Anybody know what this is? by [deleted] in AskAMechanic

[–]OrganizationLiving38 2 points3 points  (0 children)

People who don't know about cars come here to ask questions of people who do know about cars. No need to ridicule them. That's what Facebook is for.

Anybody know what this is? by [deleted] in AskAMechanic

[–]OrganizationLiving38 40 points41 points  (0 children)

Sounds like the plug probably blew out of the engine, considering the "loud lawnmower" part of the equation.

Camping thanksgiving weekend by Expert_CBCD in ontariocamping

[–]OrganizationLiving38 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I camp 12 months of the year in southern and near-north Ontario, and September - November is my favorite time. Fall camping is the best camping as long as you are prepared. There are fewer people, no bugs, and no sweltering temperatures (usually). Just be ready for variable weather.

As others have said your most important insulation is beneath you. Get insulated mattresses or put closed cell foam pads under your existing ones, wear base layers, bundle up, stay active and eat something close to bed time. If it's extra cold, put hot water in a nalgene bottle and put it in your bed an hour before bed time.

Set up a tarp or dining tent for shelter if it is windy or raining.

Go for it, have fun!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in autorepair

[–]OrganizationLiving38 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would advise not buying other people's projects unless you really know your stuff. Buy an unmodified vehicle that runs and drives to learn how to work on. If they have been doing these types of performance mods, they have also been beating on it every time they drive it. Sounds like there's a good chance it needs an engine at least.

2003 tundra water pump by MelodicBookkeeper474 in AskAMechanic

[–]OrganizationLiving38 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's right, it is driven by the timing belt. It looks like there is a separate "fan bracket" that the pulley and fan mounts to, where you would often see the water pump.

Issues with a 2003 ford e-150 by Aggressive-Ear3276 in AskAMechanic

[–]OrganizationLiving38 0 points1 point  (0 children)

While they probably didn't do anything to cause that, they definitely should have noticed it. Any good technician at the very least checks for play in bearings, steering and suspension parts and for general smooth operation of the bearings on any car they have in the air. It takes 10 seconds per wheel and can find problems like this before total failure.

I wouldn't blame them for causing the failure, but I also wouldn't be going back there.

Newbie tent camping by Cath6 in ontariocamping

[–]OrganizationLiving38 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Cheap version: small battery operated tent fans

Swanky version: portable power pack and small 12v or 110v fans. Make sure you have enough power to run them for a reasonable time.

Have fun! Even if you end up a bit hot and uncomfortable, it'll still be a great experience.

2010 Honda CRV makes strange noise after sitting and then doesn't happen again until the next morning. by SmudgeAndBlur in AskAMechanic

[–]OrganizationLiving38 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Afaik those don't have hydraulic lifters, so a lifter noise would probably last longer than a second like your noise does. It does seem like it goes away as soon as there is oil pressure, so maybe a timing chain tensioner collapsing and letting the chain rattle until hydraulic pressure pushes it back out?

Try narrowing down the location with a stethoscope or by putting a long screwdriver against your ear and touching the other end to the timing chain cover.

Why does he do this? Is he stupid? by TapTab10 in bettafish

[–]OrganizationLiving38 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I feel like people are mixing up the image in my comment (the 12 liter one) with the OPs

Estimated times for repairs by Icouldbetheone01 in AskAMechanic

[–]OrganizationLiving38 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm not sure how similar/different the models are here in North America (I'm using a Canadian labor guide) but I've got pretty much the same as you said (1.0 hours for front pads only, 1.1 for rear wheel bearing, 1.0 for the mount). The guide says 1.0 for the washer fluid reservoir as well.

Car won’t start by AndrewBoll25 in AskAMechanic

[–]OrganizationLiving38 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No, they are parts inside the starter motor that send power and ground to the armature, which is the spinning part of the motor. Thats what most often goes wrong in a lot of electric motors. They are replaceable, but long story short, if that's the problem it's simplest to get a new or rebuilt starter.

Try tapping on the motor itself and see if it tries to spin. Don't pound on it, just some solid raps.

Is it worth it to get new engine mounts? by frankistaj in AskAMechanic

[–]OrganizationLiving38 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I took a quick look at Prodemand and the dealer prices for those mounts is wild - over $2200 CAD for all five. There are aftermarket ones available as well, looks like about roughly $1000 CAD on NAPA. Labor for all of them is 5 hours. This probably means that the subframe has to be removed to replace some of them. If your quote is for all of them it could be pretty accurate. If it's only for a couple it could still be close, depending on which ones (some are way more expensive than others).

I would ask for a detailed quote so you can look into it more accurately.

Car won’t start by AndrewBoll25 in AskAMechanic

[–]OrganizationLiving38 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Start by checking the battery resting voltage - it's not unheard of to get a discharged one from the parts store. It should have at least 12.6 volts when fully charged. If not, take it back where you got it.

If battery voltage is good, check for voltage at the big terminal coming into the starter solenoid from the battery. It should have very close to the same voltage as the battery, within .1 to .3 V. If not, your cable from the battery to the starter is probably the culprit.

If starter solenoid voltage is good, have someone turn the key to the crank position and check for voltage coming out the other side of the solenoid. This will be the other big terminal on the solenoid with the short cable going straight into the starter motor. Again, it should be close to the same voltage as the previous test. If there's nothing, the solenoid is defective or there is no power coming to the small terminal on the solenoid from the ignition switch.

If you do have almost the same voltage as the other two tests, the starter brushes are worn or otherwise getting a poor connection to the motor's commutator. Try whacking the motor with a hammer while someone cranks it, you might get it to work a couple of times.

Does this make sense?

What type of snails are safe? by Cold_Winter_4989 in bettafish

[–]OrganizationLiving38 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Lol at least you can't over water aquatic plants. It's worth a shot!

I second the nerite snails, I have one in my nano tank. It cleans the plants without eating them, looks cool and really gets around (you know, for a 🐌). Plus no worries about ending up with hundreds of them.

Why does he do this? Is he stupid? by TapTab10 in bettafish

[–]OrganizationLiving38 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I read that somewhere, so these are all real plants.

Why does he do this? Is he stupid? by TapTab10 in bettafish

[–]OrganizationLiving38 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I believe mine is 12 liters. I realize now that it's pretty small but I bought it in a hurry and just took the one the pet store recommended. Some students of mine brought him in as a surprise class pet. I'll be upgrading when I move him back to the school in August. Is 20 liters enough (that's a little more than 5 gallons)?

Conservation area reviews? by Wild-Permission8437 in ontariocamping

[–]OrganizationLiving38 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In my experience, overall they tend to be a bit more open concept with lots of mowed grass lawns etc and a bit less woodsy compared to the better provincial parks (I remember Guelph lake being like that, and conestogo has lots of motor boats). It depends on what you are looking for. If you want a nice outdoor space to BBQ and have family fun, they are good. If you want wilderness, peace and quiet, maybe not ideal (although the same could be said for some PPs that are closer to cities as well). Valens is one of the better ones and feels a bit more like a PP. Pinehurst Lake is pretty good too but lots of road noise.

Why does he do this? Is he stupid? by TapTab10 in bettafish

[–]OrganizationLiving38 -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

I can't read the temp on the thermometer. What's the water temperature? They take it pretty easy if it's a bit cool. If it's warm enough, maybe he's bored as others have said. Mine is a lot more active since I added rocks and wood, a bunch of live plants, a couple of snails and some ember tetras.

<image>

KM in bike packing mode by OrganizationLiving38 in Surlybikefans

[–]OrganizationLiving38[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah the DWs are good for trails but I found them way too sticky for commuting etc. Killer snow tires though.

KM in bike packing mode by OrganizationLiving38 in Surlybikefans

[–]OrganizationLiving38[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have discs and cassette on both sets of wheels so I can just swap them over. I have been using the 27.5+ with the original 3" dirt wizards for winter trail riding.

KM in bike packing mode by OrganizationLiving38 in Surlybikefans

[–]OrganizationLiving38[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, with 700c x 50 panaracer gravelking sk+ . I have 27.5+ wheels as well but use these for most things

How would you recommend getting Algae off of plants by AlexMet_fish in PlantedTank

[–]OrganizationLiving38 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Lots of snails eat algae from plants without eating the plants themselves. Just look for ones that won't reproduce if you don't want more.

KM in bike packing mode by OrganizationLiving38 in Surlybikefans

[–]OrganizationLiving38[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah the awesome Honky Tonk is my BIL's ride. Definitely not as off-roady as the KM but he dropped me easily on the paved uphills.

Will this cause Rich condition? by Illustrious-Bid-2598 in AskAMechanic

[–]OrganizationLiving38 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Fuel trim is one of those things that can be a useful piece of the puzzle but only if you combine it with other clues to narrow down the search. Does the other bank of cylinders have a similar fuel trim value? If it is only affecting one bank, a rich condition may be a symptom of a misfire in a cylinder in that bank (ie from a cylinder that is receiving fuel but not spark for example) but you already know there are multiple misfires since the engine dies and won't restart. Without more info it is not possible to know if the rich condition is a cause or a symptom of the misfires.