Category Archives: In The Shop

Overtightened Oil Filter

Posted on January 6, 2020 by Dan

Some parts of cars need to tightened really well, others don’t need that much. Some people seem to confuse the two.

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Throwback: Blown-Out Spark Plug

Posted on December 19, 2019 by Dan

It’s a throwback post today, going way back to 2016 and a damaged engine. Originally posted December 1st, 2016. A Honda Element got hauled in on a tow truck one night. Big misfire, running horribly when we drove it into … Continue reading →

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Bad Alternator = No Reverse

Posted on December 12, 2019 by Dan

Recently a Honda Accord Crosstour was towed in with two seemingly unrelated problems. The first problem was that the charging system light had come on and the car wouldn’t start. The second was it wouldn’t go into reverse. I hooked … Continue reading →

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Annoying Rattle Noise

Posted on December 9, 2019 by Dan

A couple times now, I’ve had a car come into the shop with a complaint of a rattling noise while driving. Squeaks and rattles inside the car can be hard to find because it could be two pieces of trim … Continue reading →

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No Headlights? There’s a Recall For That

Posted on November 25, 2019 by Dan

A first generation Honda Pilot came into the shop to get some recalls done. It needed at least one of the airbag inflators replaced, but I don’t think that’s why it finally came in. The headlights didn’t work, and that’s … Continue reading →

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Chewed-Through Wiring Harness

Posted on November 21, 2019 by Dan

Check engine lights on new cars are not something you want to deal with, because usually it’s going to end up a warranty job and probably not pay as well as it would on an older car. Sometimes you get … Continue reading →

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Oil Leak and Ignition Coil Failure

Posted on November 14, 2019 by Dan

A Honda Odyssey came into the shop with a continuous misfire on cylinder 2. After confirming which cylinder had the misfire, the next step is usually to look at the spark plug to see if it’s damaged or covered in … Continue reading →

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Creative Exhaust Repair

Posted on November 11, 2019 by Dan

Exhaust systems rust out. It’s a fact of life here in New York. Usually the whole system has to get replaced at some point in a car’s life, but sometimes there are temporary fixes that can prolong the life of … Continue reading →

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Bedazzled Cars

Posted on November 7, 2019 by Dan

I like putting a personal touch on my cars, and I’m not the only one. Many people like bumper stickers, but I’ve seen a couple cars recently with a different modification that’s a bit more shiny.

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Easier Engine Swap Via Bodyshop

Posted on October 28, 2019 by Dan

The dealership I work at has its own bodyshop, and usually they do all their own mechanical work along with paint and body work. When a Civic they were working on needed the engine changed due to overheating, they elected … Continue reading →

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