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Call 1: Justin, Louisville, KY
1987 Nissan 300ZX
A horn question. The horn is not masculine at all, and doesn't frighten other cars. It makes a gurgling, duck-like sound, which is the actual sound, and it's not broken. Can he install another horn?
Call 2: Angie, Hermosa Beach, CA
2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee
A starting/neutral safety switch question. It starts intermittently. She can get it to start if she rocks it back and forth. Guys send her to the parking lot to see if she can start it in neutral--if she can, it's the neutral safety switch.
Call 3: Michael, Jacksonville, FL
2000 Suzuki Swift
Suspension/4wd. Above 20 mph, he gets a motorcycle-like noise from rear of the car while accelerating. Doesn't make noise when he turns right, almost completely disappears. Going in time with the wheels. Wheel bearing is failing. The bearing is about to melt, and he needs to get this fixed right away.

Last Week's Puzzler Answer:

So, why was the dinner silverware magnetized? Find out.
Call 4: Angie, Hermosa Beach, CA
2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Calling back--tried starting car. didn't work in Park, but started in neutral, so guys were right. Neutral safety switch is bad or out of adjustment--get it fixed, because at some point, it won"t even start in neutral.
Call 5: Jeff, Carlstadt, NJ
1994 Isuzu Rodeo
A clutch question. When they go to their mountain home, after leaving car overnight, clutch pedal will have depressed to the floor--he raises it with his toe, then pumps several times to get it to work. Only happens there, at 2,000 foot elevation...not in city. The clutch master cylinder is probably failing, but guys don't know why it only happens in the mountains.
Call 6: Forrest, Phoenix, AZ
2002 Hyundai Sonata
A fuel/repair question. Heard Katie's call in 0836 about the fuel line flush. Her mechanics have used it on her before. How do you know if you really need a flush? With detergents in gas, you shouldn't need a flush, but it won't hurt anything except your pocketbook. It could help if car is running poorly. Her car could need a tune-up, including changing the fuel filter.

This Week's Puzzler:

A car was stolen from a dealer's lot not once, but twice. The cops arrested the dealer. What did they spot?
Call 7: Nate, Summit, WI
1997 Ford Explorer
A transmission/timing/engine question. The car makes a sound like a leaf blower intermittently. "woooOOOOooooOOoo" and it will stop if you shift into neutral. It starts around 50 mph. Someone told him it could be coming from the bell housing or transfer case? Sounds like it"s something under the hood--could be a damaged transmission due to a seal that leaked. Get it on a lift and check it out. Bring donuts to garage to get them to put it up for free.
Call 8: Tara, Fremont, CA
1986 Volkswagen Vanagon
Relationship advice/sociology. She met a "really nice" guy, who?' going to Stanford med school. On the first date, discovered that he's living in the van, even though he has an apartment. Should she continue to date this guy? Otherwise, he seems normal--bathes, doesn't grunt when he eats. Tommy likes him, Ray thinks he sounds okay, but says introduce him to mom, and see what she says.


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