feels like gas isn't getting into the accelerator. Or maybe transmission issues? 2) My "check engine" light as come on.

Could this be an issue with the fuel pump or does it sound like my transmission may have issues?

Thanks for any help I can get.

 

[EVILFACE]

I would start by changing the air filer and the fuel filter.

 

[Bannister]

My check engine light had been on for the past 8 years. My car finally died last week.

 

[Darthrazz]

My check engine light had been on for the past 8 years. My car finally died last week.

Bannister, you are joking right? My first car went 5 years without an oil change !

 

[Anzik]

I would start by changing the air filer and the fuel filter.

And hopefully you can find an honest mechanic.

 

[Bannister]

Bannister, you are joking right? My first car went 5 years without an oil change !

Nope. Not joking. I believe the check engine light came on as soon as the warranty ran out.

 

[karamazov80]

You guys seem to care as much about your cars as I do about mine

My check engine light has been on for at least 6 years. I literally have to go to another parish (county) to get an inspection sticker

 

[IrishJedi]

Change:

Air Filter
Fuel Filter
PCV Valve

Also... you might consider a new Distributor Cap, Spark Plugs, and Plug wires.


DO NOT pay a mechanic to do this. You can buy and do all of this yourself without much trouble. If you have to, buy the Hayne's Manual specific to your car.

 

[pixletwin]

Thanks everyone. I do have a haynes manual for my car. I'll swap all that stuff out and see if it runs better.

 

[Voorhees27]

It could be a gremlin though.

 

[Anzik]

If you do the cables make sure you mark them so you put them back on in the right order.

 

[EVILFACE]

It could be a gremlin though.

Could be, is it a Dodge????

 

[pixletwin]

My first car was a Dodge Aries station wagon. When those things die, believe me, its fantastic and dramatic in fullest!!!

Its a crappy old Chevy Prizm

 

[Voorhees27]

Could be, is it a Dodge????

I gotta know Evil, you don't like Stangs or Dodge, well, what do you prefer? Say I were to line up a Mustang, a Camaro and a Challenger.

 

[EVILFACE]

My first car was a Dodge Aries station wagon. When those things die, believe me, its fantastic and dramatic in fullest!!!

Its a crappy old Chevy Prizm

Prizm??? Push it off a cliff

Naw, they are good beaters. If the changing the fiters don't help, has the fuel pressure checked. When was the last tune up?

 

[The ill Jedi]

It could be a gremlin though.

What kind? There are many varieties.

 

[pixletwin]

Hasn't had a tune since its last inspection which was last august.

The cliff thing has been a temptation with past cars, but up until now this one has actually proven to be really consistent and reliable.

 

[EVILFACE]

I gotta know Evil, you don't like Stangs or Dodge, well, what do you prefer? Say I were to line up a Mustang, a Camaro and a Challenger.

Hard to say without knowing the year, engine and mods. Kneejerk I would take the Camaro.

I'm a fan of cars, muscle cars mostly. I like Dodges, but they weren't the best quality. I would kill every one of you for a real 1970 Baldwin-Motion Phase III Camaro.

 

[Darthrazz]

What kind? There are many varieties.

You forgot these two Gremlins!

[/IMG]

 

[The ill Jedi]

You forgot these two Gremlins!

Separated at birth!!