Show Rundown

#0827: Ask Not For Whom the Transmission Croaks

Original Air Date: 07.05.2008
2
Show Open Topic

How listening to Car Talk can help save your marriage. Maybe.

Call 1

Shauna Lowry Franklin, Tennessee - 1987 Toyota Camry

A starter problem. It makes a grinding noise when she goes to start it, and sometimes it takes longer to start. Wants to get rid of the car, but husband insists they keep it until it dies. Problem is missing teeth on the flywheel, need to fix it because eventually it won

Call 2

John Surwinski Bristol, Connecticut - 1995 Subaru Legacy

A fuel gauge question. When he gets to half a tank, the gauge wobbles up and down the entire time. There are two sending units, because the tank straddles the transmission. One of the sending units isn

Call 3

Eric Lusis San Diego, California - 1995 Toyota Camry

An engine/oil question. Went for a CV joint, was told the intake gasket had a leak, so he had it replaced. Now when he starts his car in the morning, it blows a puff of gray black smoke. Mechanic gave him a bogus explanation. Could be unrelated and possibly a blown head gasket. Needs to have a pressurized coolant test to see if coolant is getting into one of the cylinders. Take it to another shop.

Call 4

Valerie Kramer Rescue, California - 1995 Ford F250

Transmission question. One day when she was angry with her husband, she drove off and hit a pot hole and the transmission locked up. Now the truck won

Call 5

Tom Williams Seattle, Washington - 1999 Porsche Boxster

An electrical/seat warmer question. He

Call 6

Julie Moon Chemong, New Jersey - 1994 Honda Accord

A heating/cooling/AC leaks freezing cold water on her feet, when she turns a corner. Seems as if it

Call 7

George Thompson Goshen, Indiana - 1998 Volvo S90

Engine/belt/fan question. For about a minute when he first cranks it up, there

Call 8

Lynne Weynand Austin, Texas - 1995 Honda Odyssey

A suspension question. When she accelerates, there

Call 9

Vince Nicholes Phoenix, Arizona - 2002 Nissan Xterra

A power steering question. He has trouble turning to the right. Better at higher speeds or in cold/rainy weather. Probably the steering box. Over $1000 new, or he could price one out at a junkyard.