This weeks auto scanner article. The Auto Scanner By Larry Rubenstein Vol. 6314 Q: Hey guys I am Mark. I heard you on WBZ NewsRadio 1030, and I love your knowledge with cars. I have a 04 Chevy blazer with a 4.3 engine, and 4x4, with 201,000 miles!! Runs like new...but one minor problem. When I go on highway or up a steep hill and push hard on the gas pedal the engine knocks once and the service engine flashes say 25-30 times then goes off. It’s so awkward and started this say 6 months ago. A: Scanning the engine, you will probably find misfires on cylinders 1, 2, 3, and 4. This is caused by water intrusion into the spark plug chamber at the spark boot. This water intrusion is caused by a bad hood seal near the windshield. GM does make a new seal as part of a technical service bulletin. You will need to replace the plugs and coil ends if they are contaminated. Q: I read your column every week in the Salem News, even though I depend on the dealer where I purchased my car. I would like to have you put in the date Code for tires and explain how to read it. Thanks, and I will be watching for a lesson on reading this. A: On the side of the tire, you will see numbers that look like they were branded on with an old fashioned branding iron. Since the year 2000, the week and year that the tire was produced has been provided by the last four digits of the tire Identification number with the 2 digits being used to identify the week immediately preceding the 2 digits used to identify the year. For instance is the stamp reads something like FLRR 5007, the means, FLRR is the manufacturing plant, 50 is the fiftieth week, and 07 of course represents 2007. So this tire was built at the plant designated FLRR, during the second week of December in 2007. I hope this helps. Q: Looking for help with my 05 Hyundai Santa Fe, 116,000 miles. Started having problem about a month ago. Whenever I get fuel, the car starts hard right after fueling. Acts like it lost its prime. Needs several starts to keep engine running. Other than these times, car starts and idles just fine. I dont let gas tank get below 1/2. Doesnt matter whether I fill tank or put in $20 or so to get it to 3/4. No check engine light. Yesterday it took several tries to keep engine running. Car ran only a few minutes to home and something else occurred - wouldnt shut off when ignition turned off. I quickly flipped the switch back on, let the car idle for couple minutes and tried again - engine stopped right away. No fumes, no exhaust black smoke, no rough idling, no hard starts at other times - just when I put in fuel. Could a leak in the evap system have anything to do with this? Any help would be much appreciated. Thank you A: The problem is an open check valve (purge valve) at the fuel tank. Scanning the system with a bidirectional scanner will reveal this problem. Car Care Tip: The car doctors (Scott, Tony and Larry) take to the air on WBZ News Radio 1030 May 20th on the Jordan Rich Show. Call in to be a part of the show and possibly win a prize.
Posted on: Wed, 04 Jun 2014 22:53:22 +0000
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