Q-Two months ago, the 4-liter engine in my 1988 Jeep started to miss. The miss is felt when I accelerate and the automatic transmission shifts from first to second. I took the car to a mechanic who told me he had to replace a faulty spark plug wire. The engine ran fine for two days, but the miss returned. I took the car back to the mechanic. His equipment showed no trouble, though the engine sputtered and missed. He replaced all the wires, fuel filter and changed the engine oil. He checked the timing, distributor rotor, distributor cap, computer and cleaned the fuel injectors, but the miss persists. After all that, I took the car for its emissions test and it failed. What’s wrong? T.I., Bartlett
A-It would have been a help if you had sent a copy of your vehicle emissions test results, which would have helped me determine what is wrong. There may be an electrical problem, such as a loose connection in a wire harness. Since the miss occurs when the transmission shifts, there may be a loose or corroded electrical terminal in the distributor. It’s possible that the ignition module is faulty or a spark plug is misfiring. According to your list of replaced parts, he hasn’t changed the spark plugs. Maybe that will cure the miss.
Q-In a recent column, you answered a question about air conditioning. You said that Freon would no longer be produced after 1994. Therefore, older refrigerant systems will need to be retrofitted for R-134. There is an alternative refrigerant that can be used instead of Freon or R-134 that is made in Idaho and works great. Use of this product will save money because the A/C system won’t need conversion. Can you tell your readers? P.E.H., Tinley Park
A-Thanks for the brochure that explains the product, but the only EPA-approved refrigerant is R-134. That doesn’t mean new products won’t be developed, but for now motorists must use products that meet EPA standards. R-12 (Freon) and R-134 are the only products that meet automaker standards. Pumping other products into the A/C system may cause irreversible damage. In the brochure, the company states the product has been submitted to the EPA for approval. You should wait for EPA and auto manufacturer approval.
Q-I found rust forming on the inside of the left and right doors on my 1987 Ford Crown Victoria. I called Ford Motor Co. and was told that the warranty won’t cover rust repair. I took the car to a dealership for inspection of the rust. I was told that the rust didn’t perforate the body, so no assistance was offered. They quoted $600 for the repair. I took the car to a body shop where I was able to get the problem repaired for $400. Is this an unusual complaint against Ford products? G.B., Chicago
A-Your car is just about eight model years old. As you stated, the factory warranty covers rust perforation for six years or 100,000 miles. Your warranty expired almost two years ago. So, Ford doesn’t have to repair the rust-damaged areas. It’s not unusual for rust to appear on a 4- or 5-year-old car, especially around seams and crimp welds. If you hadn’t had the rusted areas repaired, it wouldn’t be long before the metal would have rusted through.
Q-You advise used-car buyers to have a car inspected by a qualified technician before they make a commitment to purchase the car. I don’t know a mechanic who will do a thorough inspection. Where can I find one and what’s the appropriate fee? J.P., Winfield
A-You should ask friends or co-workers what mechanic does the best work for them. A thorough evaluation takes a little more than an hour. You will have to discuss cost with the mechanic, but expect to pay at least $50. If you want the car evaluated by mechanics who only evaluate and don’t repair cars, you can call Auto Testers and Appraisers Inc. at 708-398-0008 or Car Checkers of America Inc. at 708-924-9444. Both are mobile services that can come to you. A complete evaluation and vehicle title search costs about $125.
Q-In a recent column you responded to a reader who had traveled through Mexico. They mentioned that Mexicans warn oncoming motorists that their headlights are on by waving the hands in a downward motion. You said that we should adopt that custom here. Wouldn’t it be better if we flashed our headlights as we do when we see police officers checking speed? D.A., Due West, S.C.
A-Flashing the headlights when another motorist has his or her headlights on would be confusing. Motorists wouldn’t know whether there is a police officer hiding around the next bend or whether their headlights are on.
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Phil Arendt is an automotive technical consultant for the AAA-Chicago Motor Club. Readers may send technical questions about cars and trucks to him at Dr. Gizmo, A+Automotive Career Counselors Inc., P.O. Box 548, Cary, Ill. 60013 or to his America On Line mailbox DRGIZMO.
