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I have a 1989 f250 5.8 the hose that hooks to the check valve blew out and where the deverter is connected it melted and the connection came off and hot air from it melted the top of the oil cap am I right in thinking the check valve is clogged and where can I find a diagram of the California emissions system for 1989 f250 5.8

Response:

I’m guessing you are referring to the PCV valve that plugs into a grommet on the valve cover.  This is a 2 buck item, but if you shake it and hear a rattle, it’s working.  Just replace the melted stuff, and connect it back together.  As for the CA stuff, Google works for me.  Or the dealer should have a copy of it.
 check valve allows air or liquid to pass in one direction only.  Remove it, blow in both ends.  If you can blow thru it from both ends it’s bad, if you can’t blow thru it from either end it’s bad.  If you can blow thru it in only one direction, it’s good.  As far as the second valve, don’t know what it is. 

Personally, I prefer to get to my destination; instead of siting on the side of the road waiting for the tow truck. Preparing your car for the trip is simple. This article is intended to briefly educate on how simple checks will keep you moving forward. Read on.
Automobiles are my specialty. I repair and service an average of one to five a day, with a comeback rate of 2%. Only 2 out of 100 vehicles return to me because of my mistake or a part failure. I take pride in educating auto owners about the importance of a reliable automobile. In order to prepare yourself for a successful commute on a long trip use a basic check list.

- Check the oil, you should check the oil on your car or truck once a week, but absolutely check it before a long drive.

- Check the tires, automotive tires will loose air over time. This can result in a major problem on the road, like a blow-out. Tires will malfunction if not inflated properly.

- Check the coolant, overheating can be damaging to the vehicles engine resulting in roadside assistance.

- Inspect the belts & hoses, a belt braking can cause a number of things; including battery charging and power steering malfunction.
In summary, I have briefly explained some basic checks on your car that should be performed, before a long trip. Make sure to consult a qualified auto service mechanic for further assistance. The auto mechanic should be able to assist you with other procedures that are necessary to make your automobile road worthy. Keep your ride off of the hook and have a save trip.

 I have a 2006 checy cobalt. the problem is my engine keeps comming on then it will go off. It may be off for 2 days then comes back on even while im driving. Then it may stay on again for couple of days then go off. What could be the problem.

Response:

Get someone to check the codes. Autozone or someplace like that will do it for free. I am just guessing but if you have a lot of miles on this car it could be your cat/converter is starting to be plugged or a sensor going bad. If it’s still under warrenty, the dealership will be the best place to start. Out of warrenty, check or have the engine codes checkrd and then let us know what has been discovered.
 Alot of times it could something as simple as a loose gas cap. Theres a sensor that monitors the vacuum pressure and if that cap is loose then it cant keep a vacuum.  I would try that…..This is True. Even a Fuel Cap being loose or having a inoperable pressure valve in it can cause this. However, if the vechicle is covered under a warrenty a maintence record is kept and these facts become availible to persons of interest like Car Fax when it is resold and the Consumer Protection Agency for ReCalls and updates.

Hello I have problem with my wifes van. It don’t want to start. It sounded like the starter was hitting the flywheel, it stoped sounding like that band just would trun but not start. it wanted to .

Response:

Sounds like it’s flooded. How many miles? When was it last tuned up and fuel filter change?

They stopped working about 2 months ago. When I hit a hard bump in the road, they work for a time; but then stop. What could be wrong?

Response:

Sounds like a loose connecrtion.  Get out your meter.  Wiper motors usually last forever.  My dad had to have one replaced on a 70’s AMC wagon, and we used to burn them out on our police cars when arriving at a bad accident when it was raining.  You bail out leaving all the equipment running, and on a serious injury or fatal, we might be there for a couple hours.  In the meantime, it’s stops raining, and the wipers have no lubrication, which loads the motor up and it burns out.  In about 55 years of driving 40 vehicles, I’ve never burnt one out.

GM’s Wonderful Pain…. Put it All-in-One, the Turn Signal Switch Assembly!!!! Ao $20 part and it pops out with minimal pressure. Careful with those Hair tin wires ’cause thats what started the mess.

I had a 92 Transport and it did the same thing…it was the wiper motor. Got one at Andy’s on W. Michigan with the whole mechanism and it worked great til the motor gave out for the 2nd time. I miss that van…was very comfy.

 I can’t turn on windshield wipers and spray windshield cleaner. The wipers work. Is there a way to check sprayer motor? Do I need to buy a new one? Should I buy one from a junk yard? I really would like to fix this, it may help keeping windows clear this winter. Thanks.

Response:

More than likely the line has frozen due to the water content that most people use to cut their cleaner in the summertime. However, if it is the pump it can be purchased seperately from the wiper motor at Auto Zone, Advanced Auto Parts, Auto Pro ect

 Can you hear he motor trying to work? The lines could be froze or sometimes the nozzle itself gets plugged. Take a needle or a small pin and poke in and out of the nozzle a few times. But nothing will help if you can’t hear the washer motor trying to work.

I am not getting spark from the spark plug wires on a ‘91 Integra. WHat can I look for? Where is the computer located and what does it look like?

Response:

This can be caused by a number of issues. First thing to do is check all the fuses , fuse links and relays.
Knowing what happened when the car stopped running can help us diagnose the problem.

Was the car running fine and then suddenly died or was a stereo installed or had it been sitting for a long time, has someone pressure washed the engine etc? Give us some history on when and how the car stopped running.

The computer is usually not the problem, but rather a sensor that feeds a signal to the computer. Cam sensor, crank sensor, oil pressure sensor etc. There can be a bad coil or coil pack, bad ignition switch, faulty wiring to any of these sensors or shorted wiring. There are too many possibilities to just say it doesn’t get spark.

I am employed as a fleet mechanic for a towing company. We tow for all local & state police agencies as well as the public. Customers pick up vehicles daily and many will not start when they try to drive them away.

The three most common reasons are:
1. Alarm system issue including wrong chip or vats key
2. Inertia switch (Triggers when vehicle is in a collision)
3. Out of fuel