Mechanic Advice

I'm looking to change out my whole A/C system. Since I'm in Texas, I'd like to do it in the winter or, at least in the next couple of months, would rather be recommended, or should I wait until summertime?

Still need parts and to buy a vacuum pump for said repair

Preparedness. This is a big one, guys!

I'm a huge stickler on this, not just regarding vehicles but in every way. Life has caught me lacking in this area too many times and for every instance of it, I've added something else to my bag so it won't happen again.

What emergency tools/supplies do you carry with you? I'd love to know as I'm sure I'm missing a few things and am a firm believer that we can never really be too prepared. Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it, right?

Here's what I personally have in my vehicle at any given time:

Spare tires. Yep, I carry 2 just in case.

Tire kit. Plugs, patches, glue, reaming tools etc.

Air pressure gauges

DC plugin air compressor

Bike pump in case DC compressor fails

Gas air compressor if you don't want to pump the bike pump like a child, for all to see.

Lug wrenches

1/2 & 3/4, 1 inch. Etc. pull bars. Sometimes the lug wrenches just won't get it, nor will a 1/2 in. Pull bar.

"Cheater" pipe, a short 1 1/2 foot one & 4foot one for bitch lugs and otherwise.

Regular socket sets, standard & metric

Deep-well socket sets

Spare battery

Power pack to jump with in case spare won't do it, aim for at least 800 cca (cold cranking amps) with these!

Jumper cables

Hammer, never know when your fuel pump might go out.

Gas container with gas ofc. Sometimes your fuel gauge can lie to you!

Bailing/regular wire, never know when you have to wire something up to get home, whether a jumper or just using the bailing wire to keep your old fuel pump from shutting down due to lack of power there's a story or two behind this. If anyone would like to know.

Oil

Power steering fluid

Transmission fluid

Antifreeze/water in case of radiator leak

Radiator sealant in case of above. Ya know, in a super bind you can use self rising (iirc?) Flour to stop a radiator leak? Don't do it unless you're ready to trash the radiator, but it can get you home. Story behind that as well ofc, I pissed in a radiator once!

Spare tail light/headlight bulbs when applicable

Flares/road light kit in case of a wreck

Water, for thirst. I also carry some Gatorade mix, potassium etc. In case I'm getting dehydrated.

Portable umbrella & stand. Nice to have if you're stuck on the side of the road working on something. Also works for fields!

A couple jacks. I'd at LEAST recommend a few portable jacks but really a small shop jack imo makes it so much easier. Personally I also carry a few hydraulic jacks that can be worked by hand or via air compressor

Blocks. Few 6's, 4's,2's and 1's. They're for work but really come in handy and I use them in lieu of ramps as well.

Cooler, because it's always nice to have a cold beverage handy.

That's basically it for the somewhat bare necessities (imo) though I'm sure I've probably missed a few.

That's it for necessities, since this is Mechanic's Advice, if anyone would be interested in a "Mechanic's edition" including the necessities for most small jobs,

I'd be glad to share what I bring and would love to hear what some of you have in stock as well!

This is it for today's JTT, anything I'm missing? What do you carry or deem essential? Doesn't have to be life saving, just something you bring for emergencies, even small ones?

Anyway, until next time. Remember:

You are beautiful, no matter what they say and words can't bring you down - Christina Aguilera

And,

Kudos!

This is basic stuff but if you aren't already, be checking your tires for knots! Any place on your tire that's protruding abnormally. This can and eventually will result in a blow out.

If you've got one? Change that tire ASAP. Know what's 10x harder than changing a tire in your driveway? Changing that tire in the middle of the interstate, that is if you're lucky and don't suffer (or cause) bodily harm in the process.

Change it! If you don't have the cash for a brand new tire, search around for some local tire shops that might (usually will) hook you up with a cheap, knotless tire until you can save up for another.

Seriously, it's dangerous. Also, not sure if anyone needs to hear this but a friend of mine did recently so it's worth saying that:

if there's wire sticking out of your tire.. don't drive with it.. have it changed

The friend that I had to tell that? I offered to change her tire for weeks! She put it off until eventually she had a blowout on the interstate. Had to call a ride home and had to have the car towed because I didn't have time to get to it. I had her set up with a cheap tire for around $45 but instead it cost her hundreds, and a few days of missed work until it was sorted out.

Don't out off a bad tire! They won't wait until it's convenient for you, or you have the money. They'll blow at the worst time and ruin your day.

Just change it! Also, please carry a spare tire and a jack with you. Another tip? (Please, baby, we've been together for a month already) test the jack out BEFORE you actually need to use it. Not every jack will work for your vehicle, sometimes not even the one that's included with it. Test! If you can, buy a decent jack.

Oh, yeah, this goes for bald tires too (looking at you,. Kevin!) I see so many people put them off and many have a blowout before they get around to it. Same as mentioned above, if you can't afford brand new, shop around for some decent used tires until you can afford better. OR park it. Don't drive on bad tires!

This has been my Just the Tip, I know I promised just once but sharing myself felt so, so damned good.

Until next time friends,

Kudos for making it another day on this planet, I respect and love each and every one of you! Really!

Even you, Carl. Especially you.

Northern New Hampshire here. Lots of salt in the winters = lots of rust. Undercoatings worth it or not-so-much?

Decided to double dip my just the tip for you all today because this information may help someone in a bind. I know it's helped me.

The article above explains how to use a screwdriver to engage your starter when you're in a bind and can get you home, or to a shop, or parts house where you need to be asap!

You can also use this method to test your starter and see if it's bad, the video below is showing you what the above linked article is telling you but the starter is on the ground. It's definitely not the best video but best I could find in the rush I'm in today and will give you a better picture of what's going on I hope!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BAjMO3Zu88s

Have a good day y'all, and as always, Kudos!

Oh, one more thing, if any of this is unclear please feel free to ask! Admittedly I made this in a rush and only had time for a quick glance at the content. Sorry!

This is our first just the tip post! Anyway, if your fuel pump seizes up and causes you to break down, this little tip might get you home or to a shop where you should be asap when your pump locks up.

Video explains the details well, but basically if your car or truck won't start due to the fuel pump, it's because the bearings are seized so grab a hammer and give the bottom of your tank a few smacks to free up that little bastard! If it locks up once, it WILL happen again so don't think you're home free and the issue is resolved when you get up and running. Get to a parts store or shop and pick yourself up a fuel pump.

It's a little trick that can save you being stranded and having to pay for a tow bill, which is why I thought it would be a great first edition to our JTT series!

Have a good day, and Kudos to all of you!

I've been procrastinating a fix for a vibration that is speed related on my xc90. It starts around 45mph and comes and goes up to 65 or 70... I broke some stuff 'diagnosing' it, and once I fix that I'm going to take the awd driveshaft out. I'm assuming a bearing is bad, any ideas? I want to repair the driveshaft because it's really expensive to replace.

It's a given that people can post to this sub to get advice from mechanics - or just those with some know how everyone is welcome!

But what else would you maybe like to see?

"Just the Tip.. I swear!" - various tips from a mechanic, shade tree or otherwise? Anyone can post and share our various little hacks for pickle-oneous predicaments?

"Show me what you got!" - show us your engines, tires or anything mechanic related?

"Have a look at these Snap-ples!" - How's my tool set holding up? Advice regarding tools, even if it's just to confirm that they're indeed BADASS.

"Junk-hard?" - do you live in what's been called a junk yard? Would you like to share your hoard where it's appreciated, seek advice about repair, sale (maybe?) Or even just find out what it is?!?! I feel like this fits in the scope of mechanic advice?

I've run out of names for ideas. Thoughts?

Good idea/bad name? Bad idea/good name?

Should we just stick to specifically answering questions regarding issues people ask about and leave your feed alone?

Inquiring minds would like to know! I'd just like to see this place grow so forgive if I'm doing too much, or not enough (if not enough, help! I've no idea what I'm doing!)

Guess this engine and get.. something! Maybe just some kudos and a little respect around here, but that's something right! I don't know, I've never modded anything and am new to Lemmy. What can I give here? Flair? Do we do that? Inform me of that for bonus points!

Otherwise, points for A: identifying the engine B: knowledge of the engine C: what does this engine fit? What vehicle, what trans? D: what CAN it fit if modded? E: how many horsepower? F: how many liters? G: carbureted or fuel injection? H: what's the bore? I: Is for ANYTHING else! every itty bitty bit of knowledge will go to your score!

Here are the details:

2015 Kia Optima automatic 75k miles

I was driving today and my car turned off out of the blue. A bunch of lights came on in the instrument cluster and I was able to coast to a safe spot.

When trying to start the car there is a very short sound indicating it is trying to turn over, but maybe 1 second of this then silence. No clicking or whiring.

My friend came and tried to jump start my car. Before attaching jumper cables I checked my battery voltage and it was 12.4V. After 15 minutes of charging my car would still not start. Even with the jumpers still attached from his battery.

I went to AutoZone and borrowed their code reader, but it came up with 0 codes.

I checked every fuse and they all appear fine.

My thoughts are it could be the ignition coils or starter, but wanted to get another opinion before swapping things out.

Any ideas? Thanks in advance!

Edit: it turned out to be the engine has seized and it is being replaced for free under the recall. Got a 2023 Stinger as a loaner and very happy with how this turned out. Such a relief. I am considering selling my Optima and going Subaru or Toyota.

I run a little business doing this irl and though I'm not an expert in any one thing, I do have a bevy of general experience dating back a few decades. I've been a little busier than usual since coming to Lemmy and sometimes forget to check the app, and have missed a few posts due to this but if you message me directly and I see it I will absolutely get to you asap! I will try and be better at checking the sub.

I've somehow been listed as a mod here but have never modded anything so I've no clue how that works. If anyone would like to give some advice in that realm I'd appreciate and will try and do what I can for this place as I'd love to see an advice community like this thrive on Lemmy.

Anyway, just wanted to let anyone thinking about posting know that your questions will be attended to by at least a few Lemmechanics and that you'll certainly get some form of answer in time, especially if you message me as well as post (if you need help promptly)

They've got 98,000 KM (60,894 miles) on them and I figure this was pretty much my last summer on these anyways. Time for a new set? Thank you!

Hello, I have a problem with my car. It started about a month ago. A weird humming sound starts randomly, usually in the first minutes of starting the car. Lately, it was getting triggered by my first sharp turn to the left. After some time the sound just goes away.The more I accelerate, the quicker the sound, but it doesn't get stronger or sharper. The noise was really faint initially, but it got a bit louder these past days. The mechanic didn't find anything weird with the car. The wheels are well attached (apparently). At the time he wasn't able to reproduce it so he just told me to bear with it, but now it's a bit louder so I am getting nervous.

Here are 2 links for the sound output from inside the car, one for the old noise and one for the new one:

https://whyp.it/tracks/115868/old-sound?token=bZjFm

https://whyp.it/tracks/115869/new-sound?token=01Yug

Any ideas what that would be?

Hopefully to generate more traffic to this community, it would be very helpful to those looking for mechanic advice.

If not and this community needs a mod I'd be willing? Really want a place for mechanics here