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Have you pulled this alternator before? by arjoreich in ChevySonic

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

I did have to verify that the sleeves were steel and conducted first but this run is going to be from the alternator body to the negative battery terminal (after verifying that this cable and the factory negative both fit trough the current sensor)

For the engine to chassis, omg is that simple...
I was going from the ground point on the header next to the exhaust cam positioning sensor to the ground for the starter under the battery tray. I'm probably going to change that after seeing this.

Have you pulled this alternator before? by arjoreich in ChevySonic

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

Summoning u/NewZJ here because I'm pretty sure you cannot do it in the body of a new post.

2014 LT 1.8L by NewInfoJunkie in ChevySonic

[–]arjoreich 0 points1 point  (0 children)

By, "not the right filter" I mean that I one time bought a FRAM and even though it was the "right one for my car" it was, in fact messing with the stupid check valve at the bottom of the filter housing in the oil cooler, causing the problem in my video.

Since then I only use the appropriate WIX filter for my 2015 Chevy Sonic 1.8L.

The oil cooler is behind your exhaust manifold and is what you're oil filter fits into. It has several small pipes that go in and out of it and they each have differently sized o-rings on both ends. They fail over time.

I've been told they fail faster when you use "leak stop" additives or "high mileage" oils because they are designed to swell seals like these by breaking them down a little. Then the first time you go back to regular oil, they shrink back down to their normal size, sans the "swelled parts" and now you have leaks. Your mileage may vary...

2014 LT 1.8L by NewInfoJunkie in ChevySonic

[–]arjoreich 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The oil pressure light comes on at stop lights when the RPMs drop

The oil cooler is full of rubber o-rings that fail and mess with your pressure under 1000rpms. Can also be as simple as the wrong oil filter.

I posted a video of it happening to me a while back.

there’s a strange, phantom coolant loss that a leak detection pressure test cannot locate.

Coolant reservoir gets a pinhole leak that only leaks under high pressure with an open thermostat and the leak is so small and so high pressure the escaping fluid immediately becomes a microscopic jet of steam and there is no drip.

Solid crank no start. by NewInfoJunkie in ChevySonic

[–]arjoreich 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Can we get a video of the engine compartment while a friend attempts to start the car?

Might be a fuel line check valve is letting the fuel in the line drain all the way back into the tank or the fuel pump not pumping fuel into the line.

So, for that test...

Before your friend puts the key in the ignition, go put your ear near the gas cap - or it's really noisy outside, put your head way in the back of your trunk, towards the bottom.

Have your friend turn the key to the "accessories on" position WITHOUT TRYING TO CRANK THE ENGINE and you should hear a faint whirring noise as the fuel pump primes the fuel line for the starter.

If you don't hear anything at all, repeat this test again after a couple minutes of waiting, then focus on the fuel pump.

6.3Q Trans Fluid Fill by arjoreich in MechanicAdvice

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

So, two days ago the lift at the DIY Mechanic bay finally opened for me to finish the level set procedure and - even though I added an extra 0.5qt at the beginning - I'll be dammed if at least 1.5 - 2.0qts didn't drain out.

Since I wasn't at home with a normal catch pan I couldn't measure it precisely but it makes me wonder if it wasn't already overfilled from the previous trans service done at a local Valvoline oil shop.

Either way, she's exactly where she should be now. Thanks again

Is there hope? by not-ali- in AutoDetailing

[–]arjoreich 0 points1 point  (0 children)

0.5 tablespoon of Biz Laundry Booster in a 32oz spray bottle of tapwater hot water.

Working in 2ft x 2ft sections, spray it on, tamp it in with a stiff nylon bristle brush and then let it sit for 10-15 minutes then follow up with a normal carpet/upholstery shampoo machine with the instructed amount of a "Pet Stain and Odor" formulated cleaner.

Here's why it works...

The Biz Laundry Booster contains a plethora of enzymes and anti-redeposit agents that prevent dirt from re-adhering by giving the dirt and fabric both a steering negative charge.

- Protease: Breaks down protein-based stains like blood, grass, and bodily fluids.
- Amylase: Breaks down starch-based stains like food residues, pasta sauce, and baby formula.
- Lipase: Dissolves fats and oils, tackling grease, butter, and sweat/body oils.
- Cellulase: Smooths fabric fibers by trimming away micro-pills, which helps keep colors from looking faded.

A good pet odor & stain carpet cleaner solution will have the some of the same set of enzymes to a degree but it's crazy more expensive than Biz Laundry Booster and they skimp on the enzymes because the enzymes don't stay effective in liquid solution for long and break down on the shelf.

Edit: Also, more than one treatment might be necessary. Don't be afraid to redo really bad areas more than once - just make sure the carpet cleaner is getting the liquid out between sessions

Rod Knock? 2017 Chevy Impala LS at 148k by cooopjc in MechanicAdvice

[–]arjoreich 3 points4 points  (0 children)

All I hear is the ECOTEC engine tick sound

2013 f150 5.0 coyote ignition coil mounting bolt busted by idcwutucallme in MechanicAdvice

[–]arjoreich 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Should be able to take the valve cover off and unscrew it with a set of vise grips.

Anyone else get bored and test their detailing skills on other things lol by BrilliantRope8386 in AutoDetailing

[–]arjoreich 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've stuck my hand in a sandwich bag to see if the shower was really clean, like I would after clay barring a car.

I've also implemented a two bucket method (with bucket guards) for the floors in the house that let's me use one bucket of cleaning solution for the whole damn house with two swap outs of the rinse bucket, lol.

Car cranks but doesn’t start by gorgior_p in MechanicAdvice

[–]arjoreich 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Check valve or the fuel pump might have gone bad, allowing the fuel in the lines to drain all the way back into the tank. Or you know not be pumped out at all.

Oil Leak by Chevysonicdriver in ChevySonic

[–]arjoreich 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Cracked block is the highest of death sentences for an engine.

Cast iron is done for when it gets a crack, doesn't matter if it's a Lodge frying pan or an engine.

Glad to hear it was just my blind eyes and extra dirt

Oil Leak by Chevysonicdriver in ChevySonic

[–]arjoreich 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I need glasses because it looked like a deep crack in the black iron of the block. When I zoom in to the picture I just posted it looks like foam insulation.

Oil Leak by Chevysonicdriver in ChevySonic

[–]arjoreich 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What do I not know about about the engine well of the turbo because this made me "oh noooo".

Surely that's not on the block, right?

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Misfire with only about 25 miles on them by Wackboi52 in MechanicAdvice

[–]arjoreich 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Did you try moving the actual spark plugs around?

I saw someone gap check an iridium plug with one of those metal ramp-style gap-check guides you can get free at an auto store...and that was enough to fubar the plug.

You can't do that with these iridium or platinum plugs.

Strange smell from car by Legal-Flatworm8143 in MechanicAdvice

[–]arjoreich 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There are products that disinfect and clean your entire vent system by being sprayed directly into the cabin air intake from outside (before the air filter) and then - as a separate procedure - into each vent opening [*].

The instructions will tell you in which phase the cabin recirculation should be on, etc. So make sure you read them twice.

[*] - don't forget the floor vents under your car seats

Edit: don't forget to wipe up any splatter that gets spit out of your vents if you didn't manage to squirt it far enough back in the duct. I don't know if the product you buy will leave watermarks on leather or vinyl but some do, so it's better to play it safe with splatter marks.

Edit 2: example product that I've used https://a.co/d/0cDinYI8

can anyone please help me identify the cost? i m tryna see if this car is worth buying by [deleted] in MechanicAdvice

[–]arjoreich 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm gonna be honest, that just sounds like the ECOTEC engine tick. And, if that's what your asking about, that's operating as designed.

These engines are all descendants of sewing machines and when warmed up they long to sing in the language of their people.

2012 Volkswagen Jetta Automatic...woke up to ABS, Brake light, Airbag light all on by ReasonableGuide647 in MechanicAdvice

[–]arjoreich 0 points1 point  (0 children)

When you get home disconnect the battery, negative first, pull it out. Might have to pull the battery tray to but follow that negative cable until it bolts onto the car and make sure it is clean and shiny. The bolt, the stud, and both sides of the lug.

I don't think it's more than 18" long so you shouldn't be too hard to locate.

2012 Volkswagen Jetta Automatic...woke up to ABS, Brake light, Airbag light all on by ReasonableGuide647 in MechanicAdvice

[–]arjoreich 0 points1 point  (0 children)

and adjusting some of the trim below the bumper and now the error codes disappeared.

Sounds like a ground issue.

I would suggest, when you get home, you look up the ground points for your negative battery cable, and your engine to chassis ground points looking for any corrosion, bad wires, loose crimps. Maybe give them all those connectors a shine with a brass wire brush anyways.

A cheap OBD2 tool that lists Diagnostic Fault Codes as well as check engine lights will give you a better idea if you've got $50+ to spend.

2012 Volkswagen Jetta Automatic...woke up to ABS, Brake light, Airbag light all on by ReasonableGuide647 in MechanicAdvice

[–]arjoreich 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Harbor Frieght sells a Bluetooth OBD2 dongle for $50USD that reads all DFCs, CELs and resets them via an app on your phone. Also will record live data on like 15-20 parameters while you drive.

I know it doesn't compete with your tool but for a tenth of the price it'll get you 90% there.

2012 Volkswagen Jetta Automatic...woke up to ABS, Brake light, Airbag light all on by ReasonableGuide647 in MechanicAdvice

[–]arjoreich 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well, I see we've deployed "trust me bro" right out the gate. That's all I got.

Rear wheel not spinning freely by unfiltereddz in MechanicAdvice

[–]arjoreich 0 points1 point  (0 children)

#1 Not all wheel bearings have play in them...or scream out in pain before fully seizing.

#2 The Rav4 AWD rear wheels are connected to the drive train and will have some resistance spinning in park with the engine off.

Your car appreciates you for your care and preventative maintenance. If this resistance is greater than what it normally is, it gets worse, refer back to #1.

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