Ask a mechanic thread... Q & A with an ACTUAL mechanic!

[TOTO Flames]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

I've got this Fiero I've been trying to sell with a replaced instrument cluster showing sweet low miles. I almost had a guy on it, but I think he figured out the truth. Is there a way to hide this better so I can offload this thing for big bucks?

Thanks.

You are better off telling the truth, you dont want that coming back to bite you in the arse.

[TOTO Flames]

Gentlemen, I am a VW Tech and have been doing it for 14 years, I will try my best to answer any questions you have. Now having said that, my knowledge is more geared towards VW, but ask away....

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by TOTO Flames

You are better off telling the truth, you dont want that coming back to bite you in the arse.

LOL, better chat with Pylon for the backstory on that one...

[Peanut]

There's ladies here too, my good man (I say, blithely assuming you are a dude because you are a mechanic).

Hey so question - is it true that on an AWD vehicle it's a bad idea to replace only two tires instead of all 4? My mechanic advised that the tolerances are so sensitive on the computerized AWD that having two old(er) tires and two new tires could really do a number on the drive train.

Truth or BS?

[TOTO Flames]

Originally Posted by Peanut

There's ladies here too, my good man (I say, blithely assuming you are a dude because you are a mechanic).

Hey so question - is it true that on an AWD vehicle it's a bad idea to replace only two tires instead of all 4? My mechanic advised that the tolerances are so sensitive on the computerized AWD that having two old(er) tires and two new tires could really do a number on the drive train.

Truth or BS?

Not BS, we use the 20% difference rule, any greater of difference can cause damage to your drive train.

[Tron_fdc]

So does adjusting a holly 650 4 barrel on a Pontiac 454 really cost $200?

Man was I mad when I saw that bill.

[pylon]

Thanks TOTO. This will be a cool thread, and as I updated in the OP.

Please be nice.

And please be patient.

He is a busy guy foremanning our shop. But he's a wealth of knowledge and a straight shooter. If the answer isn't what you'd like to hear, remember, he didn't build your car!

[burn_this_city]

Are the timing chain tensioners on 2.0 TSIs really that common?

[Timbo]

I don't need any advice at this moment but I would like to say thanks to TOTO Flames for offering up his valuable time and advice.

[wooohooo]

Thanks for doing this Pylon and TOTO,

Would you suggest buying a higher mileage vehicle (170K+)? If so, what kind of things would you be looking out for? How can you tell an engine is healthy or the transmission isn't faulty?

Thanks!

[Table 5]

1) Do you still miss the rains down in Africa?

2) For years, the biggest achilles heel of VW's were their electrical systems (our family still has emotional scar tissue from our 2000 Golf...great driver, but man did that car have issues). How do modern VW's compare in this regard? Have they gotten better?

It seems like every time I see a car with a lightbulb out, it's a VAG product, so I'm still a bit skeptical they've gotten better in this regard.

[btimbit]

Hey TOTO, welcome bud!

[Fleury’sOTGoalCelebration]

Great idea, I have a general question regarding classic cars, any recommendations for shops around the city to take it to get a tune up/carb adjustment? She's running pretty rough and would love to hear what they're thoughts are.
Thanks in advance

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by Tron_fdc

So does adjusting a holly 650 4 barrel on a Pontiac 454 really cost $200?

Man was I mad when I saw that bill.

I think Pontiac had the 455?

Nonetheless, pictures please. TransAm?

[puffnstuff]

VW electrical issues are nothing. Try a Land Rover. I pulled a wiring harness to test, every wire was the same color.

[bigtmac19]

Now I feel right at home. Currently having little electrical issues with my 2006 Jetta. Light bulb warning light will randomly come on. When that happens my right rear turn signal will stop working. If I shut the car off then turn it back on it usually goes away. Changing the bulb didn't help. My cooling fan randomly stops working. Have replaced every bulb in the car numerous times, yet they still burn out regularly. How does this need to be addressed before it turns into big electrical issues?

[TOTO Flames]

Originally Posted by burn_this_city

Are the timing chain tensioners on 2.0 TSIs really that common?

I wouldn't say common, but there have been a few that have needed replacement.

[TOTO Flames]

Originally Posted by wooohooo

Thanks for doing this Pylon and TOTO,

Would you suggest buying a higher mileage vehicle (170K+)? If so, what kind of things would you be looking out for? How can you tell an engine is healthy or the transmission isn't faulty?

Thanks!

All depends on service history, I always recommend getting a pre-purchase safety inspection, most issues are found on those inspections.
The question you should ask yourself is would you buy a house without getting it inspected first?

[TOTO Flames]

Originally Posted by Tron_fdc

So does adjusting a holly 650 4 barrel on a Pontiac 454 really cost $200?

Man was I mad when I saw that bill.

I just spoke with one of my senior techs in the shop, he said it can take a couple of hours to adjust, so he said it sounds about right.

[TOTO Flames]

Originally Posted by bigtmac19

Now I feel right at home. Currently having little electrical issues with my 2006 Jetta. Light bulb warning light will randomly come on. When that happens my right rear turn signal will stop working. If I shut the car off then turn it back on it usually goes away. Changing the bulb didn't help. My cooling fan randomly stops working. Have replaced every bulb in the car numerous times, yet they still burn out regularly. How does this need to be addressed before it turns into big electrical issues?

The question I have for you is, where did your purchase the bulbs? Are they the correct bulbs you are installing? Incorrect bulbs can cause back feeding in the system which can cause nightmare electrical "gremlins".